[Opening Monologue]
Yeah, what up, y’all?
I know a lot of people that rap that are artists in general and as artists, we sacrifice a lot for our love of art, ya know, especially when we have families
Our families sacrifice a lot for us to, ya know, be your entertainment and be your escape but sometimes we’re our own escape as well but a lot of times you don’t get to peek behind the curtain and see all of the things that your favorite artist had to go through so I just wanna give you a little peek of, ya know, some of that from some experiences of my own and of others that I know but this is just a little something for you
Check it out

[Verse 1]
He got five records out that you can purchase in the stores
Three more in the works ‘cause his mind’s a machine
But sometimes he feels like ‘what’s it all for?’ even though he feeds off of hearing the crowd scream but can barely pay his rent and barely keep his lights on
And his vehicle, it’s on its very last leg
And the hole from borrowing from friends and family
Mount Everest ain’t got nothing on his mountain of debt
He’s gone hungry at times with multiple mouths to feed
A son, a daughter, a wife, and a child on the way
Doing everything he can to get everything they need
He’ll be out on tour the day of his son’s birthday in San Fran on his oldest third born
But it’s his job so what’s there to do?
He’s an absentee father, part-time husband, half-ass provider ‘cause he gets paid to perform for you

[Hook]
We only write from experience
Our lives are open books
So come on in and get a closer look
It ain’t all roses and smiley faces, sometimes it burns
But you gotta continue to teach to continue to learn
It’s all from experience, our lives are open books
So come on in and get a closer look
It ain’t all roses and smiley faces, sometimes it burns
But you gotta continue to teach to continue to learn
[Verse 2]
Now everything that glitters ain’t gold
Everything hollow can’t float
He’s sinking on the stage
He doesn’t blame the fans for his love of the art
He just wishes he had all the pieces for the game he plays
His wife is stressed ‘cause she works full-time, tryna support him while he lives out his dreams
If he was her, probably wouldn’t take it too much longer
So he wouldn’t be surprised if soon she decides to leave
Tries for work between gigs but it doesn’t pan out
He calls and he calls but they never seem to need him
So with bad money management, his wife’s biweekly check and a little bit of royalties he’s receiving
A show here and there, the occasional tour dates
He can barely keep their heads above water
Losing the fight, his sight is woozy from the plight of being your favorite emcee, his wife’s husband and kids’ father

[Hook]
We only write from experience
Our lives are open books
So come on in and get a closer look
It ain’t all roses and smiley faces, sometimes it burns
But you gotta continue to teach to continue to learn
It’s all from experience, our lives are open books
So come on in and get a closer look
It ain’t all roses and smiley faces, sometimes it burns
But you gotta continue to teach to continue to learn