Man I had to go the long way, long way
Yeah I had to go the long way, long way
****ing arounds all around me gang bang, shit slang
So I had to go my own way
Yeah I was on the wrong shit
Tried to stunt like my daddy, thought I was a crip
No idea what I'm bout to get in
Only problem is I didn't really fit in
I remember I was twelve 'bout to be a blood
Athens park on El Segundo bloods showed me love
I didn't even want to bang, I wanted brotherhood
But when you really from the gang you dyin' for the hood
****ing it then I ain't gon' bang, I love my life, I'm good
I ain't tryna to die, I ain't tryna to go to jail
I'm already talkin' to my dad through the mail
He got back out then went back in
He made another sale, got another strike
Rolled another dice, gotta pay the price, had to miss my life
Still ain't in my life, oh yeah
I made that choice, made that choice
And I kept my poise, kept my poise
That's the smartest thing I done
Man I had to go the long way, long way
Yeah I had to go the long way, long way
****ing arounds all around me gang bang, shit slang
So I had to go my own way
Lot of ****ers took the short way
Lot of ****ers didn't see today
Lot of ****ers made their momma pay
My homie just got sprayed today
It's the summer of the eighth grade
And he already in his grave
Got up on my knees and prayed
Lord help me see the way
Lord help the people operatin' off of hate
Please keep all my family safe
All I'm tryna do is see their face
When I make a change, when I rearrange?
Get up out the struggle, stay up on my hustle
Still put in the work
I was grindin' I was gettin' money, drummin' for the church
And if I stay up in them streets, I'll end up hurt
That's the day I gave myself a little worth
I don't wanna see my life go down the drain, nah
I can't let all this energy just go to waste, nah nah
I made that choice, made that choice
And I kept my poise, kept my poise
That's the smartest thing I done
Man I had to go the long way, long way
Yeah I had to go the long way, long way
****ing arounds all around me gang bang, shit slang
So I had to go my own way
Don't be scared to go the long way
Don't be scared to take your own way
Save your momma from the hurt and pain
If you handle life the wrong way, the wrong way
You gon' pay, yah