Top Dawg Under Dawg
Ab-Soul Lyrics

You would have thought I was infatuated with being underrated instead of renowned
People have assumed that I want to be underrated instead of famous

Got me feeling like King David before the crown
I feel like King David before he became a king

I too have my views like you
I have opinions like everyone else

Look what I do to stand on stages in front of crowds
I work hard to perform in front of audiences

I need food but I'd rather smoke a Black & Mild
I prioritize smoking over eating

Get back in the booth and spill my heart until I bust a valve
I pour my heart out when I record music

And that's the truth, hand over my left titty
I'm telling the truth, I swear on my left breast

I had faith in hip hop before she met Biggie
I was a fan of hip hop before it was popularized by Biggie Smalls

Just take this shit a day at a time
Take things one day at a time

I thought I was on after Day In The Life
I thought I was going to be successful after releasing "Day In The Life"

But you know our shit get put on hold after reality strikes
Our plans get delayed when life happens

You ain't know [?]
I don't know

How you eat when there ain't even a bowl?
How do you survive when you have nothing?

My stomach sound like something in the jungle
My stomach is growling because I'm hungry

My mind saying give it up, the people saying don't go
I'm having doubts about pursuing my dreams, but others are encouraging me to keep going

It's easier to leave when you ain't got no dough
It's easier to give up when you have nothing to lose

Cheap champagne wishes and thirty ratchet hoes
I want fame and women, but I'll settle for cheap substitutes

All up in my videos until you niggas see the vision (I ain't playing)
I include women in my music videos to attract viewers, and I'm serious about my career

Guess a nigga never checked out the tension
I didn't realize the problems in my life until it was too late

In my second childhood making music from the soul
I'm making music that speaks from my heart

Just so you know, cracker back [?]
I don't understand what that means

They think me and these other rappers have something in common
People assume I'm similar to other rappers

God bless them, all men
I wish them all the best

I ain't stressing, I'm all in
I'm not worried, I'm fully committed

They in Lois Lane, I'm Clark Kent
They're distracted by the wrong things, but I'm focused on my goals

Go back to what's happening
Focus on what's currently happening

Jay Rock finna drop and walk you all around [?]
Jay Rock is about to release an album and take over the music scene

Kendrick keep getting chased by cameramen
Kendrick Lamar is being followed by paparazzi

And for the first time you've seen a Hoover Crip on the charts
I'm the first member of the Hoover Crips gang to achieve chart success

As for me I'm still an amateur, venting
In comparison to my peers, I'm still inexperienced and venting my frustrations

Looking for the right cannon
I'm searching for the right tools to succeed

To capture your attention, I need honorable mention
I need recognition in order to gain attention

Most of all I need to exist in the fourth dimension
I want to reach new heights and exist beyond the physical realm

But niggas say I sing better than I rap
People think I'm better at singing than rapping

Who give a crap about all them damn metaphors and diction? (fuck that)
Who cares about fancy language? (I don't)

Took a step back to reevaluate my steez
I took a break to reassess my style

Went to friendzone alone and wrote a gang of trees
I isolated myself and wrote a lot of songs

Labels calling for everybody except for me
Labels are interested in signing other artists, but not me

Like I ain't got the recipe
As if I don't possess the qualities for success

Like this ain't my destiny
As if I'm not meant to achieve greatness

You know how much my family expect from me?
My family has high expectations of me

Especially considering I'm literally chasing a dream
I'm pursuing my passion, even though it's an uncertain path

Told G-packs I'm a slip through the crack
I told my friend G-packs that I'll succeed despite the odds

Get that cream, that's a fact yo
Make money, that's the goal

Whoever thought I'd get to write for Dr. Dre?
I can't believe I have the opportunity to write for Dr. Dre

He probably thought it was trash and threw that shit away
Dr. Dre probably didn't like my writing and threw it away

But it's a new day, new possibilities
Every day brings new opportunities

My time'll come sooner enough
I'll be successful eventually

No hostility, that type of shit'll slow you up
Holding grudges slows down your progress

Don't get caught up in all of the marketing to show you up
Don't fall for marketing schemes that make others look better than you

He from Top Dawg?, he more like a pup
People think I'm inexperienced because I'm from the record label Top Dawg Entertainment

He ain't from the streets, where the fuck he come from?
People question my authenticity and background

Who cosigning [?], don't believe the hype
I don't have anyone vouching for me, so don't believe the rumors

You niggas can't see me, can't call me on Skype
You can't understand me or communicate with me that easily

I'm all bite, no bark
I'm all action and no talk

A Benz to a Go-kart
I'm at a different level than other musicians

All I do is go as hard as adult film costars
I work just as hard as pornographic actors

So on and so on
And so forth

Never lag, never that
I never fall behind or lose momentum

You can't see?, look
If you can't understand what I'm saying, pay attention

They told me to break a leg, so now I'm an amputee
People told me to succeed, but now I'm struggling

Give me fifty feet like G-unit's sneaks
Give me some space

Soul brother number two times whoever you bring
I'm the most soulful artist, no matter who you compare me to

Motherfucker
Exclamation of frustration or anger

T.D.U.D
Acronym for Top Dawg Under Dawg