[Intro: Jay-Z] There's a n***a right now somewhere He at the table with a bowl of Apple Jacks And he's reading the back of the cereal And in between eating the Apple Jacks he's writing some sh** And he wants my spot I'mma find him though, I'mma sign him.. I don't want no problems [Verse 1: J. Cole] Like we always do at this time, Cole blowin' your mind Hey dummy, this no accident, all of this was designed Took my time, crept from behind And I opened up your blinds, rise and shine, Cole World Same n***a used to drive around with yo girl In my mama's Civic, now I'm out here tryna get it I ain't like you lame a** n***as, boy I spit it how I live it So when you see me in the streets, man I ain't got a mimic Cause I ain't got an image to uphold, this real sh** I ain't got a gimmick I just flow and n***as went nuts for The boy that set fire to the booth In a game full of liars it turns out that I'm the truth Some say that rap's alive, it turns out that I'm the proof Cause the ones y'all thought would save the day can't even tie my boots The ones y'all thought could hang with me can't even tie my noose Let these words be my bullets n***a, I don't rhyme I shoot, bang! [Hook] Before I wake I pray to the Lord, my soul to take [Verse 2] Lord I been dreamin' bout the paper, get rich 'fore I see my life taper Hope my mama get to see Jamaica before she meet her maker I hoop was never good enough to ever be a Laker But these words I record got me ballin', Jordan More than a rapper this a natural disaster Boy, I'm meaner than Katrina mixed with Gina, "Shut up, Cole!" This is for my n***as back home, homes, what up, bo? This is for the b**hes that played me, what up, ho? Nah I ain't mad, it's sad, you went from bad to real bad Two kids that don't even know their real dad Real sad, baby girl I wish you still had it Then maybe you could get a taste of livin' Villematic Is Cole still at it? Y'all be talkin' about the same sh** That's how I feel about it, mama was a real addict That's why I don't respect that lyin' a** white sh** you talkin' Cole's planning funerals, you might fit the coffin [Hook] Before I wake I pray to the Lord, my soul to take [Verse 3] Get on your job lil mane, this ain't Saturday We in two different lanes, you can't navigate We in two different games, you playin' patty cake Brother you're lame, you're Shane Battier You out of shape, my mind run a mile a minute The sky's the limit, I'm so high, I'm divin' in it My rides is tinted, my knob's gettin' slobbed up in it She hollerin' God, man you would've thought that God was in it But it's just a n***a God invented The best out, foolish pride'll make you not admit it But if this sh** ain't fire n***a, why you noddin' with it? The hate in your blood can't stop your soul from vibin' with it Now you all conflicted cause my flows is wicked And my hoes is thicker and all of yours is pickin' me Cause they know a star when they see a star, n***a Ain't even got to f** him to know he a raw n***a I got her in my bedroom, but cheer up, n***a You saved so many hoes, you a hero, n***a! Medal of honor, I'm feelin' on top like Pac When he slept with Madonna, hey, this is d**h before dishonor Get arrested and forget to tell my mama She got enough to stress about, my n***as gonna get me out Then we hit the club with the thugs and the liquors No criminal record but I'm makin' criminal records Isn't it ironic? Isn't it iconic? Jacket so expensive you wouldn't even try on it But it fit me perfect, I purchase it if I want it The city on my shoulder, so no girl, you can't cry on it When you make a list of the greatest aye, am I on it? Maybe not yet but b**h I got the clock set It goes tick-tock, game on lock Son gon' shine but the reign won't stop, oh no [Outro] If I should die before I wake I pray to the Lord my soul to take My soul to take, my soul to take