[Verse 1: Kaliq]
A smile is a rare commodity in my community
We're hurting so we purchase some new sneakers and the jewellery
Sell 'em in sacks, pounds, and packs. To the max
In public housing; ain't no room to relax
From then until the Rodney King to Trayvon, to carry on
Whether you place hope in the pope
Or faith in Fabricon
N***as running their lips; you slippin' some marathon
Flipping the man's burgers, making just enough to make it
Arguing with your girl, and she yelling that she fake it?
What the fuck that got to do with the bills? Noosey neighbours
Banging on the wall. It's getting hard
Applied at some office jobs waiting on the call
There's a leak in the plumbing an the ceiling's 'bout to fall
All I wanted was to dribble; n***a never got the ball
Trying to run the city for a second first you got to crawl
Got a drive for success; hope my engine never stall

[Hook]
Situations change. It won't always be the same
Wanna win then you gotta play the game, little homie
Keep ya head up, yeah
Eh, shawty, keep ya head up, yeah
Talk to 'em
I know that shift hurts. Overtime, gotta work
It's the worst. Gotta hustle from the dirt, little hommie
Keep ya head up, yeah
Eh, shortie, keep ya head up, yeah
[Verse 2: E-Dubble]
Time takes a toll on everybody. Attend if the clock ticks
Contently experiencing life from the mosh-pits
Wondering why we torture ourselves for no reason
Seems perception got the best of our health. It's hard believing
So I stay up on some shit to keep my mind at work
Keep the negative at bay. Like on this consignment shirt
This time I'm working for the ways and means shaking hate
Chasing dreams. Open eyes in front of mirrors and like what I see
Accountable for emotions. The politics is mean
But these cowards being boisterous are not what they seem
And so we shut 'em down with truth. Losers take the walk, hommie
No disrespect; you'll just do better with your thoughts, hommie
I'm charged up like an '82 Benz
That's converted to canola oil. Spoil all my friends
For a penny for their thoughts Give me one, give me ten
Cause that penchant for that purple lets my circle get it in
Like Tolkien I let the creatures out. I'm here for speaking out
Against the status quo for those who know just why my speaker's loud
I'm not complaining. I'm reclaiming recognition
For my fellas and my ladies who regain the ambition
Trying to turn the page, ads are in the way
Rip them pages out, but let the ??? stay
Need to hear a voice like we need another day
That new soul. No fools gold. I block check that pain
[Hook]
Situations change. It won't always be the same
Wanna win then you gotta play the game, little homie
Keep ya head up, yeah
Eh, shawty, keep ya head up, yeah
Talk to 'em
I know that shift hurts. Overtime, gotta work
It's the worst. Gotta hustle from the dirt, little hommie
Keep ya head up, yeah
Eh, shortie, keep ya head up, yeah

[Verse 3: Kaliq]
Feel like I was put here on Earth
To rise from the dirt
Overcome that hurt
With a joyous burst
So the more I fly, the more I search
And all I know is I need more, so I endure any affliction
My addiction is the love, overdose on those emotions
Is so [im]‘portant, fuck them ???
I’ve been goin on, my side rolls in the cup
Hustle, hustle. I can change all my tomorrows with this book
Broken family, need some stitches and them riches, nip and tuck
But I always be the same on the close, switching up
I ain’t never bitchin’ up
I did the dishes, still no pot to piss in, starving for some food for thought
‘Cuz it ain’t government assisted
Feelin’ resistance
So I practice this persistence
Is calling dark in these streets
I see the light in the distance
Gotta go out and get it, I couldn’t wait for permission
Proposition from politicians
Got my brother sentenced
That paragraph in the past, this chapter the future
Used to bein' a loser
Now victory is the usu'[al]
Celebrating evevation
Never dream of this interleaving
Cream to my descendants
Go sharing my resemblance
Pay my dues, pay my pendence
And them ??? turn to power
Now I’m the man of the hour
Thanks to my devotion, now all I do is devour
Life is like dessert, no longer bitter and sour
So I brave the shower, they don’t [re]‘member the cowards
The black rose from semen, soon you see the flowers
[Hook]
Situations change. It won't always be the same
Wanna win then you gotta play the game, little homie
Keep ya head up, yeah
Eh, shawty, keep ya head up, yeah
Talk to 'em
I know that shift hurts. Overtime, gotta work
It's the worst. Gotta hustle from the dirt, little hommie
Keep ya head up, yeah
Eh, shortie, keep ya head up, yeah