A yo, I walk down the block with my stomach in knots
  Spent time hustling, running from cops
  Broke as a joke, no ends at all
  Can't play ball and my Timbs is small
  Can't buy trees with government cheese
  I rather be where its breeze, niggas bubbling ki's
  My moms got two jobs one on her knees
  and writin letters to the governor "Please call off the deeds"
  My baby mother with another brother with cash
  and drive by roll down the window and laugh
  I solve all my problems with indo and hash
  Bought my daughter a Nintendo now she calling it Dad
  My landlord's a jerk, the water don't work
  My little sister twelve and she bought her own skirt
  Rather do Kirk than do her homework
  Talk blunts and boys and she'll jump for joy
  Shit's twisted, opportunity not but I missed it
  Out in the park gettin lifted
  So now I'm sittin here shit out of luck without a buck
  and it don't make a difference
    So do you hear me?
  'Cause if you don't I'll come up close and say it clearly
  I got to know I got to go
  I strive for my pay each and every way
  but this type of shit it happens everyday
    It's like I'm trapped in a maze walk around in a daze
  I won't rest 'til I'm paid or I'm down in my grave
  I wanna look tough, but my sneakers is scuffed
  Everyday pants in the week is enough
  I had a little money but it came and it went
  Now its either pay the rent or stay in a tent
  and it don't make sense how the shit is intense
  and all you got up in your pocket is lint, you get the hint?
  I had a cigarette for breakfast, just for beginners
  Cried for my lunch and sleep for dinner
  I tried to go to church, priest called me a sinner
  He called me everything except for a winner
  I'm walking in the rain wishing things would change
  It ain't a game, mad I pawned all the rings and chains
  Emotionally scarred form losing my job
  Pass the nod nigga, times is hard
    [CHORUS]
  So do you hear me?
  'Cause if you don't I'll come up close and say it clearly
  I got to know, I got to go
  I strive for my pay each and every way
  but this type of shit it happens everyday
  Now would you check me?
  If I was you and you was me, would you respect me?
  I got to know I got to go
  I strive for my pay each and every way
  but this type of shit it happens everyday
    I ain't gonna front, all I want is a blunt
  a pair of blue and yellow dunks and my hundreds in chunks
  But, people see me, put they purse to the front
  I'm waking up early on the first of the month
  Honeys don't respect when you call 'em collect
  and it's 25 cent you can call 'em direct
  I put my life on the line I ain't making a dime
  Nigga call me "Never mind , man you're wastin' your time"
  A yo, I'm livin' in the ghetto and I'm tryin' to survive
  At the same time a nigga rolling by in a five
  Can find a drive for a 9-5
  It's like I only get by when I'm feeling the high
  And I ain't got no smoke, the elevator broke
  I'm at the end of my rope tryin to find a way to cope
  I'm sipping on Gin thinking how I could win
  I don't know where it begins but this is where it could end
    [CHORUS]