when life shows up

what kind of human beings are we really?

what has gone into the shaping and molding of who we are

both as persons as well as communities and traditions?

the inescapability of traditions

for me the greatest tradition is spiritual fortitude in the modern world

which is the black musical tradition

there's never been a tradition on such intimate terms of catastrophe and still able to generate such unbelievable forms of creativity

compassion

and fortitude

when it was my aisle turn to get up and view the casket

couldn't hold my tears back

it was automatic

when the reverend started preaching

it was sad

after the funeral

i hugged his mom and dad

paid for the memorial

7000 dollars cash

only time we get together is when somebody pass

the story of many people i narrate

hella hate divide and conquer

separate

when i was born

momma didn't feed any baby food to this infant

she fed me collard greens

dressing

candied yams

and fried chicken

in the trenches

we trippin'

got trials and tribulations

renovation

they forcing us out

gentrification

living in the bay

it's expensive

it's hard to bargain

2500 a month to rent a 1 bedroom apartment

cancer don't care how old you are or who you are

live your life every day like it's no tomorrow

health can be your best friend or worst enemy

could be ruthless

lou gehrig's disease

leukemia

and lupus

no medi-cal insurance so we self-medicate

eat tomatoes 'cause it helps protect the prostate

some of my potnas vegan

some just watch the way they eat

substitute ground turkey for ground beef

no red meat

it's mainey outchea

it's murkish and it's sick

everybody outchea carry and pack a pogo stick

]

life for us it's just different 'round here

yeah

life is much different 'round here

but we don't give up

in god we trust

when life shows up around here

sometimes it's unfair around here

but we still rise up

every day somebody fighting for they life

every second it's a body put on ice

maggots

flies

vultures

parasites

tag on they toe without a price

in the middle of the slums rockin' crumbs

secondhand smoke all in our lungs

weikel's

smart & final

target

you liable to find me up in chavez supermarket

the homie's kids and his nephews tryna rap

say that's the only way to get up out the trap

gettin' on somethin' they only content

i tell them they can be an astronaut or an accountant

can't wait to get papered up with designer belt on my pants

do the money dance with the money phone in my hand

loved ones in a situation and need some cash?

send it through square cash

they'll get it fast

when i finally catch a break

it's voodoo

every time i catch a break

it fall through

life is against me

the devil's on me

he shady

he janky

he ain't my homie

temptation is vicious

you gotta watch all these bitches

they'll line you up with no clippers

do anything for they niggas

life is an assignment

it's a test

repent

thank god

and confess

]

oh

life for us it's just different 'round here

yeah

life is much different 'round here

but we don't give up

in god we trust

when life shows up around here

sometimes it's unfair around here

but we still rise up

life for us it's just different 'round here

yeah life is much different 'round here

but we don't give up

in god we trust

when life shows up around here

sometimes it's unfair around here

but we still rise up

'cause i'm a jesus loving free black man

but i was in deep solidarity and remain so

with the focus on those poor

precious

priceless children

even today

one out of two black and brown children live in poverty