[Intro: James Baldwin]

When I was growing up

I was taught an American history book

That Africa had no history

And neither did I

That I was a savage

Who had been saved by Europe

And brought to America

And of course, I believed it

I didn’t have much choice

Those were the only books there were

[Verse 1]

If ima spit it it’s slow pace

And cookin with raw base

The gray on my coal face

Don’t become cold case

Keepin it too real

Wavin that blue steel

Only a few dare

For all of you crabs I got old bay

I had a feud mix of scavengers ‘cept by day the bottom feeders

Before I consume filth I pray a born leader

Out the womb born freer

Than my father on the same day can look at the block the same way

My AK my spray god bless Ndeeba

Straight outta the head of Medina, Ms Omotunde took us to see Sarafina

Gifted and talented overachiever

Word to Monster, Shakur Sanyika, Nathan McCall and Ms McMillin got me through the ill in a man child

In the promise land time

Kill em with words as the pages I turn

James Baldwin quotes made the rhymes extra dope

The Native Son, the negroes, the caged bird singing for the heroes

Wanna see accounts with zeroes

From maids and sharecroppers with blades

To doughboys with high top fades and truck chains

I’m amazed from the visions

The greatest empire that was ruled by Egyptians

The richest man still Mansa Musa made a

Three fourths of the [oma?]

Poverty is the tumor that the evil find humor in

Sometime reptilian skin blends don’t let em smear your third eye lens

The barrier reef coming to the end

The foundation of the food chain gone in the wind

Pay attention to the why and henchmen with no respect

You don’t shit where you sleep for a check (for a check, for a check, for a check…)

[Verse 2]

From the land where you learn to read a man before a book

Like paranoia with every step was a chance that you took

Posttraumatic secrets that I’m taking to my grave

From an early age they put that poison in my brain

To have to say I’m doing it to myself nowadays

Jack and Mary Jane are the only ones who know my pain

Too many nights

Too many days

Too many times I’ve seen the same

Too many play it to brothers with no one to lead the way

Play the game but know that it ain't

I say play the game but know that it ain't

I roll the dice bet my fate that no matter the hand the only thing I lay is my cards

Took a loss that took me back to the start

I took a second with my thoughts

Never second guessin’, feelin’ introspective

Reminiscin' bein' knuckleheaded learning lessons

Refused to learn that I was only equal if I’m less than

I really got them answers to my questions

Why they took our last name that’s where my name was born?

Why we second guessing our complexion hatin our reflection indirectly?

Ain't a muthafuckin' thing thats wrong

It just like I understand it cus we movin misdirected was miseducated

We ain't know no James Bond when where I’m from

Barely taught us ‘bout the King on so we could overcome

We was numb and dumb, youngins had no compass on the run

Snatch us from the roots

Took my people’s stumps I need their growth though

Thirsty for understanding

Between the world and me like I’m Ta-Nehisi Coates

Fight to bridge gap and stay afloat

Cus that’s how we know

Me and Awon keep that A-1 flow when it don’t sleep