Yellow tape
Graphene Lyrics

I need y'all to feel me
I want you to truly understand my emotions and perspective.

This the realest
This is an honest expression of my truth.

Need y'all to feel me for real
It's essential for you to genuinely connect with what I'm saying.

Yellow paint on the road turns to yellow tape
The vibrant color signifies danger and death; a tragic reminder of lives lost.

Feel like I'm on the road to heaven's gates
I perceive my journey as one leading towards peace and mortality.

Feel like I'm on the road yea
I'm navigating through life with a sense of inevitable destiny.

Like I'm packing up my bag it's just a mile away
I feel as if I'm preparing to leave this world, which seems so close.

Feel like I'm going home to heaven's place
I envision a return to a peaceful existence beyond this life.

Feel like I'm going home yea
My heart longs for tranquility and a sense of belonging beyond the chaos.

They ain't get to make it home nah nah
Many have not had the chance to return to safety or peace.

All because they hit the road uh uh
Their fateful journeys on the streets led to tragic outcomes.

Man on everything I love yeah on my soul
I swear sincerely, with deep emotion, about my convictions.

I'ma fight to change the story that is told
I will strive to rewrite the narratives surrounding these injustices.

About this yellow tape
A commentary on the violence marked by the presence of police tape.

Playing instrumentals when I'm riding
I reflect on life while listening to music during my travels.

Through the countryside thinking bout my people dying
Even in serene landscapes, my mind is filled with thoughts of lost loved ones.

And how often
Contemplating the frequency with which tragedy strikes.

These automobiles turn into coffins
Vehicles that once symbolize freedom often become places of death.

Now I'm caught in
I find myself entangled in this sobering realization.

A thought that wills should be in glove compartments
It's absurd that the conversation about taking arms is necessary in daily life.

Cause it's thoughtless to think that I'm not threatening
People may perceive me as dangerous, which is rooted in prejudice.

To officers indebted to a system that be crediting
Police are influenced by systemic biases that label my community as suspects.

My homicide to my own actions
My death is often unjustly attributed to my behavior, ignoring the larger context.

Y'all not getting it
Many fail to grasp the gravity of my situation and feelings.

Black kids don't get to be rookies we raised as veterans
Children in my community grow up quickly, facing adult realities from a young age.

Seeing bloodshed on the block and TV screen
Experiencing violence both in real life and in media as a constant backdrop.

While we play with blocks and rush to bed just so that we can dream
While we engage in innocent childhood play, we still yearn for better futures.

Of a better place and time and stories with better themes
We hope for a world filled with positivity and uplifting narratives.

Cause we learn about Dr. King without hearing by any means
We study civil rights heroes like Dr. King but often miss the broader context of their struggles.

Yeah it's fucked up
The situation is profoundly unjust and disheartening.

Makes me not want to give a damn
This reality often leads to apathy towards personal success.

About succeeding in a country that's built on stolen land
How can I aspire to thrive in a nation founded on exploitation and injustice?

And every time I think of moving forward and being a bigger man
Even when I contemplate personal growth, obstacles remain.

I can still see Castille dying driving with his fam
I vividly recall the tragic death of Philando Castile in front of his family.

To his back and his side
The haunting reality that violence can occur at any moment.

There's no black without pride
Black identity is deeply intertwined with a sense of pride.

We wait for hate to subside
We hope for an end to the prejudice and bigotry that surrounds us.

Then we'll run out of time
If change doesn't come soon, we risk missing the opportunity for justice.

And I'm just a guy
I am an ordinary person overwhelmed by these larger societal issues.

You can't fix this with rhymes
Words alone won't resolve the deep-rooted problems we face.

But if they deaf to the actions
If authorities ignore the consequences of their actions...

Then this could be a sign
...it may become a crucial wake-up call for change.

For ppl to come alive
I urge individuals to awaken to the reality around them.

Before another one dies
It's vital to act before more lives are tragically lost.

In they car or they home
Referring to the dangers present both in public spaces and personal sanctuaries.

Where you're supposed to be fine
These should be safe environments, yet they can turn deadly.

Atatiana or Breonna didn't see 29
Referring to the young lives of Atatiana Jefferson and Breonna Taylor cut short.

Janisha Tanisha and Michelle needed help
Many women have experienced tragic faiths when seeking assistance.

But they're lives
Yet their lives are reduced to painful statistics.

Got erased like the names of black women from the front of our minds
Their identities are often forgotten or ignored in societal conversations.

Forgotten like my brothers in the pin who are sentenced for crimes
Long-term prisoners face systemic neglect and erasure from society.

And come home to nothing
Upon release, they often find no support or opportunities.

Can't get a job or a dime
They struggle to find work and financial stability post-incarceration.

Abolition over reform please open your eyes
I'm advocating for a complete dismantling of oppressive systems rather than minor changes.

This yellow paint
A metaphor for the systemic issues represented by the color of caution and death.

Yellow paint on the road turns to yellow tape
Again highlighting the tragic transition from life to death.

This yellow tape
An enduring symbol of violence and loss in our communities.

Feel like I'm on the road to heaven's gates
Once more expressing the journey towards a peaceful afterlife.

Feel like I'm on the road yea
Consistently acknowledging the feeling of being on a destined path.

Like I'm packing up my bag it's just a mile away
The impending journey's end seems imminent and close.

It's just a mile away
A poignant reminder that the end could come at any moment.

Feel like I'm going home to heaven's place
Reiterating the longing for a peaceful and eternal home.

Feel like I'm going home yea
Longing for comfort and solace beyond this life.

They ain't get to make it home nah nah
Once more, acknowledging those who never returned to safety.

All because they hit the road uh uh
Again emphasizing the tragedies resulting from their journeys.

Man on everything I love yeah on my soul
Profoundly affirming my commitment to advocate for change.

I'ma fight to change the story that is told
Determined to reshape the understanding of these narratives.

About this yellow tape
Continuing to underline the impact of violence in our communities.

They ain't get to make it home nah nah
Reiterating the loss of those who should have returned.

All because they hit the road uh uh
The unfortunate consequences of choosing to travel.

Man on everything I love yeah on my soul
Again, my heartfelt promise to commit to this fight.

I'ma fight to change the story that is told
I will persistently strive to alter these narratives of pain and loss.

About this yellow tape
Consistently emphasizing the ominous presence of violence.

Feel like I'm on the road yea
A continuous recognition of my journey through life.

It feel like I'm on the road
Reinforcing the sentiment of being on this life path.

Feel like I'm going home yea
Again expressing the desire for peace and resolution.

It feel like I'm going home
Reiterating the longing for a safe and comforting place.

Feel like I'm on the road yea
This feeling of being on a significant journey remains.

It feel like I'm on the road
Continuously recognizing my path and its implications.

Feel like I'm going Home
Forever yearning for a place of peace and belonging.