[Verse 1] Mama had a shoebox Uncle had a shoebox Every Sunday dinner talk what the block bought Fork in the Pyrex kids on the porch step I learned math countin' rocks, not a course test Hand-me-down Jordans crease in the toe Only torch that we knew was the stove glow If you ain’t pitchin' you a bill to feed Family tree looked like a list of pleas [Verse 2] Three p.m. bell ring I don’t ride bus Meet the plug by the fence we just nod once Bookbag heavy, not books that’s the work weight Teacher said, “See you Monday” I said, “If I’m straight” Whole block watchin' I can’t move sloppy Camera on the corner but the corner still got me Mama prayin', eyes red say, “Baby, just live” I said, “We gotta eat what you want me to give?” [Chorus] Clock hit three I’m outside, grindin' Sun drop low and the fiends start slidin' Family business passed down like dishes Hardhood livin', gotta hustle for wishes From three to eight I’m servin' my sentence Streetlight witness to all this dependence Hard times taught me how to move relentless Hardhood survival turn pain to a pension [Verse 3] Auntie in the kitchen whip it like she stir stew Told me, “Hit the alley first then the curfew” “Don’t trust smiles, watch shoes, not words” “Lace tight when you run, keep a hand on your shirt” Cousin got booked ’cause he loved bein' seen Flashin' lil' knots on the hood IG Judge gave him ten like it’s somethin' light I learned then you make more if you move like night [Verse 4] Three p.m. rerun same scene, new faces New pack, same stress same risk, new cases Nana on the plastic couch clutchin' her beads News say “war on drugs” I just see needs My lil' bro hungry fridge say “try later” So I stand on that corner like a sky scraper Cold wind cuttin' through my thin white tee That streetlamp hum was my old TV [Verse 5] Eight p.m. phone ring “Stay, it’s jumpin'” OG say “Peak time, keep pumpin'” Hands so numb I could barely feel cash Mind doin' math how long will this last Squad in a circle arguin' ’bout scraps One slip, one snitch somebody get snatched Sirens in the distance sound like church choirs Ask God, “Can you hear me from this burnt wire?” [Verse 6] Now I’m tryna flip scripts not the same grams Turn pain into game for the same fam Tell shorty at the bus stop “Use that brain ’Cause this bag come fast but it bleed slow pain” Still remember three to eight like a timecard Concrete classroom made my mind hard If I’m talkin' ’bout the grind it’s to warn, not brag ’Cause that family business really family drag [Chorus]
