Keepin' it real Others such as myself are trying to carry on tradition [Verse 1: Rapper Big Pooh] I let the words magnetize me Nothing surprises me This is more than a friendly little rivalry No games n***a even though that's what they called Trying to make a summer in the middle of the fall Trying to save a dollar, f** burning down the mall Your career's like a car You praying it don't stall in the morning when you crank it No plan b's, no security blanket Failure not an option I worked 30 years on this lifelong doctrine Burnt a few careers the public they adopted Comes the original, no religion per say But me I'm kind of spiritual, recognize the higher power This is more than me bragging dog Rap's a headache, this is more like the Tylenol And this here is my vision (Keeping it real) Others such as myself are trying to carry on tradition Beats make me falling asleep, I keep falling So I run it back like I'm Earl Campbell Walter Payton got you egg kids in a scramble Do damage leave competition in shambles Flame burning like an everlasting lit candle I'm nice until the moment I retire These words will inspire the rest of ya'll to think twice I admit I'm your supplier I'm trying to take you higher Be dope, that's my good advice (Beats make me falling asleep, I keep falling) [Verse 2: Mikkey Halsted] Big Pooh let me hold the track That's a dead end, something like a cul-de-sac Never been that hard to find, I'm probably where your ho is at This rap game's a minstrel show, little brother showed you that Stay with the poker face, go ahead play your cards I see you little 16s then I raise the bar s**ers shuck and jive and smiling for a living (Keeping it real) Others such as myself is trying to carry on tradition (Beats make me falling asleep, I keep falling) From where we can't afford to sleep, that's why we never dream And I'm envisioning some sh** that ya'll ain't never seen The track's the match, the words I write are like the kerosene The mic's the cotton-filled bottle that quickly blows the seam It's time to get up off the sidelines and pick a team Either the Wrong City Devils or the Elohims I'm in the belly trying to duck the places made for crooks Smoke like the Ethiopians blowing on the ancient kush I'm trying to get up off the corner Searching for the lime like I opened a Corona n***as ain't hard G, they sweet as Arizona tea Never f** with John McCain but how does Arizona see Yeah, I'm Ernie Barnes mixed with Van Gogh Monopolize the game, pay me when you pa** Go s**ers shuck and jive and smiling for a living (Keeping it real) Others such as myself is trying to carry on tradition And it's like that