The Way I Am

[Verse 1] Is he hood? Is he conscious? They ask about Jon Is he Pop, or Hip-Hop? But I'm not to be boxed in I'm not for the bondage, this shit is just nonsense Like I can only go so far with my content And no, it ain't hate, but I just can't take All the bullshit they make, and we act like it's great Big and Pac is like we spit, in they face, wanna burn Every radio station that makes us embrace it So now being fake, take you straight to the bank So they can't rap and think, that's the path they should take While the talent get wasted, while I try to change it The art steady dying, we awake to a waitress Think how it feel, if you lower your skill Then you might get a deal, man this shit is unreal O.G.s tryna speak out I feel where they coming from Then they shut 'em down and say "Oh, it's cause you ain't young" Well I guess I don't get it, cause you young, mean you dumb? No, it means you got fed the same shit 'till you numb And these words from my tongue got the power of a gun I can kill these tracks, or your dreams, either one And that's why I'm responsible What I'm watching, they make me so sick, and this booth is my hospital Concrete rose, and you watching me blossom And no, they can't stop 'em, cause that's not a option [Hook] Cause I am, whatever you say I am If I wasn't, then why would I say I am? In the paper, the news, every day I am Radio won't even play my jams Cause I am, whatever you say I am If I wasn't, then why would I say I am? In the paper, the news, every day I am I don't know, this is the way I am [Verse 2] So from they point of view, they keep saying I'm new Been spitting since twelve, so I'm just new to you So don't talk to me about paying dues When I prove I'm consume with the mood of refusing the lose Had to deal with these assholes, that would talk down I'm on MTV too, I don't hear 'em talking now Sometimes inside, yes, I'm about to buy The reason why my city have more pride if I lie If I said that I shot twenty guys, and they died But I didn't, so I don't, so at times I'm despised Niggas say they want real, well how's that defined? Bottom line, couldn't be more real if I tried So here's what I'mma do: point the finger at you Why don't you really take notice who you looking up to? Cause if he's in the club with these hoes, and he's rapping Then how is he shooting, and dealing, and trapping? It's y'all that be dying, y'all that be losing Y'all be confusing the truth with this music I got a gift, and I will not abuse it I will not change for no-one, I refuse it [Hook]