What the Future Holds
S.P.Y. f. Ian Shaw Lyrics

A big city baby
The singer is from a large urban area.

Time to bend on some shit
It's time to tell a story and share some insights.

y'all people don't understand
The singer believes that the general public doesn't comprehend the reality of life in the singer's neighborhood.

That shit is real out here
The artist is emphasizing that life in the neighborhood is harsh and unforgiving.

I'm a tell y'all a story
The artist plans to share a personal anecdote with the audience.

Now this story didn't happen too long ago
The story that the singer is about to share is recent.

And it wasn't that far away
The story that the singer is about to share took place close to the singer's current location.

Its about some real niggas
The story is about real people from the artist's neighborhood.

Niggas doin real things aight
The people in the story are involved in real-world activities that have consequences.

So let me get to the first page and Ill break it down like this
The artist is introducing the first chapter of the story that they will be sharing.

I was a young child lost went to church on Sundays
The singer is sharing their childhood experience of going to church on Sundays.

Walking a narrow road that lead me to gunplay
Despite the artist's religious background, they became involved in violence and gun-related activities.

I was a good boy respect my mommy
The singer was a well-behaved child who respected their mother.

Looked up to them OGs like Querto, Phil, and Donny
The singer admired older guys from their neighborhood who were involved in gang activity.

Felt good as a young nigga
The singer found a sense of belonging and acceptance within their community as a teenager.

Comin home from school gettin love from them neighborhood drug dealers
The artist received attention and positive reinforcement from drug dealers in their neighborhood.

Wrote change, Cadillac Sevilles
The artist had aspirations of making a better life for themselves and their family, possibly through music or other means.

But spoke real, was a tradition, Brownsville
Despite the singer's ambitions, they always remained true to their roots in Brownsville and their street upbringing.

That was the first chapter, passin these stages
This verse marks the beginning of the singer's story about their life experiences.

But the book is wider and its a lot more pages
The artist emphasizes that their story is not yet finished and there is much more to tell.

The game changed, people got foul
The artist is referring to a shift in the neighborhood dynamics towards more violent, underhanded behavior.

And the same little chuch boy is buckwild
Despite their religious upbringing, the artist became involved in dangerous and reckless behavior.

Runnin wit my homeboys from three three nine, And one five four five, totin four fives
The singer associated with a group of friends from specific street addresses who carried guns.

I kept dreams of being a rap dude
The artist had a desire to become a successful rapper.

But I know the streets too well so I pack tools
Despite their aspirations, the singer knew that the realities of their environment necessitated that they carry weapons to protect themselves.

I lost a lot of loved ones to these streets
The singer has experienced significant loss due to the dangerous conditions of their neighborhood.

And lost a lot of loved ones over beef
The singer has lost friends and acquaintances due to conflicts and disputes within the community.

That goes to show these streets haunt ya
The artist believes that the traumatic experiences they have endured have long-lasting psychological effects.

Look what society created now, a monsta
The artist believes that the struggles and hardships they have faced are a product of societal conditions and injustices.

My day and age was a different role
The singer reflects on how their experiences growing up differ from contemporary times.

Its when a slug take a niggas soul
The singer is referencing the lethality of gun violence in their community.

Follow your dreams and follow your goals
The chorus advises listeners to persist in achieving their aspirations despite the challenges they may face.

Cause who knows what the future holds?
The chorus highlights the unpredictable nature of the future and the importance of making the most of the present.

Our man died and was left cold
The artist is referring to the loss of a community member whose body was left in the street to die.

Because a slug took the niggas soul
The cause of the man's death was gun violence.

I wish somebody would lend a hand
The artist wishes that someone would offer them assistance or support.

So they could see how I fell inside
The singer wishes to convey their inner feelings to others but feels that they are unable to do so on their own.

I'm on an emotional roller coaster ride
The singer is experiencing intense and conflicting emotions.

Nothing to hide
The singer feels that they have no reason to conceal their emotions or experiences.

A long time ago I set aside my pride
The artist has learned to overcome feelings of pride that may hinder their ability to receive help or assistance.

And used my past as a ghetto guide
The artist relies on their past experiences in their neighborhood to inform their current decisions and actions.

A few good men died, several wept stood beside me
The singer has experienced significant loss in their community, but has also found support and solidarity with others who share their struggles.

So I could smooth out the road for those that come behind me
The singer hopes to make life easier or better for others in their community who come after them.

You know where you can find me
The artist is indicating that they are a well-known and established figure in their community.

Out on the back blocks
The artist is often found in the less-traveled or out-of-the-way areas of the neighborhood.

Grippin black glocks in front of crack spots
The artist may be carrying a gun in front of places where drug activity takes place.

Its just a hobby
The singer is indicating that carrying a gun is a normal or expected part of their lifestyle.

And since I was a baby
The artist has been immersed in a culture of violence and street survival since childhood.

Thuggin, smokin, drinkin, totin is how the first family raised me
The singer has grown up in an environment where these behaviors are normalized or even expected.

I know that's deep
The singer acknowledges the gravity of their experiences and challenges.

But I still shed tears for my mother, two years
The singer is still grieving the loss of their mother, who passed away two years prior to the storytelling.

After shed been laid to rest
The artist's mother has already been buried or cremated.

And still some things I need to chisel off my chest
The artist has unresolved emotional issues or experiences that they need to get off their chest.

My remedy for stress, I conversate wit my oldest brother
The singer finds relief from stress or emotional turmoil by talking to their older brother.

Ten years after his death
The singer's brother passed away a decade prior to the storytelling.

I know there's nothin left
The artist has come to terms with the fact that their brother is no longer physically present in their life.

So I'm forced to take a deep breath
The artist is indicating that it can be difficult to accept and move on from loss and pain, but that they will keep trying.

Before I attempt to take another step
The artist recognizes that they need to process their emotions before they can continue with other aspects of their life.

A lot of brothas slept
The singer is referencing the death or loss of many members of their community.

A lot of brothas was left cold in the street and told
The artist is emphasizing the impact that gun violence and other forms of violence have on their community.

This is what your future holds
The singer is warning listeners of the harsh realities of life in their neighborhood.