(Akin) A chimp in the jungle, I like to gather wisdom in bundles My arms sway from the branches of life, I write humble My notes I crumble, my hopes I fumble Can't drop it, a ghost among you folks that stumble 'cross logic I'm definite, like change I strain with rewards while Speck and Enoch start bangin' on boards Daily routines like fiends that stuck on the crack pipe I rhyme over feedback, dare mics not to act right The emcee, and see y'all just tempt me With all your propaganda, your souls' empty I was born free, now I stay confined To this day and time A slave to the ways of the world Although I'm not blind Machine gotta, hold on your blue-jean Prada Whether you white, black, rich or poverty's product It's a known fact Sorta like forty acres they owe black Some might hitch-hike on hopes that never rolled back (Rico Suave) I was born free But now I'm like a slave to society Can't get a license without consent to field sobriety If you have a plan they say life will flow beautifully I need tech support Like Vanilla Sky 'Cause somebody lied to me Told me shit was cool I made good grades, but damn, I got kicked outta school It doesn't matter My computer doesn't read the data Even if you're smart your life still can get shattered Into little pieces, this is my thesis Just 'cause I raise beats in the belly of the beasts My people die in vain Their pain is on my brain And how can I get by when held by this mental strain? I just don't understand I bes a grown ass man But every time I see the cops they make me lift my hands So they can pat me down, and I just don't see how I play by their rules but they still treat me foul Damn! (Cise Star) So what is this I'm living? Day-in and day-out, earning My soul I'm overspending, it's the petty change I'm getting Back through transactions, money limits my actions I try to raise up, but damn! Trying to move, I struggle Moving through hurt's trouble Bumping my head against the ceiling, I ain't even stumble My eyes so black-and-blue, rattle my shackles too I try to remove 'em, but damn! Sounds like that I'm in hell But really I'm in jail The space between my two ears became my private cell Ready, willing, and able Anything just to stable They just cut off my cable! No food up in my kitchen, but I got dirty dishes Does that make any sense? My life ain't ever easy, my girlfriend's gonna leave me Who scratched my Nas CD? (Aww man, you lettin' Kenny hold your CDs again man? Motherfucker always scratchin' my CDs man)