Don’t Burn the Fries

Now I'm in the back of the room writing raps to a tune
While my teacher was talking about the president
She stopped for a sec, put her hand of my desk
And she picked up my pen and pad and shredded it
Then said that my rhymes are a giant waste of time
That I need to get a grip of what's ahead of me...
Told me not to burn the fries
When working that 9 to 5
No lie that's what she said to me...
And everyday on she would give me dirty looks
If I wrote or if I draw rip it out of binder hooks
Told me "read along!"
I'm like "what page we on?"
Try to call my mom but her phones off...

And she ain't ever wonder why
Always think I told a lie
Wrote the whole class letters
'fore we left for summertime
Calling everyone up by their name
But never muttered mine...
Later slid it underside me
It went something like
"Roger, you are so smart why you try to hide it
Every time I grade something you written I really like it
But you always wanna slack off, never turn in assignments
What is going on with you? You need to use your mind
If you wanna go far in life, you gotta care!
Stop pretendin' like you don't
I'm not gonna be there to tell you this when you grown
So hope I made it clear, 'cause now you're on your own
Good luck next year!"

So... After high school I did nothing but writing rhymes
I just turned 22 jumping in and out of jobs...
Tryna help pay the rent. Still living up out my mom's
But pops don't like that
Like, "Boy you get gone!"
"I'm sick of this bullshit! You get a job then lose it
I bet it's got to do with this little fucking music
Thing you got going! Like when is towel thrown in?
You ain't making no money, it's best that you get going!"
Thinking to myself like
"He's got a point, Roger...
Join the military, it would impress your father
Maybe go to college? Said you would since a toddler!"
Pondering the shit, grabbing clothes up out the washer...

Couple weeks pass, and I got my bags packed
Moving in with a girl I just met a tad back
Mama walked in like
"Dad and I had a chat...
Lemme talk to you for a minute...
It's just that
Roger you are so smart! Why you try to hide it?
Every time I read something you've written I really like it
But you always wanna slack off!
Why don't you got a job yet?
What is going on with you? You need to use your mind
If you wanna go far in life, you gotta care!
Stop pretending like you don't
I'm not gonna be there to tell you this when you're grown
So hope I made it clear, 'cause now you're on your own
Good luck, next year!"

I just got a house, 3 bedrooms in it
Bouta make a hundred thou, plan to raise kids with it
Couple hundred texts like
"Yes! You did it! I'm so fucking proud!!"
"Thanks. Who is this?"
No better feeling than living off
What had been told me was a joke
Now all I could do is laugh
And no hard feelings to former teachers or parents
But I'mma do it so different when I become a dad. Like
"Baby, you are so smart. Never try to hide it
If you gon' believe something sweetie, I'm right behind it
But don't ever try to slack off
Finish all your assignments
What is going on with you now, will shape your mind
Oh, I know you'll go far in life
No doubt there!
Won't pretend like you won't
But I'm not gonna be there to tell you this when you're grown
So hope I made it clear
You'll never be on your own
Good luck, I'm right here."