(Hello Isaac, it's PC calling)
(Um, I was just trying to give you a call)
(I've tried a couple of times over the past couple of weeks)
(And I haven't had any luck getting through to you unfortunately)
♪
I don't know about a dollar and a dream
My old man, he had a pound and a promise
Had to get the knowledge
He didn't care about the profit
He just didn't wanna struggle if we ever needed shopping
Early doors, I got a job in a office
'Cause early on, I saw my parents take some losses
Chipping in with rent really helped me find some solace
Being honest, I gotta give respect where it's due
They came a long way
It's only by their sacrifice, I made it on stage
Even on the long days
They kept me on track when I went the wrong way
It's all thanks to God's grace
'Cause even when we never had a penny
Still had joy 'cause the blessings they were many
Plenty
I'm here courtesy of Bridgeland Road
Yeah, we came from that block life
Where guys make moves and they're not nice
Lord knows how we got by
My boy's dead but his killers still got life
Wrong place wrong time
Pain by the blade of a long knife
It's a shame it was on sight
He would had a convo on the long side
But it's all complicated
Can't lie, it's been a while since we congregated
Some got out, but some are on the pavement
Still wishing on the stars and the constellations, yeah
And if you ain't from round here
It's easy to judge, that's my observation
And yeah, there's power in a conversation
But you probably learn more if we swapped locations
But we are who we are
You can't see them all but this a life full of scars
Every breath that I take is a chance to go again
And remind myself I ain't defined by my past
Back then, it was Saturday trials
Now it's German keys in a faraday pouch
I used to watch the raps in 8 Mile
I've been battling for a while
(Isaac, I've literally just woken up)
(To this picture Joel sent me of your eye cut open)
(I am livid, um)
(I know how you are, yeah)
(He said you reported and I think that's great)
(And I think that's a good thing to do)
(But I don't know if that's going to be as)
(Fulfilling as writing it down)
(Which I know probably sounds ridiculous to say)
(Just think about how you can use it creatively)
(But right now, that's all you can do)
(Because, um, if we don't do that)
(This is actually a helpless situation)
Go figure
Tryna do my best, tryna keep my chin up
Gotta stop myself from getting bitter
To some people I'll always be a
And they might avoid that name
Cos nowadays I guess they know what not to say
Doesn't change how they behave
True colours will show their face
The other day, I left a coffee shop on my way to Yard
After the zebra crossing, took a stroll to my car
Three white men in some stanley shorts and steel cap boots
Were there blocking my path
I said, "Excuse me, please" but they ignored
And then I said it again, but then what for?
I knew that they could hear me so I gently brushed past
Then one of them spun around and started to talk
He asked what I was doing and if I wanted a problem
I told him chill out, he must have thought that I mocked him
Coffee in his hand and he dashed it in my face
Five seconds later, right hook to my socket
It escalated in like fifteen seconds
I know man that could have bought fifteen weapons
But I ain't the type to invest in a fight
So I did it right and called the police
They said they had no witness, no CCTV
Everyone that saw didn't wanna make a statement
If I was an old lady, then maybe co-operation
I guess I'm not their idea of a victim, call that gentrification
I guess I'll do my own investigation
I gave the police a plate they apparently traced
To a company them guys was working for on the day
But the owner of the place didn't give up their names
Strange, imagine all of my rage
Bro, imagine that
Imagine closing a case with cuts on my face
And nobody pays, it's mad
'Cause imagine if they wanted to, they could do it again
You don't understand my pain
This is decades, could write you essays
On how the estate's relationship with feds ain't seen best days
Even when I separate from poverty
Get them chains up off of me, still not treated properly
Class is a novelty, the colour of my skin is what sparks this anthology
Still no apology, anyone could offer me
So music is the escape for me, that's my policy
Disrespectful
Can't believe what transpired
Asking if I got a criminal record
I didn't say a word, I just stood there in silence
But I've never shared a cell in HMP
If they wanna check my record, better go to HMV and enquire
Takes a village to raise a child
But I wonder what we do when the village on fire