Young Niggas (Maintain)

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Somewhere between the corner stores and churches, I found gangstas and God Being guided by the son, is it Jesus or Nas? I was 12, it ain't hard to tell 'less it's 12 I knew 12 disciples, they 12 was a rifle, it's the cycle 'Fore my circle started smoking squares The barber said "you better shape up while you can, little man" Understand Black boys don't live long, we live fast Niggas have drive and still crash Somewhere between trees and the dirt, laying seeds in the Earth Getting cheese on our chips to getting cheese on the first Mama, she was working up at Dulles next to Parkway I'm dribbling pretend I'm Tim Hardaway Had to learn the harder way, here today and gone today When they took Mickey like they took Mrs. Thomas heart away They say things change and I tend to agree My homies die but they living through me [Chorus] Maintain Young nigga gotta maintain Maintain Young nigga gotta… Maintain Young nigga gotta maintain Maintain [Verse 2] Yo My vision dark like a blind man in a blindfold In a blackout with his eyes closed, it's hard here I was feeling low then my friends started getting high Numb the feelings when they need to feel alive Hands are counting digits so I guess it's bad timing Inner-city living, I go to sleep to the sirens Writing all these bars now I visit friends behind them Ain't no team seeing me figures there's no 'I' in Writing Chucky letters just to tell him "keep yo head up" Couldn't let him down so that's why I never let up The way that shit is set up they don't wanna see you shine Rather sit you to the side but when you fit to lead the line Demand for change, that's the only way you get it man Asking don't get much, ask a homeless man Tryna get control of my life I was depressed, mama started losing her sight My grandma had dementia now she losing her mind And then my uncle had cancer and he losing the fight I'm trying to find a reason to smile when ain't much to laugh at Death start pulling some names like it's a grab-bag Fuck rap, I don't even want it man, you can have that back It's makeshift, it's fake shit, man I hate this game I spit fire like I'm tryna burn everything Turn it into ashes, I had to earn everything Wishing I could give my girl more than a wedding ring I'd give her the world if I could put it on layaway Worst days was birthdays, I hate to be cheap All I could get her was my love, I wasn't tryna be deep But… She told me "I believe you" That mean a lot when other girls would be leaving you Don't forget me when you blow up Growing up where niggas don't grow up [Chorus] Maintain Young nigga gotta maintain Maintain Young nigga gotta… Maintain Young nigga gotta maintain Maintain Young nigga gotta…