[Verse 1: donSMITH]
Home is where the heart is
But it's hard where my home is
I know professionals who progressed long from convict
My brightest ideas came from a darker place
The city where your homie got out the car
To hold your parking space
Circle the block and pray
Cautious of who I'm with
Careful of what I say
They rolled dice on my head and took several chances
Don't ask where I'm from if you ain't ready for the answer
Only 17, my neighbors want me on the roster with that Medellín
But I settled for green, nothing you tellin' me
I wasn't trying to get rich, just had to pay my fee
Thin walls, I'm fuckin' project broads they never scream
Mom in the next room, could probably hear everything
I ain't want them type of problems
Eurosteppin' around 'em
So I gentrify the condom
Told her don't be pushy
I always chose dirty money over clean pussy
Mom's remarried, her new nigga in her room now
I playin' beats daydreamin' of when I move out
Watchin' Killa Cam pink hummer from rooftops
Wrote whole songs ten minutes after shootouts
Short life to live, even quick to die
You look Allah in his eyes
And you could prolly go blind, uh
[Skit 1: momSMITH]
I always tell you this anyway, but I keep repeating myself
It's not easy, ya know
Whatever happens out there
Anyway, I always keep you in my prayer
Maybe you should consider trying to
Maybe get something that pays you a little more money
So you can be able to survive, you know
Be better and not worry
Then you won't have me worried
'Cause I worry a lot
[Verse 2: donSMITH]
I was up early before the hot water work
Or my mom go to church
Harlem summer to hot to rock my Nautica shirt
You can't change the streets you on without crossin' em first
I told Ma' I'd dig in the dirt before I steal from her purse
Pissy staircase, littered with little green bags
No job, summer youth ain't never hit me back
Spent whole Summer's survivin' in Taft Rehab
Look, I was grindin' early morning
No coffee before the street packed
Empty Bustelo cans where I kept all the cream at
Harlem world, home of the flavor
You gon' see that
From Mama Fried Chicken next to where we took the C at
To waitin' on the crosstown bus where the fiends at
The Hill to 1st ave, from west to where the east at
Harlem like an All-star game, the league needs that
You just a fan blowin' hot air in these peoples faces
If you ever claim gang without official invitation
You trippin' if you think it's safe
Just 'cause tourist in my hood
Readin' off a Wiki page
Hopin' they don't stay for good
Still ain't wavin' white flags
You could buy the block but the culture don't got a price tag
Same ones who used to press me
Learned to respect me
The food chain was like that
They couldn't walk a day in your shoes
Let alone barefoot
But got the nerve to talk on you dues
When they ain't square yet
Harlem top tier, ya'll just got here
NYCHA taught me how to evolve and lock in
All that don is is all them dark years
I pray history never get watered down here
[Skit 2: donSMITH]
Yo peace, this is don
Sorry I missed your call
Leave your name, number
[Skit 2: momSMITH]
I'll hit you back, love
Hi son, I called you a couple times
Have you heard from your oldest brother
Or your middle brother
Keep in touch with them, you know
We all going through some things right now
Even though you the youngest
But I count on you for a lot
You know what, I called you a couple of times
Maybe you can pick your mail up
Thought it may be important
I could bring them to you
Is that okay
Call me, you know
I know you always somewhere, different places working
Brooklyn, Manhattan, everywhere
The Bronx
So just be careful, okay
Son, I always want you to be proud of where we come from
I love you, this is your mother
And I miss you
Son, I saw your fundraiser on instagram
I'm so proud of you
That was a great, great thing you did
La cultura es para siempre, no importa lo que pase
Siempre seremos lo mismo
Siempre seguimos y orgulloso de quien somos
