P.O.M.E

(album: Apologies In Advance - 2018)

I'm a product of my environment
Bonding, raised in the belly of Leviathan
Firecracker pops, ambulance, police sirens
I'm not your friend, me, myself and fuck whoever's lying in my lion's den
Jungle lion, man, dead presidents will cease alliances
Peace and silence come 'round like leap years foolish violences
Pull up, hop out, air out, made it look like Goku's Kaioken
Mama, bathrobe, handed tears of sorrow, cue the violence
I'm a product of my environment
Daddy gone, hitting licks and whipping in entire bins
My higher senses tell me this is not what I was made for
Stayed inside, played Pimp My Ride, and dreamt of what I prayed for
Nigga's getting older, got a lot of chips upon his shoulders
My homie got laid off of posting
Funny how he ended back up on the corner
Tried to give him words, a little wisdom
Like, "Boy, you better get yourself in order
You know you got a brand new baby daughter
Don't let me be the one to see you on drugs
Click clack to the max, we almost warned ya
The block stays hot, did not have to warm up
You ain't gotta fight for flocks on corners
The world's much more than rocks and torture
My nigga said, "This is all I see
And therefore this all I know
And I ain't tryna rewrite history
I'm better off living it like it's told"
'Cause nigga I'm a mothafucking product of my environment
My nigga's life was in the confines of social rioting
No eyeing them, you hide and duck when you hear screeching tires
In the island of the geographical entitlement
My daddy was a ghost, heard some stories 'bout the most
Mama dragged me out of church, 17 I had a choice
Had a Bible on my left, uh, right I had a toast
Almost robbed a liquor store before my partner overdosed

It ain't 'bout where you're from
It's where you're going, it where you're going
It ain't 'bout where you're from
It's where you're going, it's where you're going

My daddy hit a lick today
Serving up whips, drinking Tanqueray like ahhhhh
My mama had to pay the rent today
Couple hundred short, but we're still okay like...

Mothafuck my president, I love my residence
Disrespect my brethren, dirt slumber, no hesitance
Things taught hood etiquette, north Dade I represent
Doodoo dreads like fellowship, [?] elegance
Boost Mobile near the stove, got the stove, Boost Mobile
Heard you caught two bodies like last week, who told you?
EBT in my wallet, cop cam saying my mom vexed
On the first floor right next door, nigga selling dope in my complex
No snitching, my area locked, I got more fam than these cops
Roaches in my cereal box, gunshots, my stereo knocks
Got a job like four times my God we've got minimal opps
Little bro watch Akademiks, couldn't even spell academics
Flea markets, police watching, can't even reach for my key pocket
Please stop it, sling, sing, b-ball dreams my three options
You know the story and how it goes, what's to unfold?
The paradise to outside is like to all of the glow
No changing my events, only I can alter to my intent
I'm just another product of my environment

My daddy hit a lick today
Serving up whips, drinking Tanqueray like ahhhhh

We all have the same emotions. You know, no matter who you are or where you're from, we all have the same emotions. You know, we all wanna be successful, you know, we all have the same fears of failure. We all have, you know, um, you know, this... feelings of abandonment. We all, you know, want love

Uh, pardon my sincerity, God just spared me the clarity
Thank you to the angels on Earth who loved me to carry me
When life decided to bury me
Wasn't even safe in my apartment
I came outside, the four officers aiming to sing it merrily
Shiver me timbers, who knew the law could be scared of me
Black boy fly, watch this black boy
Gunshots we all seen it
My mama crafted imaginary curfews for that very same reason
Young and guided by dreaming and somehow I dodged all the precincts
Product of my environment
See our beliefs tend to shape the system we place in our minds now
Let's rearrange some of these habits
In due time we'll make peace with all of our imperfections
Because this pain can be used to serve as a greater message
See poverty brought me to understand
The gift of life is being grateful for simply what could have been
I could have been lost in cycles, [?] break you
Leave this place that raised your heart to gain respect and love and grace
I know it takes wanting more than what's provided on your plate
The meal is cool for you but what about all your loved ones at stake?
No lie, guilt tripping through all the drama
I still got visions that trigger behind the [?] of my father
No love in the city, but it's love in your heart
A world acting brave is a mind that can spark change
I've tried and fought, against it all
But I found out only acceptance provides the cure