Culture Power45 ft. L.I.F.E. Long - “Shiv”
[Emcee(s): L.I.F.E. Long]
[Producer(s): Masai Bey]

[Verse 1: L.I.F.E. Long]
Ayyo, the puzzle fell. I’m picking up pieces. E.T
Lost on Earth, following trails of Reese's
Alien irregular percent, not hearing or seeing
I’m a different, out-of-this-world being. The spaceship
Been landing. Seeing objects slanted ‘cause people be
Sideways, crooked, and twisted, animal-type behavior
My city’s a wild zoo. Lions, snakes
And monsters that’ll eat you. The other half vultures
Waiting to devour after. Those, the ones in air
Hovering haters. Served, yeah, I’ll spit food like a disgruntled
Waiter. Not later—now. I’m early with a verse
Snatching a worm. Crack of dawn, arrive first
Made it, survived through experience and worse, although
Good times through the beautiful struggle
Building with the armed militia, cyphered in a huddle. Storm
Clouds pouring. Move forward knee-deep in puddles

[Hook: L.I.F.E. Long] (x2)
What was before? Past. The present came after
Living in the forward—some say, “Future”
We’re searching, looking for answers, new ways how
To operate, communicate, function in The Now
[Verse 2: L.I.F.E. Long]
Yo
Chip on shoulder with the whole world hustling
Hard for motivation when the door’s closing. When I
Open, seems like another door’s shutting
No motivation for operation to properly function. My mind
Trapped in a silent room. Alone in my thoughts
The stress consumes, causing me to lash out
Friends catch the backlash, not understanding
So relations fall apart, crash. Just me, myself
And I against all odds. In a zone, lonely
Asking help from God. Smoking away the pain keeps
The pocket. For a week, I tried to stop the burning
Them pressures kept on lurking. Sativa leaving
The room cloudy and loud. Contemplating on my
Situations. What, why, and how? Decisions
And choice, situations on my journey through
The Now

[Hook: L.I.F.E. Long]
What was before? Past. The present came after
Living in the forward—some say, “Future”
We’re searching, looking for answers, new ways how
To operate, communicate, function in The Now

[Verse 3: L.I.F.E. Long]
The Now. Trying to get my eyes focused
Done with all the negativity in my circumference
Keeping me from seeing the picture. Realism not scripted
Or televised. The truth is written, I believe. Although
Sometimes, the light’s hidden. Questioning my faith
When the path’s dark and use Jah’s flare
On my journey through time to find peace through this space
And mind. Feeling trapped in a black hole—no return
Just traveling on a winding road with sharp turns
Life’s a hot stove—touch it and burn—but getting
Scorched is how you learn. Apply the shea butter to heal
Scars. Music my remedy—vent up in these bars
Rhyme therapy—use poetics as a stress reliever
Staying creative nowadays to avoid the depression
Fever
[Interlude 1: L.I.F.E. Long]
What? Hmm. Staying creative nowadays to avoid the depression fever

[Hook: L.I.F.E. Long] (x2)
What was before? Past. The present came after
Living in the forward—some say, “Future”
We’re searching, looking for answers, new ways how
To operate, communicate, function in The Now