My Family

That's my family, that's my family
I can say anything about 'em, but don't you dare talk about 'em
That's my family, that's my family

I couldn't imagine my world without
'Em, yeah even though we got problems
That's my family, that's my family
Anybody touch 'em, it's fo' sho' gon' be all bad mayne
I put that on my last name
I put that on my last name

Problem on top of problem, we mobbin' without calling it mobbing
My sister, my brother, momma, fortunately papa
Not too many had a papa where I grew up
And some who had a daddy lost him when crack blew up
Up in the hoods in Milwaukee, yeah they know us
20th and Vine-Grandma Ruth we miss you so much
Grandma Doreatha, the family miss you so much
And 'cause grand papa told me early-I keep a couple bucks
Rest in Peace C-odis, we moved to Cali like the gold rush
After that it wasn't same us
Yeah we all underestimate the changes
Didn't know Oakland was like Milwaukee, just as dangerous
Same old ghetto, just the language just different
One thing we learned, people trippin' and that's consistent
No matter where you go, people they gon' test ya
It's all about who you know, and your family is who you'd better
Sending love out to my Auntie Cynthia, Uncle Mike, and Keith
Sakina, Terrance, and Nikki, I miss you more than you think
I'm wishing that I was closer, and I'm wishing I would've told ya
Uncle James, the game might kill ya, but you's a soldier

That's my family, that's my family
I can say anything about 'em, but don't you dare talk about 'em
That's my family, that's my family
I couldn't imagine my world without
'Em, yeah even though we got problems
That's my family, that's my family
Anybody touch 'em, it's fo' sho' gon' be all bad mayne
I put that on my last name
I put that on my last name

Now when I left little bruh behind that hurt a billion times
That left a scar up in my heart, they tried to heal with time
Started with petty crime-ended in juvie hall
Later we tried to ball-sentenced to prison yawl
And still we move with conviction like mama through her addiction
30 something odd years sober, mama got what was missing
Even writing this right now, this got me reminiscing
We came up every Christmas-that was family tradition
Mama in the kitchen cooking-papa slowly sippin'
A black man under pressure, wanting to do it different
But the system won't let him, out of fear they won't allow him
The 2 sons that he brought in this world, they wanna down 'em
And the daughter that he brought in this world-she in Milwaukee
Still applying what he taught to his girl, and what he taught me
Don't be running from nobody, 'cause everybody shit stank
No matter how high they rank-no matter how big they bank
Always protect yourself, don't ever think that you can't
Accumulate you some wealth, prepare for them rainy days
If they threaten your health, then hit 'em with what it takes
You know that's how we survived to make it to see today

That's my family, that's my family
I can say anything about 'em, but don't you dare talk about 'em
That's my family, that's my family
I couldn't imagine my world without
'Em, yeah even though we got problems
That's my family, that's my family
Anybody touch 'em, it's fo' sho' gon' be all bad mayne
I put that on my last name
I put that on my last name

Yeah I'm thinking about you Ursula and Dia
Uncle Kenneth, Aunt Lois, it's been a while since I seen ya
Maybe I'll see you this year, hopefully it won't be maybe
I know I been out of touch, but I'm thinking about you daily
My family, it's crazy, how could I forget 'em
Sometimes you kind of hate 'em, and at times you wannna kill em
But then you look into they eyes and you recognize something
You start to notice with family, it take a lot to love 'em
They push your every button, that's 'cause they know you cousin
They used to change your diapers, a whole other discussion
You always gon' need 'em, so family you gotta love 'em
Look, we could fight all day, but let somebody touch 'em

That's my family, that's my family
I can say anything about 'em, but don't you dare talk about 'em
That's my family, that's my family
I couldn't imagine my world without
'Em, yeah even though we got problems
That's my family, that's my family
Anybody touch 'em, it's fo' sho' gon' be all bad mayne
I put that on my last name
I put that on my last name