Keep It Real
ABK Lyrics

First breathe
Let's take a moment to calm down and collect ourselves before diving into the rest of the story.

Started off a bad ass
I had a tough persona from the beginning.

East side roamin
I grew up on the rough side of town.

Out late gettin cash
As a young person, I was already making money through questionable means.

Killas don't talk
People who are involved in criminal activity rarely speak about their actions openly.

So I can’t say shit
I can't discuss my full history with you because of the nature of my past.

So read between the lines
Listen to what I can tell you, and try to surmise what I cannot.

And just paint your own pic
Use the information given to create your own view of what my experiences were like.

Hustlin baby
I was always trying to make a living for myself.

On the grind
I worked tirelessly to make something of myself.

I was brought up right
I was raised with a strong sense of morality and ethics.

But stayed outta line
Though the principles my parents taught me stayed with me, I did make some bad choices.

Guess you can say when you lose
Some people might see my actions as failures.

You're lost
But for me, those mistakes taught me important lessons and made me who I am.

But wit my parents passin on
My parents' deaths forced me to become the head of my household and take on more responsibility.

I had to be boss
I had to step up and lead my family.

[Chorus:] I'ma keep it real (x6)
I will always be honest about who I am and where I came from.

Couldn't nobody give me rules
I was always independent and didn't take direction from others.

Every now and then a jail cell
Occasionally, my behavior led to me being imprisoned.

But what's that prove
However, that didn't mean I was going to stop doing what I felt was necessary to survive.

I was still bein hard headed
Though I had some setbacks, I refused to give up on my goals.

Claimin the streets
I saw the streets as my domain and was dedicated to surviving within them.

(We have a red skinded male here disturbin the streets)
Occasionally, my actions drew unwanted attention from law enforcement.

Problems problems, everybody's got em
Difficulties and hardships are not unique to me; everyone faces them at some point.

Jack and sticc and cut and shoot and rob and
The darker side of life is always present, and sometimes people resort to violence and theft to get what they want.

I was addicted to all
I was drawn to a dangerous lifestyle and all its trappings.

Had to change and find a better way
Eventually, I realized that I needed to make some changes in my life and pursue a more lawful path.

To be well off
My goal was never just to get by, but to achieve financial stability and comfort.

Nowadays I got a strong mind
Through my experiences, I have developed a toughness and resilience that serve me well today.

I see it all
I have a clear view of the world and what's important to me.

No need for safety nets
I am confident in myself and my abilities, and can rely on my own strength to get through hard times.

Cuz I will never fall
I am unbreakable and will always keep pushing forward.

Keep it floatin like a ghost at night
My success is sometimes hard to see, but that doesn't mean I'm not constantly working and improving myself.

And put fear in those who's eyes just ain't right
I am not afraid to stand up for myself and make it clear that I will not be mistreated or taken advantage of.

I got angels watchin over
I feel like I have some kind of divine help or guidance watching over me.

I can feel em when I'm speakin
There are times when I feel especially connected to this higher power.

Like they're on my shoulder
I feel like these forces are guiding me along my journey.

And I admit that it sure feels good
It's nice to know that I have this kind of support and help when I need it.

To finally get a chance to be understood
Through my music and the stories I share, people are able to get a better understanding of who I am and where I came from.

Hard times was broke payin dues
I've had my share of struggles and difficulties along the way.

Made a lot of friends and I met a lot of fools
Through my experiences, I've met all kinds of people, both helpful and harmful.

That's why I'm here on the mic today
But all of these experiences have led me to where I am today - in front of a microphone, sharing my story with the world.

Cuz I'ma be real and tell you what I need to say
I will always be honest and upfront about my life and experiences - both the good and the bad.