All of the Above

I come from a city where the competition is thick
So many hopping on this hip-hop
The shit isn't hip
A crowded environment
So this mountain I'm climbing it
No amount of perspiring would ever get me to slip
This scene is known nationwide
So I take my time
Been working on this craft since the day I became alive
Back in '85, just a baby crying
By now I probably should be in an insane asylum
Deranged as I am
Good things come to those who can wait
Forget good, though, me and Wood chose to be great
I get no roses on the stage
But have rose to occasions
More than once, more than twice
More than you can equate
You fucking showed up too late
Sit there and hold up your plate
You're stuck in place, saying grace
Prayers going to waste
Why should I allow a higher power
To dictate what I get out of this life
I control it and I know that's the case
All these copycats and cut and paste
But let's cut to the chase
The truth hits like a punch to the face
I want it all, everything
No matter what it should take
I've placed the chips on the table
So I'm upping the stakes

Now you gotta be
Clear
Do you wanna be
Feared
Do you wanna get
Respect
Do you wanna get
These checks
Do you wanna be
Heard
When you're shouting these
Words
Do you wanna be
Loved
Or all of the above
All of the above

The name is Nickle
That's with an L before the E
Spell it incorrectly
Then you are going to see
Some fireworks, I'll make you believe
This is the truth unfiltered
You can take it from me, now
I'm done asking
I'm coming through with verbal guns blasting
Set to deliver another tongue-lashing
I'm getting raspy and
My lungs gasping for breath
Because I'm laughing at these other rappers
As I run past em
You ain't going places unless you motivated
I realized that myself, patience is overrated
You want it then go and take it
Cuz showing faith in yourself
Is the only way that you'll make it
There's no use waiting
Do you wanna be a star?
Paid to write bars
And playing with cars
Be everything you say that you are?
Me myself I'm fine not straying too far
Making my mark in a lab in St. Louis Park

Now you gotta be
Clear
Do you wanna be
Feared
Do you wanna get
Respect
Do you wanna get
These checks
Do you wanna be
Heard
When you're shouting these
Words
Do you wanna be
Loved
Or all of the above
All of the above