"I never asked my brother why he sold dope.
I already knew
Didn't need to know.
Hated watching my mom go to work from 7-4
Just to get off the job - to go hustle some more.
Selling produce to some white folks.
And now I got to go to school and deal with black jokes.
Embarrassed - plus my mama working in the office yo
And did I mention - She didn't stop there
Her and grandma in the kitchens.
Baking until the sun flares.
Hot cakes and pies for them same folks, oh dear
Nor the good fruit
Best to get a knife and cut the spot.
Who knew - That would be the reason I hate spotted fruit in my house.
I want a better cup, and taste the best fruit, right now
Then my pops working for the city 5-5
So he stay sleep, and when his not his PRAYING for overtime.
Adults don't think child see through the smoke.
The lies we tell ourselves to keep moving a cope.
So How you ask a 4th grader to pay attention.
When he know that cost more than the Algebra you mentioned.
And Yo Heroes in history aren't my color.
If I can't get paid now, then why bother.
With this Science or this geographic?
Plus I'm trying to dress fresh, so the kids don't laugh.
I never ask my brother why he sold Dope.
I already knew
And didn't need to know.
With everybody working ... Dog where the time going.
Everybody chasing money who will teach you how to hold it.
No one. That's who
They didn't know how either
Most of them was born in work,
They didn't have no teachers
Most of them needed hope
So relied on preachers
And that's how you forget God and you see really evil
My moms gave dat church over 30 years.
A new pastor come in
.and then they lock the doors on her.
I'm wondering folks knew her 30 years
Let that happen
... and then call the cops on her.
Only logical answer is,
They have Melanin
SO they friend unless you look like that dem?
Mom said stay focused and rock the shows
I'm on tour - backstage...
When I got that news, I froze.
Overseas, I want to leave come home.
Having thoughts of burners
Sunday morning lessons on Nat Turner.
How people I love, turn their back on her.
I wish I had more money for mama.
Man what do I really want?
Is it money
It's in time
Can I pick the currency you can pay me for these rhymes?
Thinking if we had more money.
We could have more time.
But maybe that's not true.
Or a thin line
With that said...
I'm finish this song,
On the next flight, I want be home.
Money won't run me.
I'ma run it.
Get your hand out my bag
Do let your time might get spent.
I never asked my brother sold Dope
I already knew
I didn't need to know
I guess I forgot how to dial a phone, Auntie
Cuz I never called - now you no longer here.
You left a son, and you was a mother to me.
He all alone - and I'm still not calling him.
Thinking...
All I had on my mind was getting me son out the heat
Windows didn't go down in that Buick.
We needed AC
Levi, was 2 and knew it
So surprising to me
Until I heard his prayer change
When the whip came, like
"Lord thank you for this AC"
I see him in the rearview and he see me
Adults don't think child see through the smoke.
The lies we tell ourselves to keep moving a cop
I pray my sons don't see more than they have to
Never doubt what they can be
Or they can do
Grow as leaders
Trendsetters
And speak truth
Believe in love
Have faith
And see it through
Glow in the dark
And kindle those in the night
Speak with their heart
And stand with those that can't fight
Never get lose
And if the do, follow the true North
And sing the hymns - our grandparents song for us."