Sneakers
Patrice Lyrics

What lives in you lives in me has always been will always be
We are all interconnected and share a common essence; this has always been and will remain true.

Yeah were free like the breeze um they couldn't fuck with Patrice
We are free to be ourselves, and nobody can mess with who we are, just like the wind cannot be contained or controlled.

Yo the world is rotten from top to bottom the devil comes down
The world is corrupted from its core, and the devil continues to bring evil and negative influences.

Yeah frequently to go soul shopping
The devil often tries to lure people with material possessions and other temptations in exchange for their soul.

What we know we have forgotten
We often overlook the knowledge and wisdom we possess and forget its importance.

It takes a second to kill what it took a generation to build
It only takes a moment to destroy something that has taken years to establish and create.

Well this will rise and this won't drop
Certain things will thrive and remain successful, while others will deteriorate and fail.

And this will move and this won't stop
Some things will continue to progress and grow, while others will become stagnant and stop.

'cause this is real and this is true and this is me and this is you
What is authentic and genuine, is who we truly are as individuals.

Look at my sneakers to judger me
People make snap judgments based on your outer appearance, such as the shoes you wear.

I'll leave them speechless and dodgy
Patrice will surprise people and prove their initial judgments wrong.

They say that niggaz too foxy
Some people may view Patrice as cunning or sly.

But they could never touch me
Despite how people may view him, Patrice cannot be touched or brought down by negative opinions.

The military didn't want me
Patrice was rejected by the military for not being able to handle authority.

They said I couldn't deal with authority
The military viewed Patrice as someone who would not be able to follow orders and respect authority.

They guy took a look said I was a crook
When being judged based on his appearance, someone said that Patrice looked like a criminal.

Looked at my face looked at my waist
The person who judged Patrice based on his looks examined his facial features and his size.

Looked at my shoes looked at my hat
The person who judged Patrice examined his shoes and hat as well.

Said that boy means trouble that boy is bad
Based on his appearance, the person who judged Patrice believed he was trouble and had a bad character.

They kicked me out of the boarding school 'cause be burned up mi room
Patrice was expelled from boarding school for starting a fire that was so intense it created harmful fumes.

The fire we mi a burn so big it did a kill dem wid the fumes!
The fire Patrice started in his room was so massive it was having a harmful impact on others.

When me at the club me they see me in VIP
When Patrice is at a club, he is often seen in the VIP section.

Anywhere I go I need to bring my I.D
Patrice needs to carry his ID with him everywhere he goes due to the constant scrutinization he faces.

At my own gigs their messing with me
Even at his own shows, Patrice is still being bothered and harassed by others.

Just the other day I had a fight with my own security!
Patrice even got into a fight with his own security personnel which shows how much he is judged and dealt with by others.

When I'm on the train they check up on me
Patrice is frequently checked on and searched by authorities when he is on various forms of transportation.

When I'm at the border they dig up my laundry
When Patrice is crossing into other countries, his personal background and life history are closely examined.

They say I've got that look like I'm from the middle east
People often think Patrice looks Middle Eastern, which can result in him being judged differently.

They see that bling but I do my thing
Some may just see Patrice's outward appearance and the material possessions he has, but he is still able to remain authentic to himself.

But the sound wing 'cause their shit sounds so thin
Others who judge Patrice may be fake or not have the substance he possesses.

Now there in but trends change like the wind
People who are currently popular or relevant can easily fall out of popularity.

When I step up then judgment begins
As soon as Patrice puts himself out there, people start to judge him and misunderstand him.

I want to hear my echo from up town down to the ghetto
Patrice wants to be heard and understood from all walks of life and social classes.

From Adis Ababa straight down to Soweto
Patrice wants to be heard and understood across geographic regions and cultures.

Me say who are you to tell me the fuck to tell me what to do
Patrice is questioning who has the right to tell him what to do and how to live his life.

Coming out of the blue with your tie and your shoe
Patrice is criticizing people who believe they have a right to judge him and tell him what to do, especially when they are privileged and in positions of power.

Me say who tell me tell me who the fuck are you
Patrice repeats his questioning of those who judge him and think they have authority over him.

Instead of looking at my eyes you be looking at my shoes
Patrice is saying that people are too focused on his outer appearance, rather than seeing him for who he truly is as an individual.

Na na na nana na na na

Na nana na na naaaa