F. O. E.

Aye youngin, Come here read this newspaper
Muppets owed me favors Gap and polo was my tailors
I was only 2 years young pissing huggies was my capers
Since I learned to hold my neck up straight I kept a fresh taper
I was jubilant n innocent didn't know my intellect
I hadn't seen no prejudice hasn't felt no titties yet
Hadn't smoked no marijuana hadn't sipped no liquor yet
But 'fore I learned to spell respect I knew how to give respect
Mom Mom in the kitchen wit them salmon bones them collard greens
Mommy on the Mac n cheese that kitchen smelling heavenly
Daddy out getting his hustle on so the fam can eat
When they see they youngin now I know damn well they proud of me
Lived my teen years pre pubescent, crazy all the shit I seen
Lived my twenties adolescent, soon ima be elderly
The village raised the child I'm so thankful for my family
I vow to not forsake or ever take y'all ass for granted B

Family over everything
Made sure I had support in everything
I ever faced
Family over everything
Gave me love gave me grace
Kept me warm kept me safe
Family over everything
Showered me wit lots of game held me down through all the pain
Family over everything
Nothing come before my name
I'm puttin on for home base

I was at my Poppop crib schemin on the chess board
Remember he would school my ass at losing I was real sore
Always used to move too fast not analyze my next move
He was teaching real life lessons showed me how to think it through
I was clever but oblivious was shit I had to learn still
Momma made sure of it, gifts I had to earn still
Momma kept a strong head instilled in me a stern will
Its explanations and apologies I never heard still
Cousins in and outta prison kept them packs of powder on em
Knuckleheads niggas my pops tried to drop some knowledge on em
Told me always stay in school made me make a promise to him
Taught me structure gave me rules yea I owe my honor to him
Nana in the kitchen Whipp in up some sweet potato pie
Grandmom got the chicken wondering if she'll barbecue or fry
Sittin in this living room just thinking bout how blessed I be
Minnie and Jimmy y'all forever in my memory

Family over everything
Made sure I had support in everything
I ever faced
Family over everything
Gave me love gave me grace
Kept me warm kept me safe
Family over everything
Showered me wit lots of game held me down through all the pain
Family over everything
Nothing come before my name
I'm puttin on for home base

Nay and Jaelyn know I love ya, Mom and Pop y'all seen me struggle
All my close and distant cousins all my aunties all my uncles
You been a part of this journey even when I wasn't worthy
When I felt my voice was insignificant you always heard me
Got nostalgic writing this one almost dropped a lil tear
Thinking bout all the reunions ones I wished was still here
That's my big cousin Matt, Uncle Lonie Aunt Sabrina
Always keep y'all spirit with me know one day again I'll see ya
If my parents could depend on ya know you had a part in this
So ima lift my pen for ya, Ima put my heart in this
Plenty black excellence and wisdom in this family tree
Taught me love and gratitude y'all really made a man of me
When they see me now, I say look at what the village raised
When you see me smile, know you lookin at the village face
I'm repping for the people in my village every single day
I'm finna pave a new road and call that shit the village way

Family over everything
Made sure I had support in everything
I ever faced
Family over everything
Gave me love gave me grace
Kept me warm kept me safe
Family over everything
Showered me wit lots of game held me down through all the pain
Family over everything
Nothing come before my name
I'm puttin on for home base