[verse 1: j. cole]
i put my heart and soul in this game, i'm feelin' drained
unappreciated, unalleviated

tired of comin' up short, $#&@ abbreviated
want my whole name spelled out, my whole fame felt out
no pain, no gain, i blow brains, cobain

throw flames, liu kang, the coach ain't help out, so i call my own shots
i'm david blaine, i'm breakin' out of my own box, you stay the same
but homie if you change, man you change for the better

back when martin king had a thing for coretta
one year she seen all the dreams he was dreamin'
did she have a clue of all the schemes he was schemin'

still loved her just enough to put up with the cheatin'
must go by and only see him for a weekend
i say a prayer, hope my girl ain't leavin'

we all got angels, we all got demons
as you fall through the club
bad (*##$es down to do all the above

money comes fast so bein' hungry don't last
look in the mirror you saw who you was
cole world, it couldn't be more clearer

the time is now, couldn't be more herer
my reign gonna last like 3-4 eras
say hello to the real, i can be your hero


[hook]
hey, i'mma put us all on the map

gone and i ain't lookin' back
i knew they gone feel it like they tank on e
i promise baby, you can bet the bank on me

cause ain't nobody tell me why their ain't gonna be no more
thinking i'mma fall? don't be so sure
i wish somebody made guidelines

on how to get up off the sidelines

[verse 2: j. cole]

up in 1st class, laugh even though it's not funny
see a white man wonder how the $#&@ i got money
while he sit and coach, hate to see me walk past em

young black pants sag, headphones blastin'
know what he askin', "how did he manage?"
"with all the cards against him, he used them to his advantage!"

slang we be speakin' probably soundin' like spanish
then i $#&@ they heads up when a ^!$$% show manners
some new york ^!$$%s thought it was funny callin' us bamma