Man I had to go the long way, long way

Yeah I had to go the long way, long way

**** all around me gang bang, dope slang

So I had to go my own way

Yeah I was on the wrong shit

Tried to stunt like my daddy, thought I was a crip

No idea what I'm bout to get in

Only problem is I didn't really fit in

I remember I was twelve 'bout to be a blood

Athens park on El Segundo **** showed me love

I didn't even want to bang, I wanted brotherhood

But when you really from the gang you dyin' for the hood

Fuck it then I ain't gon' bang, I love my life, I'm good

I ain't tryna to die, I ain't tryna to go to jail

I'm already talkin' to my dad through the mail

He got back out then went back in

He made another sale, got another strike

Rolled another dice, gotta pay the price, had to miss my life

Still ain't in my life, oh yeah

I made that choice, made that choice

And I kept my poise, kept my poise

That's the smartest thing I done

Man I had to go the long way, long way

Yeah I had to go the long way, long way

**** all around me gang bang, dope slang

So I had to go my own way

Lot of **** took the short way

Lot of **** didn't see today

Lot of **** made their momma pay

My homie just got sprayed today

It's the summer of the eighth grade

And he already in his grave

Got up on my knees and prayed

Lord help me see the way

Lord help the people operatin' off of hate

Please keep all my family safe

All I'm tryna do is see their face

When I make a change, when I rearrange?

Get up out the struggle, stay up on my hustle

Still put in the work

I was grindin' I was gettin' money, drummin' for the church

And if I stay up in them streets, I'll end up hurt

That's the day I gave myself a little worth

I don't wanna see my life go down the drain, nah

I can't let all this energy just go to waste, nah nah

I made that choice, made that choice

And I kept my poise, kept my poise

That's the smartest thing I done

Man I had to go the long way, long way

Yeah I had to go the long way, long way

**** all around me gang bang, dope slang

So I had to go my own way

Don't be scared to go the long way

Don't be scared to take your own way

Save your momma from the hurt and pain

If you handle life the wrong way, the wrong way

You gon' pay, yah