I'm starting with that man in the mirror
I took my hands to wipe it off and see that man clearer
Fully bearded I'm looking like my big brother's spirit
Fair skin and my hair's did when I pull and pin it
I will admit it yo, you one handsome fella
But yo I'm looking below the surface and yo I'm seeing Thriller
You know read all your verses but yo I think you're iller
Maybe If you kept it realer some of these folks would feel ya
So I'm taking off the filter
Ayo Mal, remember rapping back in high school
You thought you was aight, I you really wasn't that nice dude
Thinking you bout make it and be up in them bright lights soon
Spending all of your time writing rhymes giving your life to
This sh**, you should've been praying day and going to night school
But you was hard headed and never letting that advice thru
You had to learn the hard way, paying the full price due
Falling for them curve balls that life thru thats strike 2
You was confusing love with lust, thinking that meant they like you
F***ing up with trust and luck and letting that s**t excite you
Going thru it facing the music gave you something to write to
You came back improved but still wasn't that nice fool
I remember it well, you parallel to hell
Depression started to settle in
You was dwelling feeling you failed
Trying to keep it quiet but inside you wanted to yell
Running telling your wife k**ing yourself would probably help, damn
Ayo let's Keep it real, you was a b**ch for that
You wasn't meant for that, that whole s**t was wack
That's why they took your whip, right before they took your crib
And You was looking stupid you was clueless looking shook as s**t
We hit the bottom between a rock and a hard place
And when them akhis turned against you it left sour taste
Talking bout when it went down you took a coward's place
They said that s**t behind your back but never to your face
Look at your face and see the scars from the shingles
When I almost went blind I crying I couldn't see you
Remember the times I ain't even wanna be you
Now between me and you there's nobody that's equal, yo
I'm Talking to that man in the mirror, I took my hands to wipe it off to see that man clearer
A couple grays in my beard I'm like my Daddy's spirit
Married and happy here, Sharing these savvy lyrics, apparently Daddy hears it
Tear in my eyes but I, know that's a tear of joy
I got the same smile you got now looking at your boy
On every stage and every track I made that I destroy
I say we made it cuz my face in places they enjoy
Seeing, read em and weep defeated foes
Razor blade between my brows and tweezers in my nose
Stepping back and pose, checking out my clothes
Please at what I'm seeing the reason being, heaven knows
One of the flyest even without a stylist
I stand as a straight up man, never spineless
I opened up my eye lids, and I'm probably being bias
But in Virginia I'm your highness and one of Carolinas finest
I am Rise