Intro
Common Lyrics

I wanna be as free as the spirits of those who left
I desire to experience the kind of unrestrained existence that legendary figures like Malcolm X, John Coltrane and Yusef Lateef all experienced before passing away.

Through death grew conception, new breath and resurrection
New life is often born from tragedy, as exemplified by the way that people of all cultures and backgrounds have created new things after experiencing death and tragedy.

For moms, new steps in a direction, in the right way
For my mother, I'm taking steps to improve our situation and move us forward in a positive direction.

Told her, 'Inside is where the fight lay
I advised my mom that the key to overcoming adversity is to focus on one's inner self and strength.

And everything a nigga do may not be what he might say'
One's actions often speak louder than their words; it is important to stay true to one's values regardless of what they say they stand for.

Chicago nights stay, stay on the mind
Memories of my time spent in Chicago continue to linger in my thoughts.

But I write many lives, they lay on these lines
I am telling the stories of many different lives through my music.

Wavin' signs of the times
The current state of the world is reflected in the messages I am sending with my music.

Many say the grind's on the mind
Numerous people think of nothing but work and making money.

Shorties blunted-eyed and everyone wanna rhyme
Young people are frequently disillusioned and uninterested in anything other than pursuing a career in music.

Bush pushing lies, killers immortalized
Political leaders use lies to push their agendas while some people who have taken lives are celebrated and seen as heroes.

We got arms but won't reach for the skies
Although we have the means to achieve great things, we are often too afraid or unwilling to take the necessary risks to pursue them.

Waiting for the Lord to rise
Many people are waiting for a higher power to come and save them.

I look into my daughter's eyes
When I see my daughter's gaze, I am reminded of the reasons why I make music and want to make the world a better place for her to grow up in.

And realize I'ma learn through her
Being a father provides me with the opportunity to learn new things about myself and the world around me.

The Messiah might even return through her
My daughter could be the one to bring about positive change in the world, perhaps even being seen as a messiah by some.

If I'ma do it, I gotta change the world through her
If I am going to make a difference in the world, it will be by setting an example for my daughter and helping her to become an agent of positive change.

Furs and a Benz, gramps wantin 'em
My grandfather is interested in material possessions like expensive clothing and cars.

Demons and old friends, pops, they hauntin' him
My father is struggling with painful memories from his past as well as the negative influence of some of his former friends.

The chosen one from the land of the frozen sun
I am someone who has been selected to carry a message from a place where life is hard and cold.

Where drunk nights get remembered more than sober ones
In my hometown, people remember wild and crazy nights more fondly than those that were spent sober.

Walk like warriors, we were never told to run
We are strong, fearless, and unyielding in the face of adversity, taught to face our problems and run towards them head-on.

Explored the world to return to where my soul begun
I have traveled to new places and experienced new things, but in the end, I find myself drawn back to my roots and my soul's true home.

Never looking back, or too far in front of me
I focus on the present, taking things one step at a time and not dwelling on past regrets or future uncertainties.

The present is a gift, and I just wanna be (be, be, be, be)
I am grateful for the life I have, and all I want is to live in the moment and appreciate the blessings that come my way.