Tiger
Kevin Gates Lyrics

As luck would have it my best friend, the brown skin nigga with the braids
My best friend (who has brown skin and braids) was released from jail and things started to look up for me.

Not the pussy nigga with the fade, but the short chubby nigga with the braids
My best friend is not the weak person with the short haircut, but the strong person with chubby body and braids.

Got out of jail I was left broke, well not broke but low funds
When my friend got out of jail, I was struggling financially but not completely broke.

Funds lower than they ever was, I was tryna rap without selling drugs
My money was at an all-time low and despite the pressure, I was determined to pursue a music career without relying on drug sales.

Me and Eric Taylor kept grinding hard, but every plan just fell apart
Despite our best efforts, Eric and I faced many setbacks in achieving our goals.

His momma died every night I cried, and prayed to God to protect his heart
Eric's mom's death caused me to become emotional and I prayed for his well-being every day.

The label kept on booking shows, most of which was a instant flop
My record label kept booking shows, but most of them were unsuccessful, and didn't generate the financial profit I needed.

This means I would appear, and perform without getting guap
This resulted in me performing at multiple shows without making any money.

This the part where it gets evil, got the ? couldn't believe it
This is where things get tricky, and I received a contract that I couldn't believe.

My social next to a signature on a contract where I didn't leave it
I discovered that my social security number was linked to a contract that I didn't even sign.

Me and ? had a lot of talks, but it ain't really make sense to talk
I talked to someone about the issue, but it seemed fruitless to talk as nothing really came of it.

Told him what I needed as a artist, he will say ok then brush it off
When I explained what I needed from my career as an artist, the person agreed to help, but ultimately never followed through.

Rap game calling for me, lets run the ball no fucking off
Despite the issues I faced, I knew I had to continue pursuing my potential in the music industry.

Travis Vick and the name I said, forever I'ma have love for him
I have strong admiration and love for my childhood friend, Travis Vick.

Had to focus on my career, others tryna be club owners
I made the decision to prioritize my music career over other people who were attempting to open a club.

Got the ears of a major label, now everybody in the world on it
Thanks to my hard work, a big record label took notice of my talent, and now my music is reaching people all over the world.

Heart of a tiger will commit homicide
I have a fearless and fierce determination to achieve success in the music industry.

Dismantle any challenger or rival
I will take down any competition that tries to get in my way.

Concrete jungle where we fight to survive
Like many other struggling artists, I am competing fiercely in a challenging environment of the music industry.

Until you make the police you'll never take me alive
I will not give up or surrender until I reach the top of the music industry, and nothing is going to stop me.

I'm a tiger, I'm a tiger
I am a born survivor with a competitive edge.

Altercations, I'm thinking Travis must really hate me
I am considering that my friend Travis may hold hate towards me due to our past disputes.

Been like a brother through middle school, woulda never rapped until he made me
Travis was like a brother during our childhood days and it was him who inspired me to pursue a career in rap music.

Really used to flip hoes together, go out together, do shows together
We used to have fun together and even worked together when we used to flip pies and performing at little shows.

Still amazes me, kinda crazy how popularity can make you change
It's surprising how much people can change when they gain fame and popularity.

No nigga round him woulda splattered for him
No one around Travis would have gone to great lengths to defend him.

Put their head on a platter for him
They wouldn't be willing to risk their life for him.

Never disrespected your bitch boy
I never showed any disrespect to Travis or anyone else in my crew.

I protected your bitch boy
On the contrary, I had always maintained and protected our brotherly relationship.

When niggas that we both know was tryna put dick on your bitch boy
When other people tried to insult and undermine Travis, I always had his back.

All you ever did was criticize me
Instead of appreciating my loyalty, all Travis did was criticize me for no reason.

Pillow talk to the world bout me
Travis would talk behind my back to others, spreading rumors and secret information.

These tear drops on my face real, my mom will tell you I'm not stuntin'
When I cry, it is genuine and not for show or to seek attention. My mother can confirm this.

Juvenile detention for self-defense, broad day I popped somethin'
I had to defend myself and ended up apprehended as a juvenile, but not before fighting for my life in broad daylight.

Her ex-boyfriend broke her ribs, blacked her eyes, I shot somethin'
When a girl I knew was abused by her ex, I took action by shooting him in self defense.

'scuse me, I'm my own man
I am my own person and can think and act for myself.

In jail or on land
Whether I am incarcerated or free, I remain the same person with unchanged values and principles.

Always tryna fight me
Travis never truly saw me as a friend and was always trying to instigate a fight.

How the fuck you hurt a nigga you love
It's difficult to comprehend how someone can hurt a person that they claim to love as a close friend or family member.

I would never put my hands on you, reason being you a nigga I love
Despite everything, I could never bring myself to physically hurt Travis since he is someone that I love dearly.