O.C. & PF Cuttin - “Higher Learning”
[Emcee(s): O.C.]
[Producer(s): PF Cuttin]
[Scratches: PF Cuttin]

[Intro: O.C.]
Mmm. Rock and a hard place. Uh.  Check it out

[Hook: O.C.]
What am I do to? I’m broke with my back to the wall
Don’t have a clue, felonies stop me from getting jobs
Dropping to my knees, asking God for a little push
Peripherals off, pride’s opposite of feeling good

[Verse 1: O.C.]
The unem-
-ployment rate’s high for the simple fact them numbers on a
Very big scale affect me and many others
Short on skills—hell—but I know them streets well
Left with very few options, I’m forced to steal and robbing
Resorting to two strikes, risking my freedom. It was
Army or jail in the ‘70s, now it’s neither
‘Cause of my skin, persecuted was kin. Even
Now, like then, designed for us not to win—nah
Got a rope and mask and a revolver, no co-
-defendant, for dolo, stolen whip around the corner. That trap
Corner’s my target. On the rooftop with goggles, modern-day
Robin Hood robbing solicitors for their dollars. “Yo
Better me than them cops. Fuckers, lay on the ground
Face-flat, don’t make a sound. Y’all know what this is
Now wait about a minute to get up, no less, or your
Momma’s gonna be wearing that black dress.” Ayyo (Yo)
[Hook: O.C. and (Sample with Scratches by PF Cuttin)] (x2)
What am I do to? I’m broke with my back to the wall
Don’t have a clue, felonies stop me from getting jobs
Dropping to my knees, asking God for a little push
Peripherals off, pride’s opposite of feeling good (“You can’t stop it”)

[Verse 2: O.C.]
Somewhat fiction, but the moral in my aim is
Just a depiction of what our kids are faced with
We gotta teach ‘em or the system will burn ‘em. It’s up
To parents to instill and enforce that higher learning. Strong
Will, life skills are things that are important. Common
Sense and pride go farther than owning some Jordans
Veni, vidi, vici in the right text. I’m leaving it
To those growing up. Be great. Thinking back far, what
You good at? What’s your state of mind? Every place around
The globe share in common: drugs, thugs, gangsters
Equals danger (“Danger!”). Ha
Left with reminders of pain and anger. From early on
I took silence and sounds from serving fakers, not
Having a clue that it would pay me. Others weren’t
So lucky. It struck me I experienced similar situations
Being broke, asking myself the question, “Um…”

[Hook: O.C. and (Sample with Scratches by PF Cuttin)] (x2)
What am I do to? I’m broke with my back to the wall
Don’t have a clue, felonies stop me from getting jobs
Dropping to my knees, asking God for a little push
Peripherals off, pride’s opposite of feeling good (“You can’t stop it”)