Stay Woke (feat. Miguel)

How I keep from going under? It's like a jungle outside Sometimes I wonder How I keep from going under We scream, "Black Lives Matter," but we still toting ladders Watching our own brothers trying to get at us Dreams get shattered when a scene full of crackers And they charge you with some shit you ain't do You like, "What happened?" We go get lawyers to say shit, we don't know how to talk They taught us to hate each other before we learn how to walk Momma taught you how to fight, fight 'Fore she taught you how to write, write And daddy locked down in the cell, can't kiss you night, night Monsters under the bed every night, feel like it's fright night Coke fumes in the air, mama holding on that pipe tight And you catching contact, but never mind that In a world where black is wrong and white right It's like a combat, we go to war for our freedom, they say we equal I used to wanna play like Randall and be an Eagle I used to play the quarterback, my dog would go receiver That was 'til ball got flat by a dope needle on the pavement It's amazing, this environment we was raised in On them papers, one mistake and getting caged in You gotta feel me, feel like the system trying to kill me Got arrested and the charges F1 for popping wheelies, stay woke Though it's designed for us to fail We still prevail through the hell Yeah, can you believe it? We're still undefeated Though it's designed for us to lose We'll still make it through, nothing's impossible Believe it! We're still undefeated Picture me ten years younger with some tats on my face Taking a bunch of Xannys with the strap on my waist Pointing at the camera like mama ain't teach me manners Tryna see more bills like I'm headed to Alabama, no, wait I can't judge them, I'm just trying to understand them 'Cause I used to pop Percs, pouring purple in my Fanta Had me swerving in my Phantom like I'm running from my dreams I was heading for the slammer I was planting all the seed for them to bury me I had my whole family mad at me Feel deep in love with the game and it married me Judge said, "I'll give you a chance, just don't embarrass me" Motivatin' these little niggas is like a charity Community service even though they knew we was working They did this to me on purpose, 'cause I ain't moving too perfect I stay away from them clowns, watch how I move through the surface 'Cause they be weighing you down Even some of them dudes in your circle, stay woke Though it's designed for us to fail We still prevail through the hell Yeah, can you believe it? We're still undefeated Though it's designed for us to lose Nothing, nothing, nothing's impossible Believe it! We're still undefeated How can I pledge allegiance to the flag When they killing all our sons all our dads? I come from a place When you kill your own brother you can brag Like he got bodies, but that's a fad, no, that's a fact You screaming out at your corner, nigga, that's a trap Screaming out, that's your homie, nigga, that's a rat Catch a case with him, bet he crack The odds against you and they double stack, stay woke Bought my mama a new crib, that's some gangster shit Niece and nephews walking around wearing minks and shit Kept the hood motivated, this the thanks I get Try to Ja Rule the kid on some Wanksta shit But that's impossible 'cause I'm unstoppable The label can't drop me, nigga, I'm too valuable You thought I would lose but I won and that bothered you Still move around in Philly just like the mobsters do When I talked to Em and Hov, they said, "I'm proud of you" "You stood tall back when everyone doubted you" My reply is, "I did what I gotta do" "And I need that verse 'fore you retire too" Jumping all the obstacles, I'm way too wavy Said I would lose but you way too crazy Pick and choose either fame or the money fame will make you crazy And the money will make them bad bitches say, "Thank you, baby" You're welcome