[Intro: Lukah]
Yeah, yeah!
(Statik Selektah)
What up, Statik?
Yeah ,yeah, uh-huh
[Verse 1: Lukah]
You better do your research and get to digging
You quickly find I am the illest brother existing
I was born driven, I be the secret no longer hidden
And been this for a minute, let's rewind this to the beginning
Way before the mic spitting, just livin' life as a minor
With his eyes to be a writer, but main goal is to be a survivor
There were codes only known to the hood I had to dеcipher
Had a couple OGs, but they knеw they weren't great advisors
Black aristocracy, fascinated with riders
We weren't so high class, Mama's tears were constant reminders
All my life I've been torn between gangsters and freedom fighters
My uncles and my cousins were killers, some were suppliers
I looked up to them all, they were dangerous, but still providers
In the midst of all my thugging, education was still required
I knew my fam loved me, but I felt like an outsider
Little dark skinned boy with shame 'cause cuzos were brighter
I always felt they treated me different because my skin wasn't lighter
We're strong when we're together, but we thrived at being dividers
It's crazy how Paradise can turn into a wildfire
Heavy trauma sits on my brain and spitting helps it feel lighter
Out the Mire, my fam had to get it
My great-grands earned 'cause they knew shit was never given
My ancestors fought for change, damn right they made a difference
I'm not privileged, I'm just motherfucking gifted and conflicted
I'll be the righteous and the wicked
Let me show 'em
[Chorus: Lukah]
Who I be, I'm the one that was raised in the gutter
Who I be, for the people, high-powered motherfucker
Who I be, I'm the nigga that can quickly recover
If I get knocked down, I bounce back like none other
Who I be, I'm the nigga, half god, half monster
Who I be, I'm the nigga that can never be conquered
Who I be, I'm the brother with the mic in his hand and a strap on his side, so I'm never outnumbered
[Verse 2: Lukah]
Agitated from Frank Avenue, golds in my mouth, nappy head, I'm permanently jigaboo
From memories of my youth, love I received will surely absolute
My mama made me work even though we were sort of destitute
Fam raised me to respect, so I'm peace and I never persecute
Somehow I made it out, fam kept my neck out the system's noose
I'm grateful 'cause I jumped off the porch and didn't have a parachute
I had the perfect view, saw the killers, hustlers and prostitutes
Them gang niggas too, them the ones who taught me to aim and shoot
And now I keep it on me at all times, whenever I'm in commute
I will make it home to my babies, believe in your resolute
Don't want to take that route, but I will, bruh, I come from gangsta roots
Was trained by real niggas, so the real niggas, mane, I salute
And broke wasn't an option, I learned the game, there was no excuse
I bagged so many zips, touch my fingers, still feel the residue
I'm the one, I'm never deuce, I'm the truth, my messages will suffuse
Peace to my fam and hood, 'cause they birth this Nigga Wit Attitude
[Chorus: Lukah]
Who I be, I'm the one that was raised in the gutter
Who I be, for the people, high-powered motherfucker
Who I be, I'm the nigga that can quickly recover
If I get knocked down, I bounce back like none other
Who I be, I'm the nigga, half god, half monster
Who I be, I'm the nigga that can never be conquered
Who I be, I'm the brother with the mic in his hand and a strap on his side, so I'm never outnumbered
[Outro]
The middle class black must be careful of the language he is using, or rather which language he is using
Only a few Black Americans have been able to operate freely within both cultures using both languages
Gotta be ten times as good in the office and the hood
I would if I could, but I'm unable yet
I'm perfectly capable to adapt
Where 10,000 hats. No cap
Dig that the black African has no place in Babylon
True, but damn, I'm a man with kids in the fam, i.e. bills, so I gotta activate these acting skills
North Memphis Actor's Guild gotta pay these bills
These things get ill
So to the office I go
Corporate America halfway scared of your soul
You got me fucked up, bro
Might have to turn into
Obviously, you have a discombobulated perception of the situation without looking like a Sambo
Firm but non-threatening to a point
Still got to hold my own in an intelligent fashion issue
Our intellectual tongue lashing without emotionally crashing out
A little bit of ot make that paycheck look stout
Won't sell my soul for occupational clout, but the household can't do without that direct deposit. Shit
Fiending for the weekend to spend time with real family and friends
To chill, sit back, relax, put on my cool hat
Healthy soul food barbecue
What up UNC? Playboy
Good to see you
Ain't t looking good, mama?
I love you too, pops
Cutting the rug
Acting the fool. Dominoes. Spades
A blanket in the shade
Horseshoes I win
Go to bed Monday morning
Wake up and do it all over again
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