[Chorus] Man I had to go the long way, long way Yeah I had to go the long way, long way n***as all around me gang bang, dope slang So I had to go my own way [Verse 1] Yeah I was on the wrong sh** Tried to stunt like my daddy, thought I was a crip No idea what I'm bout to get in Only problem is I didn't really fit in I remember I was twelve 'bout to be a blood Athens park on El Segundo n***as showed me love I didn't even want to bang, I wanted brotherhood But when you really from the gang you dyin' for the hood f** it then I ain't gon' bang, I love my life, I'm good I ain't tryna to die, I ain't tryna to go to jail I'm already talkin' to my dad through the mail He got back out then went back in He made another sale, got another strike Rolled another dice, gotta pay the price, had to miss my life Still ain't in my life, oh yeah [Chorus] I made that choice, made that choice And I kept my poise, kept my poise That's the smartest thing I done Man I had to go the long way, long way Yeah I had to go the long way, long way n***as all around me gang bang, dope slang So I had to go my own way [Verse 2] Lot of n***as took the short way Lot of n***as didn't see today Lot of n***as made their momma pay My homie just got sprayed today It's the summer of the eighth grade And he already in his grave Got up on my knees and prayed Lord help me see the way Lord help the people operatin' off of hate Please keep all my family safe All I'm tryna do is see their face When I make a change, when I rearrange? Get up out the struggle, stay up on my hustle Still put in the work I was grindin' I was gettin' money, drummin' for the church And if I stay up in them streets, I'll end up hurt That's the day I gave myself a little worth I don't wanna see my life go down the drain, nah I can't let all this energy just go to waste, nah nah [Chorus] I made that choice, made that choice And I kept my poise, kept my poise That's the smartest thing I done Man I had to go the long way, long way Yeah I had to go the long way, long way n***as all around me gang bang, dope slang So I had to go my own way [Outro] Don't be scared to go the long way Don't be scared to take your own way Save your momma from the hurt and pain If you handle life the wrong way, the wrong way You gon' pay, yah