If I had a nickel, for every time that somebody told me
I should find a new career, I'd be rich as fuck
If I had a nickel, for every time that somebody told me
I should prob'ly give this up, I'd be rich as fuck

I think it started when I was back in the seventh grade
Near December break, my teacher said I should medicate
Wait, let me demonstrate
Hey, just a second, Nate

'Kay, if you want, I can get you in special ed, today
Great, that really sounds like a plan
Then she hands me a helmet, a piece of paper, and crayons
You can't that shit!

Sorry, I'm just telling a story, just trying not to be boring
If it's offensive, ignore me, it's simple
Overdraft fees, have become a business expense
I hope that I can eat, so every week, I sit in suspense
I'm a musician, I do this shit for commission
The only way, that I can eat, is if you believe in my mission, so

If I had a nickel, for every time that somebody told me
I should prob'ly give this up, I'd be rich as fuck
If I had a nickel, for every time that somebody told me
I should work with Kufis, well, I'ma switch this up
Well, if I had a nickel, for every rhyme that I've written
Then I'd prob'ly have a shitload of change, stacked to the ceiling, wow
And if I had a nickel, for every crime I committed
Then I'd prob'ly be the richest emcee, with a life sentence, ow

My thoughts are so vivid and dark, I need night vision, yeah
Like writing raps, in the pitch black, with no light switches, yeah
Or drivin' down a dead-end, and I'm playin' chicken
Got me screamin', "God Damn!", like God just might listen

See, my mom was raised Muslim, my dad was slight Christian
So, imagine growin' up as a child was quite different
I liked skippin' school, 'cause the street was more intriguing
Not knowing the meaning of life, 'cause it's sorta misleading

They say life is a bitch, but sayin', bitch, is demeaning
Bitches are like dogs, so yeah, bitch is the meaning
You're reading between the lines, too much, it's really simple
Same face, on the two dollar bill, is on the nickel

Oh-oh-oh, for every time that somebody told me
Oh-oh-oh, I should find a new career, I'd be rich as fuck
Yuh!
Oh-oh-oh, for every time that somebody told me
Oh-oh-oh, I should prob'ly give this up, I'd be rich as fuck
Lemme tell you what I've learned through life
Lesson one, no one cares, unless you've earned your stripes
Lesson two, no one really gives a fuck about you
Outside, immediate family, close friends, it's true
Lesson three, never give up on what you feel is your dream
I'm sounding a bit cliche, but fuck, you gotta belive
You got a negative thought, just kill it off, and repeat
Success is a state of mind, you're either strong, or you're weak

Nice, heads, I got what I wanted
I put the nickel in my pocket, 'cause I needed the money
Not greedy, or nothin', is not like I been stealing, or something
Repeatedly bluffing, on myself
I think I'm becoming a slave to the money