Nothin For Nothin (feat. CL)

[Intro]

Yeah, these cats still don’t get it, know what I’m saying? Tell em like this.

[Verse 1]

Lights out, it’s over, can’t push this boulder 
? didn’t ? concrete soldier 
Rhymes getting deeper now as I get older 
And fate is the weight bearing down on my shoulders 
Everyday I ponder life and time 
Amazed how fast the movie passes by 
It was like yesterday when I was on my block 
With my boys on the corner trying to beatbox 
It was like last week when I got my new bike 
Jumping hills on my dead end until we lost sunlight 
See I knew I’d be special in life 
Cause I’m a father to sons, husband to a wife 
But my passion still be the beats and mics 
See I’m in college on the weekend, the studio at night 
Writing on breaks, jotting down my mistakes 
Successes and all else that takes place

[Chorus x 2]

This world gives you nothing for nothing 
Gotta stand tall, stand for something 
When it comes down it goes around 
It’s hard to keep your feet on the ground

But I stay right, no shame, self-made 
Going ? on my page 
Reminisce on days past ? 
Holding on but it just won’t last

[Verse 2]

Yo not much dough but this cat still flows 
Been down and out and spent some time in the last row 
Persistence, it be my middle name 
No shame in my game in the pursuit of fame 
You take shorts? You end up short 
So recognise ain’t no lies when you look into my eyes 
Dressed proper, well-schooled like a doctor 
Golden-aged hip hopper, nine-to-five show stopper 
Grown [bad word] man doing what he can 
Dreams shattered by years working for the man 
Been knocked down but always got up 
Been myself but still got labelled like a product 
Most stay down until you hit a cliff 
Some rich people still think life’s a [bad word] 
Get busy dying or work on how you live 
See life through my kids, stay doing it ya dig?

[Chorus x 2]

[Verse 3]

It’s like I sit back and I wait for it to happen 
And when I look over it seems like everybody’s laughing 
Remember high school when people asked where you see yourself in five years? 
Your type of career? doctor, a lawyer, maybe a cop 
CEO if you’re the type to try to make it to the top 
Work for the state and not go to college 
And try to get by on this real world knowledge 
Join the army to pay for school 
But see anything that you avoid just ain’t cool 
Now it’s CL baby and everything is gravy 
Been around for a minute now you can’t phase me 
Life is love so love your life 
Once a lifetime doesn’t happen twice 
Live today because today we live 
Live to love and love how you live

[Chorus x 2]

[Outro]

Yo man, this world gives you nothing for nothing. No fronting. Go out and get yours, know what I’m saying?