Blackbirds (Rock Version)

[Intro: DJ Self]
DJ Self, the Prince of New York
I represent the Empire State
And once in a blue moon
I come across an artist
That got the industry on lock
That got the streets on lock
I introduce to you, Aasim

[Verse 1: Aasim]
Lullabyin' with a gunshot, what am I but a mugshot
From the sludge with the bloodclaats
Foul air I breathe, 'til my lungs stop
In broad day, robbin' nuns at the bus stop
Change fallin' out my pocket, bums pick it up
Lorraine suck it 'til I bust one and lick it up
Dollar cabs, niggas stick 'em up
Cash in my hand's for the frivolous and young, I could give a fuck
But I ain't givin' up with ease
My life is at a million degrees I got children to feed
And I'm a rookie, the biggest cut of crack I ever saw was a cookie
Chopped it up and stuck it in Lorraine pussy
What? You gon' give me a job?
Night time at White Castle lookin' over the fries
I'm a soldier with pride, fuck lettin' tears shed from my eyes
I shed blood and put my faith in the skies, uh

[Chorus: Keon]
Said I just can't get a job
So I had to steal and rob
Said I lost my baby brother
'Bout to leave my baby mother

[Verse 2: Aasim]
My design, rain like the biggest hurricane of all time
Mouth piece for the deaf, dumb, and the blind
With crime I learned ins and outs
I'm sure I'm gon' die so I don't live with any doubts
I'm sleepin' on the couch, watch the mice run about
Not married to my girl, mama say we playin' house
The fire niggas claimin' they blaze, I'm here to douse
Loud-mouth soon to be quieter than the mouse
You think when you the only one broke, and so you pout
Bitches back is like candles, Aas' blow 'em out
From fold out futons to Benzes and Yukons
The struggle worth every bit of trouble
Grind similar to calisthenics, help a soldier build muscle
Character and hunger, to make it through the thunder
It's always like a jungle when you younger
You come up short, you goin' under, body parts in the dumpster

[Chorus: Keon]
To have to livin' with my mama
Gotta hold on to my honor
Shit I've been goin' through some problems
Said my father didn't bother

[Verse 3: Aasim]
Death is not a option, it's a given, that's why I'm here to
Do it all while I'm livin', prayin' God'll
Forgive my sinnin', the women I done left in the cold, frigid
Samantha, Nicole, and Bridget, I'm on the budget
No more poor talkin', money comin' by the hun'eds
To the thousands 'til I'm royal filth
Niggas wearin' dresses tryin' to say they kilts
You ain't on the top, you wearin' stilts, your career was built
Feel the spirits of the children that was killed by stray bullets
Never lived life to its fullest, and look at all the
Bullshit, the hurdles we jump, to get ahead
And catch a three-to-ten and never breathe again
Soome niggas play pretend, some scars never mend
When I play the game, the rules gotta bend
Sucker and soldiers they never blend, so you outta the loop
Old nigga gettin' young bitches fresh outta the coop

[Chorus: Keon]
Said I'm out here on this corner
Said that I could be a dogger
But I stand just like a soldier
With the world up on my shoulder