Stay Woke

How I keep from going under?
It's like a jungle outside
Sometimes I wonder
How I keep from going under

We scream, "Black Lives Matter," but we still toting ladders
Watching our own brothers trying to get at us
Dreams get shattered when a scene full of crackers
And they charge you with some shit you ain't do
You like, "What happened?"
We go get lawyers to say shit, we don't know how to talk
They taught us to hate each other before we learn how to walk
Momma taught you how to fight, fight
'Fore she taught you how to write, write
And daddy locked down in the cell, can't kiss you night, night

Monsters under the bed every night, feel like it's fright night
Coke fumes in the air, mama holding on that pipe tight
And you catching contact, but never mind that
In a world where black is wrong and white right
It's like a combat, we go to war for our freedom, they say we equal
I used to wanna play like Randall and be an Eagle

I used to play the quarterback, my dog would go receiver
That was 'til ball got flat by a dope needle on the pavement
It's amazing, this environment we was raised in
On them papers, one mistake and getting caged in
You gotta feel me, feel like the system trying to kill me
Got arrested and the charges F1 for popping wheelies, stay woke

Though it's designed for us to fail
We still prevail through the hell
Yeah, can you believe it? We're still undefeated
Though it's designed for us to lose
We'll still make it through, nothing's impossible
Believe it! We're still undefeated

Picture me ten years younger with some tats on my face
Taking a bunch of Xannys with the strap on my waist
Pointing at the camera like mama ain't teach me manners
Tryna see more bills like I'm headed to Alabama, no, wait
I can't judge them, I'm just trying to understand them
'Cause I used to pop Percs, pouring purple in my Fanta
Had me swerving in my Phantom like I'm running from my dreams
I was heading for the slammer
I was planting all the seed for them to bury me

I had my whole family mad at me
Feel deep in love with the game and it married me
Judge said, "I'll give you a chance, just don't embarrass me"
Motivatin' these little niggas is like a charity
Community service even though they knew we was working
They did this to me on purpose, 'cause I ain't moving too perfect
I stay away from them clowns, watch how I move through the surface
'Cause they be weighing you down
Even some of them dudes in your circle, stay woke

Though it's designed for us to fail
We still prevail through the hell
Yeah, can you believe it? We're still undefeated
Though it's designed for us to lose
Nothing, nothing, nothing's impossible
Believe it! We're still undefeated

How can I pledge allegiance to the flag
When they killing all our sons all our dads?
I come from a place
When you kill your own brother you can brag
Like he got bodies, but that's a fad, no, that's a fact
You screaming out at your corner, nigga, that's a trap
Screaming out, that's your homie, nigga, that's a rat
Catch a case with him, bet he crack
The odds against you and they double stack, stay woke

Bought my mama a new crib, that's some gangster shit
Niece and nephews walking around wearing minks and shit
Kept the hood motivated, this the thanks I get
Try to Ja Rule the kid on some Wanksta shit
But that's impossible 'cause I'm unstoppable
The label can't drop me, nigga, I'm too valuable
You thought I would lose but I won and that bothered you
Still move around in Philly just like the mobsters do

When I talked to Em and Hov, they said, "I'm proud of you"
"You stood tall back when everyone doubted you"
My reply is, "I did what I gotta do"
"And I need that verse 'fore you retire too"
Jumping all the obstacles, I'm way too wavy
Said I would lose but you way too crazy
Pick and choose either fame or the money fame will make you crazy
And the money will make them bad bitches say, "Thank you, baby"
You're welcome