midnight
C.R.S.T Lyrics

I will not stop runnin' 'till I'm winning the race
I am determined to succeed and will not give up until I achieve my goals.

I can't live with myself being in second place
I have a strong drive to be the best and cannot accept anything less than first place.

Ay yo, here's a little story, something for your ear
I have a story to share, pay attention and listen up.

Like the new millennium version of Paul Revere
I am like a modern messenger, spreading my message through my music.

Except this ain't fiction, this is real life here
My story is not fictional, it is based on my real life experiences.

I be 30 years old and even lasting a year
I never expected to live this long, given the hardships I have faced.

Yeah I made my mistakes, yeah I paid my dues
I have made errors in judgment and have dealt with the consequences of my actions.

Hated by blacks, made enemies with jews
I have faced social and cultural conflicts, including criticism and hostility from certain groups.

I was 7 years ahead of my time in '92
My music was not appreciated or understood by most people until years after I started creating it.

I said things that wasn't accepted 'till '99
My message was ahead of its time and was not widely accepted until many years later.

It's awful, I don't care about the past no more
The past is not important to me anymore, I am focused on the present and future.

I don't want to be rich, trust me, I'd rather be poor
I prioritize my artistic integrity over financial success.

Now think about it, known as how I never shown my face
My identity is not important, I want people to focus on my music and message.

I don't really want fame, I just want my space
I want the freedom to create without the pressure of mainstream success and recognition.

Yeah, I had hard times like Run-DMC
I have faced challenges and struggles just like other artists before me.

But actually I feel pretty blessed just to be me
I am grateful for who I am and the experiences that have shaped me.

I never seen the penitentiary
I have not been imprisoned or incarcerated.

I've been shook since I seen the ? kid in Penitentiary 3?
I have been traumatized by a person or experience that reminds me of the character in the movie Penitentiary 3.

They say I should have been more, I should have been great
Some people believe I could have achieved more success or recognition in my career.

Like I'm washed up now, like it's already too late
Some people think that my career has peaked and I am past my prime.

I can feel all the hatred when I walk in the place
I am aware of the negativity and criticism directed towards me when I enter certain environments.

But y'all are too scared to say shit to my face, it's
People are afraid to confront me about their negative opinions, which means they are not worth my concern.

Midnight (repeated several times)
The time when I take action and confront my challenges head-on.

I'll come for you
I will take control of my life and pursue my goals with determination and fearlessness.

Ready for hell, ready for war
I am prepared to face any obstacles and challenges that come my way, no matter how difficult.

Yeah, it's nice to be loved but I like being hated more
I value those who appreciate my work, but I am motivated by those who criticize and challenge me.

All the sudden magazines give me good reviews
My work is finally being recognized and appreciated by mainstream media.

It used to be my name on the equal bad news
My reputation was once negative and associated with controversy.

All the ? that I'm a genius, all the ? I'm bright
Many people recognize my talent and intelligence.

Like I just now became intelligent overnight
Some people are just now realizing my potential and abilities, despite them being present all along.

I be as 1990 grimey as I could be
My music style is reminiscent of the gritty and raw music of the 1990s.

And finally society can see admiring me
Finally, society is recognizing my talent and success, and appreciating me for who I am.

And finally dirty dirty boy, dirty be
I have faced challenges and struggles, but I have emerged stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Wordy wordy free, dirty boy
I have a gift for language and storytelling, and I embrace my flaws and imperfections.

My father specialist 5th class Thornburn John A
My dad served in the Vietnam War and played an important role in shaping who I am today.

A Vietnam war hero, green berret
My dad was a hero in the Vietnam War and a member of the Green Berets special forces unit.

Thaught me how to shoot guns and thaught me how to fight
My dad taught me important survival skills, including combat training and self-defense.

Thaught to left hooking, thaught to uppercut with the right
My dad taught me specific fighting techniques that have shaped my approach to adversity and challenges.

Thaught me all about bitches, they can ruin your life
My dad taught me about the dangers of getting involved with the wrong kind of people, especially women.

Like in his prime, look what happened to I and Mike
My dad's experiences with women and bad decisions influenced my own life and career choices.

People wonder what it's like and how is to be me
Others are curious about my experiences and what it's like to be in my position.

The most underrated in hip hop history
Many people fail to recognize my talent and contributions to the hip-hop genre.

Think I care if you disagree?
I am confident in myself and my abilities, and am not swayed by other people's opinions or criticisms.

You ain't got no song out
Others who criticize me or my work may lack the creative output or success that I have achieved.

And right now you're busy listenin' me
Despite any disagreements, people are still listening to and engaging with my music and message.