Yo Soy Un Rey

This for Jose, Marisol
Every Latino nobody told
Just be yourself don't play the role
That code switching take a toll
Watch out for ICE they on patrol
Want to kick to us off of land they stole
We worth more than any amount of gold
So don't bite your tongue, don't hide your soul
They take an exception, exalt
Tell the rest of us, it's our fault
Pablo did it, just work harder
You could go farther, if you were smarter
Forget the etiquette, ignore their rhetoric
We bout the action like a predicate
The people's delegate, flow is elegant
I see it now a Latina president

I told 'em my dream and their reaction was how
But my queen said baby don't throw in the towel
Had to tell my demons God blessed this child
And I done came too far to turn back now
Yo soy un rey, y ella mi reina
Enseña respeto, no quieres problema
No quieres problema, no quieres problema
No vale el sistema, mejor que se quema

For Susana, Federico
Every dreamer, all my people
Gaby said she can't go to college
Don't get me started on what's illegal
She mad smart, mad heart
It don't make sense like abstract art
She crossed the border at age 5
She deserve a chance, say "that part"
Can't stand this, I'm motivated
I'm a build a school where I know they'll hate it
Bus all my people in, make it even and
Make sure the culture celebrated
This for Mendez vs. Westminster
Stood up against segregation
Said I don't care if we offend ya
We deserve the same education

I told em my dream and their reaction was How
But my queen said baby don't throw in the towel
Had to tell my demons God blessed this child
And I done came too far to turn back now
Yo soy un rey, y soy una reina
Enseña respeto, no quieres problema
No quieres problema, no quieres problema
No vale el sistema, mejor que se quema

I was thinking about quitting
Tired of giving, hunger was slipping
Not really living just making a living
Not enough hours to work on the vision
Seeing the curtains close, my purpose froze
Like why pen another verse of prose?
Thought I planted seed where it for certain grows
But I guess it wasn't where the sun glows
Tried pushing through
Doing shows in the city no crew, yeah
Hop off stage
And the crowd show love like I already blew, yeah
One time at the Novo
Right by the Laker's arena
Some Latinos rolled up like they pressing but said
We need a rappin' Selena