Lyrics
Sometimes I think back to the times I never had shit
Reflecting on past struggles and lack of resources.
Joey had a 9 under his mattress and
Joey has a gun (9mm) hidden under his mattress.
He cocked it back and said "I'll take that risk
Joey is willing to take risks involving the gun.
Being broke dawg I hate that shit
Expressing dislike for poverty.
See, I've been plotting on this bank plus I got the plug to get me inside
Planning a bank job with inside help.
But I can't do this shit alone so is you ready to ride?"
Seeking a partner for the illegal activity.
Yeah, my pocket's hurting, hate to see moma working
Financial struggles and concern for mother.
Wasn't only ready to ride, I was ready to die
Willingness to risk life for a better future.
He said "tomorrow meet me here, 9AM and don't be late my nigga, 50/50 down the middle that's the rate my nigga"
Setting up a meeting with a 50/50 deal.
I shook his hand as I petered to walk, my homie pulled up and said we needed to talk
Interrupted by a friend with something to discuss.
He said "a couple days ago, man I was bumping your tape
Friend praises Phora's music for its authenticity.
And I don't touch the radio just cause I can't relate
Friend struggles to relate to mainstream music.
You got that real shit, the type of songs people really feel shit" told me he was proud and took a blunt to the face and I said
Friend appreciates Phora's genuine and relatable music.
"I feel like this rap shit ain't working, no money coming in homie and mom still hurtin', the job ain't certain, shit I might as well be in a coffin, I feel like my only option is to put that work in, that's on the real, I wanna roll up in a Benz like you
Phora expresses frustration with his current situation.
Wanna break bread with my friends and get the mans like you
Desire for success, wealth, and a better life.
Put my mothafuckin' city on the map, but first I need me a strap cause there ain't no telling what these kids might do
Awareness of the dangers in the pursuit of success.
That's when he told me, "listen little homie you the chosen one, don't ever try to be like these niggas cause they're the broken ones, your music heals me to cope with the loss of my oldest son and it's crazy cause you're younger than me but I see your soul's become. Why is it that any man that I've ever met before, when I listen to your music, P, I think of heaven more and that's call we're all in hell and I met the devil's doll
Phora is recognized as a source of inspiration.
And just cause we take a shot don't mean we get to score"
Cautionary advice about the consequences of actions.
And I said "damn I never thought of it like that, but sometimes praying ain't enough, we gotta' fight back"
Realization that sometimes prayer is not enough, action is needed.
He told me "I'd do anything to have a normal life back, my homie doing life and I'm the only one that writes back"
Friend shares personal struggles and responsibilities.
He said "time is all we got, it ain't enough to go around but if you wanna make this work you got to slow it down but little did he know he saved my life that day cause Joey always lived by the gun but he died that way
Reflection on the impact of choices, referencing Joey.
This dude who listens to my music, his nephew's in the hospital
Introduction of a listener's personal struggle with a sick relative.
Fighting a kidney and doing everything possible
Describing the severity of the relative's condition.
Just to stay alive, I seen his picture, wanted to cry
Emotional response to seeing a picture of the sick relative.
And that shit got me chocked up, and sometimes I feel so responsible
Feeling a sense of responsibility for the listener's pain.
I'm worried about my album and what it sells in a week
Contrasting personal concerns with the listener's life-threatening situation.
While he's worried about the count of his blood cells every week
Highlighting the seriousness of the listener's health struggle.
And he's fighting for his life, he can't be feeling weak
Emphasizing the listener's strength in the face of adversity.
But that's ironic cause little homie's stronger than me
Ironically acknowledging the listener's strength compared to Phora's own.
I feel so ashamed homie, like how can I be ungrateful?
Expressing shame for feeling ungrateful.
How can I wake up every morning and not say thank you
Acknowledging the importance of gratitude.
How can I question god in my music knowing damn well that everything I have he blessed me with is so disgraceful
Questioning God and expressing internal conflict.
3 years old, little homie is 3 years old, fighting in this world so cold
Describing a 3-year-old facing life's challenges.
See, I'll never know his pain or what it's like in his shoes
Recognizing the inability to fully comprehend the child's pain.
Little homie know we fighting for you
Expressing solidarity and support for the suffering child.
I wish, I wish there was something that I could do
Wishing for the ability to do more for the child.
If my wings weren't broken I'd take him, give him to you
Metaphorically expressing a desire to help by giving wings.
Cause he an angel in my eyes but the devil is trynna' grasp him
Viewing the child as an angel facing demonic challenges.
I haven't prayed in months but I called for god and I asked him
Reference to reaching out to God through prayer.
"why does the strongest ones got it the hardest? why do the successful guys gotta' be heartless? why kids losing their life before they know what life is?
Questioning the unfairness of life's challenges, especially for the innocent.
I just ask you to watch over this kids
Pleading for God's protection over the child.
Yours truly
Closing with a sincere signature.
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