[Intro]

I'm sure some of you are wondering

Why it took so long for this album to come out

Well, I'll be glad to explain

But first, let me tell you a little about myself

[Verse 1]

I'm a 20-something nothing that was raised in the 'burbs

I like good music, good food, and blazing the herb

Since I was different, people labeled me as crazed and disturbed

But when I grabbed the microphone, they were amazed at my words

Now everyone wanna act like they've been riding from the jump

Kissing up to me; the truth is they should hide, I'm on the hunt

These fake friends in disguise are praying for my demise

But this ain't “Lord of the Flies”, the fat boy's gonna survive

I know why they're mad at me:

I took my time, honed my craft and graduated with honors from this rap academy

The critics did me no favors, now I'm rap's Joe Frazier

I bob and weave in between the kick and the snare

Then I picked up a guitar to advance my talents

Finger-picking and soloing till my hands were calloused

But I kept practicing because this music is what I cherish

And now I got more 'riffs' than a troubled marriage

If you wonder why I took so long to make my presence

Its cause I had to let it slowly bubble up like effervescence

Now I'm here to bring The Funk to the party like refreshments

And show the whole world Hip-Hop in its essence!

[Hook, scratches by Jabba the Kut]

"I stay committed while you motherfuckers babysit it"

"Y'all appointed me to bring rap justice"

"I stay committed while you motherfuckers babysit it"

"While you player hate, I'm trying to elevate this Hip-Hop"

"I stay committed while you motherfuckers babysit it"

"Y'all appointed me to bring rap justice"

"I stay committed while you motherfuckers babysit it"

"I love rap, no matter how much I say I hate it"

[Verse 2] (24 bars)

From Yaggfu Front to Omniscence, Little Brother to Supastition

North Carolina has always been repped by the true and living

Now Headcase is joining their ranks, I'll attain my new position

Most of you rappers are fucking garbage, no need for euphemisms

I've seen these new jacks, last year, grinding real hard then

This year, they disappear, you only see 'em on milk cartons

But I'mma keep it moving while the others run in place

And I refuse to pump the breaks 'til I've accomplished something great

The industry will grow to hate me

Fuck you producers, I ain't paying thousands of dollars for your throwaway beats

All you ever do is copy the greats

There's one Premo, one Pete Rock, one Dilla – y'all are obvious fakes

And so many local rappers got a chip on their shoulder

So if I try to speak my mind, they wanna flip into soldiers

And talk tough, when most of 'em are softer than melted butter

I thought as as artists, it was beneficial to help each other

I prefer honesty over modesty

And seeing all these delusional emcees in NC really astonished me

You can tell when a rapper's grind is make believe

Your album is a burnt CD with sharpie writing in a paper sleeve

But go ahead and call yourself the King of NC like it means something

Whine and pout, point at me and say "He's fronting!"

Crying like no anesthetic when you pull kids' teeth

I'm committed to the music, not some bullshit beef

[Hook]

[Verse 3]

Friends hit me up like Jay Electronica, "what you waiting on?

Why do you take so long to make your songs? Man, you're lazy!

Where's the album at? 'Slice of Life' dropped four years ago!"

I tried to give an explanation, they don't wanna hear it though

For those still asking questions 'bout my career's progression

Here's the truth: I couldn’t get over my crippling depression

I was in the worst kind of slump, where I wouldn't write for months

But when people asked how my album was going, I would front

(Oh yeah, its coming along great!) I wish I had listened

When Big D told me not to talk about it till it was finished

Another year wasted, I was feeling like a loser

With every day that passed, I was questioning my future

I finally started recording in 2011

And had to start the process over again four times since then

I know the fans' anger is justifiable

But what can I do when these studio engineers aren't reliable?

But I have no right to place blame, the fault is my own

I spent so much time in Raleigh, I started calling it home

I did shows and got love from some of the cats who run shit

But in time, I saw everyone who supported me jump ship

They told me "Case, look how long it's taken you to hustle

At such a slow pace, you're never breaking through the struggle!"

But I finally overcame depression, beat my writer's block

Looking at the final product in my hands, its quite a shock

"Lunatic Fringe: A Self Portrait"

A perspective on society from a psyche that's been tortured

But I spent so much time building anticipation

Fans stopped caring – its like the boy who cried wolf situation

But I still put the record out, even if they don't check it out

I'll keep my head held high – you wonder why?

I leave it all on the stage when I rock

Cause I still believe in Hip-Hop, whether it believes in me or not

I stay committed!

[Hook]