MIDDLE CHILD - J. Cole

[00:02.06]You good, T-Minus?
[00:07.95]*****s been countin' me out
[00:09.61]I’m countin' my bullets, I'm loadin’ my clips
[00:11.51]I'm writin' down names, I'm makin' a list
[00:13.38]I'm checkin' it twice and I'm gettin’ ’em hit
[00:15.28]The real ones been dyin', the fake ones is lit
[00:17.17]The game is off balance, I’m back on my ****
[00:19.13]The Bentley is dirty, my sneakers is dirty
[00:21.01]But that's how I like it, you all on my ****
[00:23.03]I'm all in my bag, this hard as it get
[00:24.98]I do not snort powder, I might take a sip
[00:26.91]I might hit the blunt, but I'm liable to trip
[00:28.80]I ain’t poppin' no pill, but you do as you wish
[00:30.75]I roll with some fiends, I love 'em to death
[00:32.69]I got a few mil' but not all of them rich
[00:34.61]What good is the bread if my *****s is broke?
[00:36.53]What good is first class if my *****s can't sit?
[00:38.42]That's my next mission, that's why I can't quit
[00:40.44]Just like LeBron, get my *****s more chips
[00:42.40]Just put the Rollie right back on my wrist
[00:44.37]This watch came from Drizzy, he gave me a gift
[00:46.34]Back when the rap game was prayin' I'd diss
[00:48.24]They act like two legends cannot coexist
[00:50.14]But I'd never beef with a ***** for nothin'
[00:52.01]If I smoke a rapper, it's gon' be legit
[00:54.01]It won't be for clout, it won't be for fame
[00:55.97]It won't be 'cause my **** ain't sellin' the same
[00:57.85]It won't be to sell you my latest lil' sneakers
[00:59.77]It won't be 'cause some ***** slid in my lane
[01:01.83]Everything grows, it's destined to change
[01:03.72]I love you lil' *****s, I'm glad that you came
[01:05.62]I hope that you scrape every dollar you can
[01:07.57]I hope you know money won't erase the pain
[01:09.52]To the OGs, I'm thankin' you now
[01:11.45]Was watchin' you when you was pavin' the ground
[01:13.39]I copied your cadence, I mirrored your style
[01:15.34]I studied the greats, I'm the greatest right now
[01:17.23]**** if you feel me, you ain't got a choice
[01:19.13]Now I ain't do no promo, still made all that noise
[01:21.10]This **** gon' be different, I set my intentions
[01:23.08]I promise to slap all that hate out your voice
[01:25.05]*****s been countin' me out
[01:26.96]I'm countin' my bullets, I'm loadin' my clips
[01:28.84]I'm writin' down names, I'm makin' a list
[01:30.77]I'm checkin' it twice and I'm gettin' 'em hit
[01:32.65]The real ones been dyin', the fake ones is lit
[01:34.57]The game is off balance, I'm back on my ****
[01:36.60]The Bentley is dirty, my sneakers is dirty
[01:38.48]But that's how I like it, you all on my ****
[01:40.46]I just poured somethin' in my cup
[01:46.62]I've been wantin' somethin' I can feel
[01:50.52]Promise I am never lettin' up
[01:53.96]Money in your palm don't make you real
[01:58.01]Foot is on their neck, I got 'em stuck
[02:01.88]I'ma give 'em somethin' they can feel
[02:05.91]If it ain't 'bout the squad, don't give a ****
[02:09.40]Pistol in your hand don't make you real
[02:12.23]I'm dead in the middle of two generations
[02:13.48]I'm little bro and big bro all at once
[02:15.30]Just left the lab with young 21 Savage
[02:17.28]I'm 'bout to go and meet Jigga for lunch
[02:19.18]Had a long talk with the young ***** Kodak
[02:21.08]Reminded me of young *****s from 'Ville
[02:23.07]Straight out the projects, no fakin', just honest
[02:24.96]I wish that he had more guidance, for real
[02:26.92]Too many *****s in cycle of jail
[02:28.85]Spending they birthdays inside of a cell
[02:30.78]We coming from a long bloodline of trauma
[02:32.69]We raised by our mamas, Lord we gotta heal
[02:34.65]We hurting our sisters, the babies as well
[02:36.58]We killing our brothers, they poisoned the well
[02:38.51]Distorted self image, we set up to fail
[02:40.44]I'ma make sure that the real gon' prevail, *****
[02:43.11]I just poured somethin' in my cup
[02:48.73]I've been wantin' somethin' I can feel
[02:52.20]Promise I am never lettin' up
[02:55.98]Money in your palm don't make you real
[03:00.13]Foot is on their neck, I got 'em stuck
[03:03.69]I'ma give 'em somethin' they can feel
[03:07.95]If it ain't 'bout the squad, don't give a ****
[03:11.47]Pistol in your hand don't make you real
[03:15.57]Money in your palm don't make you real
[03:19.45]Pistol in your hand don't make you real
[03:23.31]Money in your palm don't make you real