The Message

[Intro: Dr. Dre]

This one is for my brother, Tyree – R.I.P

A message to God

[Verse 1: Dr. Dre]

Since you finishing 'em early, what possessed you to start him?

We made a vow – later we'll regret 'til death do us part

Lord, I thought we was made for each other

You shouldn't connect those, made to be taken away from each other

Now what I'm supposed to do? I'm only half the man that I was

I'll never last, 'cause my better half is up there with you

You knew what you was doing when you made us

So with all due respect, you coulda forgave him, you didn't have to take him

He can take the game with him, 'cause he defines the word

The one who puts the G in it, who you think put me in it?

I'm feeling like my whole world is blinded, wondering why

Crying, pouring out my heart, pouring out liquor behind it

We fought like brothers, something we never should do

We coulda used time spent arguing telling the truth

He had talent too – I had plans on watching him blow

Don't know what hurts more, seeing him leave, or watching him go

[Chorus: Mary J. Blige]

Listen, listen, listen (Listen)

Listen, listen, listen (Better listen)

Listen, listen, listen

Listen

[Post-Chorus: Rell & Mary J. Blige]

If you wan' know why (Why I live my life)

The way that I do ('Cause I got to get this money)

So don't worry about me ('Cause I know my way around)

I'm just hustlin' everyday, runnin' this race, makin' this paper

[Verse 2: Dr. Dre]

You's a soldier, you're probably packing heat up there

Met up with homies from the street, and got deep up there

If you only knew the way I felt before they ruined the crew

I thought I learned from Eazy, now I'm going through it with you

We lost a thug, a son, and a father

I spoke to your son, the other day, and told him Uncle Dre got him

The Lord must be accidentally pulling your file

'Cause I'm still paging you "9-1-1" – straight in denial

Prayin' you get it, but no man can choose the card he was dealt

You either quit, or you gon' play it like you get it

I done been through all emotions, from in shock, to keeping a poker face

To straight breaking down and showing all emotions

From anxious to believing real G's don't cry

If that's the truth, then I'm realizing I ain't no gangsta

It's just not me, but you know I'ma always ride wit you

I miss you, sometimes I wish I just died with you

[Chorus: Mary J. Blige]

Listen, listen, listen (Listen)

Listen, listen, listen (Better listen)

Listen, listen, listen

Listen

[Post-Chorus: Rell & Mary J. Blige]

If you wan' know why (Why I live my life)

The way that I do (Cause I got to get this money)

So don't worry about me (Don't worry, don't worry)

I'm just hustlin' everyday, runnin' this race, makin' this paper

[Outro: Mary J. Blige]

Listen

If you don't know why you better listen up right now

Listen, listen, listen, listen

Listen, listen

Listen, listen, children, listen

I'm tryin' to tell you somethin' good

Don't get caught up in the hood, yeah

If you don't know why

You gotta find out the reason why

Brother, brother