One Life
R.M.O. Lyrics

Yo I grew up like the regular thug sold drugs
I was raised in an environment that glorified drug dealing, so I sold drugs to get by.

Wasn't proud about it, but this is what I gotta do
I didn't feel good about my actions, but I didn't see any other way to make money.

I copped the Jordan's, and the Fila's, too
I used my profits to buy expensive shoes that were popular at the time.

Yo, I loved the Bo Jackson's, the orange and blue
One pair of shoes I particularly enjoyed were the orange and blue Bo Jackson sneakers.

Used to snatch Lee patches, now I wear Cartier glasses
In the past, I would steal Lee jeans patches. Now, I can afford to buy Cartier glasses.

Thinkin' that the earth's axis, revolves around my waist.. and how the fuck I feel
I had an inflated sense of importance, thinking everything revolved around me and my desires.

Yo I played ball for Vince, yo I handled the pill
I played basketball for Vince Carter and had good ball handling skills.

Then it dawned on me, came strong on me
I had a realization about my life that hit me hard.

I belonged with these, niggaz thuggin' with me
I felt like I fit in with the group of guys who were involved in criminal activity like me.

So I switched crews, started rollin' with the older dudes
I joined an older group of guys involved in more serious criminal activity.

Drinkin' brews, did what they say, and paid dues
I followed their lead and did what they said, even if it meant doing illegal or dangerous things.

My hands dirty, trying to keep little Lea
I was involved in criminal activity to support my daughter, Lea.

And got jerked, the first time I tried to re-up
I was ripped off my first time trying to buy drugs wholesale to sell at a profit.

People my age, tried to say slow my speed up
My peers advised me to slow down and stop getting involved in criminal activity.

'Cause I smoked bogies, staked on weed up
Because I smoked cigarettes and enjoyed smoking weed, my peers thought I was too reckless to be involved in criminal activity.

I love my life (Love my life, yo)
Despite the difficulties I faced, I still loved my life.

Sold drugs my life (Did it all in my time)
I sold drugs as a way to survive and make money in my life.

Its my whole life (Live it up)
My involvement in criminal activity was a big part of my life, so I tried to make the best of it.

I sacrificed (Sacrificed twice)
I made sacrifices to survive, like risking arrest or getting involved in dangerous situations.

This game we play (Play for keeps)
Criminal activity is like a game, but with serious consequences if you lose.

I live and pray (Control the streets)
I tried to exert control over my environment and the streets I lived on through my actions and reputation.

Hear her say (Yo, just live your life, baby, live your life,baby)
I received advice from someone to just live my life and make the best of it.

These is the days of sparkin', I used to roll with Rob Profit
During this time in my life, smoking weed was commonplace and I hung out with a guy named Rob Profit.

Troy Outlaw, Freddie Bedrock, and Joe Wood
I was friends with these guys during my involvement in criminal activity.

Runni'n in Timbo's ???, shine shoes
I remember running around in a particular type of shoe called Timbos, and also shining shoes.

Section Two, part of Iraq I grew up at
I grew up in a section of Queens, NY called Section Two, which felt like a war zone at times.

Had to learn how to slapbox, instead of a gat
I had to learn how to fight with my hands instead of using a gun.

I never knew rap, all I knew was crack
I didn't have any interest in rap music like many of my peers did, but was just focused on selling drugs.

Yo there's rules to this game, and people to blame
Involvement in criminal activity has its own set of rules, and there are people responsible for the negative effects it has on society.

When you see another little brother doing the same
I saw other young people getting involved in criminal activity, just like I did when I was younger.

As you used to
It reminded me of my past behavior.

Growing up like you
I understood what they were going through because I had also gone through similar experiences.

Palyin' skully, with his heat out, cellular phone
The younger generation was involved in criminal activity at a younger age than I was, and they had access to technology like cell phones.

Getting little drug money, but got the world sewn
They may not have been making much money yet, but they had a sense of control over their environment and saw the world as theirs for the taking.

I recall, cause he gonna die
I remember someone who was involved in criminal activity who eventually died as a result of that lifestyle.

Yo, I cry
It was an emotional experience for me.

It's hard to, get tarred up with God jewel, part two
It's difficult to avoid negative influences and stay on a positive path in life.

Smily got shot up to (Rest in peace)
Someone named Smily was killed, and I offer my condolences to him and his loved ones.

Aiyyo, you realize that you miss a nigga (miss him)
When someone you know dies, you realize how much you miss them.

When you realize (realize) that you never gonna see him again
It hits you that you'll never see that person again.

Aiyyo, its totally, up to the team, to me
Ultimately, it's up to me to decide what actions I take, but I'm also influenced by the people around me.

So don't, make a move if you don't ask me
Don't take any actions without consulting me first.

I'm, casually known, halfly blown
I'm known by some people, but not everyone knows me well. I'm also partially under the influence of drugs.

In Miami, cause now Uncle Wise came home
I'm currently in Miami because someone named Uncle Wise has returned home.

Jello, copped me a Role', copped them one, too
Someone named Jello bought me and another person a Rolex watch.

You keep it real with a person, keep it real with you
If you're honest with someone, they will usually be honest with you in return.

Use confidence, Thugged Out aimed for dominance
Involvement in criminal activity requires confidence and the desire to be in control.

Nostradam' in this, he slits wrists just like Glomerus
Nostradamus, a famous prophet, is referenced here as well as Glomerus, who is likely another character in the song.

??, Grenad', iced out for Tito
Various items like Grenadine and jewelry are mentioned as being involved in criminal activity.

Puerto Rico, we live life now cause we know
We live life to the fullest because we understand how short life can be.

The other side of the fence stay friendly
People who are not involved in criminal activity don't bother us and we don't bother them.

Its just war in there, done, there ain't no Henny
Inside the world of criminal activity, it's a constant battle and there's no time to relax or celebrate with alcohol.

I can't live that, déjà vu, I did that
I can't continue to make the same mistakes over and over again.

I gained stats, rumblin' cats over Kit Kats
I gained notoriety and a reputation for fighting over things as small as Kit Kat candy bars.

Now I spit raps, park my Benz where the chicks at
Now I rap and enjoy the fruits of my labor, like being able to afford a nice car and attracting women.

And just live with a big stack
I'm now able to live a more comfortable life thanks to my past involvement in criminal activity.

[Chorus: x3]
Repeating the chorus, emphasizing how much the author loves his life despite everything he went through.