Running

[Chorus 1]
I'm running, running, running, running
I gotta keep going 'cause I know that something's coming, so I
I'm running, running, running, running
I gotta keep going 'cause I know that something's coming
But when I'm tryna walk, they telling me I should crawl
Before I can ever jump, they planning on me to fall, so I'm (So I'm)
I'm running, running, running, running
I gotta keep going 'cause I know that something's coming, so I

[Verse 1]
It's middle school, rocking braces and less cool
Awkwardly standing out but still fitting in with my dudes
I'm rocking them hand-me-downs while they copping the latest shoes
Just a boy that ran with the giants like I'm training with Victor Cruz, I'm
Avoiding them pitfalls, quick lick calls
You know those flip bricks quick, get lit calls? Yeah
My older cousins was tussling in that struggle
They stayed moving that weight, guess that's getting it off the muscle
See, some see 'em as clowns from all the things they would juggle
Like murder, prison, and hurting the woman who truly love you, so
Auntie Jann, I understand you had a plan
Never thought you see your kids in cuffs and thrown in back of vans
Life give high demands, but you paid 'em with them tears
Even though it can't reverse the pain you suffered through them years
You spent your whole life just to show 'em the ropes
Now they strung up in them ropes and in prisons they whole life, man
But my advantage, took them lessons then I learned
Adolescent, I'm progressing with no pressing for concern
Yeah
And my confession that I earned
How I lived in that fire and was blessed to not get burned
But whom much is given, much is asked in return
And from my peer's position, a better life I would yearn
You know better, do better
Broke the seal off what I address while forming this open letter
And cc my brother's son and cc my sister's daughter
And cc to anybody living they life as a martyr
This dedicated to Trey, I wish I would've called ya
Tell ya put them packs down, there's a way to hustle smarter
But I know I missed my chance, now only God got 'em
'Cause the week he planned to quit was the week somebody shot him
I'm running, I'm running, running, running
I can never sit still, if I do then nothing's coming

[Interlude: Curtis Snow]
This still life, still smoking, still drinking
Still staying alive
Still taking care of children or whatever
Still strapped
We just still, we just still

[Intro: Jules]
Ah, ah, ah, yeah
Ah, ah, now bounce (Now bounce)
Ah, ah, na, yeah
Ah, ah, now bounce (Now bounce)
Ah, ah, ah, yeah
Ah, ah, now bounce (Now bounce)
Look, aye, aye

[Verse 2]
Fast forward to the days of the Lakeland High
Shouts out to the class of '07, show love
To this man that you see here now
Working hard to be the next dude to blow, oh reverend
At the time, was confined to them hoop dreams
Within them lines, I would grind just to prove things
Balling was a new scheme, it was a drug, can't lie
Game sold me things that the money can't buy
Late nights at Beef's, as I reflect on goals that I've reached
My homie Zack told me, ain't nobody can hold me
"You the man in the city as we speak
Believe me you the one, I ain't talking Matrix
Stripes you done earned, I ain't talking Asics
No matter where you run, ain't no way to escape it"
So no pacing, I'm chasing, and racing to make it, I
Elevated to a level celebrated, my endeavors graduated to a point
And selfish pride infiltrated what my elders demonstrated
Now my eyes insinuating what I want
What I want, want, to be the one
Running for us all when it's all said and done
Living life fast, knowing danger as I come
Pedal to the metal like O.J. on the run, hold that
Man, what I'm becoming? The allure of this world's so becoming
Got the devil in my ear saying, "Look at all this here"
And I'm on board like I'm Andre Drummond
Vanity and greed, vandalizing my creed
Dodged it all before, but now it's all I see
Now I feel consumed, so I'm steady tryna flee
But who I run from when it's all in me?
In the mirror tryna find myself, I was lost, had to remind myself
It don't matter if I'm broke with no paddle left to float
All the money in the world couldn't buy my wealth
And so I'm better now, and that's word to Ms. Joyce, I could never let her down
She telling me to go for it, in a dope pair of Nikes like go Forrest
And I'm running

[Chorus 2]
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
I swear I say a oath for it and my dreams too far, never coast for it
So I'm running
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
She telling me to go for it, in a dope pair of Nike's like go Forrest
And I'm running