Let me get the Illmatic!
Waves with the clean sides!
If this was '94
I'd be Nas

If that was '94
YALL'D BE PRAS!

N'a I'm...
CHRIS WISE!

Say it again!

The bonafide, blackified griot
Wake up in the morning
I'm giving thanks to the G-O
For giving me the knowledge to acknowledge and to polish all the g-g-g-garbage that was f'n up my wallet
I
Made a couple dollars and I spent 'em in a hurry on some used Penny IV's and a couple McFlurry's

Pause for the cause...

I was living on the floor
Motivated by Shakur and The Hunger for More!

For myself and my people the future is see-through
Create it moments when chilling with people you love
Love, life, peace, and having fun
Put down the guns and grab some buns!
Pull your p-pants up and be a man for once!
One!
One!

[Chorus]

In...
My...
Lifetime...


[Verse 2]

"Yo, WISE, what's on today's agenda?"

Chicken acquisition making millions out the blender
Life full of splendor
But I gave her cane raw
Sipping my coffee
Black as Marc' Garvey

The boulevard of Empire where it all started!
Cruising up Nostrand
Pedal to the ocean
Dreams of a phat crib
Shows with promotion
Pull up at my alma mater
Drop a lecture
Drop an album
Let's call it The Blackest Power
Let's go to Iraq
And shower healing on the people who need it

I pray one day we free the world from militaristic demons
Until that day just trust the Journey
NEVER STOP BELIEVING!

[Bridge]

I think I finally found my purpose Momma
I'm tired of being worthless Momma
There's gotta be more than work and drama
And so much pain...

I know I finally found my purpose Momma
Tired of being worthless Momma
Gotta be more than work and drama
And so much pain

No more pain
No more pain
No more pain

Lifetime...
Lifetime...
Lifetime...

[Trumpet refrain]

[Verse 3]

Triumph over tragedy
Clients keep harassing me
Pursuing all my passions make my life the freshest masterpiece
The seven is eternal if I ever perish naturally
Mentorship the vital key
JUST WATCH WHO COMING AFTER ME
Loop the beat again
Let my pen bleed sin

Who said 82-0 was impossible
I'm feeling like Static Shock after two plates of that Rasta Pasta
Who knew a chubby, sheltered kid would grow up to inspire mobsters?

They ask me why I do it?
I told em for La Raza!
I heard his life is like a Mayan Ruin!
Now I'm covered in gems and rubies like tombs of Egyptian rulers

Like "Who does he listen to?
His tutors is too elusive!"

But it ain't about them dog!
I
AM
RELENTLESS with this penmanship

Just like Ms. Radix taught me
Brooklyn on the rise
Constructing whole new categories
This ain't conscious, nah
It ain't alternative

I'm just a 23 year old who finally learned he was rich
Invested all my chips
I finally learned how to flip