rags to riches at the beep

J. Cole

Damn, broke is a bad joke... but still I laugh though
Frontin trynna have hope, it s sad though
I m tired of being broke as shit
I m seeing other niggas ball and I m like 0 for 6

Ay man I just graduated, good old college degree
Shit, my niggas drug dealing see more dollars than me
I know my calling, it s in my blood to do this music thang
Won t be that illest nigga that you never knew his name
I m looking at these fake A&R s like you a lame-
That boy a genius and you ain t even listen, man you insane

But you ll see though, just what the hell a nigga bout to be though
So give me one year then play this back like Tivo
Cause boy I m finna blow - I m a mothafucking torpedo
The music s in my blood so watch these niggas turn mosquitoe
Uh, I play the villain and the hero, some grow man shit
Feel like a goddamn kid, man I m Pac and Big (What up?)

Up is something that I can t give
Won t see me disappear like the old Ant Viv
Cause even on a slow jam I m so damn sick
Man I even spread a virus to a program-quick
I gotta focus on my flow and get some dough, man, shit
No dollars got me acting like I got no damn sense
But peace to my broham s and my ex-lady
Yea we ve been complicating things with the sex lately
Maybe I m being selfish - but, naw, I can t help it

Cause girl we go back like a throwback Celtics - Jersey
Regardless of where God lead us
Just know that I was Martin and you was my Gina
But I m through living in the past Lord
No more thinking rewind and more fast forward
Less rearview mirror and more dashboard
I m visualizing cash and stamps on a passport
That Cls with a full tank of gas for it
Cop my momma a whip, nigga, he didn t even ask for it

Wise enough to know that money can t buy
you happiness or lovers
But it s gon get my momma out the struggle
Wise enough to know that money can t buy
you happiness or lovers
But it s gon get my momma out the struggle
Said I m wise enough to know that money can t buy
you happiness or lovers
But it s gon get my momma out the struggle, nigga...

I d like to welcome ya ll to
My life, my life, my life, my life, in the sunshine...