How Long?

[Verse 1]
You call it destiny
I used to be like you
No-one could question me
Until by whistle got blown by the referee
Like "How many songs do I really have left in me?"
I stayed consistent, I was everything you're meant to be
I gained wisdom from my failures and it strengthened me
I put my time in, I was slaving over melodies
And came up with a formula, the fans, they respected me
I started spazzing with flows, tallying shows
Up and down these valleys and roads, traveling loads
Willing to do everything most of these rappers won’t
I was shaking hands in every city that I could go
Replying in detail to DMs and emails
A couple times I had to respectfully block a female
I gave my whole life to this, I damn near died for this
And what do I get? No refund or resale
How many times have spent my last dime, borrowed some dough and promised myself it was the last time?
I'm fed up of everyone say it's our time
The only thing my mandem are seeing is hard times
Gotham City menace, I feel like the Dark Knight
Ain’t a bullet in this world could silence my heart's cry
For years I've been waiting, the ceiling just caved in
It's just another story of a kid who never made it (Never made it, made it)

[Chorus]
Can you tell me how long?
I've been grindin' so long, writing song after song
Can you tell me how long?
Like, can you tell me how long?
Please tell me how long (Please tell me how long)
I'm just tryna live right
Lord, is that so wrong?
Can you tell me how long? (Can you tell me how long?)
How long?

[Verse 2]
I'm runnin’ empty
I feel it daily, now the devil’s tryna tempt me
He's tryna get me to fold
Tryna bend me
But not all that glitters is gold
Gucci or Fendi
Still in the ends, G
Still on the block with these habits I’m tryna stop
For this mission I hope He sends me
Forever waitin' my turn
I want the pay I deserve
Instead I'm battlin' with bitterness and envy
I spent nights just praying for some success
Praying I don’t step on the wrong shoes on my bus quest
Remain humble but some fools just love stress
I be layin' low cause no man is above death
I'm tryna lust less
Appreciate a woman walking in her sundress
Not picturing her undressed
I'm suffering from numbness
There's nothing wrong with the pursuit of happiness but don't get wrapped up in dumbness
They wanted me to chase clout
But I ain't gettin' on my knees for no man
You better show me to the way out
Been figuring this game out
If a door opens, it's for me
If I have to force it open that's a fake route
I'm straight back to workin'
Straight back to merkin'
Waitin' for the day that God draws back them curtains
The only thing for certain is the reason for my birth
Coulda quit a thousand times but I'll leave it in a verse, yeah (Verse, yeah, verse, yeah)

[Chorus]
Can you tell me how long? (How long?)
I've been grindin' so long, writing song after song
Can you tell me how long? (How long?)
Like, can you tell me how long? (How long?)
Please tell me how long (Please tell me how long)
I'm just tryna live right
Lord, is that so wrong?
Can you tell me how long? (Can you tell me how long?)
How long?
Can you tell me how long?
I've been grindin' so long, writing song after song
Can you tell me how long? (Can you tell me how long?)
Like, can you tell me how long?
Please tell me how long (Please tell me how long)
I'm just tryna live right
Lord, is that so wrong?
Can you tell me how long? (Can you tell me how long?)
How long?