Ice-T
When I’m Gone
[Intro]
During the making of this album, I received the unfortunate news that
Nipsey Hussle was murdered in Los Angeles
It really hurt me, and then the outcry of love and support
After his death was incredible
But it inspired me to write this song
Every day we lose somebody close to us, a loved one
And only then do we seem to find the time
And the way to tell 'em how much we care about 'em

[Chorus]
Don't tell me that you miss me
Don't tell me that you love me
Don't tell me that you need me
Don't wait to tell me that you love me
When I'm gone
(This is our life)
When I'm gone
(This is my time)

[Verse 1]
Don't wait until I'm dead
Until these words are said
Don't wait until I die and then start to fake cry
Tell the people that you love, that you love 'em now
Show the people you appreciate just how
Much they mean to ya
How much you care how real it is
They're right in front of ya
Your family, your wife, your kids
Don't wait for tragedy to tell 'em how you really feel
Don't wait
Tomorrow might be too fuckin' late
[Chorus]
When I'm gone
(This is our life)
Don't wait to tell me that you miss me
When I'm gone
(This is our time)
Don't wait to tell me that you love me
When I'm gone
(This is our life)
Don't wait to tell me that you need me
When I'm gone
(We can't afford to waste our love)

[Verse 2]
I'll be lost without you
How do I make it right?
How do I take back all the time I've wasted alone?
And how would it make you feel?
How would it make you feel?
Knowing you had the chance and let it slip away
Don't wait until I'm dead
You've got friends
Tell 'em that you care
You've got family
Tell 'em how you feel
Don't wait to say how great a guy I was and all that bullshit
[Chorus]
When I'm gone
(This is our life)
Don't wait to tell me that you miss me
When I'm gone
(This is our time)
Don't wait to tell me that you love me
When I'm gone
(This is our life)
Don't wait to tell me that you need me
When I'm gone
(We can't afford to waste our love)

[Verse 3]
Seems like every day death comes unexpectedly
Seems like yesterday my man was sitting next to me
So many things I could've said and that we could've done
The reaper's coming but I never thought he'd be the one
I don't do funerals, don't wanna see you in no box
I miss my homies, and my love for them will never stop
Don't have regret, and wait until your loved one dies
Now's your chance, tell 'em while they're still alive

[Chorus]
When I'm gone
(This is our life)
Don't wait to tell me that you miss me
When I'm gone
(This is our time)
Don't wait to tell me that you love me
When I'm gone
(This is our life)
Don't wait to tell me that you need me
When I'm gone
(We can't afford to waste our love)
[Outro]
Too many people pass away every single day
And we don't show 'em how we feel until it's too late
I appreciate, or love is something we won't say
We delay it 'til they're gone and say it at their grave
We delay it 'til they're gone and say it at their grave
'Til they're gone and say it at their grave