Sho Baraka - Road to Humble, 1979 lyrics

[Verse 1] I was angry, I was bitter I was filled with pride I was selfish, I was foolish to believe those lies I loved hate, loved me Loved rage, loved greed I didn't love God, I just loved his things Loved approval, loved s** Loved money, loved fame But I ain't the same Thank the Lord I changed I'm trying to fight idolatry and lust Being good ain't enough so in God I trust [Hook] I got faith Seeking restitution from all my mistakes Look me in my face, homeboy, you see grace Still unashamed, just in a new space I'm just a little more humble now [Verse 2] In those Cali streets acting foolish Tried to run with those gangsters I'm allergic to those bullets They say Sho be a rapper or a hooper In Golden State, I'm a warrior surrounded by those shooters Dad raised in the slums, mama from them jor downs Moved around like the circus, so I was born to clown My childhood goal was to get em' to remember me It took me 19 years to find my identity Went to school on some extra cool, TU, Number 1 HBCU I was glad that the Lord found me, because he was never lost Once blind, but now I see more than I ever saw Check the cross, is he someone you can hang with? Realized that my views were so tainted You might have a picture of truth, but he framed it You can disagree with history, but can't change it So, now I mix a little Augustin with Dubois A little Sela**ie I, mix it with Mahalia's joy A C.S. Lewis mind with some Phyllis Wheatley art A little Sojourner spirit, with a King David heart Clicked up with some brothers, we were ready to reach With a mic and a track, we was ready to preach Nothing too deep, nothing too deep A bunch of Justin Timberlakes, we were all in sync but Years later, I felt I lost my core mission I was just rapping for these rich kids Like the night before Christmas No love lost, I just went independent New vision, took risks, some worked some didn't Met Swoope, got high, J.R. stay fly Met the dopest female since Lauryn Hill's rise One album was cla**ic, I wish it would've lasted but Then, I met James, new sound, new fashion I never claimed I was the best, the first, or the coolest but One thing you can't do is doubt my influence I know the Father, but I'm viewed like a ba*tard I think my friends only share their struggles in the past tense I've been stressing, I've been fighting off depression Instead of confessing my obsession with being impressive Hearing the chatter, hoping I would be your favorite Even when they hating me, I should be loving my neighbor Sometimes, I just wanna be anonymous The problem is I love my pride too much but Then, I love his bride too much but Then, I think about the lives I've touched Back when I wasn't thirsty for mainstream attention When I was geeked on a retweet or a single mention When I wasn't too concerned about keeping my platform When it was ten in the crowd, I was happy to rap for em' I wasn't too busy to pick up the phone Back when I was geeked just to get a beep from Tony Stone Now, they like happy you back, it was backwards for a minute Bring the fire to the homies, and evacuate the tenants Recharge, remodeled, reinvented When they thought I was finished I came back to shock the critics A trendsetter, something like Nikki Tesla I had bright ideas, but Edison may do it better Or steal it or whatever You can call it a shot, I just call it being clever Chimney flow, I wish I would bring the heat Like a double amputee, I will never see the feet I'm rounding third base, I'm giving jokers the gas face Like how he stand cool without a fanbase? Your favorite artist sounds so fake If I wanna hear Drake, I would just listen to Drake Sho, you stupid Why they sound outdated, when they copying the future? Not to sound obnoxious or seem rude but When I'm around these crabs, I see food We sell our souls for the fame and applause Is a rapper just a prostitute with better PR Executives are looking like some pimps I gave up lifting bars like I'm always in the gym I'm deeply loved, I'm forgiven, I have vision He has changed my condition on the day he was risen The price tag on my body bag was too expensive I was poor in spirit so I broke out of prison Ask those Coptics and Eygptians, persecuted Christians I have tools to fight giants, I don't need Saul's equipment I know struggle, I had failed, I ain't scared to admit it It's an honor and a privilege to be made in his image I have joy, I have peace in the midst of hate Thank the Lord for his grace, because now I say [Hook] I got faith Seeking restitution from all my mistakes Look me in my face, homeboy, you see grace Still unashamed, just in a new space I'm just a little more humble now [Outro] I'm just a little humble beast I'm just a little humble beast Jesus and bowties for everybody West Coast Atlanta Alright, that's it