When I ain’t get one spin on the F.M. after two years People wondered what the F.M.’s after But I don’t play games with a F.M. actor, I ain’t mad though I ain’t even got to say F.M. backwards Look some say the best get blacklisted I figured me too, who knew so drastic But I’m thinking about the future so I get past it When niggas throw shade I get more resolved not reactive Rewind regress I won’t have it I’d rather reload release another classic Yeah Love Letters response was fantastic Think of what could happen that record was just practice Soul. Hook I don’t know about them niggas that be flashing I ain’t seen none of the checks they been cashing Man that shit so tired we need passion Cameras and lights keep flashing we need action Soul. But I ain’t hating on the game man Soul. Because everybody needs a gameplan Soul. And you can fake it till you get it I’m ‘a walk it like I talk it nigga get it how I live it Let my Soul Glo Civil unrest prospects dwindling Time invested but return was diminishing Flame flickering, records didn’t finish them All the momentum slowed down like Ritalin Oh no guess the pressure got crippling Damn what a pity Queen City they was feeling them But what’s worse a never was or a has been? Lucky thinking legacy, how they gonna remember him? But struggles only make a nigga grind more Sometimes got to take a step back to move forward I ain’t worried if I slide more Because even if I hit “E” you’ll still see me with a shorty that’s to die for Therefore all eyes is on me When I cruise through the street so fly and so free And I stay shining no rocks and no rings When you see the chest gleam you know what I mean That’s Soul. Hook Look at what the paper do, stunting when you come through Neck full of truck jewels people want to catch a view Yeah they’re catching vapors too Because you walked by looking so fly they could get high off the residue Your currency is large, and I don’t mean the cash A different kind of green look at how their eyes flash A different kind of clean fresh with the purple tags Pulling out the Benz key, that’s a different type of class You see me walk past, you think I hate your swag Never that, just some questions that I want to ask If you spend it when you get it could it ever last? Do you ever smile behind the windows of that tinted glass? Happiness is less than half about the math You reply that you can manage long as money’s multiplying So I guess we add it different, no need to be divided You prefer to chase swagger I would rather shine brighter That’s Soul. Hook

Mind full of anticipation Up late waiting for the moment impatient Room spinning, earth started quaking My chains fell off when the dungeon kept shaking No pain, no blame too because you’ll choose Is it freedom or free doom? No hurry the time is free too Please just don’t crowd my thoughts, they need room To breathe air, you prepared that was logical But everything was there just imagine what was stopping you The feeling that the unknown was an obstacle Now the only fear is that the possible is possible A new dawn, sunshine in my face New state of mind feeling so calm Future I embrace with both arms so I’m taking off the brakes All we got to do is hold on Why worry? Hook Why should I worry, tell me Why should I worry, tell me Maybe I feel in my.. Maybe I feel in my.. No ifs no maybes Down for the cause I’m All In lately No guarantee no safety Nah, that’s the risk I gotta take, no balls no babies If scared money never made a dime But Jesus made water into wine Then who the hell think I can’t make the game mine? It’s already done all I had to do was make up my mind So you know it’s my season Summer all year because a nigga kept believing And I could find inspiration when I need it All I had to do was close both eyes I could see it They used to hear about me in the rumors Now they change the dial on the tuner And no I can’t say I wish it didn’t happen sooner But the time feels right. Guess you could say I’m a late bloomer Why worry? Hook (I had a vision) First I wondered what it means The second time was clearer, third time was in a dream I said a prayer, said a prayer because I was so aware That everyday fairy tales turn to nightmares Tuck it away deep inside until it disappears Because I know that kind of fear could never get me here From now on the outlook is too strong And waiting on a perfect day would take me too long. I had to get it First I paid my folks a visit They said you represent the Queen City don’t forget it I told them put their hands high but only if they feel it And now they’re pointing to the sky because everybody’s with it I made a vow, got to get it how I live now And maintain when I’m high enough to crash out Mama told me calm down and she cracked a smile Baby stars just explode, they don’t fall down, it’s your time Don’t Worry. Hook

Yeah sitting back, soaking it All In Shit started from a breeze and grew to a strong wind Everybody dropping their two cents Pretty soon talk dropped to a whisper they figured I couldn’t hear them Four years? No telling where he’s been You figure either I gave up or gave in Because dreams don’t expire, time kills them And rappers they retire when niggas don’t feel them Quite true, equally quite grim The future looks bleak and them lights are quite dim So which one applies? I figured that right then If I didn’t have an answer that blank was filled in I got too much fire to throw it in I’m ‘a put all my chips on one spin And ain’t no fear because whether lose or win I’ll put it up again All In Hook Heads you win but tails you lose Life’s a Gamble, but you made it X2 Everybody come to Vegas Take a look around at the desperate faces Cheering for a player while he rounds the bases Or praying at a table for a couple of aces Money on a horse and he almost made it Too late came short by a couple of paces Next day heart broke still back at the races Scared to make their own break preferring to chase it But I ain’t crossing my fingers and waiting for the flop I’m ‘a double down it don’t matter on how it shuffles out We don’t play it the same, you want to an easy route While you wish I calculate the risk and work it out Because I’m about my cause and my stand I’m ‘a go against the odds and change them when I can I’m taking while you waiting with an outstretched hand I don’t dream I scheme, I plot I plan I’m All In Hook Thinking about a move so you study logistics Now you getting scared because you’re sweating statistics Holes in your wings what a shame to witness A plan shot down when it’s self inflicted You anticipated all the lies and whispers Because if it goes south people pounce that instant Let them talk slick it’s yourself you live with Man I swear to God I hope you listen If you’re trying to advance or you’re in it for wealth Either way you want a real type of legacy left But if you scared to take a chance, put a bet on yourself You’re better off to take a full clip, play a game of Russian roulette Be smart yeah measure your steps But don’t wait Cold feet will make the memory melt that ain’t funny Me I lost bigger things ain’t nothing to take from me When life is on the line I ain’t playing with scared money All In. Hook Yeah, yeah yeah say we gon make it X4

Content lacking, nonsense babbling Hardhead arrogant, old school disparaging Who could imagine the product of our passion Would lead to the foolish excess of ringtone extravagance We created the fabric and made classics Monosyllabic they eager to move backwards Finger snapping they ripping away chapters We fought battles so now they can own masters Motherfucking bastards, they ain’t grateful Style less capable lyrics more hateful Almighty dollar is the power that they pray too Everybody playing, to the game they ain’t faithful They wouldn’t have survived in years past If you couldn’t pull a rhyme out your ass you couldn’t last So they’re making cash but they can’t bust Funny I remember when “they” said the same thing about us It’s the New Hook The New generation, yeah it’s the new, the new X4 It’s the New Generation Situation critical population was cynical Started out slow but erosion was unpreventable They’re either hustling dedicatedly criminal Or busy stacking paper with a conscience apolitical Value came first we tried to birth it It was a gift and a curse they missed the purpose We tried to get them to understand what their worth is It wasn’t supposed to be motivation to worship Things in time they got consumed with greed Then their wants got confused with needs My God to get free we had to hang from trees Now rich is the only thing they’re dying to be We believed in something you couldn’t touch like trust They lack so instead they acquire stuff They can stack it but it still ain’t much Funny I remember when “they” said the same thing about us It’s the New Hook Trapped in a battle my option was incompatible Couldn’t stay pure with the lure of pursuing capital Labeled as a disgrace by prior radicals All with no regard for the stimulus I reacted to Searching for a truth I couldn’t find Rakim Paid in Full I listened to every rhyme Huey P, Bobby Seale I wanted to seize the time Conflict with the messages echoing through my mind Hoping to define identity I would purchase property and display it upon me People criticized saying I handled it wrongly But nobody showed me how a possession could own me Between elders and youth the rift grew Old heads said they feared what the future would lead to It its revolution what y’all gonna do? I told them I remember when “they” said the same thing about you I’m the New Hook X8

Got to be the shoes in my ears the words ringing I got my eyes glued to the tube for a reason Daddy need boots man he started working evenings Me I got to wear my sister’s volleyball sneakers He’s tired from working, you know I can’t concern him with my needs But I want them so my wheels started turning Like if he can work a couple jobs to get me higher learning The least that I can do to get these shoes is to earn them I’m about to hit the pavement saving up my wages Flipping fries, door to door selling oil changes No matter the arrangement to get more close To picking up the Air Huaraches or the Uptempos. Now here they go, fresh out the box Lucky pimping And I’m feeling like a man because I worked so hard to get them That night I saw my daddy’s work boots in the kitchen I tried to put them on and realized I couldn’t fit them damn Gators Hook Gators, yeah come on gators Made a couple moves that I didn’t understand But I put it on the line and I’m a grown ass man now Gators, yeah come on gators Life took some turns and I wasn’t with the plan But I took it all in stride and I’m a grown ass man now Gators Looking for a new balance on the road I’m embarking I had a good run Rowdy Raw had it popping Last couple autumns on the yard I was stomping I’m focused on the goal(gold) like the boots I was rocking (Next step) blaze a trail to the money and the stardom Got my eye on new kicks, Cole Haans Ferragamos When I cop them they’re gonna represent the way that I’m evolving Turning network to net worth, at least that’s what I thought But then I had to reconsider what it meant to make it I saw my grand daddy’s face when I graduated That little piece of paper was the final culmination Of a quarter century of slaving in a mill basement Then my four years had a different feel then But he said it’d be about forty more before I could feel him Well until then. I’ll probably stack a couple million But grand daddy’s slippers I could probably never fit in them Gators Hook People keep a mean shoe game I ain’t feeding in If it takes some gear for your attention I don’t need it then Old tims broke in, flip flops even them Comfort is the premium no matter what you see me in Then I saw my lady by the closet. Why she eyeing it? Said I need to add to my collection, who’s supplying it? About to hit the mall I want some J’s if you buying it She picked up a tiny pair then I finally got the hint What to get prada mens Gucci loafers? Oh I know fresh skins, I’m about to place an order I said I wasn’t gonna sport them until my lady spread the news Instead she called me crying about a pair of running shoes She was jogging for her health and stumbled on the laces Now baby lost a step before he ever got to take it Through the tears I told my lady don’t worry be patient When it happens I’ll be ready got a fresh pair waiting And they’re gators Hook

On a mission so I’m trying to link Started with an eye wink and I’m eyeing a tall drink Got her thinking about the possibilities so she wondering If I’m gonna work it out, baby I’m ‘a work it out Never been a problem I know I can solve women Because I like all women, especially tall women I prefer a veteran not a rooker But if I got to draft me a looker I’m ‘a pick a six footer like you With her own style, class but a little hood Amazon profile thicker than a red wood Pretty long legs girl I bet it spread good Thinking about your head game because you got a pretty mouth I ain’t scared to clean plate, you know what I’m talking about Opposite of clean face. Why? I’m from the dirty south It ain’t for everybody baby if you get the mouth Then you got a bonus because I don’t need it to turn you out Dirty mind and my thoughts ain’t pure Now I’m staring at that manicure knowing what I’m ‘a endure later Hook First thought when I see you Fingernails digging in my back like needles Get a funny feeling when I greet you Fingernails digging in my back like needles Don’t stop if you think you should Can’t be bad if it hurts so good Having flashbacks and I’m thinking about a sequel Fingernails digging in my back like needles Black Bruce Jenner, stamina like a winner Said you might have had a session before but you can’t remember If it wasn’t past an hour then homey was a pretender Something like a sprinter, I’m like a nigga from Kenya Get your stretch on, we’re ready to have a marathon Old school style fifteen rounds, we get it on Clash of the titans, lightening with the thunder Thriller in my villa we’re rumbling in the jungle And yeah I grabbed your hair but what is the glare for If I can’t pull that ponytail what the fuck is it there for? Sweat pouring you sleepy it’s damn near dawn I ain’t got no sympathy sweetie because you were fair warned Wonder how I perform like it’s my own porn It’s the brown liquor it have a nigga in rare form And you’re regretting the promise you made to make it soft Because the ride was fun but you’re happy you finally made it off You said it felt like a dream and drifted off But I know it was for real because I’m wearing the battle scars on my back Hook Girl you got a spot that a nigga trying to meet You said it makes you too hot so I shouldn’t touch it like a space heater Please try to be discreet it’s hard not to wake people When you’re hitting notes higher than Seattle’s space needle But I got to hit that bulls eye to make you climax They say its hard as hell to stick a needle through that But I’ve seen the promised land and I know my way back I’m ‘a find it quicker than a needle in a haystack bet that Don’t run now, bring it back I’m ‘a work it like a turntable needle on the wax Until it’s ten needles digging in the corners of my back Hit you with a high dose, push your needle to the max until it snaps What you looking for, why you reaching? With that glimmer in your eye a little change in your demeanor Must be feeling dangerous trying to tape the procedure Put that camera on the speaker let’s make it a double feature We can watch it for the evening but then we got to delete them Scratches on my back are the only proof that we’re leaving Hook

I’m in there feeling smooth I’m in there in the groove Because in a suit or in the booth I’m in there making moves I’m in it to win it too, independent, in control I don’t need nobody else because I’m in there with SummerSoul People see me now and say that I’m the next in line to blow I’m inclined to agree it depends on how the summer goes I intend to prove and show, until I’m raking in the dough But really in my heart I’ll be alright as long as Summer knows SummerSoul coming for the game they tried to keep us out Knocking doors down I’ll be in there until it’s out of style That’s gonna probably be a while with everything I get into They heard I’m multitasking now they asking like an interview Ever since I left the crib people been inquiring Music business or the film, which one is he really in? Look here I’m not innocent both is what I’ve been producing But I rarely talk about it because I’m in there fucking doing it It’s SummerSoul from the go, back even when it was slow So you can bet when it blow I’m in there, I’m in there I’m in that spot on the low, on the executive floor Negotiating that dough. I’m in there I’m in there I’m in there making moves, I’m in there breaking food I’m in the east I’m in the west I’m in the dirty too Y’all know I come with that glow I put it down at the show You might have seen me before I’m in there, I’m in there Jai Honey I’m in there feeling fine, I’m in there on the grind I paid my dues and put in time I’m in there getting mine I am never in decline, I am in there getting shine I’m in California in a Carolina state of mind Listen when they’re mentioning the game they gotta notice me On the top. I’m in that position because I’m supposed to be Getting hot, now the people trying to get in close to me I’m in there for business if you’re not don’t be approaching me I can take the industry to anywhere I want to go I can flow or pop up on an episode you never know I invest in myself limitations I don’t deal with those But I got advice for anybody that would interlope They just want to instigate wishing they were in your place Now they’re standing in the way (fuck a hater in his face) They are only insecure, angry they can’t innovate If they ain’t in it for the cause you didn’t need them anyway Hook I recall back in the day, way down in NC Rapping on the beat with the talent that people envied Running with the Indians plotting to be a bigger chief In the Queen City we hustled to make the ends meet Ends meet? Yeah they’re meeting but they ain’t in deep Now I got to leave because I’m trying to see them increase Ain’t no reason to fight the instinct Kissed my mama cheek and said I’ll be leaving in one week (Hey hey) two days I’m on the interstate Rolling on forty I’m about to break in a major way Touched down new place I’m reinvigorated Sunshine all in my face I guess I’m in LA And I venture into my first show I was in there going off. Y’all were in there taking notes I was in a neighborhood, now we’re on another coast Stamp it in the passport I’m international I’m in there Hook

Made a couple laps, he made some stacks He brought it back put that city on the map (Where you been?) Trying to maintain rocking different hats in the game Switching lanes but you know I never changed So the people know I never let them hang If I ain’t done done it all, best believe I’ve done a little bit of everything He caught up in the game. She works for minor wage For every hustle different struggles I can feel your pain The bills got behind? I know your storyline It’s written on your face I read it in the worry lines But don’t you worry girl I promise next time Your eyes are blurry it’ll be from tears of joy and I ain’t lying Once upon a time we had the right design Thriving never just surviving, now we’re out here grinding Only getting by but no more waiting for a sign Point your finger to the sky we’re gonna remind them Come on with me Hook Ain’t no stopping we don’t need to stay So step it up come on with me I’m gonna lead the way And pick up everything we need today And if my folks go astray we’re gonna take them off the block And we’re going one way to the top No no no, can’t stop now They say we’re half dead, we’re half in prison We’re barely scrimping happy ghetto half living? (Hell no) That’s what I figured so I only half listen We were only have nots who never had enough attention Probably had it rough, maybe had some breaks miss them Now we’ve had enough so we’re having intervention The eyes that were closed up for years about to open up wide Minds strong from the time they’ve been ignoring us Concrete dry no more funerals for us With that liquor pouring down no that’s champagne pour it up Because it’s a celebration you know what we’re celebrating Buddy’s back from his incarceration but he’s staying now He’s got incentive because his daughter’s about to make it out She’s graduating magna cum laude and you wonder how? Because she’s resilient, one day she’ll have some children With that same ghetto blood, but that ain’t where they’ll be living Come on with me Hook Coming up the way we do Bad news and the same hood blues It ain’t the life we choose We had one foot in you never walked in our shoes So you couldn’t understand or really ever know That flowers make it through the concrete but only when the cracks show And I recall a young rose about to grow People figured he was special they could see the way his soul glowed Coming up listening to war stories in the hood he absorbed them Believing there was more for him And when he could he used to close both eyes And his mind would color outside the neighborhood lines He saw the picture then so it was no surprise The day arrived for him to leave he said his last goodbye They told him always keep the street beneath your feet But the people make the hood, take them with you when you leave Come on with me.

Stress added up but the years I wasn’t counting Looking for a lesson but it’s lost in the surroundings Earning admiration but the money ain’t amounting Meanwhile people wonder why I stopped freestyling Dying inside dying just to rhyme And the whole time scared that I was dying on the vine Cloudy head belly full of wine Trying to bring out the dead but the funeral was mine A slow death, poor intuition Tried to argue with myself neither one of us would listen I took a step now I’m stuck in one position And the only person left is the woman in my visions I saw the future and I looked over her shoulder Finally got a peek at what she’s holding But I had to get up off the ground to get golden So a brother migrated west and my wings unfolded Hook When your head gets low taking the long road When your shoes get holes chasing a fools gold When you lose everything you can’t hold What’s left? That’s soul. That’s soul. Hard days long nights get cold Live life real stripes get those Hustle through the pain, a struggle to behold Never fold greatest story ever told about Soul About to make moves in the city by the setting sun Planned to be a lot of things being hungry wasn’t one If not for the glory why come? I gave myself a year to make some noise and I did in under one Trying to stack funds you think I’m living good? Placement on a major show still sleeping on the floor in Hollywood? All In was the slogan they understood Now they want to know if I’m ‘a fold because they probably would No likelihood very little merit I was strengthened by pain every scar I cherish Struggle I share it heavy crown I wear it The world could never keep me down, though my shoulders do bear it And I will inherit however I’m never meek Schemers never need a dream you wonder why I rarely sleep Full force my collision course with destiny I hit the peddle full speed and promised I would never blink Hook On the sideline waiting for my introduction No bluff giving up no discussion One fear and it wasn’t my destruction I was terrified of being everything and having nothing So I was chasing lady luck until I caught her And I gave my all to everything I was a part of Sacrificed time but didn’t want to be a martyr Mind got smarter so I came back harder Yeah I had them days I was tired And thought I would expire but the devil is a liar So Lucky will be gone before I’ll ever be retired But I promise to continue making music only when I am inspired My entire future was grim Until I took it up higher threw caution to the wind Fly high, breathe in When the last breath leaves I won’t fall even then Hook

Back when I was worried about what I had to work with I heard a voice say Lucky get your mind off of broke shit Get focused, get some go get That’s the only way to blow I said well no shit I had a slow dip trying to keep my whole grip After a couple tragedies gradually I saw it slip I sunk a little bit trying to drown it in a fifth Water underneath the bridge leave it in the past tense See I was worried because I didn’t know where my path went But if I didn’t struggle I could never have this Peace of mind to help me wash away the madness And flow with a confidence that I ain’t never had since Back in 99, feet on the recliner now Left Carolina but I’m back and feeling finer now Winking at the sunrays that’s Summer smiling now Happy that I’m coming up with no intent of climbing down Did I need my team though? Fam that was kind of how Feeding off the energy they give me when they crowd around The young black miracle, oh so lyrical Flow with the soul of a negro spiritual South in my blood the legacy of the sorrow songs With a little more from the melody that I borrowed from A couple years ago I was fearful of what I might become Because I didn’t know but now I’m hoping tomorrow comes Because when tomorrow comes, we begin forever I’m looking forward to that future we’re gonna share together And everybody that was down I’m ‘a tell them Leave my flowers to the living so they get a chance to smell them Let ‘em know Hook Yes I love y’all yes I love y’all It feels good And that’s a wonderful thing, say it’s a wonderful thing Yes I love y’all, yes I love y’all It feels good It’s so wonderful don’t you agree Thinking way back when I examine the case I wasn’t trying to leave the world but wasn’t fighting to stay Self hate just wasting away Ask Will y’all I used to drink a fifth of Castillo a day for real My attempt at concealing the way I felt about it It hurt inside but I reckon I never wept about it But holding back hurt worse I finally recognized it So I had to find a new method to try to reconcile it I gathered up what’s left to fill the missing piece I held the memories close and kept the energy I quit neglecting my health, stopped abusing me And stated taking care of myself because they were using me And I refuse to be broken we got to break through A movement my duty’s to be a vehicle So now I got to arrive and they can see it too Looking through my eyes that gives me the strength to see it through And that’s what I’m ‘a do. My people helped me grow Ite beautiful I love them and I’m ‘a let them know Queen City represent Mt Holly Greenville Gashouse Chucktown all the way to Chapel Hill On the west coast I got family that supports me I got folks on Crenshaw that’ll cook a meal for me Big shoutout to my mama G dub and Jai Honey Willy Bo, TKO and don’t forget my E Money Let’ em know. Hook

So we still rock diamonds to prove we on When the rebels waged war in Sierra Leonne Kidnapping little kids what a goddamned shame That you could find the same diamonds in the platinum chain Around the neck of the African American man who got fame Now the ice bezzle spelling his name Caught him slipping at the club and that boy got slain Here and Africa we died for the very same thing Can you imagine. Cecil Rhodes was a bastard Visionary my ass. He used to terrorize the native masses He’s probably laying in his grave laughing he raped Africa Now blacks can’t give his family money faster We have to think about the natives way back when He disenfranchised exploited and massacred them Just to get his hands on that gem, it’s been the same since then Diamonds are a murderers best friend Hook Can’t tell us nothing we shining Straight from the shore to the store and we buy them Told us there were no more wars but they lying This is for the ones that put the die in diamond Shine when the light and that stone connect together Just shine in the sun and the rain or any weather The pain is forever, the stain is forever The blame is forever I’ll forgive you never Just shine They say the girls start smiling when they see the rock shining But have they heard of Revolutionary United Rebels on the shore where the blood stayed running Because the world loves diamonds and a war costs money Guerillas need funds for the guns so they keep People digging through the creeks until they’re armed to the teeth They’ll even take a limb because the greed’s so deep It’s a high cost to pay but the weapons ain’t cheap They want the money from the jewel you’re seeking You want it just to show your woman that you mean it You ain’t kill for it but you put it on her finger So you’re partners in the game it’s a marriage of convenience Because before you got down to propose Somebody knelt down in the muddy brown soil They didn’t get a fair wage from their employer Just a penny for their troubles and a body full of sores Now it’s yours Hook Before it was a symbol of love it had appeal Ancient Hindus said it had the power to heal Now it represents blood and the power to kill See the marketing is fake but the suffering’s real Let me tell you what the conflict be When a diamond gets cut you can’t determine if it’s conflict free And the Kimberly process still got holes Because I can smuggle mine over from the Ivory Coast Then that blood free certificate may not be true That’s if you care to verify and I hope you do And there’s some Africans that hope so too Because if you don’ t they could end up in a grave that’s as shallow as you Forever shine