[Verse 1] I would've never made it here if the fear took hold "I will not lose" was my yearbook quote Shout out to Hov, Hov, I haven't yet fulfilled the prophecy I still put out more than I get back in reciprocity But I'm not afraid to risk, regardless what it cost me I'm accustomed to these tall-a** risks Compact discs, set fire to a contract quick Un-showered, head shaggy like "Boombastic" Every day I try to leave this mark un-removable 'Cause I'd rather fry than be alive inside a cubicle I watch the kids 'til five, then I hit the studio Looking like I died, made it into something beautiful A lot of losses I might not have enjoyed But I learned to say no, learned what to avoid, still self-employed [Hook] Listen up bub, everybody tryin' to win Listen up bub, fall down, then fall down again Listen up bub, get up, 'cause I won't lose If I do, that's up to me to choose, I plan to win So listen up bub, if it comes easy, it don't last Listen up bub, give up to get some back Listen up bub, we all got fears and doubts But you're the only who picks how you turned out So turn it out [Verse 2] Quitting for me is illegal I could pretend I always win, but that'd be deceitful 'Cause by now I figured me and Jay Z'd be equals But I just played Iowa City for three people in the snow I called my wife after the show She said, "How did it go?" I said, "You don't wanna know" She watched the kids as I hit Chicago The next night, almost every ticket sold They was singing every note, quote unquote for the podunk bro I bounced back like I wear a sumo suit 'Cause getting too high off my highs And too low off my lows, that's what you don't do This work here's my therapy, words full of kerosene Never scared me, apparently, to risk my kids' food On my own dreams with no guarantee that I'll ever get it back I always get it back, bro you better [Hook] Listen up bub, everybody tryin' to win Listen up bub, fall down, then fall down again Listen up bub, get up, 'cause I won't lose If I do, that's up to me to choose, I plan to win So listen up bub, like a broken table, I won't fold Listen up bub, sh** man, I been down that road Listen up bub, we all got fears and doubts But you're the only who picks how you turned out So turn it out [Verse 3] My aim at stars, map made of scars I drew this treasure map out of my losses I'm tryin' to be Steve Jobs But if I only end up as Steve Austin, that'll be awesome It's not all pleasure, no painless days In school they teach you not to play the game this way But I think you're getting played if you're playing it safe 'Cause I got no ceilings like that Lil Wayne mixtape I'll make a billion, nah, f** that, I'll make a trillion If not, I'll make a million, man, I put that on my children You want a foot in the door? I wanna own the building It's a cold world, man, you better stop chilling Go through the dark, come to the light If your life s**s, stop s**ing at life My heart rate go bump in the night 'Cause I still can't give up the fight, sleep tight [Hook] Listen up bub, everybody tryin' to win Listen up bub, fall down, then fall down again Listen up bub, get up, 'cause I won't lose If I do, that's up to me to choose, I plan to win So listen up bub, just a kid from the sticks Listen up bub, learn how to stick to the script Listen up bub, these roots didn't sway in the wind I've been the same since I begin, begun, whatever I turned it out