Since 82 I been making moves

Steady paying dues always portrayed the truth

I broke the basic rules wrote with amazing tools

Only way to lose now if I replace the fools

So uhh hey kids stay in school

Success I taste it oooh but barely breaking through

Rapping till I run out of breath and my face is blue

I used to dream of a mansion with a pool and a Mercedes too

Potatoes I been mashing for years while letting my gravy brew

Ever since I lost my top been stuck like crazy glue

Straight Jamaican rude when I feel naked nude

Like I only got one shotta gotta makе it good

But if you know the rest of the Ford's you know thеre's more to Desmond

These ain't just rhymes and metaphors I'm recording lessons

Demons tryna swallow me follow me through my door to Heaven

Every night I pray on my knees asking my Lord these questions

When will I know I've paid my dues

When will I know that it's my turn

I've been so hungry and I've got to make my moves

And I ain't one to waste my time so I can't just let it burn

I keep Wisdom like Cryptic plus I'm hard to decipher

I done mastered my craft this the art of the cypher

I'm just using what I got cuz I'm resourceful like MacGyver

I stay driven no driver save ya ribbon give me the title

I'm like Marty McFly though wondering where did my time go

Like a roach I'll never give in shadow living for survival

DEF davyne the star attraction and the sideshow

With a heart of passion and my mind gold

Cold in the booth outside I'm chill as well

Flames all around me though cuz I'm real as hell

Lotta fishes in the sea I like them killer whales

Fat ladies singing it ain't over 'til you hear Adele

I only fear myself cuz I got spirit help

They ill as fear itself loyal like a bearded elf

That's word to St. Nick but I really ain't shit

Cuz I'm on top of the world and still feel complacent

When will I know I've paid my dues

When will I know that it's my turn

I've been so hungry and I've got to make my moves

And I ain't one to waste my time so I can't just let it burn

I spent my whole childhood tryna be the man

My life the opposite of Peter Pan

Oldest male up in my momma's house barely even ten

Older brother showed up just in time to leave again

Now he locked up in a group home

Needed some advice from my father but he was too gone

Tried to call my daddy but I think he got a new phone

Brothers crying mother's sighing guess it's me and you mom

When will I know I've paid my dues

When will I know that it's my turn

I've been so hungry and I've got to make my moves

And I ain't one to waste my time so I can't just let it burn