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