[talking]
    [Lil' Flip]
  In elementary I used crayons, even chalk
  I learned to count money before I could read and talk
  And my mama told me son, you need to shine
  I couldn't stand at the back, I had to lead the line
  I use to make good grades, but I talked in class
  In middle school I was late when I walked in class
  I the teacher ran a aron, I taught the class
  And what I didn't know, I was about to ask
  And just because I played ball, I got easy grades
  And when I turned 13, I got even fades
  Everybody wearing Air Macs, Ree's and J's
  But all my parents cared about, was B's and A's
  In high school, I picked up my pen and pad
  I had dreams, of pulling up in a Benz or Jag
  I had to get it on my own, I couldn't depend on dad
  I had to grow up too fast, but then I'm glad
  Because the stuff I know now, I wouldn't believe it
  The main goals that I set, I wouldn't achieve it
  I'd probably be locked up, or running the streets
  I'd probably wouldn't have platinum, in front of my teeth
  I'd probably still be mocking, trying to earn a dollar
  I'd probably be in the hood selling sherm or powder
  But instead, I'm making bread legal dough
  Going to church and staying away from these evil hoes
    [Chorus - 2x]
  You only got one life, you better do what you can
  Cause when you turn thirteen, you are a man
  And I can't be broke so I'ma rock the crowd
  It's up to me, I gotta make my mama proud
    [Lil' Flip]
  There's a place called heaven and a place called hell
  There's a place called freedom and a place called jail
  And if you go to jail, they gone treat you bad
  Take your commissary, and beat you bad
  So I'm staying out of trouble, I'm chasing my dream
  I know you see your little boy on t.v. screens
  I'm blowing up, your little boy making it happen
  I'm not selling dope mama, I'm making it rapping
  So when you go to sleep at night, you know I'm safe
  Cause in Houston everyday somebody catching a case
  Like yesterday, my partner went to jail
  And he ain't coming home until he fifty seven
  He nineteen, so you do the math
  I got smart, man, I choose to rap
  So when I grow up, my kids can have a good life
  That's all I wrote, y'all have good night
    [Chorus]
    [ad-libs]