Prayed Up
J-Ron Lyrics

Everyday i gotta stay prayed up
I pray every day to overcome the challenges I face.

While trying to keep all my dues paid up
I work hard to pay my bills on time and avoid any financial troubles.

OG told me stay out the way little bruh
An older, experienced person advised me to avoid confrontations and stay out of trouble.

They'll try to knock you on ya way up
Some people will try to undermine my success.

Can't be another pavement stain
I don't want to be another victim of violence and end up dead on the pavement.

My momma cant take pain
I don't want to cause my mother any heartache or disappointment.

And Lord knows i ain't no saint
I know I'm not perfect and have made mistakes.

But don't lemme kill me what i ain't
I don't want to fall victim to my own bad choices or reckless behavior.

I gotta watch the tone of my voice before i take my first step
I have to be careful how I communicate to avoid being misunderstood or judged.

Cause the tone of my skin speaks for its fucking self
People judge me based on the color of my skin, regardless of what I say or do.

I ain't gotta say a word for them to judge me nigga
People make assumptions about my character and intentions based solely on my appearance.

And if i say the wrong word and they pulled the trigga
If I say something that triggers someone else's prejudice or anger, I could end up getting shot.

He moved to quick i didn't know his intentions
I may misinterpret someone's actions based on my own assumptions and biases.

Thought i seen something shiny plus he fit the description
I may be quick to suspect someone based on their appearance and what I think I see.

Black male, black male, in his mid black male
I may be profiled by the police and seen as a threat based solely on my race and gender.

Did i mention riding black while being a black male
Simply driving while black can increase my likelihood of being stopped and harassed by police officers.

On a cold winter night you a thug in hoodie
Wearing a hoodie or dressing a certain way can make me appear suspicious or threatening to others.

Toy gun for ya kid will have his t-shirt bloody
A seemingly harmless toy or action can be misconstrued and result in a tragic outcome.

Trying to hustle cigarettes might cost ya last breath
An innocent, everyday activity could escalate into a deadly altercation.

One night in jail might find you dead in a cell
Being arrested, even for a minor offense, could potentially end my life while in police custody.

Hard path to travel when u trying to live right
It's difficult to do the right thing when so many societal factors are working against me.

Even get popped trying to fight the good fight
Even standing up for myself or others can lead to being targeted or attacked.

You might kill a villain saving multiple lives
Even doing something heroic or good could be misunderstood or misrepresented by those in authority.

But cops will still roll up and shoot yo ass on site
Regardless of my intentions or actions, police officers may resort to violence against me without any cause or reason.

I bow my head before traveling out my area
I pray for protection when leaving my neighborhood and venturing into areas where I may feel unsafe.

Trying not to panic when they patrolling in my area
I try to remain calm and collected when police officers are present in my community.

Constantly watching me pushing buttons so i react
Police officers may intimidate or provoke me in order to justify violence or an arrest.

When in fact the only law i break is driving while black. I know
I'm aware that my race and appearance alone can make me a target for police harassment.

You'll never understand me fully. I know
Others may not comprehend the fear and anxiety I experience simply existing in certain spaces as a black man.

My stature make you label me bully. I know
My size and physical appearance may make me appear threatening or intimidating to others even if I don't mean to.

To reach slow for the wallet in my pocket cause i'm
I have to be cautious when handling my belongings, especially when a police officer is present.

Dressed in black and head covered by the hoodie
My clothing choices can draw attention and suspicion from others.

It's easier for you to murder me
The justice system may make it easier for people to get away with killing someone like me.

Cause when you call it in wit lies after you look in my eyes on the murder scene
Police officers may fabricate evidence or manipulate the truth to justify killing someone like me.

The truth die with me
If I am killed unjustly, the real story behind my death may never be known or acknowledged.

And it don't matter about the evidence or witnesses you going debt free
Even with evidence or witnesses, police officers may not be held accountable for killing someone like me.

So Lord, if you hear me I'm in need of protection
I turn to a higher power for safety and security in a world that can be dangerous for people like me.

And yeah, use my body to keep me in direction
I ask for guidance and support as I navigate the difficult obstacles and risks in my life.

Opposite of where they going cause you knowing like I'm knowing
I ask for guidance to move in the opposite direction of those who would harm me or try to hold me down.

They don't see us like they say they do
Despite claims of equality and justice, many people do not truly see and understand the experiences and struggles of black men like me.