[Intro]
Ekskwizet Beats
'96, nine-six
And it go a little somethin' like this, uh

[Verse 1]
I been writin' rhymes since like '96
On my grind before I even knew what "Grind" meant
But learned young that every diamond worth the time spent
And if it sound too good to be true, then check for fine print
Mama's mindbent from bendin' over backwards
Tryna gather food while dealin' with adolescent attitudes
We used to window shop at Avondale after school
Don't worry about hardships, I had an urge to ask for shoes
Shit that I thought was important at thе age of seven
'Causе when I wore my gear to school, I could hear 'em laughin'
I started up a book of rhymes, and by page eleven
I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in rappin'
The ATLiens landed, I listened to it over and over again
Until I knew the whole thing
That back when you can catch a gunshot from close range
All over your FILA's, started coatin' a gold chain
I was at a different temp, when you was playin' Nintendo
I was writin' 'bout shit that I witnessed outside my window
Very observant, unaware that someday I carried a burden
Then blow up for my city like I was wearin' a turban
And durin' my younger days, "Oh, snaps" was a common phrase
Cuzzo would say that whenever I'd rap at my Aunt Renee's
I used to lie when asked what I wanted to be
'Cause they be like, "N***a, please," if I said "An emcee"
So, then I would say, "A lawyer or a teacher"
Knowin' what they make in one year I can make for a feature
But that's neither here nor there, this that verbal warfare
To help you get through it like [?]
'Cause we all got to deal with the highs and lows of life
I hope to heal some of the worlds ills when I write
So I'm brushin' up on my skills 'til I write
Somethin' so powerful that even paraplegics feel what I write
[Chorus]
Like, one time for the '96 (One time)
All my hip-hop heads gon' rewind this (Ayy)
One time for the '96 (One time)
All my ATLiens gon' rewind this

[Verse 2]
Back before my mama then would leave for the 'burbs
We thought we had to talk about the bees and the birds
I spit everyday, studyin' emcees words
And '96 paved the summer, and '96 made me superb
I been the oddball since the days of dodgeball
When Goodie Mob dropped Soul Fool
I don't know shit about no Pro Tools
But knew I wanted to be just like those dudes
In a dope boy's tape deck, hundred spokes on his old school
Nas told stories, It Was Written was ill
Fugees dropped, Lauryn Hill made me listen for real
That was back when spittin' a real would get you a deal
Now it's all about what you flip
Who you kill and trickin' on bitches in heels
How much you spend for them wheels
Radio force feedin' you garbage, tellin' you what to feel
You choose the red or blue pill
This ain't the shit I fell in love with
They shut you down when you speak from your heart
So, I switched the subject
[Chorus]
Like, one time for the '96 (One time)
All my hip-hop heads gon' rewind this (Ayy)
Like, one time for the '96 (One time)
All my ATLiens gon' rewind this

[Verse 3]
Back before my mama then would leave for the 'burbs
We thought we had to talk about the bees and the birds
I spit everyday, studyin' emcees words
And '96 paved the summer, and '96 made me superb

[Chorus]
One time for the '96 (One time)
All my hip-hop heads gon' rewind this (Ayy)
One time for the '96 (One time)
All my ATLiens gon' rewind this (Ayy)
One time for the '96 (One time)
All my hip-hop heads gon' rewind this (Ayy)
One time for the '96 (One time)
All my ATLiens gon' rewind this (Ayy)

[Outro]
All Eyez On Me
Reasonable Doubt
That UGK, "Ridin' Dirty"
Oh, yeah, The 7 Day Theory