[Verse 1]
'85 took my first steps off the plane
I was lost again, it was not the same
I had pops to blame, cuz he fought the pain
Escaped from getting slain he could not explain
Why he ran for the border, him and his daughter
Moms and I so our lives were not slaughtered
Searching for a better place to live
Land of opportunity to raise the kids
As a youth, we don't understand
Ignorant with our heads stuck under sand
Doing dumb stuff, boostin', out on the stoops and
Trying to get by, no lie, that's the truth man
Black beans and cold rice for dinner
Poor righteous sinner, wishing I was a winner
Finally I got all fed up
Told the plan to my man to have it all set up
[Hook]
The perseverance of a rebel
Puttin' cheddar together so we could double our OZ
You ain't ready yet, It's only one life you're given
Days are shorter, nights are colder
Go for self, the perseverance of a rebel
[Verse 2]
Realize the power of the root of evil
Haves and have nots, we are not made equal
Since then I told money don't leave me
I'll never leave you boo believe me
Started plottin' and schemin', from the blocks of the cement
I was selling it all man, they call me the cheese man
It's all for the G's and, I modeled my steeze
After all the O.G.s so we follow the breeze
Yes we go with the flow, blowin' smoke
Out the nostrils, getting older like fossils
Stolen bikes go to my mans father
Load them at night, ship them to Guatemala
Petty crimes wasn't paying the bills
So picked up the mic, started saying the real
Type of sh*t that ya'll love to listen to
This ain't love here, this is business too
[Hook]
The perseverance of a rebel
Puttin' cheddar together so we could double our OZ
You ain't ready yet, It's only one life you're given
Days are shorter, nights are colder
Go for self, the perseverance of a rebel
[Verse 3]
27 years since my birth and now I realize what life is worth
My mans and them, married with seeds
It's hard to believe since we could barely breath
We've been down together, down for whatever
Clowns will severed, we homeboys forever
But some of us took a different route
In their second childhood throwing fits and pout
Like they're still 16 with a gangster lean
Broke as hell and still put a shank to splean
See me, I don't thank the team
I thank myself because I kept my dream
Alive and survived, sh*t I'm still breathin
Although ya'll sour heads want to get even
Finally man I'm back in this
Ya'll keep acting pissed while I stack my chips
[Hook]
The perseverance of a rebel
Puttin' cheddar together so we could double our OZ
You ain't ready yet, It's only one life you're given
Days are shorter, nights are colder
Go for self, the perseverance of a rebel