Long Way Home
Dom Kennedy Lyrics

I think this is about that time we ride out again
Let's hit the road and cruise through the city.

We gon' hop on this 101, take it to the 110
We'll take the freeway to our destination.

Wrap it around to the 10
We'll switch freeways to get where we need to be.

Exit Crenshaw, maybe exit Arlington
We might take these exits and explore the surrounding neighborhoods.

Make that right on King
We'll turn right on Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Take it on in to Leimert
We'll cruise through the streets of Leimert Park.

Pull up, you know, watch the stars
We'll park the car, kick back, and admire the night sky.

And just reflect...
We'll take a moment to think and ponder.

We the fireworks that light up the city
We are the ones who bring energy and excitement to the city.

It's a rare occasion when I bring both chains out
I rarely wear both of my chains at once.

Show 'em what that game 'bout
I'll demonstrate the hustle and success of my lifestyle.

Welcome to the party, let me cross your little name out
I'm in control of this party, and I'll remove anyone who doesn't belong.

First beat that came in, first hit that came out
I was successful from the very beginning of my music career.

I'm the type of guy them R&B girls be singin' 'bout
I'm the kind of man that R&B singers sing about in their songs.

Tryin' to become a man, and all she think I do is be hangin' out
Even though I'm trying to become a mature adult, people only think I'm just chilling.

Time costs money now, and ain't life funny
Time is valuable, and it's ironic how time and money are intertwined in life.

How I could spill the whole bottle like "Pshh, it's just some hundreds now,"
I can afford to casually spend money, as if a few hundred dollars are nothing.

We used to be them little niggas, we runnin' now
We were once young and inexperienced, now we are successful and thriving.

And any time we see a Polo store, we gotta shut it down
Whenever we come across a Polo store, we have to make a purchase and empty the stock.

Cleaned up nicely, golf jacket, button down
I'm dressed up in a nice outfit, complete with a golf jacket and a button-down shirt.

A belt with 2 G's on it
I'm wearing a belt with a Gucci logo.

Let them hoes squeeze on em
I let women touch and feel my belt buckle, as it's considered a status symbol.

I make a girl drop to her knees, then she freeze on 'em
I make women so overwhelmed with desire that they can't move or speak.

I tell her we like Method & Mary; all she need on 'em
I compare us to the duo of Method Man and Mary J. Blige, implying that we are a great combination.

I try to open my heart on these beats, then I bleed on 'em
I pour my heart and soul into my music, fully exposing my emotions and vulnerabilities.

So when I take the long way home, I don't speed on 'em
When I take my time getting home, I don't rush or hurry, as I want to enjoy every moment.

A T-Bone Steak, two eggs, a little cheese on 'em
I enjoy a specific breakfast meal, consisting of steak, eggs, and cheese.

Since a juvenile, I was like "400 Degrees" on 'em
Ever since I was young, I've been hustling and trying to achieve greatness.

Yeah, yeah, if that ain't cold
If that's not impressive or noteworthy, I don't know what is.

My Jordans from '85, homie
I own a vintage pair of Jordan sneakers from 1985.

I'm the realest nigga out
I'm the most authentic and genuine person around.

Shit, if that ain't bold
If that's not a bold statement, I don't know what is.

And I'm greater then and now
I've improved and grown over time, becoming greater with age and experience.

Shit, if that ain't flow
If that's not a smooth and confident line, I don't know what is.

And I'm shining like a king, bitch
I'm glowing with confidence and success, like a king ruling his kingdom.

We taught each other how to hustle, it wasn't handed down
We learned how to make a living through our own hard work and determination, without relying on inherited wealth or privilege.

And if you didn't feel me before, you understand it now
If you didn't comprehend my perspective or situation previously, you should now.

I used to didn't ask for much, but I demand it now
I used to be content with little, but now I expect and demand more from life.

It's people relying on my talent, so I can't panic now
Others depend on my abilities and skills, so I can't afford to falter or mess up now.

I used to love to chase women, but I can't stand it now
I used to enjoy the thrill of pursuing women, but now I see it as a waste of time and energy.

Your nigga had a Maserati, but he a mechanic now
Your man once owned a fancy car, but now he works as a mechanic, implying that he fell from grace or lost his way.

And it ain't nothing I can't have on this planet now
There's nothing I can't achieve or obtain now that I'm successful and wealthy.

All because I took my dreams and I planned 'em out
I accomplished my goals by visualizing and strategizing how to achieve them.

Then I made a wish, then I man'd it out
I wished for what I wanted, then worked hard to make it a reality.

Y'all stood in line, I was standing out
While others waited in line or stayed in the background, I stood out and made a name for myself.

I was landin' in, you was wiping out
I was succeeding and winning, while you were struggling and failing.

I was stealing bases, you was striking out
I was making bold moves and succeeding, while you were making mistakes and failing.

I earned my spot, they hyped you out
I worked hard to achieve my position, while others were overhyped and under-delivered.

They liked your look, then they typed you out
Others only appreciated your appearance, then disregarded you when they found out more about you.

They didn't put you on, they psyched you out
Others didn't give you a real chance or opportunity, causing you to lose confidence and motivation.

They didn't mic you up, you just got Tyson'd out
Others didn't support or promote you, leaving you to falter or fall apart on your own like boxer Mike Tyson.

So take this home with you
Remember and consider what I'm about to say.

I'll probably sock you out before I do a song with you
I'm more likely to fight you than collaborate with you on a song.

I've been killin' shit since "This Where I Belong" with you
I've been thriving and succeeding since my early career, when we were together.

And I wrote this on the long way with you
I wrote these lyrics during a long car ride with you.

I know sometimes I make you cry
I understand that I can hurt or upset you at times.

But I belong with you
I feel like I truly belong and fit in with you.

And not speakin's the only way I get along with you
Sometimes silence is better than speaking, as it's the only way to maintain harmony and peace between us.

As I reach my final destination
As I approach the end of this song, and possibly life itself.

("You know" repeated 16x)
"You know" is repeated numerous times.

You know, provide y'all a little inspiration
I hope to inspire and motivate my listeners with my music.

Leimert park is the perfect location
Leimert Park is a great place to reflect and gain inspiration.

And I go by the name Dom Kennedy
I am known by my stage name, Dom Kennedy.