[Verse 1: Meek Mill]
First of all I wanna say is free my n***a Lil
And free my n***a Rick, they gave my n***a wheels
When they told me I was locked up I was in the cell
And just thoughts of doin' life gave a n***a chills
Damn, long rise to the mountains
I heard a n***a soul make you wanna cry fountains
But you can't, 'cause your pride won't let you when you drownin' (It won't let you)
So much pain can't explain it or pronounce it (Ugh)
So you hold it like a soldier never foldin'
And daydreamin' on the day you make it home but never knowin'
When them crackers gon' let you free
Take off them chains and just let you be
Let you breathe, I get a deal (Deal), you know you get appeal
Hundred-thousand dolla lawyers rumblin' for real (Yessir)
So many laws lie fumbled in the field
Turned over to the system—either that or they was killed (Damn)
Man I dont hustle cuz I wanna, shit, I have to (I have too)
I fell in love with the streets I lost my dad too
At a early age, man I was doin' shit to lead me to a early grave
Or put me in the cage
'Cause I ain't know that the world turns slow
And time fly by you fast, tryna ride til you crash ('Til you crash)
I said I couldn't pick a side good or bad cuz bein' bad felt good and bein' good ain't get the cash
Runnin' in the streets got my mama goin crazy
Hangin' out south philly where my daddy ain't make it
Shit I was only five and I was mad I couldn't quake it
To catch a n***a slippin like a taurus transmission
Man listen, the streets that I come from black
A n***a take one of your's then you come to him strapped
With ya gat, no rappin lay em all on the floor
Squeeze the trigga and let all of em off
See look you got the fiends on the corner
Lookin' like zombies
Crack babies in the window lookin' for they mommy
Youngin' he was only 19 he got hommy
Yesterday they left him in the streets brain soggy
Cause where I'm from we die young
Ride or pride live by the gun