I've Come a Long Way

I've come a long way from writing poetry and prose
I've come a long way, but I didn't do it alone
I've come a long way from blending in with the crowd
I've come a long way and maybe I'm still up in the clouds
I've come a long way from trying to cover up this flow
I've come a long way from learning when to fight or let go
I've come a long way and where I'm headed who knows
I've come a long way, still a long way to go

And like Drake I think I really like who I'm becoming
It's something and I started with nothing
Filling up these pages, my pages with the ink
See the gap between my dreams and reality shrink
Pick up the pen, when I am lost I pick up the pen
Go through this dialogue of inner thoughts and find my zen
Then define my plan, no beef go ham
And yeah I get a rush if the crowd goes, "Damn!"
All started with Def Jam Poetry
And idolizing Mos Def totally
The Roots drop a hit, "The Seed 2.0"
Was 17 at the time, draw dropped like, "Whoa!"
Okay, I was not expecting that
But I smile when reflecting back
'Cause that's the day I grew wings and got knighted
Like a match all lit up and totally ignited

I've come a long way from writing poetry and prose
I've come a long way, but I didn't do it alone
I've come a long way from blending in with the crowd
I've come a long way and maybe I'm still up in the clouds
I've come a long way from trying to cover up this flow
I've come a long way from learning when to fight or let go
I've come a long way and where I'm headed who knows
I've come a long way, still a long way to go

And really this is autobiographical, it's always been my diary
Left open on the table for you all to read entirely
And if it pertains, then embrace it
I know you know I'm not about the fake shit
I got student loans to pay, so no Ray Bans yet
A well cultured mind with a whole lot of debt
And I don't sell rocks, but Pac
It sure feels good putting money in the mailbox
Yeah I'm coming into my own
Hope the reception I receive' better than cellular phones
Totally into my zone, Durham's own homegrown
And I'm charting this territory to the unknown
All the support, what a blessing
To know they've got your back with no questions
And for all of y'all that thought that I was resting
You could ask D'emar, I'm always bugging him for sessions

I've come a long way from writing poetry and prose
I've come a long way, but I didn't do it alone
I've come a long way from blending in with the crowd
I've come a long way and maybe I'm still up in the clouds
I've come a long way from trying to cover up this flow
I've come a long way from learning when to fight or let go
I've come a long way and where I'm headed who knows
I've come a long way, still a long way to go

Yeah, I remember writing raps inside of this black book
That I kept tucked away from anybody that might look
'Cause I was in the closet about my hip hop ways
I'm talking way more in the closet than the fact that I am gay
And if this piece of information is even slightly off-putting
You could take your homophobic views and keep moving
I don't have the time, I don't have the energy
An unaccepted youth but I have moved beyond the memories
Damn it's been a journey but the journey's not over
I hope that I can take the weight from all of y'all shoulders
I'll never water down even if it means exposure
'Cause nothing seems to change if we all keep our composure
I aim to break the barriers
To be remembered for my words and my character
Yeah, head up, pen down
And I don't want the crown, I want the stage in your town

I've come a long way from writing poetry and prose
I've come a long way, but I didn't do it alone
I've come a long way from blending in with the crowd
I've come a long way and maybe I'm still up in the clouds
I've come a long way from trying to cover up this flow
I've come a long way from learning when to fight or let go
I've come a long way and where I'm headed who knows
I've come a long way, still a long way to go