Released: May 7, 2012

Songwriter: Meek Mill

Producer: Sap

[Verse 1]
I said, I used to get high just to get by
Couldn't deal with my reality, was livin' in a lie
Sometimes I asked God, "Is we livin' just to die?"
Conversations with my dad, and he livin' in the sky
I think, "Am I goin' crazy? Or is this shit for real?"
The spirit of a nigga who will or is appealed
Fightin' to see the light and I'm fightin' to keep it real
Like a nigga with no lawyer, I'm ready to take a deal
Got me feelin' like Khaled 'cause all I do is win
I don't practice no religion 'cause all I do is sin
I don't even write it down, I'm just spittin' out what's in
I don't celebrate for victory, man, all I do is grin
Ugh, shit, I ain't braggin', I don't boast
But when it come to bread, fuck a slice, I need a loaf
And a little bit of toast just to keep the haters off me
Man, I do this for my city, all the niggas waitin' on me

[Chorus]
Look into my eyes, tell me what you see
Youngin' full of pride, tendencies of a G
I never gave a fuck what ya heard about me
Never told, never sold my soul, nigga this is me

[Verse 2]
I'm a family man
Don't you ever cross that line where my family stand
I send them boys to come and get you in that family van
Cold shooters that love them hammers like Yosemite Sam
I'm from a hood where these niggas scared to dream at
Fuck the money, they wanna know where the lean at
They make ya' lean back, I'm talkin' fade-away
Mike Jordan, gettin' it ain't important
How can I forfeit? Niggas makin' a fortune
Livin' in fortresses, gettin' it on some corporate shit
Go hard or go home and this the orphanage
Same niggas that I grew up I be often with
Small circle 'cause niggas a murk you
Most of the time it's niggas that know, but my niggas is purple...
Hearted, I seen the snakes before they even started
Caught 'em and the was dearly departed

[Chorus]
Look into my eyes, tell me what you see
Youngin' full of pride, tendencies of a G
I never gave a fuck what ya heard about me
Never told, never sold my soul, nigga this is me

Meek Mill

Robert Rihmeek Williams was born on May 6, 1987, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His stage name, Meek Mill, came from his friends calling him Meek Millions, a play on making millions, because of his middle name.

Meek got his start in rap by participating in rap battles and rapping in a group called The Bloodhoundz. His solo career began with his two mixtapes The Real Me and The Real Me 2. His next mixtape Flamers, caught the attention of Atlanta rapper and Grand Hustle boss T.I. who hosted his following tape Flamers 2: Hottest In Tha City. T.I. intended to sign Meek to his label, but both rappers found themselves in legal trouble delaying the deal which ultimately came to pass. His following tapes, Flamers 2.5: The Preview and Flamers 3: The Wait is Over, produced the hits “Rosé Red” and “Make ‘Em Say” which gave Meek his first major mainstream success. In 2010, he released his seventh mixtape, Mr. Philadephia.

In 2011, Meek signed to Rick Ross‘ Maybach Music Group, where he released two singles, “Ima Boss” and “Tupac Back,” for the group’s Self Made Vol. 1. He went on to appear on the album nine times. The label released two more compilation albums, Self Made Vol. 2 in 2012 and Self Made Vol. 3 in 2013, with Meek appearing four and six times respectively.