Miguel - Stay Woke lyrics

[Intro] How I keep from going under? It's like a jungle outside Sometimes I wonder How I keep from going under [Verse 1: Meek Mill] We scream, "Black Lives Matter," but we still toting ladders Watching our own brothers trying to get at us Dreams get shattered when a scene full of crackers And they charge you with some sh*t you ain't do You like what happen We go get lawyers to say sh*t, we don't know how to talk They told us to hate each other before we learn how to walk Momma taught you how to fight, fight, before she taught you how to write, write And daddy locked down in the cell, can't kiss you night, night Ma, she's under the bed every night, feel like it's fright night Coke fumes in the air, mama holding on that pipe tight And you catching contact, but never mind that In a world where Black is wrong and white right It's like a combat, we go to war for our freedom, they say we equal I used to wanna play like Randall and be an Eagle I used to play the quarterback, my dog would go receiver That was 'til ball got flat by a dope needle on the pavement It's amazing, this environment we was raised in On them papers, one mistake and getting caged in You gotta feel me, feel like the system trying to k** me Got arrested and the charges F1 for popping wheelies, stay woke [Chorus: Miguel] It was designed for us to fail Still prevail through the hell Though it was designed for us to lose To make it through nothing's impossible Believe it we're still undefeated [Verse 2] Picture me ten years younger with some tats on my face Taking a bunch of Xannys with the strap on my waist Pointing at the camera like mama ain't teach me manners Moving a little rock like I'm heading to Alabama, no, wait I can't judge them, I'm just trying to understand them Cause I used to pop Percs, pouring purple in my Phantom Had me swerving in my Phantom like I'm running from my dreams I was heading for the slammer, I was planting all the seed for them to bury me I had my whole family mad at me Feel deep in love with the game and it married me Judge said, "I'll give you a chance, just don't embarra** me" Motivating these little n***as is like a charity Community service even though they knew we was working They did this to me on purpose, 'cause I ain't moving too perfect I stay away from them clowns, watch how I move through the surface Cause they be weighing you down, even some of them dudes in your circle [Chorus: Miguel] It was designed for us to fail Still prevail through the hell Though it was designed for us to lose Nothing, nothing, nothing's impossible Believe it, we're still undefeated [Verse 3: Meek Mill] How can I pledge allegiance to the flag When they k**ing all our sons all our dads? I come from a place When you k** your own brother you can brag Like he got bodies, but that's a fad, no, that's a fact I'm screaming out at your corner, n***a, that's a trap Screaming out, that's your homie, n***a, that's a rack Catch a case with him, bet he crack Odds against you and they double stack stay woke Bought my mama a new crib, that's some gangster sh*t Niece and nephews walking around wearing minks and sh*t Keep the hood motivated, this the thanks I get Try to Ja Rule the kid on some wa*ksta sh*t But that's impossible 'cause I'm unstoppable The label can't drop me, n***a, I'm too valuable You thought I would lose but I won and that bothered you Still move around in Philly just like the mobsters do When I talked to Em and Hov, they said, "I'm proud of you You stood tall when everyone doubted you" My reply is, "I do what I gotta do And I need that verse before you retire too" Jumping all the obstacles, I'm way too wavy Said I would lose but you way too crazy Pick and choose either fame or the money fame will make you crazy And the money will make them bad b**hes say, "Thank you, baby" You're welcome