[Intro: Rakim]
Can you see what I'm seeing
Or are you distracted by the poverty-stricken streets of deep depression that we in?
I see survivors of the worst conditions to be in
You see deceit and the demons, the the death and the grieving
No place to raise a seed in
But the rose still grow through the crack left in the cement
Just as pleasant as Eden, where wonder succeed in greeting
Oppression's the reason people unite, even give thеy life expressing what thеy believe in
[Refrain: Sally Green]
Hang on close to the real ones
Hold 'em up high, ride 'til we die, love is the message
[Verse 1: Ras Kass]
I just lost another homie
Hands curved in the sea, thumbs touching
Made the heart emoji
Married the streets, now we paying alimonies
This ain't about the money (Uh), this an allegory (Uh)
The God's speak in parables
The odds speak in miracles
Razzie healed the sick like Theraflu
Even if you don't care, I do
Compassionate
Spread love like Jesus passing the cannabis
Happiness was a can of soda, a bag of chips
Now all us Goyard bags, we bagging zips
Tagging bags for trips, bagging battered chicks
How my body back these bars 'till my body bagging zips
I told these haters, eat a bag of dicks
But they was cool with it (Heh)
Nevermind, forget it
Tomorrow ain't guaranteed, carpe diem
I love you to life, free them all
Got me singing
[Chorus: Sally Green]
Hang on close to the real ones
Tomorrow don't make no promises
Showing them 'til the day comes
Hold 'em up high, ride 'til we die, love is the message
[Verse 2: Planet Asia]
Block music, tennis shoes in the war
One false move, that's an interview with the Lord
The fly general, screw face, ride with the tablets
What's a piece of metal to a magnet?
What's puppy love to a marriage? What's a charm to a chain of medallions?
What's a scammer to a hustler up for the challenge?
Another cup for you to pour me in
I put the archetype on display inside the auditorium
This right here is recorded history
You got the God, Nipsey, Rakim, and Planet Asia off the whiskey
Tipsy on this day of culture
Which is my way of life, I live it, then unite in a state of extortion
Head on the swivel, my enemies loco
But I was blessed with the same power as Simeon Toko
They hip-hop shake, I'ma do bamba
And yo, the trinity is me, my mother, and my father, regardless
[Chorus: Sally Green & Louis King]
Hang on close to the real ones
Tomorrow don't make no promises
Showing them 'til the day comes
Hold 'em up high, ride 'til we die, love is the message (Look)
[Verse 3: Louis King & Louis King and Snoop Dogg]
These affirmations, I'm the dragon slayer crawling out the dragon's lair
Unscathed, web3, I don't sell my music for no chump change
One song moving six figures off of one day
What I need a record label for? I'm on the front page
Paid in Full, rock the godfather of the wavy flow
Grenade, blaze, radio for change, blaze, stay the flow (Yo)
Waiting in the water, drown eternally, parade the coast (Yeah)
Back 'em down and play the post (Look), get back in town and fade alone (Whoop)
When it come to the message (C'mon), stress it, hip-hop, my love language (Yeah)
All that for one necklace (One), don't blink for one second (Whoop)
I'm goin' where I'm headed, not afraid of the long roads present
Strong, 'cause I'm going where they come, I was raised of a phase, never calm, I'm a weapon, I belong with the legends
I wrote your favorite rapper verse, but the reference was more authentic (Yeah)
It ain't about the mentions, I told you, it's 'bout the message (Message)
Drop my daughter in the classroom and hop on a plane
Give her a kiss, tell her I love her, then I'll be back again, it's Louis
[Chorus: Sally Green]
Hang on close to the real ones
Tomorrow don't make no promises
Showing them 'til the day comes
Hold 'em up high, ride 'til we die, love is the message
[Bridge: Kobe]
One time for the real ones
Keep you head up high
It's for the ones who didn't make it
We gon' blaze all night
Can't show no love no more
These streets ain't safe for you and me
Thank God we blessed one more
Thank God we blessed one more
[Chorus: Sally Green & Snoop Dogg]
Hang on close to the real ones (Look up in the sky)
Tomorrow don't make no promises (We are two, I am the one)
Showing them 'til the day comes (Look up in the sky)
Hold 'em up high, ride 'til we die (We are two, I am the one), love is the message
[Outro: Snoop Dogg]
If I wasn't Snoop Dogg, I wouldn't mind being Rakim
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