Long Story Short

[Verse 1: Illy]
There's more to life than getting leg up and foot in the door
I mean, I'd love more money, hey wouldn't we all?
But putting cash over loved ones couldn't be more
I could be flat broke, still wouldn't be poor
And as for all the hard times that I guess should hurt
I didn't skip a beat, still put my best foot first
Wish I could talk about my fam, but it wouldn't have worked
Cause when the love's that strong, it can't be put into words
So I dedicate this better songs, better grades
Trying to be a better son, better brother, better mate
And I've learned from mistakes and I don't know what I am
But a part of that's knowing what you ain't
And I ain't never put a dude down just for trying to catch his break
Never gave shit based on the ways
They'll never said I did it any other way than my own way
At my own pace, with my own wrong terms, no brakes

[Chorus 1: Cisco Taraves]
Said I'm going to be somebody
Knowing no one can stop me
They can say what they say, just watch me
And when I get there you know

[Verse 2: Illy]
And high school wasn't for me much, nah
Most of my teachers swore I was fucked
But then a couple had faith in me, helped me back up
Probably never quite thank them enough
But thanks to them, I'll be stepping on stage at my graduation
Long way from walking train tracks from the station
Riding the 405 from the street, in amazement
Spray-paint can control, dedication
Displayed on the walls, disputed its name
As artform until I tried and wasn't able at all
I still wonder how graffiti goes under
When naked little girls go on magazine covers
Okay, but I grew up, now I'm all of six feet
No more fucking around, it's uni courses and beats
And what's important to me is my family tree
The now and knowing whatever will be will be

[Chorus 2: Cisco Taraves]
Said I'm going to be somebody
Knowing no one can stop me
They can say what they say, just watch me
And when I get paid, they know
Thanks to the love, we gave me
The road up ahead don't faze me
Looking before we come, it's crazy
And when I get there you know, you know

[Verse 3: Illy]
So, I live with aims to make the most of it when
I know that we'll never have this moment again
Headphones on my head, board shorts on my legs
Cigarettes, note pad and a pen
Going back to them lunch smokes, weekend binges with my kin
In my FUBU jeans, with my fringes to my chin
Even before that, barely finished being kids
When we'd give shit to the girls we interested in
Growing up, soda bottles keep us entertained
When I kept my cigarettes in my pencil case
And couldn't wait till each 6th of September came
Come the 7th, pickin' days off the calendar again
And some mates went astray
I love 'em, but things change, what can I say? You lay in the bed you make
And I'm tryna make mine a king
But life's now, so I slow down, take it all in

[Chorus 2: Cisco Taraves]
Said I'm going to be somebody
Knowing no one can stop me
They can say what they say, just watch me
And when I get paid, they know
Thanks to the love, we gave me
The road up ahead don't faze me
Looking before we come, it's crazy
When I get there you know, you know