Hardknock

[Intro: Joey Bada$$]

Check it, word, word

What's the word, word?

Yeah

Check

[Verse 1: Joey Bada$$]

Just got word

From my mans on the island, he said he needed guidance

Niggas on the streets is wylin', he look to God but can't find Him

So he demand silence from the glaring sirens

The sympathy symphony, only thing playin' is the banned violence

No lyin', niggas just won't let go the iron

They wanna burn your molecules until you let go ions

Treat beef like they let go lions, so don't eye 'em

They get the wrong message, wrong methods put you on that long stretcher

Too much pressure, God bless ya when the semi wet ya

They told me, "more dress-up", I'm giving too many lectures

And I'm puttin' in too many effort in my nouns and verbs

Like they gon' catch up, fuck what you must heard!

But I done puffed enough herb

To be listening to young birds and dumb nerds

I got enough shit on my mind

So I don't need to be stressin' and shine, it's fine

[Chorus: Joey Bada$$, CJ Fly]

One day I'm tryna have a wife and kids

So I just can't live my life like this

And I ain't tryna learn what lifeless is

So I just can't live my life like this

I want the gold chains and diamond rings

But I just can't live my life like this

And sometimes I just wanna light this spliff (Check)

But I just can't live my life like this

[Verse 2: CJ Fly]

Got a collect call

From up top, my cousin called me and whatnot

The motto never changed, it’s still fuck cops

We went from having lunch in our lunchbox

Our lungs was hot whenever we'd puff pot

We'd touch blocks and end up havin' to duck shots

But fuck that, ain’t tryin' live that life no more

My mind corrupted, but my heart is still pure, gotta be brave, can’t be afraid

Braids and waves never matter when you catch the fade

Trapped in a maze, and your faith is your only escape

Fuck a priest’s opinion, knock the hinges off of Heaven’s gates

Tryna share my cells with my mate, not share a cell with mates

Wreckin' shit with my recklessness

The L get lit, that’s when I start second-guessin' shit

Thinkin' 'bout Ty, and then I reminisce

What you thought? You niggas could’ve fuck me over? Never, nigga, guess again

I’m street, so cross me like pedestrians

And that’s gon' be the end of it, straight revokin' your membership

[Chorus: CJ Fly]

One day I'm tryna have a wife and kids

So I just can't live my life like this

And I ain't tryna know what lifeless is

So I just can't live my life like this

I want the gold chains and diamond rings

But I just can't live my life like this

And sometimes I just wanna light this spliff

But I just can't live my life like this

[Verse 3: Joey Bada$$]

Niggas wanna know

What I’m about; I’m 'bout blowin' loud

On the block sporty, Glock 40 in a politician mouth

I take the competition out commission with my composition

Who the kid spittin' behind the bars like a con position?

Gotta give ‘em time to listen, they’ll soon bump to it

They’ll like me, I kick it like Nike, they’ll soon adjust to it

But if you hate, I know you must do it

I ain’t mad at you, I keep my attitude on "screw it, a million bucks should do it"

I’m out for presidents to represent me

Yo' chick keep messagin' me, "Who the bestest MC?" They be mentionin' me

Too hot, I be molestin' the beat

Fuck math, teachers should teach us to get Smith & Wesson’s off of the street

So first-class be a lesson for me

Fuck what you teachin' for some regents, I'm flyin' over regions

Reachin' all-time highs where Jesus can’t reach us

Censor me and get the recipe to make you rest in peace

This is for my niggas, killers, hundred dollar billers

On the block in the rock spot, Glock cocked, watchin' out for cops

All about their cheddar, young guns know nothing that’s better

Like fuck a prison letter, those Beretta’s led us to the lettuce

Relish fetishes, menaces want the senator’s percentages

If you ain't prejudice, you still a nemesis

Smokin' on the Clematis, get open like a present is

Now your presence is on the premises for them presidents

My city be the genesis for where they think the terror is

They linkin' terrorists from the Stuy to Lincoln Terraces

Stay on that reckless shit, they leave you left for the dead

Kids don’t play, they’ll erase your head in a race for the bread

Children on the corners slingin' some regs, poppin' some meds

Jakes be so deep in cover they be chasing the feds

I be backstage grippin' haze, breakin' my leg

My folks was makin' the best when they was naked in bed, motherfucker

[Chorus: Joey Bada$$]

One day I'm tryna have a wife and kids

So I just can't live my life like this

And I ain't tryna learn what lifeless is

So I just can't live my life like this

I want the gold chains and diamond rings

But I just can't live my life like this

And sometimes I just wanna light this spliff

But I just can't live my life like this