I spent a lifetime in my lab tryna move you
to get you off your feet and mesmerize you like a voodoo
I’ve grown into a guru that channels spirits in these turbulent times
cuz people want to dance, so I provide the vibe
but sometimes I let the world take its course
lay back to reflect, dear god what kind of force
brought me to this path? I’m in the aftermath
of death which means I’m livin the life at last
If you could only see the place I came from
you know I’ve gone far and I’m far from done
we’re battling for the rights of our people
my family’s stayin on its toes to be stable
I’m tryna find fulfillment of life in my hustle
pushing through internal and external hurdles
everyone’s tryna judge, no one has the right except for God
I’m learning my lessons to make it right and it’s hard

Hook:
It’s, the- gamble of life
we can’t predict, the- outcome of the battle
still we struggle, forward- and leave it to God
if I succeed- proceed to next level
if I fail- like a phoenix I rise
uh, I rise up, uh, I rise up
uh, I rise up, uh, I rise up
trust, like a phoenix reborn

I’m like that one sperm that made it to the oocyte
birthed classics with hip-hop from the millions who fight
to create life but MC’s forgot before creating you gotta learn
from your life, don’t skip your needed turn
to sacrifice before you go looking for blessings
there were days so dark it felt like my life was ending
but it’s the beginning, a homie said “trust your struggle”
so I trust I’ll get somewhere every time I tussle trouble
my father’s sudden death taught me to love my fams
being broke taught me to make more of what I have
immigration taught me never to feel less than human
(2004) we lived in Motel 6 in a one-room shack then
streets almost got me killed, I almost joined a gang
but I hustled for scholarships while the others slanged
I got university-bound while most my homies drop out
when I’m done I’ll go back with hopes to help you out

Hook

I’d like to take this time to acknowledge me
making music was reaching for the skies it seemed
so with this album my folks touch the galaxy
we’ll take it beyond with or without the cream
nowadays art is sadly a privilege, not a right
but I got a chance, can’t waste a single bar on the mic
every line is inspired by my people and my life
not that fake gangsta shit I aint tryna be like
see I ain’t gotta be gangsta to be ballin
these insecurities are the reasons why minorities are fallin
we’re stuck like we’re men in the box
like you’re only considered men when you smoke weed and hold glocks
and we call each other bitches and hoes
because the coward inside is too scared to be considered one of those
so read between the lines them lies
because really the most feared the most gangsta is an educated mind

Hook

Bridge

Hook.