[Produced by Keyze Soze]
*Lean Sippa repeatedly sings 'How can I' in the background just as K-Rino asks the same question*
[Verse 1: K-Rino ]
How can I be righteous in a unrighteous hood
Where it seems like evil forces got more strength than good?
When I'm tryna push my way through the door just to survive
But the rest of the world is pushing me back from the other side?
How can I evolve and develop into completeness?
How long can I look strong when really I'm at my weakest?
When will I take responsibility as an advisor
And start helping my young Gs instead of being a criticizer?
How can I keep smiling when inside I'm 'bout to break-up?
How many times will we get railroaded before we wake-up?
When every time I try to advance something is stopping me
Tryna break the same cycle of failure and mediocrity
How can I stay focused and keep on my game face
When no matter how hard I work I'm still sitting in the same place?
Make me understand how can my life not be stressful
When the people who pull stunts and do dirt is more successful?
[Hook x2: K-Rino]
Here I stand before the world, my inner thoughts exposed
I'm like a time bomb ticking, I'm about to explode
I'm still holdin' on tight, tryna stay on my post
No matter how you think you understand, you don't come close
[Verse 2: DBX]
Let me tell you about my struggles man, life is like a hard road
I remember Daddy used to tell me, "Life is like a hard road"
Focus on what's important and lighten your cargo
And do all you can today and plan for tomorrow
And disappointment happens so just face the facts
You move up one space and get pushed two spaces back
I see the two-car garage and house on the seashore
But the road has potholes and a sign that says 'detour'
Every time I turn around, ain't nothin' but trouble, man
Then I try to turn around, it's nothing but struggle, man
Won't somebody tell me, how is it possible
Crossing the landmine field with barbedwire and obstacles
And everybody taking shots, snitch n******gs faking out
Bullsh** n******gs live and OGs are taken out
So how can I make it, email me if y'all know
Now I know what Daddy means, life is like a hard road
[Hook x2: K-Rino]
[Verse 3: K-Rino]
Act they down and they sell you out, that's how most do ya
Sometimes it's easier to talk to strangers than those who close to ya
How can a girl ever trust a man and love one later
When every man she ever met mistreated her and betrayed her?
How can I leave a bad situation and overlook one
When the person you're in that situation with, thinks it's a good one?
If I don't keep people around me, it's like problems stay on me
The more time I spend alone, they more they seem to weigh on me
I got people I gotta reach, bread I need to be makin'
And I don't eat swine, so I ain't bringing home no bacon
We gotta bring enough sum home to guarantee we eat
And try to shield our seeds from being victims of the street
My checks is comin' late and I ain't findin' that funny
And the month is always lastin' longer than the money
Sometimes everyday conflict can trigger your doubt
Life is odyssey, it's your job to figure it out
[Hook x2: K-Rino]