All That I Am Version )
Bilal Lyrics

All that I am all that I know
I am defined by my experiences and what I have learned.

All that I ever will be and though
My past experiences shape my future, and although I don't know what the future holds, I will continue to grow and learn.

Out of the mouth of a black man scorned
The following lyrics reflect the experiences and emotions of a black man who has been mistreated and oppressed.

I see you laughing with swollen eyes
Despite my suffering, you mock me and my pain, showing no empathy or understanding.

Life beat a mother when you're
Life is difficult and painful, especially when you are marginalized or oppressed.

Playing the losing side dream deferred
When your dreams are constantly thwarted and delayed, it's as if you are always on the losing side.

Vision's blurred a hustle served
It's hard to see a clear path forward when you are struggling to make ends meet and survive.

And anyone who would listen
I want to share my story and be heard by those who don't understand or haven't experienced my struggles.

Respect is earned a lesson's learned
I have worked hard to gain respect and learn from my experiences, even though they have been difficult.

How many sleepless night's have you
Have you ever lay awake at night, worrying about the future or reflecting on your struggles?

How many shift the state have you watched
Have you ever watched your hopes and dreams slip away as circumstances beyond your control hold you back?

It turn it to fade away
It's easy to give up hope and let your dreams fade away when you feel powerless to change your circumstances.

While you use all tricks to backtrack
When you're struggling, it can feel like you are always playing catch-up and trying to make up lost ground.

Try to be right and exact
Despite the obstacles in your way, you still strive for accuracy and precision in everything you do.

But lack of paper will make a nigga act
When you don't have enough money or resources, you are forced to make desperate decisions and take actions you might not otherwise consider.

Like a nigga, forget that he black
Our society perpetuates a system of oppression and racist attitudes, which can make it feel like black people are seen as less than human and not worthy of respect.

Moms is working two jobs
Many working-class families live in poverty and must work multiple jobs just to make ends meet.

Pops is worshiping two gods
Some families face the difficult decision of choosing between their religious beliefs and their financial security.

Yo, hard times at the bar downtown
Life is tough and unpredictable, and sometimes you find yourself in difficult or uncomfortable situations.

Wondering what's on God's mind
In times of struggle and hardship, it's natural to wonder what a higher power might have planned or in store for us.

Truth is born
The following lyrics attempt to express a truth that has been realized through these experiences and struggles.

From the soul of a black man sworn
This truth comes from the experiences and insights of a black man who has been mistreated and oppressed.

To barren streets from the east
Even in places that seem bleak and lifeless, there is still a spark of hope and truth to be found.

Souls get raised diamonds reflect
When we search for truth and meaning in our struggles, we become better and stronger people, like diamonds reflecting light.

Pimped out days where my uncle
Some people who are mistreated and oppressed turn to less-than-ethical means of survival, like prostitution or pimping.

Lays his game down
These people are often very skilled at navigating difficult situations and making the best of bad circumstances.

He's in the galaxy of game
Some people become so skilled at these survival techniques, that it seems like they're operating on a different level than the rest of us.

And never came down he's from the same town
Despite his success in this dark world, he still remembers where he came from and who he is.

I mean planet as them, ya know
These people are often lonely and isolated, like they come from a different planet than everyone else around them.

Donald Goines and Iceberg Slim
These are two famous authors known for writing about the struggles and experiences of marginalized people, which this song draws inspiration from.

Had a precious old angel
Even in dark places, there are sometimes glimpses of beauty and goodness to be found.

Sharpest in the stable
This woman was different and unique, standing out from the other women around her.

Blond wig, with a pierced naval
Despite her beauty and charm, she still felt the need to conform to certain societal beauty standards to succeed in her line of work.

He branded her his angel in disguise
Despite the fact that this woman was a prostitute, this man still saw her as valuable and worthy of love and respect.

Eating his pockets and feeding him lies
Unfortunately, this woman turned out to be selfish and manipulative, using this man for her own gains instead of reciprocating his love.

After a few broken arms and black guys
This woman was involved in physical altercations with other men, likely as part of her work as a prostitute.

She wrote a book to make his favor rise
In order to gain more money and success, this woman wrote a book about her experiences and relationship with this man, hoping to use him for her own gain once again.

Then sold to a system where
Unfortunately, even when people do achieve success and recognition, it often comes with a price and is absorbed by corrupt systems.

He'll never breathe again
Once people become embroiled in these corrupt systems, it can be very difficult for them to find a way out and breathe freely again outside of these oppressive circumstances.

Bring your light to the truth
In dark times, it's important to seek out and face the truth, and to illuminate it with our light.

Then make it realer for you
By acknowledging and understanding the truth, we can make it more real and tangible to ourselves and to others.

We're bringing light to the truth
The singer is expressing his desire to share the truth and illuminate the darkness with his own light.

Realer for you
Through this light, he hopes to make the truth more accessible and real to you, the listener.

Something
This outlier line doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the song's cohesive message.