Lyrics:

Would you believe he once
Ran, shied from wisdom, dodged man?
Hood, he was up to no good, but understand
Circumstance had him victim and caught in its grasp, but he was
Eager to blame, shame, avoiding his path, at last
Finding pleasure in pain, he feared change
He can’t stay sober ‘cause he can’t walk with sane, now he
Can’t call it, twenty-one years an alcoholic
Aim’s what a young nigga need—fuck money. Life
Risky. Can’t live the life, belief frisk me
My drunk words embalm word, a half glass of whiskey tipsy
‘Til tomorrow come. Oh yeah, the sorrow’s fun
But you gotta find some beauty in illusion—losing
My religion, found fate—with a beat, I
Escape destiny’s closed gates
Closed gates, closed gates. Now open, hoping
Fate wait, fate wait. It’s time for change
(x2)
As days go by, my world get colder
I’m older, experienced, got my heart bolder
Hold up. Better days ahead—that’s what I hope for
There’s beauty in the eyes of the beholder—I told ya

Can you believe I once
Ran? But look at me now, beautiful child
Resurrected from the section niggas holding me down, struggled
Through the puzzle of life, the pieces are found, so even
When I’m down, I’m wearing a beautiful crown, smile
A new day dawn, a man moves on, a brand
New song, days are short but nights are long. Searching
Trial by fire, life high on a wire
Give me a piece of mind. I’m losing it like Mariah, see
Eye beholder come bringing it close, so
Motherfucker, you know my soul remains older
Stronger than anything, accomplish many things
The truth is the answer, my wisdom is everything
Concrete slabs over the green grass, but
A rose still grows from the rocks and outlasts (Outlasts)
Concrete slabs over the green grass, but
A rose still grows from the rocks and outlasts

Let’s
Do it, black people. We wanna
Know life. How’s your’s like? Just
Do right and be good
Take over, get on it, live
Your life, get power
And unite. We ready
Move over, let’s do it
Let’s do it, black people

Would you believe she once
Ran? Birthed a child, but gave a damn
Who was the father? Why bother? Understand
Circumstance had her victim and caught in the grasp, the punch-
-drunk love got shorty playing the task of
Mom and pop, but he was a rolling stone
He couldn’t stay home (From cell blocks, he phones home)
Damn. Now ain’t shit funny? See
Love’s what a black girl need—fuck money. Life’s
Bitchy. I can’t let this bitch light fish me
Her baby came first—she neglected the system like, “I raised
My child. Just look at his beautiful smile. We gotta
Make it together through the pain and trials. The day
Will come ‘cause night can’t embrace the sun
It shine so bright y’all afraid to come
Out, out (And this is what life’s about)
Shout, shout (‘Cause this is what life’s about)”

(x2)
As days go by, my world get colder
I’m older, experienced, got my heart bolder
Hold up. Better days ahead—that’s what I hope for
There’s beauty in the eyes of the beholder—I told ya

Ayyo, just
Be who you are. Trust me, we
All are superstars, like sheep for not
Knowing. The night we fight and we’d like to
See tomorrow again. We shine