The Flame

I was tired of the same old song and dance
Quit rap for a while, thought I'd lost my chance
But 2018, Rob brought me back
I brought the wrath on any song or track that crossed my path
All of a sudden this desire arose
I felt the fire that grows deep inside of my soul
I wrote rhymes to expose these liars and foes
I wrote Lions & Crows through reliance on hope
It's just how I stayed numb to these surroundings
My life was crumbling around me
Couldn't be strong, but I didn't want to sound weak
I knew it wouldn't be long before they found me
On the floor, blood stainin' the ceramic tiles
If I ran a mile in your shoes I would laugh a while
Never been accused of a lack of style
Good news. I lit the fuse, flicked the match and smiled

Actin' like it's nothing 'cause it ain't
I don't give a fuck and that's OK
My heart is numb from the pain
I won't succumb to the flame

Actin' like it's nothing 'cause it ain't
I don't give a fuck and that's OK
My heart is numb from the pain
I won't succumb to the flame

Reached out to these artists, these singers, guitarists
All the rappers I know that bring it the hardest
Some of 'em have problems with keepin' a promise
If he said he didn't want to, at least he was honest
But some of 'em just wanted to string me along with
No intention to follow through. Shouldn't acknowledge you
I just wanted you to sing on a song or two
If you didn't want to, why'd you say you wanted to?
Been strung along for years in a few cases
It appears that I'm too gracious
Some of my fears got a new facelift
Some of my peers got two faces
Never know which one will message you on Facebook
"I just wrote a great hook. Maybe you could take a look?
I know you stay booked. I can even pay, look!"
What can I say? Crooks are just gonna stay crooks

Actin' like it's nothing 'cause it ain't
I don't give a fuck and that's OK
My heart is numb from the pain
I won't succumb to the flame

Actin' like it's nothing 'cause it ain't
I don't give a fuck and that's OK
My heart is numb from the pain
I won't succumb to the flame

Just a little hip-hop kid raised off of Pac, BIG
Nas and whatever was on at my mom's crib
My life had it's my ups and downs like hydraulics
Spent three-quarters of it watchin' the clock tick
I should've been signed back in aught-six
It all could've been mine, but I lost it
In 2005, me and Rob split
I recorded an album but didn't drop it
Till 2010. It's funny when I think of all the time
And the money spent, all the lies
And the stuff that's said, all the friends that have come and went
It doesn't matter now. I'm after status now
I planned it out, had it down since the third grade
Supposed to be my way out of my birthplace
Hopefully now I can learn ways
To turn angst, hurt, and pain into earned pay

Actin' like it's nothing 'cause it ain't
I don't give a fuck and that's OK
My heart is numb from the pain
I won't succumb to the flame

Actin' like it's nothing 'cause it ain't
I don't give a fuck and that's OK
My heart is numb from the pain
I won't succumb to the flame