Then and Now

From the age of 10 I used to do a paper route
Just so I could see the paper round
So I could splash in the corner shop
And buy sweets till my teeth would rotI used to play football, I used to like dancing
Man, I tried everything, even karate
After 5 years I had to pull it
'Cause black belt can't teach you how to dodge bulletsI never knew what I wanted to be
Oh, I knew what the man above wanted for me
They said Jehmal, you're smart enough to be a doctor or a lawyer
But fuck that, them jobs are boringAnd footie's getting dry like raving
But shout out to Craig, he's some other kind that made it
I don't know my profession yet quite
But one day I'm gonna get signedJust write the check
I'm out here spending money so I gotta make it
Rest to make it, things are different so
Don't you take this shit for granted
When the money's in your hand, yeahMy big bro's MCing now
I might have to try this out
And Dizzee Rascal's on TV now
Shit, this could be my way outGood at English but I hate reading
Good grades, just a few exclusions
My story's inspirational and with the right help
I can execute this out to the nationsOr my words can lock down the pavement
Skip Jamma's basement, Eskimo dance aside
Winding, take it straight to the big stages
That'll be amazingBut damn, I gotta make some
I'm doing it independent, spent before you make some
Think I know my profession now, guys
Damn, I got stars in my eyesJust write the check
I'm out here spending money so I gotta make it
Rest to make it, things are different so
Don't you take this shit for granted
When the money's in your hand, yeahIf you ever knew what was getting sold
Just so we can pay for videos
8R from the bottom we roll
So when the checks came the first hundred bags got blownShout at us boy, better know
Me and Skeppy from the north side
We tried it on our own so they approached us
We never approached the majors and now look, we majorsJust write the check
I'm out here spending money so I gotta make it
Rest to make it, things are different so
Don't you take this shit for granted
When the money's in your hand, yeahJust write the check
I'm out here spending money so I gotta make it
Rest to make it, things are different so
Don't you take this shit for granted
When the money's in your hand, yeah, uhOh baby, oh yeah
Oh yes, I'm making money, baby
Oh yeah