WHEN I BALL

My momma said I didn't come into this world with tears Instead, I welcomed her with open eyes and open ears Became the glue to a few things that couldn't be repaired We saw our future in each other, blending hope and fear Some things you don't get to decide, it's just a fate you share I used to try to hold the weight that she would need to bear Watched uncles going on vacation for a couple years When thеy came back they needed clothеs and had no souvenirs I pick up the phone, they're calling us from correction But nothing is wrong, it's filling my heart with questions My momma is home, I'm following her expressions A drop in her tone, some things that she had to mention I nodded, I listened, she had all of my attention "When you on your own, there gonna be some directions I need you to follow and never make an exception" I nodded; she held me and wished I would be protected [Chorus: Joba, Zuri Marley & Christian Alexander] You always used to tell me I can be anything I wanna be But it's hard to see It's hard to be You always used to tell me I can be anything I wanna be But it's hard to see It's hard to be with you [Verse 2: Matt Champion] On my sucker-free shit since I was a fetus Pullin' up at the doc in a Mazda 626 Bet my dad was trippin' bad, hit the gas like car-chase Light blue in the back, momma gettin' labor pains Dropped my sister at the Bulls' like house was twenty-three Sweat dripping down my face like river runnin' free Dark morning with the fog pourin' in and out the trees Every movement through they eyes seem to zoom at lightspeed Before me, she lost one, stillborn tragedy Grittin' the teeth down to the root, pain like a cavity Holdin' hands like they glued, radio channel on news Valentines with a "X" up on the calendar They knew I would be a fuckin' baller like them posters on the wall A little stain could be the beauty in it all Amidst all the trouble, most your luck was rubbin' off Stickin' to you like moss—you my Kate, you my rock Forever [Chorus: Joba, Zuri Marley & Christian Alexander] You always used to tell me I can be anything I wanna be But it's hard to see It's hard to be You always used to tell me I can be anything I wanna be But it's hard to see It's hard to be with you [Bridge: Joba] Here I go, I'm gonna spread my wings All grown up, let go and look at me You'll always be (You'll always be) A part of me (A part of me) Here I go, I'm gonna spread my wings All grown up, let go and look at me You'll always be (You'll always be) A part of me (A part of me) That's why [Outro: Joba] A part of me, a part of me, a part of me, a part of me A part of me, a part of me, a part of me, a part of me That's why