[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