Dear brother I know we haven't talked in a while It's been a minute since the last time I got you to smile I guess I never told you this and it was probably denial But ever since we were kids I've tried to copy your style You were the popular guy, I was awkward at school People thought I was weird, people thought you were cool More friends, better grades, leaving girls bedazzled I looked up in amazement from under your shadow (yeah) You were my idol, a paragon, an inspiration But our dynamic always had a certain implication That I was lesser, to forever be below you People know you but they don't know me, And that's the way that it's supposed to be, Or at least that's what I so believed All those years ago, the tears would flow when I would go to sleep I never could have seen that I'd grow up to be a dope emcee And though we went our separate ways I know you're always close to me Dear brother, you know I'll always love you I'll never put myself below you or above you, it's Ride or die till the end of the fight You know I'll always be by your side That's right Dear brother, you know I'll always love you I'll never put myself below you or above you, it's Ride or die till the end of the fight I hope you'll always be by my side That's right Dear brother You always were the favorite kid Got along with mom and dad, my jealousy was paper thin Always followed rules and regulations always stayed within the limit Inimitable and stainless like a paperclip Maybe I was different from the start Always into art Had some weird talents and decided I should take them far Always keeping secrets from our parents leave em in the dark In my heart of hearts I never thought that I would make a mark Yeah I took it hard upon myself to set myself apart, Carving out my own compartment since you'd set the bar, Darwin's finches found their niches like our sibling competition Now you're set in life, while I'm trying to be a star But in order to grow up, I had to see the good and bad I know for sure I have some powers that you wish you had Now we're equals, so to speak, and I hope you see That though we live on different coasts I know you're always close to me Dear brother, you know I'll always love you I'll never put myself below you or above you, it's Ride or die till the end of the fight You know I'll always be by your side That's right Dear brother, you know I'll always love you I'll never put myself below you or above you, it's Ride or die till the end of the fight I hope you'll always be by my side That's right They ask me am I my brother's keeper They ask me am I my brother's keeper They ask me am I my brother's keeper After all those years of playing follow the leader I say to them I am my brother's keeper I say to them I am my brother's keeper I say to them I am my brother's keeper After all those years, you made me an achiever Dear brother, you know I'll always love you I'll never put myself below you or above you, it's Ride or die till the end of the fight You know I'll always be by your side That's right Dear brother, you know I'll always love you I'll never put myself below you or above you, it's Ride or die till the end of the fight I hope you'll always be by my side That's right