Can I Live feat LOX
Black Rob Lyrics

Yeah, yeah Roc-A-Fella
Acknowledgement of the record label Roc-A-Fella

We invite you to, something epic y'all know?
Asking the listener to join them for something great

Well we hustle out of a sense of, hopelessness
They hustle due to the feeling of having no other options

Sort of a desperation
The feeling of desperation that drives their hustle

Through that desperation, we 'come addicted
Addicted to the hustle as if it were a drug

Sorta like the fiends we accustomed to serving
Draws a comparison between their addiction to the hustle and the addiction of their customers to drugs

But we feel we have nothing to lose
They feel there's nothing to lose by continuing to hustle

So we offer you, well, we offer our lives, right
The offer of their lives to provide something great for the listener

What do you bring to the table?
Asks the listener what they bring to the situation

While I'm watching every nigga watching me closely
Being aware of others watching and paying attention to them

My shit is butter for the bread they wanna toast me
Their success attracts attention and praise from others

I keep my head, both of them where they supposed to be
Staying focused and grounded

Hoes'll get you sidetracked then clap from closed feet
Being aware of potential distractions and danger from those around them

I don't sleep, I'm tired, I feel wired like codeine, these days
Lack of sleep and constant activity makes them feel wired

A brother gotta admire from four fiends away
Others respect them from a distance due to their success and hustle

My pain wish it was quick to see, from selling 'caine
Reflecting on the pain caused from selling drugs, both to themselves and others

Til brains was fried to a fricassee, can't lie
Acknowledging the negative consequences of drug use

At the time it never bothered me, at the bar
At the time, they didn't care about the consequences of their actions

Getting my thug on properly, my squad and me
Spending time with their group and living their lifestyle

Lack of respect for authority, laughing hard
Not respecting authority and finding it amusing

Happy to be escaping poverty, however brief
Grateful for their hustle and escape from poverty, even if it's temporary

I know this game got valleys and peaks, expectation
Understanding the ups and downs of their hustle

For dips, four percent pertation we stack chips, hardly
Stacking money when they can, but not enough to live off of

The youth I used to be, soon to see a mill'in
Reflecting on their past self and looking forward to future success

No more, Big Willie my game has grown prefer you call me William
Moving on from their old image and wanting to be taken more seriously

Illin' for revenues, grateful dim the light
Striving for money while also being grateful

Channel 7 news, round seven jewels, hand getting the mic
Publicity and media attention on their success and wealth

Forgetting all I ever knew, convenient amnesia
Forgetting their past and moving forward with their new success

I suggest you call my lawyer, I know the procedure
Knowing how to handle legal matters and suggesting others to follow procedure

Lock my body can't trap my mind, easily
Being mentally strong and unbreakable even if physically confined

Explain why we adapt to crime
Asking why they've turned to a life of crime and hustling

I'd rather die enormous than live dormant that's how we on it
Preferring a life of success and risk rather than a mundane and stagnant lifestyle

Live at the main event, I bet a trip to Maui on it
Putting everything on the line and betting big

Presidential suites my residential for the weekend
Living luxuriously for a temporary amount of time

Confidentially speaking in codes since I sense you peeking
Being cautious and secretive due to the feeling of being watched

The INXS rental, don't be fooled my game is mental
Appearances can be deceiving, their success not solely due to material items

We both out of town dog, what you trying to get into?
Asking what the other person wants to do while in a new environment

Viva, Las Vegas, see ya, later at the crap tables
Acknowledging Vegas and gambling while leaving the conversation open

Meet me by the one that starts a G up
Meeting at a specific location

This way no fraud Willie's present gambling they re-up
Avoiding fake people and gambling to potentially make more money

And we can have a pleasant time, sipping margaritas
Suggesting a good time while relaxing with drinks

My mind is infested, with sick thoughts that circle
Having negative thoughts and worries in their mind

Like a Lexus, if driven wrong it's sure to hurt you
Comparing their negative thoughts to a car that can cause harm if not used correctly

Dual level like duplexes, in unity, my crew and me
Working together with their crew on multiple levels

Commit atrocities like we got immunity
Acting with the belief that they won't face consequences due to past success

You guessed it, manifest it in tangible goods
Their success is shown through material possessions

Platinum Rolexed it, we don't lease
Owning their luxury items rather than leasing them

We buy the whole care, as you should
Purchasing the entire car rather than in parts

My confederation, dead a nation, EXPLODE
Their crew and alliance is strong and powerful

On detonation, overload the mind of a said patient
Their success is overwhelming and can affect others

When it balls to steam, it comes to it
When things come down to it, they aren't afraid to take action

We all fiends gotta do it, even righteous minds go through this
Everyone has to hustle in some way, regardless of their morals or values

True this, history school us to spend our money foolish
Society has taught them to spend money recklessly

Bond with jewelers and, watch for intruders
Forming connections with jewelers and being aware of potential danger

I stepped it up another level, meditated like a Buddhist
Improving themselves and their hustle by being mindful and focused, similar to Buddhist meditation

Recruited lieutenants with ludicrous, dreams of
Bringing in others to their crew with grand aspirations

Getting cream let's do this, against T-D-S
Making money while competing against others

So I keep one eye open like, C-B-S, ya see me
Being cautious and aware of their surroundings and others observing them

Stressed right? Can I live?
Acknowledging the stress and hardships of their lifestyle, questioning if there's an escape

Can I live?
Asking if it's possible to live a fulfilling life while still hustling

Can I live?
Repeating the question of whether it's possible to escape their current lifestyle

Can I live?
Final repetition of the question, possibly implying they may not find a way out

Roc-A-Fella y'all
Closing statement in reference to the record label