Hold up
MC Eiht Lyrics

We sending this one out right here
We're dedicating this song to a specific group of people

To all the young thug and young hustlers out there
The song is for young people who are struggling to succeed

You know I'm sayin', grown up with their moms strugglin'
These young people grew up with single mothers who were struggling

In the hood yo' I'm sayin', ya know how it is
They grew up in a tough neighborhood and know how hard life can be

Trying to keep it tight, you know I'm sayin'
They're trying to stay strong despite their difficult circumstances

Born and raised a black youth, no happy days
The songwriter grew up as a black youth, and didn't have an easy childhood

My moms and pops went they separate ways
The songwriter's parents got divorced

Now she solo with half the dough, and three kids
The songwriter's mother was left to raise three kids on her own with limited financial resources

No house, a damn tight situation we in
Their home situation is difficult and uncertain

Hit the streets to look for work and pay
The songwriter's mother had to work hard to support her kids

So her kids can have it better than she had one day
She wanted her children to have a better life than she did

Try to teach me some rules, "Get A's in school
She taught her children the importance of getting good grades in school

Keep your head up high and don't run with the fools"
She warned her children to avoid getting mixed up with bad influences

That was the lesson, always listen to moms
The songwriter was taught to respect and listen to his mother

Bible she totin, always quotin from Psalms
His mother was religious and often quoted from the Bible

Young but I'm knowin' the right thang to do
The songwriter was young but knew what was right

Know the things to say when times is blue
He knew how to stay positive during tough times

Times is hard and really unfortunate
Life is tough and unfortunate

I'm young and I really don't like the shit
The songwriter doesn't like his difficult circumstances

But I dream nice things when I sleep at night
He still has hope and dreams of a better future

When I grow up I'll make everything alright
He hopes to make things better when he's older

I know it's hard sometimes
Life can be difficult

But if you can make a way, you need to hold up
You need to stay strong and persevere

I know a better way
There are better options out there

And if you can wait today it'll be alright...
Things will get better if you're patient

Now I'm 15, my life done hit a split screen
The songwriter's life has taken a drastic turn at the age of 15

What used to be a good kid struck a bad gene
The songwriter has started to go down the wrong path

Bad dreams, young thugs and crime scenes
He's now surrounded by negative influences and experiences

Skip school, saggin' my jeans and blow green
He's started to skip school, dress in an inappropriate way, and use drugs

My moms don't know where I get the shit from
His mother doesn't know where he's getting his drugs from

If you keep trippin' you know the outcome
He knows that his actions will lead to negative consequences

Laid up somewhere, or in jail
He could end up injured or in prison

Makin' collect calls tryin' to make bail
If he ends up in jail, he'll have to rely on others to help him get out

Hell, and you know how I struggle for the cheddar
He's been struggling to make money

Before I give it away better get it together
He needs to start using his money wisely

My guilty conscience sayin' not no listen
He's ignoring his conscience telling him not to do negative things

The other have tellin' me, keep a good intention
He also has a positive voice telling him to do the right thing

Aw shit, a nigga need a mind of his own
He realizes that he needs to make his own decisions

Too much to deal with, I really don't feel shit
He's overwhelmed and not feeling good

Young thug ready to take on the world
He feels like he can take on anything

Who made my life take such a twirl
He wonders why his life took a negative turn

Now my situation's changed, no chains remain
His situation has improved and he's free from negative influences

Now I try to check out the game and cause pain
He's turned to music as a way to express himself and make a statement

Long live the days of homeboys and straps
He's nostalgic for the days when he was surrounded by his friends and felt safe

Gang of tombstones for the ones that caught caps
He's mourning the death of his friends who were killed

Make snaps off raps, reminiscin' of days
He's making money from music and looking back on his past

Good part is shot up while 'More Bounce' plays
He remembers a time when a party was interrupted by gunshots

Missin the days sometimes, but keeps my eyes on the future
He misses the past but is focused on making a better future

Keep my hands on my heat cause niggas might shoot ya
He's still cautious and aware of the dangers around him

Rob a nigga blind, just like Stevie
He used to steal from others, similar to Stevie Wonder's song "Superstition"

I used to do the same when a nigga was greedy
He used to steal from people when he was greedy

But my come-up was wrong, flipped it, now it's strong
He started off on the wrong path, but turned his life around and is now successful in music

Now I clocks snaps, keep the street shit in my songs
He's making money now through music, and still incorporates the street life into his lyrics

Trying to make it up on a stage from doin' a bid
He's trying to make it in music after spending time in prison

Trying to make a better way like she did for my kids
He wants to do better and provide for his own children

Right now watch out, keep my nose to the grind
He's working hard and staying focused on his career

Yeah boy, this world is mine
He's confident and feels in control of his own destiny