Ten Toes Down

A hundred degrees on the pavement... Cold in the soul... Just another survivor... Maximum respect. The hood ain't just a zip code… it’s a state of mind. Raised in the maze, mind molded by the block, Learned early on who was punchin' the clock. Villains with badges, heroes holdin' the Glock, The system got the youth blind, trapped in a box. Hustlers were the good guys, bringin' in the bread, Flippin' stolen cargo, makin' sure the block was fed. Rigged power lines, cable boxes in the back, Living off the grid, tryna keep it on the track. But the mind disconnects from the elevation... Gotta have heart to survive the hesitation. My childhood was hoop dreams, rhymes on the pad, Surviving this system is the best degree I had. Happiness... with a little we kept our pride, But I saw my day-ones slippin' on the wrong ride. Thirst for the dollar sign... sealed up their fate, Jumped into the game thinkin' it was an easy plate. At the end of the line, they paid the ultimate price... Yeah, it's easy to make it out the hood... But it's hard to get the hood out of you. The system pushes you to do what you shouldn't, But only you decide what you're gonna do. Nobody handed me a thing, got it out the mud, Scars from the hustle taught me sweat and blood. Kept it a buck, stayed rooted to the core, Fast lane is a graveyard, I chose the narrow door. Pops up early on the grind, Sundays with no rest, Sweat and heavy labor… passing the dignity test. Momma on a mission, strict vision from the start: “Fast money takes your soul, don't play the fool's part.” While the streets were screamin' luxury and power, She was screamin' louder: “You a warrior, claim your hour!” It ain't just survivin'… it’s keepin' your soul intact, Takin' a hard fall, risin' up… and never lookin' back. The girls only checked for the dudes with the heat, Designer clothes, stolen whips, runnin' the street. The ones movin' right were just invisible ghosts, Simple clothes… no chance with the ones doin' the most. But I held my ground, when nobody believed, Rather walk the righteous path… than leave my momma grieved. Didn't study much, but I was never a fool, Just another forgotten kid in the public school. Clockin' in early just to earn my daily bread, Honest money, peace of mind when I rest my head. Saw my homies turn into statistics on the news, Mothers cryin' over sons that they had to lose. The system's rigged, yeah, but that ain't an excuse, Every choice carries weight... don't tie your own noose. Thank you, Momma, the foundation of my spine, Made me a strong man when the world was out of line. Taught me that the struggle never really takes a break, And the world outside ain't gonna wait for your sake. Dreamin' wide awake, Found my queen, walkin' with me whatever it takes. Our foundation is faith, married a grip of years, Then came my son… wipin' away the tears. Pure fuel to the fire so I never surrender, Now I'm a grandpa… lookin' back at the splendor. Through the grit and the faith… I built my own throne. Yeah, it's easy to make it out the hood... But it's hard to get the hood out of you. But I won without sellin' my soul, Chose the righteous path, the hardest mission to do. Nobody handed me nothin' in this life, It was sweat, it was pain… cuttin' through the strife. The wide road calls… illusions… but the end of the line, you already know. Go follow a fool's word and disrespect the ones holdin' you down... If you're lucky you catch a bid, or end up underground. The streets either make you… or break you. You choose. Stand ten toes down. Greatness is a matter of vision. Keep your faith in God, my brother. #ConsciousHipHop #BoomBap #RealRap #EastCoastHipHop #StorytellingRap #SoulfulRap #UndergroundHipHop #StreetPoetry #HipHopCulture