[Produced by J Dilla (R.I.P)]

[Intro/Chorus]
Picture me riding through the city with criminal stealth
In my pockets it's minimal wealth
Roll alone with the Patrón, just the nine and myself
Hope there’s no cops on patrol I check my right and my left

[Verse 1]
Picture me riding through Queens, Harlem, and Manhattan
Brooklyn, Shaolin, the Bronx, and Long Island
(Picture me ridin')
(Picture me ridin')
Yo sit back! Let me tell what New York meant to me
The year was 1994, It was a tragedy
That struck at the place of my birth
Thank God my pops and my earth - survived to see their seed grow
Yo my pops is a hero for real tho
9-0 to 9-4 he fought the war, an honor to carry the name
I got infinite respect - throughout the bloodshed and pain
Halfway across the world in New York
In them Queensbridge projects
Nas dropped Illmatic on April 19
Back home it was tragic, today it’s pristine
25 years later; bumping 'Life's a Bitch'
Ridin' through Kigali streets on my bornday; April 25th
Feelin' conflicted, thinking a .45 could still be ringing
Wondering; How one the most beautiful pieces of art
And one the worst horrors to happen to man - ain't that far apart
Really. Spark a philly blunt so they can feel me!
[Chorus]
Picture me riding through the city with criminal stealth
In my pockets it's minimal wealth
Roll alone with the Patrón, just the nine and myself
Hope there’s no cops on patrol I check my right and my left

[Verse 2]
It’s been a couple months since you left
How's it hangin’ dawg?
Try not to get consumed by that place
I seen it happen dawg
Keep your friends close, cherish the real ones
Watch out for fakes supposedly - keepin' it real son
I seen some of these n***as parading, snaking
Putting on a front
Ride with you when it's convenient -
To get what they want
Cut em' off, they over compensate cause they soft
Grab the nine, click-clack and let off
Problem solved
I’m just tired of fraternizing with n***as who
Never gave a shit about me
Claiming it's love when deep down you despise me
Disguised in your envy-hiding coats, wanna walk beside the G.O.A.T
Stand behind me so at my weakest you can wait for me to choke
And then - take me for my spot but then - I get back up again!
Like that pussy n***a Collin tried to play me
You was like the big homie, I had respect for you G
Is why I didn't fight back? Man Fuck that Shit!
Today I'd be right back; Fuck up your face or -
I might just let the nine clap
Leave you in Nyabarongo, fuck it I guess life goes on though
I can't hold a grudge, I know it made me stronger
Realised; n***as bleed just like us
So picture me being scared of a n***a that breathe the same air as me
I ride military steadily
[Bridge]
Picture me ridin' (Yeah)
Picture me ridin' (Yeah)

[Chorus]
Picture me riding through the city with criminal stealth
In my pockets it's minimal wealth
Roll alone with the Patrón, just the nine and myself
Hope there's no cops on patrol I check my right and my left

[Verse 3]
Picture me riding through Kayonza in the back of the bus
Fully packed but it's like it's just the two of us
Can't know who to trust heaven's littered with angel dust
Lucy's got a pretty face fuck it I'm fallin' in lust (lust)
Trust I gotta stay sober G
Too many weeds to grow my tree
She got me hooked but can't be good for me
Dress the color of what be coursing through my artery
Hard to see clearly whenever she near me
Freedom is a real artist's dream - apparently
Starin' out the window swattin' houseflies
Imagine every house we pass by
Only 5 past the limit
Seeing all this poverty brought by a lack of property
So, I hope we lay the foundations to last the ages
As I sound iterations, vapin' with the bleeding pen
There's condensation on the pages