Should Have Known Better

Polyrhythm Addicts - “Should Have Known Better”
[Emcee(s): Shabaam Sahdeeq, Apani B. Fly, and Mr. Complex]
[Producer(s): DJ Spinna]
[Sample (Melody): Johnny Harris - “Light My Fire” (0:00 and 0:18)]

[Verse 1: Shabaam Sahdeeq]
Yo
From now until my physical frame is in the dirt
I’ll stalk at night, live what I write, edit the height, thoughts
Of place, familiar place trying to remember
House party in the Brook in the middle of December
Grilling my chick, all in her face like, “You the shit”
When I told you, “Back the fuck up,” you rose your gun up
Now you one-up, and I knew this time will come around soon
When I will see you in a place where you wouldn’t expect
You on the express line with burgers on your mind, call
Me the burglar because I stole you from the blindside
Dug in your holster, you didn’t think I’d pop up like a toaster
Should I roast ya? Never flash—if you do, rock a vest

[Interlude]
If Shabaam had have went to the police, none of this would have ever happened

[Verse 2: Shabaam Sahdeeq]
Now they
Got me locked for gun-clapping, face-smacking, causing action
In the burger spot (Did it turn into a murder plot?)
Nuh uh

[Hook: Mr. Complex]
You should have known better
You!
You should have known better
You!
You should have known better
You!
You should have known better

[Verse 3: Apani B. Fly]
It’s always one thing or another. Devils
Been pushing buttons, too much pressure to stomach
Still can’t believe you really done it. Shed tears
Shed fears, ran up the school stairs, spray
Eight classmates by the side gates—take that
Payback for all the years perceived inferior
Ashamed to look in the mirror no longer, headlines
Say, “Five Teenagers Are Goners,” cops lurk on every
Corner. Can’t figure right from wrong, you’d shoot your momma
If she tried to stop ya. Gotta do what you gotta except
You should not have in the first place, gonna pay the price
In the afterlife, going to a bad place. Twice cursed
Once at birth, the second with the first mortal sin
Committed on Earth when you searched your soul. You know
You’re worth respect and matter. Losing control ain’t the key
To making your reputation fatter

[Bridge: Apani B. Fly and Shabaam Sahdeeq]
Being somewhere you don’t need to be
Doing something you don’t need to be doing
Saying something you don’t need to be saying
You get your ass ruined. You should have known better

[Hook: Mr. Complex]
You should have known better
You!
You should have known better
You!

[Verse 4: Mr. Complex]
You take
A dark walk through the park, you spark rhymes
To keep your lonely company. OK, it’s
Payday, and your pockets are lumpy. You’re like a dead man
Walking with your Walkman all the way up to ten
And then, all of a sudden, the light goes out
You’re like, “What’s that all about?”
Your shook ass starts to shout, shook on lyrics
Queens killers ain’t got no feelings
You’re not prepared for the up-and-coming dealings
The sound of crunching leaves got your ass sprinting
Through the bushes, a new way out you’re inventing
You’re constantly killing yourself, you’re not the one, but there’s
An owl in a tree, and he’s like, “If not you, well, then who?”
Ungodly speed has gotten into you
You came to a fence, it was a simple leap
You ended up on the roof of a parked Jeep
Now the hood was dented, window tinted, face was on the glass
The couple humping inside jumped out and kicked your ass

[Hook: Mr. Complex]
You should have known better
You!
You should have known better
You!
You should have known better
You!
You should have known better