1982

My people ain't your ordinary man and woman
In 1982 a blessing landed on them
Then separation came, I tried to understand but couldn't
Born with everything that I needed and turned around and took it
New baby brung this outside beautiful mornin'
The same year Mike Jack dropped Thriller on 'em
A goat is growin', same time a goat's performin'
National championship for Michael Jordan
For me it's therapy, not just a recordin'
Raised in a crime wave, feel the temperature soarin'
Terrible nights, made out of wonderful mornings
Nike would drop the Air Force Ones, wonder who bought 'em
Product changing on your TV, Letterman talking
The same year they would drop the CD, replace the Walkman
The game is the same, but the names are changin'
Often through disruption, corruption, destruction, extortion

Success is calling you, the haters hate the sound
From the city of the heartless, niggas try to make it out
Shit gon' stay the same, the world is changin' now
And you ain't gon' get no do-overs, there's no mistakes allowed
To get ahead in life, you gotta shake the crown
Dedication's lookin' for you, time for you to take the vow
Here's your opportunity to take the crown
Am I'm my brother's keeper, gotta be my neighbor's father

In 1982 my pops had the Benz in navy blue
When Big Champ had them shootouts with Crazy Lou
See, back then, even the runners had Mercedes' too
Crazy Lou killed Champ and said, "Look what you made me do!"
Then crack hit the neighborhood, that's when Reagan grew
That's when pay the fool made stacks relatable that's debatable
Cause Tony Montana was cast to play the wolf
And that's what blacks related to
Those traps, we made it through, bless your soul
Cause my only X and O's was in Tecmo Bowl
Mike was off the wall with that techno soul
My brother made it a thriller with them texts he sold
I bet he cherished every breath he blowed
And when he perished I eventually showed
Couldn't touch none of my broke with a ten-feet pole
Made a choice to die on his feet, it's the death he chose

Success is calling you, the haters hate the sound
From the city of the heartless, niggas try to make it out
Shit gon' stay the same, the world is changin' now
And you ain't gon' get no do-overs, there's no mistakes allowed
To get ahead in life, you gotta shake the crown
Dedication's lookin' for you, time for you to take the vow
Here's your opportunity to take the crown
Am I'm my brother's keeper, gotta be my neighbor's father

I never see the gossip 'ly important
I can never see my friends as enemies I'm prayin' for
The battle starts within first, the brain is worn
But do you really earn it for the fame or fortune?
Problems weigh into your body, you need a new masseuse
Thirty-eight and playin' bishop, I had too much juice
From where the talent scouts to lose recruits
It's to the point where they really shootin' no room for hoops
I'm always up to par, ain't never mad at who produces
Double back to pick up the pieces, had some screws to lose
And I'll be cruisin' clues, one of the greatest, boot for boot
Twenty in and niggas can't outwit me, I'm loser-proof
New slaves to habits from men became a addict
Women lost their way along the timeline, but we ain't had it
Sufferin' from the laws of attraction, cause pain's a magnet
Money buys you everything, you set pace, can't pay to have it

Success is calling you, the haters hate the sound
From the city of the heartless, niggas try to make it out
Shit gon' stay the same, the world is changin' now
And you ain't gon' get no do-overs, there's no mistakes allowed
To get ahead in life, you gotta shake the crown
Dedication's lookin' for you, time for you to take the vow
Here's your opportunity to take the crown
Am I'm my brother's keeper, gotta be my neighbor's father