[Part 1]

[Chorus]

Growin’ up, I was a slumdog

We was runnin’ from the police

Went from skippin’ time in classrooms

To hittin’ corners with the homies

Poured out a bottle for my lost ones

I done some things we must keep low-key

Ain’t scared to die ‘cause I’m a real nigga

Reputation ain’t gon’ fold me

It’s all I really got, uh

[Verse 1]

Me and Miz go back to Hampton days

Campin’ stays when duckin’ off of hoes was therapeutic as we dance through pain

My mans was slain so college at this point felt like a grand exchange

Trade away the streets and then return and feed me bands for brains

I can’t explain my reasoning

But tryna do shit right for once, it damn near felt like treason

My allegiance to them neighborhood niggas

Who posted on Glenwood outside, boy, I was waitin’ for them niggas

Hittin’ licks feel like a paycheck to nigga, mm

Zach was insistin’ on grades but I ain’t have that choice ‘cause Mom’s ain’t have much money

I’m obvious no dummy

So my means to live intensified, I’m used to struggle

Hustlin’ ain’t shit when you desensitized

And job plus extra shit was how the rent supplied

I’m ridin’ ‘round the city with Mizzy as niggas talked

That boy a demon on the aux

He runnin’ through that playlist while I’m scannin’ across the street in case I peep another opp

I keep that pole tucked in case I feel the need to send some shots

That’s when Miz call my attention ‘bout some Jersey nigga rappin’

It just so happened he was called in for assistance

He took it as a sign from God, he knew not to resist it

So I’m starin’ at him proud knowin’ his life gon’ end up different

For me, my fate was sealed, I make my peace, ain’t feel no pain

But Miz assure me, “Bro, I swear to God, I’ll make sure our shit change

You my brother ’til we die, if I’m up, then you the same”

But it’s hard seein’ a world were I don’t bang

[Chorus]

‘Cause growin’ up, I was a slumdog

We was runnin’ from the police

Went from skippin’ time in classrooms

To hittin’ corners with the homies

Poured out a bottle for my lost ones

I done some things we must keep low-key

Ain’t scared to die ‘cause I’m a real nigga

Reputation ain’t gon’ fold me

It’s all I really got, mm

[Verse 2]

A couple years flash

My God above gon’ guide me down a clear path

This Drac’ gon’ hold me down as I revere cash

These kids splash, but hustlin’ through it how I let fear pass

If Death’d press his ears to doors outside my crib, he’d hear laughs

I’m in and out the way

I get a call from Miz again, he askin’ where I stay

He with that rap nigga from Jersey in the A

Two first names, sound like a fuckin’ nerd

But if Miz say he the one, then I’m gon’ trust his words, I’m slidin’ for the link

I pulled up to the crib, little nervous, little shaky

Boy, I’m a gangster, so I came out cool

Miz get the door and dap me up, we like old-timers actin’ up

Until I notice that rap nigga had done peeped my tool

Bro jumped a bit but he ain’t lose composure

He showin’ love like we grew up as soldiers

First time meetin’ Chris, I realized why he chosen

Ridin’ through them streets with them niggas, scopin’ the scene

That’s when bro decided to ask me about my dreams

Like, “Outside of this street shit, what you really see for yourself?

Is it a wife and kids or the business is to keep to yourself?”

Truth is, I never gave much thought to really bein’ myself

‘Cause in this life, the time is short before a demon get shelfed

That question moved me, have I gave my all to bein’ more?

Miz broke the silence when he asked if I could be on tour

Security position, if you wit it, then it’s yours

Couldn’t believe he wanted me to be on board

[Chorus]

‘Cause growin’ up, I was a slumdog

We was runnin’ from the police

Went from skippin’ time in classrooms

To hittin’ corners with the homies

Poured out a bottle for my lost ones

I done some things we must keep low-key

Ain’t scared to die ‘cause I’m a real nigga

Reputation ain’t gon’ fold me

It’s all I really got, uh

[Verse 3]

The year is 2023 and I’m at peace now

I’m en route to get a legalized piece now

Chris text me up ‘cause they was finna hit the A for ‘Ville sessions

Gotta work early as fuck, but I’ma be ‘round

Them streets been callin’, but I DND’ed the line, can’t sell my soul

Since tourin’ with them boys, I recognized that I had goals

I got a job, I got a girl, got a spot to call my own

I want Mom to see my progress and feel proud to see me grown

It’s damn near 8:30, just got off work, I’m at the crib

I’m dumb bored, searchin’ for a wave, I chat with Miz

There’s a Spotify event, he tryna find out where it is

But then they right back to the stu’, so I might take this time to live

I start reflectin’ heavy, all my life thought I was damned

I’m finally at a point where I feel righteous as a man

I went from runnin’ streets for work to workin’ night shifts when I can

To bein’ brave enough to dream with excitement ‘bout where I land

That’s when that knock came, fuck

That’s when that knock came and everything I was came to fruition

Cops stormed in, warrants in they palm, not tryna listen

Guns raised on me, hands behind me, locked into position

Gettin’ dragged out, I promise I ain’t cry hittin’ that squad car

I felt like Bruce Willis up in Die Hard

I guess I got my hopes up

God done let my karma hit its stride

Only thing I heard get played back in my mind was—

[Chorus]

Growin’ up, I was a slumdog

We was runnin’ from the police

Went from skippin’ time in classrooms

To hittin’ corners with the homies

Poured out a bottle for my lost ones

I done some things we must keep low-key

Ain’t scared to die ‘cause I’m a real nigga

Ain’t scared to die ‘cause I’m a real nigga

Growin’ up, I was a slumdog

We was runnin’ from the police

Went from skippin’ time in classrooms

To hittin’ corners with the homies

Poured out a bottle for my lost ones

I done some things we must keep low-key

Ain’t scared to die ‘cause I’m a real nigga

Reputation ain’t gon’ fold me

It’s all I really got

[Part 2]

[Verse]

Uh, just got the call that the cops hit your crib in the A with the goal to arrest you

They sayin’ its robbery on top of kidnapping, plus a lil murder attempt, too, shit

Ain’t no way it was Huncho, but Miz just confirmed it again for the second time

Hearin’ that news actually wrecked my mind

Hearin’ that news made me realize that everyone here got a destination

The tape just got opened, investigation

Chest feel like bombs during detonation

That sentence they finna write up for my dog is a sentence that ain’t got no expiration

Prayin’ my nigga could beat it

God been declinin’ my calls as of late, so I’m left here betrayed and defeated

You should be here tourin’ with me, dog

Should be recordin’ with me, dog

Should be outside in the world explorin’ with gang ‘cause it’s so much to see, dog

Guilt turned my heart feelin’ heavy ‘cause I was the nigga that came through to promise you

The minute I blow up, that trappin’ shit dead, fuck the streets, none of that gang shit gon’ follow you

Three years have passed from the promise, and here I am back in the base of my mama crib

Contemplatin’ where I’ma live, concentratin’ on the grind for biz

Conversations with SWAVAY ‘bout Def Jam with the hope that Tunji might sign the kid

Prayin’ the talks with the label ain’t fell through

Last time they bagged you, ain’t had bread to bail you

Posted a letter this time ‘bout your struggle, I cried when I saw ‘cause I felt like I failed you

Ain’t had a number to call when they jailed you

Tried bein’ better but life had derailed you

Day you got locked was the day that the nigga met Cole, I was hyped as a bitch just to tell you

Hopin’ that trial let a nigga sail through

Knowin’ our wildest dreams is on the way

Look, just did a SOB show in the city and people are seein’ the worth now

Went from venues with nobody in it to sellin’ out tours and the mo’fuckin’ merch now

Niggas quit jobs ‘cause the money we made was enough to do music as work now

And I finally met someone who love me for me and I feel like it’s actually gon’ out, what the fuck?

It’s the thought that you might not even be there on the day folks get married that’s fuckin’ me up

It’s the thought that when niggas have kids, that you might not even be there to carry ‘em up

It’s the thought that when niggas win Grammys, you prolly be watchin’ that shit from the can

It’s the thought that if niggas die early, you can’t even slide through to bury your mans

If only your shit had went better

I’m prayin’ to God every day with the hope that He get shit together

I’m sorry I couldn’t do more on them days you got stopped in the weather

Only thing I got left are these songs that I’m writin’ to you as these letters

Love, Chris

[Outro]