King Without a Crown
Thi'sl Lyrics

King without a crown, a king without a crown x4
Despite not having visible symbols of power and authority, I am still a King worthy of respect and honor.

Ride around with the top laid back
I am confident and relaxed in my position as a King.

Let it knock boy, I'm back and I love my city
I have love and loyalty to my community.

Got a heart like 'Pac for the block
I have a genuine concern for the well-being of my neighborhood.

But your boy big and black like Biggie
I am proud of my physical appearance and identity as a Black man.

Got the dope boys with me, so the po-po see me
I am aware of the negative assumptions and stereotypes that police officers may have about me and those who associate with me.

And they gotta pull me over cuz they think
I am unfairly targeted and profiled by law enforcement because of my race and appearance.

I'm riding around with the .4-4 with me
I am falsely accused of carrying illegal weapons or drugs.

I don't do it for the glory, boy I do it for the king
I am motivated by my devotion to a higher power and purpose, rather than personal gain or recognition.

And I don't bang for the hood, but I do it for the streets
My actions and decisions are informed by the needs and realities of the broader community, rather than just my immediate surroundings.

And I do it for my mama, all the nights she sleep
I have a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices made by my loved ones.

And I do it for my kids, cuz my kids gotta eat
I am driven to provide for my family and ensure their survival.

Granny in the kitchen, whipping them turnips
I have fond memories of my family and the traditions and values they passed down to me.

She told me God got me, I told her I turn up
I am guided and supported by my faith, and use that strength to overcome obstacles and adversity.

Over beats I turn up, in the streets I turn up
I am confident and unapologetic in expressing myself and my beliefs, regardless of the setting.

Matter fact imma change my name, from now on you can call me Turn Up
I am embracing and owning my identity, and rejecting any attempts to diminish or stereotype me.

Whatever you thinking and you believeing, I am, I'm not
I am not defined by others' perceptions or assumptions about me.

Unless you thinking and you believing I am, I'm hot
I only accept positive and empowering beliefs and attitudes about myself.

Set this world on fire, you can feel the heat
I have the power and passion to make a significant impact or change in the world.

You die for that crown, mine at his feet
The ultimate source of my power and authority comes from a higher spiritual authority.

I throw my crown on the ground
I humbly acknowledge that my power and success are not solely my own.

And place it at your feet
I submit and defer to a higher power or authority.

While I'm out here tryin' to get it
Despite facing challenges and obstacles, I am constantly striving and working hard to achieve my goals.

Make sure all my people believe
I am committed to inspiring and empowering those around me.

I'm never down for the count
I am resilient and refuse to give up or be defeated.

And I never know defeat
I have the mindset and attitude of a winner, regardless of the outcome.

I'm mobbing through the city
I am assertive and confident in my actions and movements.

And these people watching me
I am aware of how my actions and success may impact and inspire others.

But I'm a King without a crown, a king without a crown
My power and authority come from within, rather than external symbols.

Give me 5 dollars on pump eight
I come from a humble and working-class background, and understand the value of hard work and resourcefulness.

Transmission slipping we stayed
Despite facing difficulties and setbacks, we persevered and made it through.

Ran a little late, we straight
We faced minor setbacks and delays, but ultimately everything worked out okay.

Cuz momma made sure we ate
My mother was a strong and caring presence in my life, who always ensured our basic needs were met.

I was about 9 years old when my daddy got found
A traumatic event in my childhood had a profound impact on me and my family.

Noose wrapped around his neck in the attic of the house
My father was the victim of racial violence and hatred, and his death had a lasting impact on me and my community.

Knew then that the devil would thrill as the blood congealed
I became aware of the insidious powers that worked to oppress and harm me and my community.

He kept the weapon concealed
The perpetrators of my father's murder were able to hide their weapons and intentions until it was too late.

You swear to God he had gills
The perpetrators of my father's murder seemed so inhuman and monstrous, that it felt as though they were not even human.

Reptilian, cold blooded killer and his co-defendant looked familiar
Those who perpetrate violence and hatred are often part of the same community, and may even be people we know or are related to.

Say it look like me, say it look like you
The perpetrators of violence and hatred can come from any background, race, or ethnicity.

If it look like a felon then my cousin got two
My community is disproportionately affected by systemic oppression and criminalization.

My brother got one, and my partner got three
The criminal justice system has unfairly targeted and punished many people in my community.

I'm trying to explain to these g's we kings but
Despite facing systemic oppression and violence, I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of myself and my community.

A ten dollar rock turn a pretty prom queen
The destructive force of addiction and substance abuse can impact anyone, regardless of their background or social status.

To a beggin' dope fiend on Martin Luther King
The impact of addiction and substance abuse has devastating effects on individuals and communities.

Lord please
I am seeking guidance and strength from a higher power.

I'll place my crown at your feet, If I don't know where my crown is
I am willing to defer and submit to a higher power, even if I do not fully understand my place in the world.

Whole genealogy full of ideology, now I don't know which crown which
My family and community have complex and diverse beliefs and values, and it can be challenging to navigate and reconcile them.

How am I successful with this robe and scepter
Despite having success and power, there are times when I feel uncertain or undeserving of my position.

I'm the reason the king was murked
I acknowledge my own complicity and responsibility in perpetuating systems of oppression and violence.

I don't know what you know
There may be aspects of my life and experience that others cannot fully understand or relate to.

But I'm the one way, way back in the church still smelling like purp
Despite my imperfections and struggles, I am still seeking spiritual guidance and growth.

And you say that you do, and my crown made of gold
Others may claim to understand or relate to me, but they cannot fully understand or experience my life and struggles.

And my daddy is a king, and I'm right I really deserve death
My family and community have inherent worth and dignity, and it is wrong to dehumanize or criminalize them.

But the one that was murked, he died for me
The sacrifice of those who fought against oppression and violence inspire and motivate me to continue the struggle.

And brings a king to his knees, and my crown to your feet
The realization of my own powerlessness and humility allows me to submit to a higher power or authority.

Lord, take all that I got, you know
I am willing to surrender and sacrifice my own desires and goals for the greater good.

Prostrate position, face down on the ground
I am willing to humble myself and submit fully to a higher power or authority.

Like the law just hit that block
The impact of systemic oppression and violence can be devastating and overwhelming.