The Taking

They take the recipe and sell it back at higher prices
Mess up our system left us to our own devices
Lock up the children with misdemeanors left with lifers
And ex father figures them thinking they look just like us
And yet we still fight us or make excuses about death comparing dust to dust
Lower morale until we can't decide our needs and musts
End up a coon out here preaching that in God we trust
Boy you better recognize that there's a god in us
So they defy us systematically we're out of touch
Been used a little too much we got no hobbies n such
Desensitized so much to try to feel rely on a Dutch
We been providing the guts to all you phonies on the outside
Still you prejudge before takin a seat in my ride
So just think twice before DE-valuing my life
What Chu going to have if my people weren't here to provide
Thats where I'm takin it
Don't be afraid to go after what you want
We already been kicked down and spit on oppressed
Held Captive made slaves so im supposed to just live afraid because things have been
And still are bad I figure what's worse
What's the worst thing that can happen what's worse than this

We take our recipes and share with the world
They ban our locks but accept our curls
They shoot our boys disrespect our girls
They took our freedom cocked back and then hurled
Till we finally found it digging for pearls
We are creators with no credit in this history
So let me break it down it's been happening over centuries
From Elvis Pablo Picasso even your whiskey
Led zeppelin even the beatless should be labeled thieves
But why the disbelief believe so strictly
And also slavery is not the start of our history
Those textbooks and all your little wikis can miss me
Go worry bout the colonel and why is chicken was crispy
I'm just saying if you out here acting thrifty
You dealt with colored fountains if your somewhat over 50
But y'all don't get me upset me just to let me
Put you on to what we living just so you can accept me
Thats where im taking it
Don't be afraid to have a voice don't be afraid to ask questions don't feel stupid
Or like you missed out on something because your skin color put you at a disadvantage At life
That's not your fault it's not our faults we may not have dads or money or positive role Models
But we got the bare minimum and that's honestly enough to use to try and get us more

Rewrite the recipes and learn to get a copyright
Ignore the labels start your own and put up a fight
Start up your business Network just something light
Then teach your circle so you all can grow to be aright
Don't be so secretive learn to pick up on energy
If someone's not impacting your circle that's when you end it see
Reality is reality does just what it does
Don't be that person who forgot who he was
Scratch that bucket mentality and put on the gloves
It's not bad to build your people up with wisdom and love
Don't let em fool you cause they view you as a hoodlum or thug
Some of my biggest in-fluences were hoodlums and thugs
I mean it was what it was they taught me things just because
They understood it's not easy keeping your head above
The endless waves of oppression endless push and shove
So I learn instead of judging what somebody else does
Thats where im taking it
Don't be afraid to take those risks lock down your own business lock down your own Grind
Who cares what people say on the internet all those haters and self-haters
Learn the system expand your reach expand your circle
Or cut people off if you have to but don't lose track of your people
Don't lose track of who you are