Still I Rise
Ta'he Lyrics

Dear Lord
Addressing a higher power

As we down here, struggle for as long as we know
Acknowledging the ongoing struggle in life

In search of a paradise to touch (my nigga Johnny J)
Desiring a better life and mentioning a friend

Dreams are dreams, and reality seems to be the only place to go
Recognizing the difference between dreams and reality

The only place for us
Referring to reality as the only option

I know, try to make the best of bad situations
Attempting to find the silver lining in difficult circumstances

Seems to be my life's story
Feeling like this is a recurring theme in life

Ain't no glory in pain, a soldier's story in vain
Recognizing that pain and suffering don't lead to glory or fulfillment

And can't nobody live this life for me
Realizing that one must face and endure their own life experiences

It's a ride y'all, a long hard ride
Viewing life as a challenging journey

Somebody break me I'm dreamin', I started as a seed the semen
Expressing disbelief and starting life from conception

Swimmin' upstream, planted in the womb while screamin'
Facing resistance and beginning life with resistance

on the top, was my pops, my momma screamin' stop
Referencing parents and their troubled relationship

From a single drop, this is what they got
Reflecting on being the result of their troubled relationship

Not to disrespect my peoples but my poppa was a loser
Acknowledging the negative qualities of one's father

Only plan he had for momma was to fuck her and abuse her
Describing the destructive relationship between parents

Even as a little seed, I could see his plan for me
Recognizing the negative influence of the father early on

Stranded on welfare, another broken family
Being part of a disadvantaged and fractured family

Now what was I to be, a product of this heated passion
Questioning one's future as a result of their parents' volatile relationship

Momma got pregnant, and poppa got a piece of ass
Reflecting on the circumstances of one's conception

Look how it began, nobody gave a fuck about me
Feeling neglected and unimportant from the start

Pistol in my hand, this cruel world can do without me
Finding oneself in a violent and cruel world

How can I survive? Got me askin' white Jesus
Questioning faith and seeking guidance

will a nigga live or die, cause the Lord can't see us
Expressing doubt in divine protection and recognition

in the deep dark clouds of the projects, ain't no sunshine
Describing the gloomy and oppressive conditions of the projects

No sunny days and we only play sometimes
Acknowledging the lack of joy and limited opportunities

When everybody's sleepin'
Taking advantage of quiet moments to pursue personal endeavors

I open my window jump to the streets and get to creepin'
Engaging in illicit activities during nighttime

I can live or die, hope I get some money 'fore I'm gone
Recognizing the precariousness of life and seeking financial stability

I'm only 19, I'm tryin' to hustle on my own
Expressing the need to make a living independently at a young age

on the spot where everybody and they pops tryin' to slang rocks
Referring to a location where drug dealing is prevalent

I'd rather go to college, but this is where the game stops
Desiring a different path but feeling bound by circumstances

Don't get it wrong cause it's always on, from dusk to dawn
Highlighting the constant presence of danger and illegal activities

You can buy rocks glocks or a herringbone
Listing items that can be obtained in a criminal environment

You can ask my man Ishmael Reed
Referencing a person who can attest to the lifestyle

Keep my nine heated all the time this is how we grind
Carrying a gun for protection and emphasizing the hustle

Meet up at the cemetery then get smoked out, pass the weed nigga
Gathering at a cemetery to smoke marijuana

That Hennessey'll keep me keyed nigga
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism

Everywhere I go niggas holla at me, 'Keep it real G'
Receiving recognition and encouragement to stay true to oneself

And my reply til they kill me
Vowing to remain true until death

Act up if you feel me, I was born not to make it but I did
Challenging others to take action if they understand the struggle and stating personal success against odds

The tribulations of a ghetto kid, still I rise
Acknowledging the hardships faced as a child from the ghetto and asserting resilience

Please give me to the sky
Requesting elevation and freedom

And if (and if) I die (I die)
Acknowledging the possibility of death

I don't want you to cry
Expressing the desire for loved ones not to grieve

I stay sharp as always
Staying vigilant and alert

Runnin' ya bricks with blitz, through ya project hallways
Moving quickly and aggressively through the project hallways to seize opportunities

Dumpin' crews like two's, nigga all day
Defeating and overpowering other groups of individuals

Secrets of war prepare me for the worst
Understanding the harsh realities of conflict and using that understanding to face challenges

A life that's lavish full of cabbage or a life that's in a hearse
Contemplating a life of luxury or a life that ends with death

But now my dreams it seems though, be placin' triple beams and things bro
Realizing that ambition and aspirations can lead to material success

Diamond pinkie ring got the loot poppin' out my jeans
Displaying wealth and excess through expensive jewelry

Now I plan to keep my glock cocked
Intending to always be armed and prepared for danger

If trouble was searchin' for me then why not?
Wondering why one wouldn't be ready for trouble in their life

Show em what I'm made of plus raised on, on my block
Demonstrating strength and resilience despite the challenging environment

Chancellor Ave, where many turn to the street, thugs snatchin' bags
Naming a specific street known for criminal activities

We out for power, makin' cash it wasn't fast it'll make me mad
Striving for financial success and acknowledging the frustrations of slow progress

I'm just like, pimpin'
Comparing oneself to a successful and influential figure

My homey on the corner with his gat tucked, in
Referring to a friend who carries a concealed weapon for protection

Youngest they buckin' somethin' the life he leads
Highlighting the dangerous lifestyle of a young individual

the life he don't need, don't we all know
Recognizing the destructive nature of that lifestyle

He tryin' to rise up and we just go doe, still he rise
Acknowledging the determination of someone trying to improve their situation despite obstacles

Dreams of lost hope
Having aspirations that seem unreachable

I hit the strip broke where the fiends get coke
Finding oneself in a desperate situation surrounded by drug addicts

and still I rise now I float cowards ghost
Asserting resilience and triumph over those who doubted

Whenever we come around, I'm runnin' down
Instilling fear and causing others to flee when one is present

clutchin' a pound, live as sirens, duckin' the sound
Holding a heavy weapon, staying alert for police sirens, and avoiding trouble

I used to hustle with my moms til the sun came
Engaging in illegal activities with one's mother until sunrise

My homey Harm doin' time from this drug game
Referring to a friend who is incarcerated due to involvement in drugs

Stolen cars, war scars, born a Outlaw
Describing a life of crime, conflict, and belonging to an outlaw group

Behind bars, go to sleep just to see the stars
Finding solace and escape in the nighttime sky while incarcerated

Freedom is ours, though we trapped on a firm block
Believing in the concept of personal freedom despite being confined to a specific area

Crackheads only ten learn to duck cops
Being exposed to the dangers of drugs and acquiring the skills to evade law enforcement

In ninety-six my glock's my plastic, passion for blastin' bastards
Referring to a gun as a form of protection and expressing a desire to harm enemies

No faces for open caskets, peelin' ya cap backwards
Delivering fatal shots and causing head injuries

Ya cowards ain't prepared for pistol practice
Asserting the superiority and skill with firearms over one's enemies

I send my missiles through your mattress
Shooting bullets into the bed of one's enemies

Leavin' holes in your body like a cactus
Causing severe injuries and wounds to one's enemies

While me and my crew be boppin' more greens than topic
Earning more money than the average person, often through illegal means

and loot to keep the seams in my motherfuckin' jeans poppin'
Using money to maintain a flashy and extravagant lifestyle

Leavin' ya spleen to pick up
Causing severe internal injuries

Half of you niggas is softer than a Snicker
Mocking the lack of toughness and resilience in others

Let's go to war and see who draw quicker
Challenging others to engage in a violent conflict to determine superiority

and still I rise, and still I rise
Persisting and overcoming obstacles

Y'all niggas fake
Calling out others for being inauthentic

All day everyday
Emphasizing the constant presence of fake individuals

So now I got roller blades, bitch
Asserting dominance and displaying a disregard for others' opinions

Thought you knew
Surprising others with one's actions

Your mouth is rich
Calling out someone for talking excessively and without substance

C'mon pops, let's go
Addressing a father figure, possibly sarcastically