Curtis Mayfield
Rather Be Myself
[Intro]
Yeah
Shout out Jake One
I'm glad I'm me
Yeah

[Chorus]
Lotta fake shit goin' on (Yeah), I could choose to play along
But I'd rather be myself, yeah
I could try to be like them, probably get further ahead
But I'd rather be myself, yeah
People sellin' out for fame or for dollars and some change
But I'd rather be myself, yeah
Now I'd be lyin' if I said it never crossed my mind, but check, man
I'd rather be myself (For real), yeah, yеah

[Verse 1]
I play forever, dawg, I'm focused on longеvity
I try to run my race, and not care about who's ahead of me 'cause
Comparison is the recipe for depression and questionin' your integrity
Hope I don't let it get to me but
Some days are easier than others (True)
Caught up in the numbers, make you greedier than others
So I try to just detach before my ego gets attacked
And starts to plan out its response, and do some shit I can't take back
[Chorus]
Lotta fake shit goin' on (Yeah), I could choose to play along
But I'd rather be myself, yeah
I could try to be like them, probably get further ahead
But I'd rather be myself, yeah
People sellin' out for fame or for dollars and some change
But I'd rather be myself, yeah
Now I'd be lyin' if I said it never crossed my mind, but check, man
I'd rather be myself (For real)

[Verse 2]
Yeah, don't wanna compromise even if it's popularized
Even if nobody knows, I gotta face my mama, I
Don't want the accomplishments if it's via fraudulence
Can't even be proud of that, tell 'em how you got the shit
Yeah, different language, we not speakin' the same (We not)
Couple million for my soul, that's not an even exchange
My soul don't shine when I hear it, you not fly if they steer it
I don't care about the look, it don't align with my spirit

[Chorus]
Lotta fake shit goin' on (Yeah), I could choose to play along
But I'd rather be myself, yeah
I could try to be like them, probably get further ahead
But I'd rather be myself, yeah
People sellin' out for fame or for dollars and some change
But I'd rather be myself, yeah
Now I'd be lyin' if I said it never crossed my mind, but check, man
I'd rather be myself (For real)
[Outro]
Yeah, don't wanna compromise even if it's popularized
Even if nobody knows, I gotta face my mama, I
Don't want the accomplishments if it's via fraudulence
Can't even be proud of that, tell 'em how you got the shit