Can I Live
J. Cole Lyrics

Pussy my passion, never been a fan of flashing
My love and desire towards women has always been strong, but I never felt the need to brag about it.

Probably cause I never could, said if I had it, never would
I didn't have the resources or ability to show off my wealth and status, and even if I did, I wouldn't flaunt it.

Then I got my first little taste of paper
Once I received my first significant amount of money, my perspective on spending it changed.

And I splurged, I guess it's just the nigga urge
I spent extravagantly, which I attribute to my impulsive behavior influenced by my African American roots.

This is The Boondocks
This is like an episode of 'The Boondocks,' a satirical TV show that ironically reflects and critiques African American culture and daily life.

I swear yo I'm like Huey mixed with Riley
I feel like a combination of both titular characters from 'The Boondocks,' who represent differing attitudes towards social and political issues among African Americans.

Thursday I be trynna save the world, then on Friday I hit the club
On Thursdays, I try to contribute positively to the world, but on Fridays, I indulge in hedonistic behavior at the club.

Hoping that my dick get rubbed by some fat asses
I seek sexual gratification with women who have large buttocks.

Niggas get to scrappin' then you hear the gats blasting
When men engage in fights, sometimes it leads to gun violence.

Damn, hope them niggas ain't got no problems with me
I hope I'm not in conflict with those men.

My momma told me to speak like you got a college degree
My mother advised me to speak in a manner that is appropriate for higher education, even if I didn't attend college.

You see I can, but I won't, cause I'm saying what I want
I have the ability to speak formally, but I choose to speak informally because I value my freedom of expression.

Plus this slang that I speak don't change that I'm deep
Though I use slang, it doesn't detract from my intelligence or my ability to discuss serious topics.

As the throat, on a certified freak, will she choke?
As she performs oral sex on me, I wonder if she will choke.

As we headed to the crib, yes I let her give me head
As we go back to my home, I consent to receiving oral sex from her.

So she won't remember where I live - my game is tight
I prefer her to forget my address after our intimate encounter, so I won't be bothered by her.

Baby no need to bring pajamas, you ain't staying the night
You don't have to bring clothes to sleep in, because you won't stay here overnight.

No disrespect, I just say it polite
I don't want to offend you, I am expressing my desire courteously.

I drop her off before I sleep, I be praying for life
I take her home before I go to sleep, saying prayers for my wellbeing.

Like Hov said it "Can I Live?"
Similar to Jay-Z's lyrics, asking if I can survive and overcome obstacles.

Aye dear Lord, "Can I live?"
Requesting guidance and protection from God while striving to succeed.

Now am I living to get paid just slaves for a wage, are we
Am I living only for financial gain, as if I were enslaved by money and corporations?

I can't do no 9-to-5 told my momma "sorry"
I don't want to work at a typical 9-to-5 job, regretfully disappointing my mother who may value stability.

I can't do no suit and tie, no I want the glory
I don't want to conform and dress professionally, I want to be successful and receive recognition on my own terms.

If you knew me know my life is like a movie starring me
If you knew me, you would see that my life is almost like a film that I am the main character in.

Pardon me, if it seems that I'm following my dreams
Excuse me if it appears that I am chasing my aspirations without distraction.

I ain't reading off the script that they picked for me
I refuse to follow an intended sequence laid out by someone else, and I'm creating my own path.

I ain't pissed, naw couldn't give a shit hardly
I'm not angry, no, I don't care at all for those who doubted me.

I be shitting on them niggas that was shitting on me
I'm now thriving and proving those who hated on me wrong, leaving them envious.

Will I live or will I die before they get to know me
Wondering if I will perish before people have the opportunity to truly understand me and my potential.

If I go I know the ones that's pouring liquor for me
In the event of my death, I know there will be those who mourn and indulge in alcohol to cope.

And I know the fake niggas really hating on me
I am aware of those who pretend to be supportive but truly harbor feelings of dislike towards me.

Knew that I was 'bout to blow so they was waiting on me
They always knew I was on the brink of success, so they waited for my moment of downfall.

But Oh-No, Lord
Expressing shock or surprise, while appealing to God for intervention.

See I'm smarter than they know
Others may underestimate me, but I am more intelligent and perceptive than they realize.

So hold on, Lord, cause I ain't quite ready to go
Asking for more time to achieve and live out my goals here on earth.

Somebody told me that it's only one shot
A person informed me that in life, there is only one chance to make something of oneself.

So I'll be God damn, If I'm ever gonna stop
I assert that I will never quit pursuing success, no matter what.

Promise to my momma I'mma make it to the top
I make a vow to my mother that I will achieve the highest level of success possible.

So I'mma keep climbing 'til my heartbeat drop
I will keep working and striving towards my goals until I no longer have breath in my body.

Like the phone when she heard the news
Comparing the sound of the phone ringing with the news that someone has died.

Her sister on the other line talking to her shoes
The caller's sister is unable to comprehend the loss and is too distraught to speak.

The only son, what a thing to lose
The deceased individual was the only male offspring, making his loss all the more tragic.

More blacks singing more blues
The death of yet another Black person leads to a continuing cycle of sorrow within the Black community.

More niggas pouring more brews
To cope with the tragedy, more men are drinking alcohol.

Poor dude he was young like 21, straight up out that city that I'm from
The deceased was only 21 years old and from the same city I am from.

A real smart nigga, but his niggas they was dumb
While the individual who died was intelligent, those in his social circle were ignorant and contributed to the dangerous circumstances leading to his death.

He ain't even get a chance to run
The individual didn't even have a chance to escape or protect himself from the threat.

Before it landed in his lung
The lethal blow was dealt before he could properly react or defend himself.

God, breathe nigga
As he is dying, a plea to allow him to continue living.

His partner screaming "Don't you fucking leave, nigga!!"
His friend is desperately begging him to fight and hold on to life.

Took off his shirt trynna stop the bleeding nigga, "Don't you go!"
His friend attempts to stop the bleeding with his shirt and is crying out for him not to pass away.

But his life fading slow
Despite their efforts to save him, the individual is slowly dying.

Did I tell my mom I love her, do she know
The thought of not having expressed love and appreciation to his mother before possibly passing away.

Did I tell my baby sorry from before
Feeling regret that he may not have rectified a past wrong he committed against his loved one.

Won't get to see my son grow
Accepting the possibility that he may miss out on seeing his child grow up if he doesn't recover.

Lord I ain't ready to go
An admission of feeling unprepared and unwilling to die yet.

Can I live? Can I live? Dear Lord, Can I live?
Repeating Jay-Z's question once more, and asking God for more time to continue living and pursuing success.