Imitation of Life

The imitation of life
Cause nothing around us is really what it is
Social media tell us how to govern
The life we live
Dirty cops and politicians, this shit is wicked
Depression running rampant, can't function of you ain't lifted
I know I'm gifted
It used to be I rapped for personal gain
Now I just wanna see our children's situation change
I can't lie
I mean, I'd love a bigger house and a car
The notoriety of being a star
But can I sleep peacefully knowing what's on
The other side of the door?
Cause my people out here fighting a war
And we're losing cause we're killing each other
And not the enemy
Some choose to move to a safer vicinity
But for the ones who can't, we dying like every day
Just because we got melanin
I guess it's just the price that we pay
So I take all these thoughts, manifest it, and write
Swear to God, we're living the imitation of life

I don't think of myself as spiritual or religious
I've seen hypocrisy on both sides and it's ridiculous
For the time being, I'll be all about my green
Talking digits, gotta eat, so I guess that makes me holistic
Don't mistake me for ignorant
I know more than a little bit
I know that I could never shake the hand of the 10 percent
I know there's sinister crackers controlling the population
I know that one day my people will rule
Over every nation
I know some white folks that's cooler than a lot of you niggas
People like Meghann and John, Chris, and my girl Linda
I know when it hits the fan then I gotta pick a side
I know that some of them leaders you worship
Ain't down to ride
I know a lot of people gon' say that I'm selling out
Cause I ain't with that fake "woke" shit
That comes out your mouth
I know that one day that I'ma get it right
And if you didn't know, then you living
The imitation of life

And I know they gon call me an old head
Or how I'm just repeating what Cole said
But it's like the current state of rap is a mess
Sure you got the underground
But ain't a whole lot of lyricist left
It's like a handful with any real major success
And a couple OGs who need to give it a rest
But the kids make it hard, show the culture no regard
Nowadays you ain't gotta put no effort in your bars
Just shoot a video with some pretty girls and some cars
A couple ARs just to prove that you hard
Talent is bare minimum, but you stay on the path
You gon get a major bag, I promise that you'll go far
Now this is tried and true, cause in a year or 2
They'll be on to something new and they ain't thinking bout you
I ain't preaching or judging, but these are just the things that I write
While these lil niggas live the imitation of life