These Waters

[Produced by Nottz] [Verse 1: K’Valentine] I gotta split this honeybun in four ways No heat because the gas is off us, it’s goin’ on four days Depression in the corridors, pressed to the doorway No power in my tongue, nobody cares about what the poor say Fuck the system, Willie Lynch ‘em, what they did to us I’m walkin’ to the cornerstore, the scenery’s ridiculous Commercial with the old hands about how it used to be They witness the digression but the struggle shit ain’t new to me I’m from the place where all the money and respect is missing Poverty stricken but the pastor still collect commission We think we free but unknowingly we accept restrictions I’m out the dark because my hunger sparks my scepticism Was always taught embrace my elders and protect the wisdom Peaceful, still neglect the victim but we give it that permission Black girl, thick skin, woman [?] She’s the reason we’re a diamond so I call her pressure [Chorus: Chris Rob] Spent a long time searching for the heart I’m feeling shy I can feel the freedom in me; I can make it to the other side And when my mind begins to drown When the world’s tryna bring me down I’ll still be keeping my head above these waters [Verse 2: NIKO IS] All muthafuckers afraid to speak out so they tweet out Celebrities hashtag revolution on the rebound My life is in rehearsal, why you think I always freestyle? People are getting beat down, yo [?] Niko turn that beat down Look, you wanna make history, boy, you tryna make it out? Too many negative people in your circle you gotta take them out See [?] paper route Find the combinations cause I never took the safer route I wanna see my people wealthy, in body and mind I’m healthy But some people just wanna settle for a selfie It’s hard to level with the devil in me And the next man is tryna sell me a dream, in a pyramid scheme Wake up now look, my vacation is a permanent safe haven Man, this system isn’t game, why you think they buying PlayStations? My people in body bags and you watch Twitter lobby gagging And would rather spend $200 on Jordans that everybody have [Chorus: Chris Rob] Spent a long time searching for the heart I’m feeling shy I can feel the freedom in me; I can make it to the other side And when my mind begins to drown When the world’s tryna bring me down I’ll still be keeping my head above these waters Spent a long time searching for the heart I’m feeling shy I can feel the freedom in me; I can make it to the other side And when my mind begins to drown When the world’s tryna bring me down I’ll still be keeping my head above these waters [Verse 3: Jessica Care Moore] I walk for miles and no smiles I live for my brother who didn’t know how I see the envy in my know-how I know the world looking at me, the ocean so shy The sun got my skin brown Michael could easily be Michelle No doubt, so foul Being a girl is half silent, part-time loud No Mattel, no long legs like mine to play with I’m surrounded by magic Put the hood in my cloud, you can’t have it No curfews for godless bandits This is the world I’ve been handed Motherships and Cutlass Supremes landed Not a fan of bandwidth I communicate with ancient Sanskrit Use the lead to write the life I was dealt with Always number two to you But I know I’m the curve of every corner The place you gotta stop before you cross one And it’s usually the hardest story, from the brightest smile And the sweetest child And you cry rape and smile You steal the lost and found Indigenous screams keep my mouth shut and my dreams deferred Word, I’m a blue bird, in the jay territory I’m my great-grandmama’s glory These new trees wanna lynch me or whore me While my arms keep stretching at climbing past rings of stories My block is be more and black My block steals horses, the hearse and fire’s back My eyes tire from watching my back My existence is a matter of fact Retold this fiction, I created form, style and diction Surviving was my first adult decision I breathe, I love, I travel, I pray Beyond this place, this moment, this walk from my door To simply make to the other side of the day