Knock tha Hustle Remix
[Verse 1]
Life ain’t what it seems to be
Think outside the box does not exclude the box that is your TV screen
So I need these beats to speak on things that BBC isn’t
It’s just my idiosyncrasy, what these instruments mean to me?
Raps are thoughts in poems, I’m quoting my notes to self
Incarcerated by my mind, and no one can post for bail
Holding my own, I was forced to fend for myself
But was lended the help of homies I’ve known since the show-and-tells
Still, lately I’ve been broke, close to homeless; I’m overwhelmed
No, going toe-to-toe with my folks didn’t go so well
Momma said I sold my soul as she told me to go to hell
This must’ve hurt only just cause her blows were below the belt
A box or two of ramen noodles, this what poverty taste like
But I refuse to fall by the wayside, well talk is cheap
Ironically, we gotta see the dark to see daylight
Anything in life worth working towards will probably take time

[Hook 1]
But I’ve been on this hustle man for way too long, yo
And I been getting slept on for way too long
Lookin for my props thought I paid dues dog
Either way I’ll get mine, the drive way too strong
Cause I’ve been livin' yo life for way too long
So I ain't seen my fam, dog for way too long
Swear I never get no answers when I pray to god
Guess I’ve just been outta touch man for way too long
[Verse 2]
Sometimes I ask, "What if I grew up with no religion?"
No Jehovah’s Witness coalitions or prohibitions
By self-righteous prudes, I was accused and had no codefendants
Had to put myself before my ex like a coefficient, listen
I go the distance, so driven and so ambitious
To get on the road to riches, my niggas I won’t forget 'em
In fact, do what I can to hold our image intact
And the not so photogenic poor depiction of blacks
It seems we can’t get out the hood just like we Oliver Queen
With cops as crooked as the Gotham Police, I thought a bunch
And chalked it up to all the chalk in the streets, when that chalk should be
Used to get my niggas scholarships or college degrees
A vicious cycle intertwined within the system of many prisons
Where niggas are vilified for any vio-
Lation, they aim to enslave us by gentrifying cities
While we’re stigmatized by fickle whites like vitiligo

[Hook 2]
Y’all been in denial dog for way too long
And y’all been sitting idle there for way too long
They been trynna hold us down but we way too strong
Yea we way too strong
I been flipping work dog for way too long
Been patiently waiting for way too long
And if you really bout that action boy I’ll take you on
You can’t knock the hustle man it’s way too strong, it’s way too strong
[Outro]
Things change, rearrange and so do I
It ain't always for the better, dawg, I can't lie
I get high 'cause the lows can be so cold
I might bend a little bit but I don't fold
One time for my mind and two for yours
I got food for your thoughts to soothe your soul
If you see my tears fall just let me be
Move along, nothing to see