[Intro: Phonte]
For all the ones who lost too soon
One two
One two
[Verse 1: Phonte]
Got my hands high in the air
But this is not a concert, it's a sign of despair
No I'm not a monster, I'm just out of my head
It's like a jungle sometimes
Make me wonder how I keep from going under
With the lions and tigers and bears
Enough to make a cyborg break out into tears
It is not as it appears, they think we all crazy
Just unruly n***as and tar babies
But what if these f** a** Officer Barbradys
Was k**ing y'all babies?
And the cost of your life was less than a dog's maybe
You'd probably call some of your boys that had an itch
To go out hunting for that something pop up out that b**h
Like, go ahead and drop it, nothing you do can stop it
Please don't knock it cause my pocket still in that Doberman pinch
Anything from candy to cigarettes can get a n***a k**ed
But I'll be honest man I'm running out of sh** to feel
I ain't tryna tell my biz
But I got the blues and I watch the news
Like n***a what the f** I'm 'posed to tell my kids?
So f** your city ordinance, this is for the flourishing
So hot in the air and that's word to West Florissant
You seem to keep 'em shooting, bring the chorus in
For real
[Hook: Tamisha Waden]
I just gotta find a better way (x4)
Gotta find
A better way
I just gotta find a better way
[Verse 2: Oddisee]
Religion's like a gang, I guess you judge me by the way I dress
My name and s** and think I'm on my way to display a vest
Since 9/11 I've been off the plane, detained at best
My name's Amir Muhammed, no officer I ain't change it yet
My father came in '76 not to get your job
But to get a job
See we ain't made the A-bomb
And we don't want yo' yard
Just a piece of heavenly bliss, they painting a rift
One-sided, I think they cheat the scorecard
I guess this is where I go hard or go home
Can't do that, cuz y'all done turn my courtyard to war zone
So let me grab this weapon, and load it with no discretion
Exploding on the poachers to prove a point that I ain't messing
I'm talking musical lessons, marching movements in messes
Stop the news from using shock as a weapon for suppressing diseases
Won't deplete us, can't compare the toe to the slaughter
To the soldiers who follow orders, kidnapping all the daughters
I'm here to drive your taxis, feed your families and your fears
And kick a little knowledge in your ear
If you ask me
So please go head get at me if my words loud as your actions
So we can get together and do something that's impacting
I think I found a better way
[Hook] x2