I think we all have these moments in our lives where, we say or do things
And we're so sorry for them, really
It's not the way we would have wanted it [bad word] out
Umm, let's face it, this is real life
And this is the thought that was captured from me
That words only share a small portion of the vision that they give witness too

I had to write this in blood because the ink wouldn't stick
I sold five or six million but yo that ain't really [bad word] 
It was supposed to be different, we were supposed to ride out
But Too Much shot his girl then shot himself in the mouth
Then the Steady Gang formed but very soon fell apart
Cause when you're just doin art with no loyalty in your heart
It's like catchin' Alzheimer's, all these niggaz forgettin' where [bad word] #39; from
Had to slow it down, wait a minute, what [bad word] #39; from?
This is what we supposed to do, here's where we supposed to be
I hated MTV for tryin' to play me like a mockery
But that don't bother me, I just fulfilled my [bad word] contract
Small price to pay just to get your peace of mind back (mind back)
Backfire, assassination of my character
Just to make some millions off America
My younger sister Erica just adopted a child
My older brother served fifteen, he made it out
Even though my father love me I ain't seen him in a while
Had to fight my baby mama, [bad word] give me my [bad word] now
Cause [bad word] #39; out of time and I need him to understand
The way of the superior man, I built a brand
Niggaz talk about my taxes, I done paid Uncle Sam
I'm survivin' cause the mind's eye is quicker than the hand

Feet outgrew shows, racism outgrew tolerances
And the city glowed at night with the fires of rage
Unconsciousness gave way to consciousness
People and martyrs lived out their lives and deaths on the 6 o'clock news
and we, me and my brothers and my sisters, went our own way
discovering our own [bad word]  our own pain, our own love

Heartbreak, disappointment
My mother died when I was 9, I just wanted to join her
Naw Mr. Joiner, you get to California
I got somethin' for you to do, it's like I was annointed
Resurrected, found my purpose
I remember meetin Dre bein nervous when I would kick my verses
I was virtually worthless, my whole life was a circus
I was sleepin' with serpents, and I thought they was worth it
I got a call from Paul, told me [bad word] wasn't workin'
Exchanged words, I told him tell me that [bad word] in person
He probably told 
And by the way that he said it unapologetic, twisted, made it about him
I see Slim and he said he didn't recognize me
Was it that or did he let another man define me?
I don't know but now I gotta get this all behind me
Follow my callin' when I used to follow niggaz blindly

I don't buy my children designer clothes
because I don't want them looking under their arms or on their behinds
to find out who they are

Huh, I wish I had a better relationship with my uncles
Blood relatives I could turn to when I'm feelin' troubled
And talk about my [bad word]  my uncle Jonelle
He only put me on the phone with different females
"Yeah this is such and such, nephew tell her what's up?"
Ain't even ask about Tremayne and Gatlyn growin up
 [bad word]  I drink it all then I smash the bottle
Self-medicated numb but I'ma feel it tomorrow
It feel like pain and sorrow was like a second skin
But now that pain is gone, I got my second wind
Only the strong live long, you better settle in
I'm fightin forever, I will never let the devil win
1983, that's when my journey begins
I searched everywhere for strength and only found it within
This for me and my kin, still dyin to live
Livin life to the fullest 'til I see you again

Alvin, I would love it if I could have umm
One of those OOOH-OOOOH-OOOH-OOH