Mum, I know you cringe when I make out like we was poor
Like I only had a meal or two when it's really three or four
You my Donda West, my Afenisa Cor
Sons hardly live with dads, but whose needed more?
Dad, I know you cringe when I make out like you weren't there
Like I only ever saw you Christmases and New Year
Men will be men, what I witness ain't too rare
You're still my nigga if you care, yeah
Granny probably watching over me in disbelief
Disappointed in me every time she see me, hmm
You know the saying: practice makes perfect
Well, I'll be perfect if I practice what I preached
It was a lack of TLC that made me creep
It was a sister with a voice that made me weak
It was a child, a destiny who made me free
Nah, I couldn't stop the sugar babes, it made me sweet
Have you ever picked a rose just to analyse the thorns?
Have you ever played chess just to sacrifice the pawns?
I've seen the devil in the flesh and tried to grab him by the horns
It's been death after death without having time to mourn
Have you ever been in hell and given paradise a thought
And felt paralysed when tryna push the man inside forward?
Growing up, all my bruddas wanted to be filthy rich
I went legit and got a sanitised fortune
I got brothers with spare time watching the clocks
I know trappers turned traders watching the stocks
Dumb bitches with smartphones as common as dogs
I seen them gentrify the ends, demolish the blocks
And then televise events, you can watch from your spot
Hard to recognise my friend when he forgot who he was
I said, "How can I depend on any part that's been lost?"
See, every night I just repent and pray God isn't gone
I'm from the bad block, shootings, stabbings, crack spots
Bro and them can't find your team, they'll shoot the mascot
Pussies can't walk in my shoes, man a sasquatch
Yeah, never bet on yourself and hit the jackpot
Drop sixty on jewels, this kettle Cam'ron
It's already tripled itself, shh
I grew up weird, who was there?
Question never gets the truth, you there?
Talking in the station wasn't cool, unless it's Cool FM
Talking 'bout the flavours, déjà vu cah when the call just there
Who knew that all this pain up in one room would make us fortuneers?
So many artists, backs to walls, it's like the Louvre in here
You can swim or you can snorkel here
Sinking ain't an option 'round this ruthless sphere
They grew up square
If you knock their turkey teeth out, bet their lawyers want a souvenir
I got some readies in my pocket
Word to Daniel Compton, got some skellies in my closet
Between telly and the touring, all you smell on me is profit
The only thing we're promised is we'll end up in a coffin
Hope you stood for something or fall for everything
Justin, I just didn't stop, freeze if I ain't blessing it
But the cred's legit, woo-ha, that's the vibes
Got you all in check like I was Busta in his prime
Shooters dem on deck but I ain't Puffy in these shines
Man are looping off your necklace
'Less you tucking all those diamonds
Survivor's guilt, I didn't learn 'bout the Bible still
But I know the big man up there blessing me, but time's a snitch
'Cause eventually, time will tell, protect legacy
Worth a couple quid so I can comfortably decline
Any sellout offers 'cause these companies be trying me
Just buried Nanny, held a shovel, it was tiring
Witnessed my mother being due, a weeping irises
Became a father after Nana closed her eyelids
Twelve days before my son, they didn't meet
After my MOBO speech, I went to watch her asleep
One day, we'll duppy a white, pour out beverage
Bubba, look in the sky, that's where heaven is
Dear Sky, why you take long to reply to my messages?
All this teenager shit got you moving insensitive
Yeah, they say I'm in my feels, she's my sanity therapist
But until you have a daughter, you won't understand anything
Everyone can run the game from on the side of the pitch
Niggas tryna call the shots, I get you shot for a drink
If it's a dog-eat-dog world, I'm on some Doberman shit
I go realer on you apes and put my hand on you chimps
You ever seen badness in the form of a gift?
A man will give a man a box so he can rob him for it
The word 'jingles' made me know what being talented is
Now man are getting paperwork to make it work in their favour
I'm out the game, it ain't about all of the times that I got to play
The real win was having the freedom to start again
The business is in profit and Green Machine is the name
I'm selling weed over the counter, I'm shotting ounces again
Ah, full circle, I ain't blaming shit on my race, we can all hurdle
Went from being underground in my shell like a small turtle
Now I'm Michelangelo and I'm painting the colour purple
My reign can make my mother retire, but that's a job in itself
She rather work herself to death than let me give her the world
Already saw the woman king, watching you father the girls
So as long as I'm your prince, I give you diamonds and pearls
The Bible itself, there's nothing in my life I withheld
They living for the Queen's head but wouldn't die for the tails
I'm giving all my team bread, forgot a slice for myself
I really had to wear the trousers, had to tighten the belt
It's tailor fit, in the verses, I'm Jadakiss
I made a flip selling Bobby Brown and Taylor Swift
I make 'em sing like I'm Ghetts with his greatest hits
Man, this ain't the last supper, this is catering