[Verse 1]
Somewhere between the corner stores and churches, I found gangstas and God
Being guided by the son, is it Jesus or Nas?
I was 12, it ain’t hard to tell ‘less it’s 12
I knew 12 disciples, they 12 was a rifle, it’s the cycle
‘Fore my circle started smoking squares
The barber said “you better shape up while you can, little man”
Understand Black boys don’t live long, we live fast
Niggas have drive and still crash
Somewhere between trees and the dirt, laying seeds in the Earth
Getting cheese on our chips to getting cheese on the first
Mama, she was working up at Dulles next to Parkway
I’m dribbling pretend I’m Tim Hardaway
Had to learn the harder way, here today and gone today
When they took Mickey like they took Mrs. Thomas heart away
They say things change and I tend to agree
My homies die but they living through me
[Chorus]
Maintain
Young nigga gotta maintain
Maintain
Young nigga gotta…
Maintain
Young nigga gotta maintain
Maintain
[Verse 2]
Yo
My vision dark like a blind man in a blindfold
In a blackout with his eyes closed, it’s hard here
I was feeling low then my friends started getting high
Numb the feelings when they need to feel alive
Hands are counting digits so I guess it’s bad timing
Inner-city living, I go to sleep to the sirens
Writing all these bars now I visit friends behind them
Ain’t no team seeing me figures there’s no ‘I’ in
Writing Chucky letters just to tell him “keep yo head up”
Couldn’t let him down so that’s why I never let up
The way that shit is set up they don’t wanna see you shine
Rather sit you to the side but when you fit to lead the line
Demand for change, that’s the only way you get it man
Asking don’t get much, ask a homeless man
Tryna get control of my life
I was depressed, mama started losing her sight
My grandma had dementia now she losing her mind
And then my uncle had cancer and he losing the fight
I’m trying to find a reason to smile when ain’t much to laugh at
Death start pulling some names like it’s a grab-bag
Fuck rap, I don’t even want it man, you can have that back
It’s makeshift, it’s fake shit, man I hate this game
I spit fire like I’m tryna burn everything
Turn it into ashes, I had to earn everything
Wishing I could give my girl more than a wedding ring
I’d give her the world if I could put it on layaway
Worst days was birthdays, I hate to be cheap
All I could get her was my love, I wasn’t tryna be deep
But… She told me “I believe you”
That mean a lot when other girls would be leaving you
Don’t forget me when you blow up
Growing up where niggas don’t grow up
[Chorus]
Maintain
Young nigga gotta maintain
Maintain
Young nigga gotta…
Maintain
Young nigga gotta maintain
Maintain
Young nigga gotta…