Black Boys (Remix Two)

[Verse 1: Bashy]

Yo, Black boys, Black boys, yeah, we're all Black boys

I can't stop screaming it

I could have left my version and done, took the glory

I said "nah, I'm not leaving it"

It's bigger than just having me on it, 'cause

We need the whole scene on it

So if you ain't done a version, send me your email

I'll send you the beat so you can breathe on it

Black boys are achieving tings

All around the world back to Stevenage

Take a page from their book, start reading it

Put this track on repeat, start beating it

Start feeling it, Black boys, it's our time

It's not a drеam, believe in it

I wrotе "Black Boys" because we needed it

This is deep shit, guess who I brought for the remix?

[Verse 2: Nolay]

Black men stereotyped for holding MAC-10s

I back them 'til the end 'cause that's my best friend

My boyfriend, my lover, my son and my brother

I love no other above you with the gleam in your eyes

Skin tone the shade of mahogany

I solemnly cried inside when my brother died

But your love for a Black girl made another life

Otherwise I wouldn't be able to smile

Black doctors, teachers, lawyers and preachers

Athletes, you deserve some credibility

'Cause you've got the ability

To move mountains, my love for you overflows like a fountain

Don't judge or doubt him 'cause he's a Black boy

You don't know nothing about him

We rose from the shackles and chains, hassle and pain

Battling shame, remember the name, Black boy

Say it again, Black boy

You're a braveheart on the straight path, no arms, gotta stay calm

So when they wanna try stop you, they can't

Know your roots and keep on growing like a plant

'Cause you ain't gotta be something you aren't

Say "I know I can" or your name ain't Nas

'Cause there's no such thing as "no, I can't", Black boy

[Verse 3: Durrty Goodz]

Black man rise, Black man live up

Black man strive, Black man don't give up

We're 10% of the population in Britain

But we're three quarters of the population in prison

Shout out to the poor Black kids with a vision

And for those tryna get the picture like celebrities on television

Thinking of a way of better living

It's simple, the road code is stop, look and listen

None of us ain't gotta cook crack up in the kitchen

All of us ain't gotta get a strap and go on missions

See, there's more ways to stack; look in your culture

See, there's more ways to being Black

And forget the government and New Era caps

Find something, invest, you'll get cheddar back

And everyone ain't gotta come on the track to be an artist

So I'ma hit the track like Mark Lewis-Francis

Regardless of stereotypical garbage

There's bruddas still spreading the love outside the heartless

Send a request to all the young baby fathers

Big up your chest, you know you take care of your daughters

What are they saying? We just all look alike?

It's time we show 'em through the darkness to the light

Look, we're gonna make it and that's for sure

If you're a Black man then let it show

[Verse 4: Skepta]

Yep, I'm speaking on behalf of myself and Jamie

We sold over ten thousand CDs

In HMV, over six thousand T-shirts

Not to mention performing at Glastonbury and V

Daytime radio still don't wanna play me

But if I shot somebody

They would make sure my name was heard on the radio daily

You never see the good side of us in the papers

So I'm not surprised when I frighten the neighbours

I pour out a little drink for my Black people that died

For stepping on someone's trainers

Life used to be priceless, believe me

But now I'm worth the same as a pair of crep

Anything from £199.99 to a pinky

I was that little Black boy in the '90s

Listening to 90.6, Fonti, Bushkin and Mighty

Moved on a couple years, then it was Dizzee Rascal and Wiley

Now watch out for us man on the frontline

Roll Deep, Shadow Demon Coalition

Boy Better Know and the Meridian Bloodline, one time

[Verse 5: Ty]

Okay now, who set the trends that they tend to buss?

Then they turn around and sell it back to us

Black boy, you're bigger than you think you are

And much further than they thought you could be

And I know they don't portray you right on TV

But if you fight for the right, we could be

And I know you don't have your rightful place on planet Earth

But if you don't know your worth, why should we?

I should say put the guns down but that sounds too boring

Put the puns down 'cause the people are snoring

And I don't feel good about watching you upset

When the world is [?]

In the world is more than a ghetto

Playing tough don't get you a medal that you can use

Everyday is a gamble if you will lose

Be strong, only you can walk in your shoes

[Chorus: Bashy]

'Cause we're all Black boys, Black boys, yeah we're all Black boys

And one day we're gonna be Black men

And one day we might have Black boys

And we gotta teach them to be Black men

Black boys, Black boys, yeah we're all Black boys

And one day we're gonna be Black men

And one day we might have Black boys

And we gotta teach them to be Black men

[Post-Chorus: Loick Essien]

Ooh, child

Things are gonna get easier

Ooh, child

Things will get brighter

Ooh, child

Things are gonna get easier

Ooh, child

Things will get brighter