| Summer was when he really grew up, became a man |
| But it slipped through your fingers so quick |
| Only thing you had left to hold on to was the memories |
|
| Stay high and holy, ain't into watches, don't mind the Rollie |
| I ain't a pastor, you bastards, I keep a black pistol-y |
| Chubby young jit, talk slick, rollin' like roly polies |
| Fifteen, my girlfriend was thick and she would slowly blow me |
| I would beat it down when she'd come around |
| She was down, she would help me sack up my nicks and dimes |
| She was fine, I was in my feelings, I was out my mind |
| It's that, it's that, it's that teenage love, makin' love, no glove |
| It's that, it's that, it's that 'bortion money, gotta get it up |
| It's that, it's that I still feel like we still killed our baby girl |
| It's that, it's that it get worse-er, had a baby by her thug |
| It's that finally understand why women go to church and hum |
| You can hear them with a hurt so deep they heart can't come back from |
| Smile and make each other cum, but could not overcome the slum |
| I remember the last time that we made love on her mama's sofa |
| Told me she was pregnant by this older nigga and it's over (It's over) |
|
| Promises |
| Promises, promises, promises, promises, promises, promises |
| Promises |
| Promises, promises, promises, promises, promises, promises |
| Promises |
| Promises, promises, promises, promises, promises, promises |
| Promises |
| Promises, promises, promises |
|
| A couple summers and our teenage love had turned to somethin' slummer |
| I couldn't love her like I used to, she's somebody's baby mama |
| But she called me to come over when she go to see her mama |
| And we make love and she talk about her stress and all her drama |
| After project light would shine through the project window blinds |
| I would slowly stroke her body, I would pick and poke her mind |
| I asked her, "What you gonna be?" And she said, Michael, I'm gonna be fine" |
| Told me with my brilliant mind (Mind), "You gon' be better than fine (Fine) |
| Told me I had places to travel and she really wasn't into flyin' |
| Told me I was more than a dope boy, don't follow the deaf, dumb and blind |
| Then seen her a couple of times and told her, "Hey, baby, I owe you" |
| She hugged me, held on me tight, "You did it, Michael, I told you" |
| You did it, Michael, I told you |
|
| Promises |
| Promises, promises, promises, promises, promises, promises |
| Promises |
| Promises, promises, promises, promises, promises, promises |
| Promises |
| Promises, promises, promises, promises, promises, promises |
| Promises |
| Promises, promises, promises, promises, promises |
|
| So many promises |
| Promises |
| Promises |
| So many promises |
| Promises |
| Promises (So many promises, yeah) |
| Ayy |
|
| Yeah, yeah, yeah |
| Hey, yeah |
| Ooh (Promises, promises, promises) |
|
| I remember you called and said, "Michael, I am pregnant," I responded |
| "Baby girl, a baby girl might be a blessin'" |
| And I ain't Usher, baby, but this here is my confession |
| I must own it, I didn't want it, even now, I know I'm flexin' |
| 'Cause all that raw dog sexin', I knew I would get you pregnant |
| And all this teenage love is really just about possessin' |
| They call it adolescence 'cause we learnin' adult lessons |
| And I ain't grown because I rolled some stones and carry weapons |
| I was rubbin' on your tummy when your mommy asked for money |
| Told me your procedure's Monday and she gon' need like four hunnid |
| And had I known your mother wasn't gon' never let you keep it |
| I wouldn't have told my partners, would've kept that news a secret |
|
| Wouldn't have told nobody, woulda kept it to myself (Ooh) |
| Wouldn't have told nobody, woulda kept it to myself (Kept it to myself) |
| Wouldn't have told nobody, woulda kept it to myself (Promise I would) |
| Wouldn't have told nobody, woulda kept it to myself (Ooh) |
|
| I thought you meant every word you said back then |
| So did she |
| But when you're that young, you'll promise anything |
| You'll promise the world, even if you don't really know what that means |
| That sure sounds good, though |
| But as much as you hold on, some things are still out of your control |
| Getting older, reality hits you from every direction |
| People aren't who thought they were |
| And, you know, you might not be who you set out to be either |
| But we do the best we can with what we have |
| And try to show love |
|
| Somethin' for addicts, somethin' for users |
| Somethin' for junkies and the substance abusers |
| Somethin' for car washers, somethin' for shade tree |
| Somethin' for my uncle Jeff, he died and they paid me |
| Somethin' for kinfolks in front of my storefront |
| Shout out to Terrence dad, I never hit your blunts |
| 'Cause that was them blow blunts, that wasn't no 'dro blunts |
| That was them geek junts and I got slipped one |
| Man, I was geeked once, man, that was no fun |
| I had to call moms 'cause I am Denise son |
| She said, "Stay calm, chill out and eat somethin'" |
| Laughed at me later on, said, "You was just geeked, son" |
| This is for geek monsters, this is for junkies |
| What Ready Ron did to DMX, did somebody do to you? Ayy |
| This is for the Js working hard to get paid |
| Pay 'em fair wage and do not treat your people like slaves |
|
| Somethin' for junkies, somethin' for losers |
| Addicts and users, substance abusers |
| This is somethin' for junkies, somethin' for losers |
| Addicts and users, substance abusers |
| This is somethin' for junkies (How did this feelin' take hold of me?) |
| This is somethin' for junkies (Can't get away, won't let go of me) |
| This is somethin' for junkies (Me) |
| Written somethin' for junkies (You're lookin' for the high life, hold on) |
|
| Woke up straight, trap was great, countin' my money |
| Had a quick convo with my auntie the junkie |
| I tell her, "Baby, you been goin' too hard lately |
| See, you like sixty, baby, but you been lookin' eighty" |
| She said, "Shit, Michael, I been smokin' since '80 |
| Before the shooters, back when they still called it freebasin'" |
| She closed her eyes, fantasized 'bout better times |
| When she was beautiful, fine and still snortin' lines |
| She told me stories of glory, the club Sans Souci |
| Atlanta nightlife was glamour, rich, Black, bougie |
| "A damn movie," she says, puffin' a damn loosie |
| Trigger warnin', the next moment she took a hit |
| She zoned out, came back, took a spit |
| Looked at me and said, "All of y'all got the same shit" |
| She said, "Michael, you say you love me, I know you mean it |
| 'Cause you still treat your junkie auntie like a human being |
|
| I am everyday people |
| I am everyday people |
| Lookin' for the high life, hold on |
|
| You're the child of the most high |
| There is no high higher |
| And, in fact, the high you seek, you already have |
| It has a high no addiction can offer |
| It is only felt through self-love |
| God bless you, my child |
| You can run on and see what the end will be |
| God loves you and so do I |
|
| This is for you, this is for me |
| This is for everybody, everyday people |
| Everyday people |
| Whether you're free, you gotta see |
| It affects everybody, everyday people |
| Everyday people |
| This is for you, this is for me |
| This is for everybody, everyday people |
|