Released: January 28, 2016
Songwriter: J. Cole Johnny Burke Jimmy Van Heusen Willie B
Producer: Willie B
[Verse 1]
I grew up, a fucking screw up Tie my shoe up, wish they was newer Damn, need something newer
In love with the baddest girl in the city, I wish I knew her I wish I wasn't so shy, I wish I was a bit more fly I wish that I could tell her how I really
Feel inside That I’m the perfect nigga for her, but then maybe that's a lie
She like a certain type of nigga and it's clear I’m not that guy Ball player, star player, I'm just watchin' from the side On the bench, 'cause my lack
Of confidence won't let me fly
I ain't grow up with my father, I ain't thinkin' ’bout that now Fast forward four years or so from now I’ll probably cry When I realize what I missed
But as of now my eyes are dry
'Cause I’m trying to stay alive In the city where too many niggas die Dreamin' quiet trying to dodge a suit and tie
Who am I? Ayy, who am I? (Yeah)
[Hook]
Things change, rearrange and so do I It ain't always for the better, dawg, I can't lie I get high ’cause the lows can be so cold I might bend a little
Bit but I don't fold
One time for my mind and two for yours
I got food for your thoughts to soothe your soul If you see my tears fall just let me be Move along, nothing to see
[Verse 2]
I always did shit the hard way My nigga Squirrel slangin' in the hallway Burnt CD's and trees like this was Broadway Times Square
Kept the dimes there in the locker Some Reggie Miller With more brown hairs than Chewbacca
Whispers that he got it for the low-low, sell a Dime for a dub, them white boys ain't know no better Besides, what's twenty dollars to a nigga like that?
He tell his pops he need some lunch And he gon' get it right back
I peep game Got home snatched my mama keychain Took her whip, the appeal, too ill to refrain I hit the boulevard pull up to my nigga front do'
His mama at home, she still let 'em hit the blunt though I told her hello, and sat with my nigga and laughed And talked about how we gon' smash all the
Bitches in class I complimented how I see him out here getting his cash And just asked, "What a nigga gotta do to get that? Put me on," he just laughed
When he seen I was sure 17 years breathing his demeanor said more He told me, "Nigga, you know how you sound right now? If you wasn't my mans I would think
That you a clown right now Listen, you everything I wanna be that's why I fucks with you So how you looking up to me when I look up to you?
You bout to go get a degree, I'ma be stuck with two choices: Either graduate to weight or selling number two For what? A hundred bucks or two a week?
Do you think that you would know what to do if you was me? I got, four brothers, one mother that don't love us If they ain't want us why the fuck they
Never wore rubbers?"
I felt ashamed to have ever complained about my lack of gear And thought about how far we done came From trailer park to a front yard with trees in the
Sky
Thank you mama, dry your eyes, there ain't no reason to cry You made a genius and I, ain't gon' take it for granted I ain't gon' settle for lesser, I ain't
Gon' take what they handed Nah, I'm gon' take what they owe me And show you that I can fly
And show old girl what she missing, the illest nigga alive Ayy, who am I?
[Hook]
Things change, rearrange and so do I (Ayy, who am I?) It ain't always for the better, dawg, I can't lie (Who am I?) I get high 'cause the lows can be so
Cold I might bend a little bit but I don't fold
One time for my mind and two for yours
I got food for your thoughts to soothe your soul If you see my tears fall just let me be Move along, nothing to see
[Outro]
I never felt better
I grew up, a fucking screw up Tie my shoe up, wish they was newer Damn, need something newer
In love with the baddest girl in the city, I wish I knew her I wish I wasn't so shy, I wish I was a bit more fly I wish that I could tell her how I really
Feel inside That I’m the perfect nigga for her, but then maybe that's a lie
She like a certain type of nigga and it's clear I’m not that guy Ball player, star player, I'm just watchin' from the side On the bench, 'cause my lack
Of confidence won't let me fly
I ain't grow up with my father, I ain't thinkin' ’bout that now Fast forward four years or so from now I’ll probably cry When I realize what I missed
But as of now my eyes are dry
'Cause I’m trying to stay alive In the city where too many niggas die Dreamin' quiet trying to dodge a suit and tie
Who am I? Ayy, who am I? (Yeah)
[Hook]
Things change, rearrange and so do I It ain't always for the better, dawg, I can't lie I get high ’cause the lows can be so cold I might bend a little
Bit but I don't fold
One time for my mind and two for yours
I got food for your thoughts to soothe your soul If you see my tears fall just let me be Move along, nothing to see
[Verse 2]
I always did shit the hard way My nigga Squirrel slangin' in the hallway Burnt CD's and trees like this was Broadway Times Square
Kept the dimes there in the locker Some Reggie Miller With more brown hairs than Chewbacca
Whispers that he got it for the low-low, sell a Dime for a dub, them white boys ain't know no better Besides, what's twenty dollars to a nigga like that?
He tell his pops he need some lunch And he gon' get it right back
I peep game Got home snatched my mama keychain Took her whip, the appeal, too ill to refrain I hit the boulevard pull up to my nigga front do'
His mama at home, she still let 'em hit the blunt though I told her hello, and sat with my nigga and laughed And talked about how we gon' smash all the
Bitches in class I complimented how I see him out here getting his cash And just asked, "What a nigga gotta do to get that? Put me on," he just laughed
When he seen I was sure 17 years breathing his demeanor said more He told me, "Nigga, you know how you sound right now? If you wasn't my mans I would think
That you a clown right now Listen, you everything I wanna be that's why I fucks with you So how you looking up to me when I look up to you?
You bout to go get a degree, I'ma be stuck with two choices: Either graduate to weight or selling number two For what? A hundred bucks or two a week?
Do you think that you would know what to do if you was me? I got, four brothers, one mother that don't love us If they ain't want us why the fuck they
Never wore rubbers?"
I felt ashamed to have ever complained about my lack of gear And thought about how far we done came From trailer park to a front yard with trees in the
Sky
Thank you mama, dry your eyes, there ain't no reason to cry You made a genius and I, ain't gon' take it for granted I ain't gon' settle for lesser, I ain't
Gon' take what they handed Nah, I'm gon' take what they owe me And show you that I can fly
And show old girl what she missing, the illest nigga alive Ayy, who am I?
[Hook]
Things change, rearrange and so do I (Ayy, who am I?) It ain't always for the better, dawg, I can't lie (Who am I?) I get high 'cause the lows can be so
Cold I might bend a little bit but I don't fold
One time for my mind and two for yours
I got food for your thoughts to soothe your soul If you see my tears fall just let me be Move along, nothing to see
[Outro]
I never felt better
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