SHELTER ft Wyclef Jean ft Chance The Rapper
Vic Mensa Lyrics

There's a war going on outside
There is conflict and turmoil happening in the world

That nobody's safe from
Everyone is vulnerable and at risk

But here in my arms
In this relationship, I will protect and provide comfort

I'll keep you from harm
I will ensure your safety and well-being

There's no guarantee tonight
There is uncertainty about what will happen tonight

That we will wake up
There is no assurance that we will survive until morning

When night takes the morning
When darkness transitions into daylight

But if no alarm rings
If no danger is imminent

You can count on one thing
You can rely on me to be there for you

I'll be your shelter
I will protect and provide refuge for you

Emergency
In times of crisis or danger

Please count on me, yeah, I
You can depend on me

I'll be your superhero
I will act as your protector and savior

When danger arrives
During times of threatening situations

I'll be by your side (uh)
I will be there to support you

You're my lucky dime (uh)
You are my fortunate charm or blessing

Wyclef told me call 911
Wyclef Jean advised me to seek emergency help

But who do you call when the ambulances don't come
In situations where emergency services fail or are unavailable

Or watch as the ones sworn by law protect us
Observing how those entrusted to safeguard us

Wrongfully convict us then call it corrections
Unjustly sentencing and labeling it as societal correction

Next, they bail the banks out when we in recession
Providing financial assistance to banks during economic decline

And hang us in the jail cell so they can swing the elections
Imprisoning individuals to manipulate voting outcomes

I walk Chicago streets where pot holes is deep and Tahoes creep like TLC
Navigating through dilapidated streets with cautious vehicles

Hospital workers in scrubs with no PPE
Medical professionals lacking proper protective equipment

But they got money for riot gear, my nigga, we dying here, yeah
Allocating funds for handling public unrest rather than addressing urgent needs

You tell me not to move with my gun
Advised against carrying a weapon for self-defense

But we got more funeral homes than schools where I'm from
The prevalence of funeral establishments exceeding educational institutions in my community

And on the news all you view is homicides
Media coverage primarily focuses on murder cases

Tell me why it ain't no trauma units when everybody traumatized
Questioning the lack of available resources for those affected by trauma

Tryna get on your feet, playing the hand they dealt ya
Struggling to overcome obstacles given the circumstances

If your house is not a home let this song be your shelter
If your living situation lacks comfort, let this song provide solace

It's a hundred bags under the underpass
Numerous individuals living in poverty under the bridge

Rumbling stomachs, cups jingle when Hummers pass
People experiencing hunger, noticeable when extravagant cars drive by

Brisk winds, summer's done, winter is coming fast
The transition from warm weather to cold seasons is imminent

And then they Zoom teacher wonder why they don't come to class
Virtual schooling and questioning student attendance

The internet been out, the hot water been out
Lack of stable internet connection and absence of hot water

She moved to her aunt's house, then to her friend's couch
Relocating to temporary living arrangements due to housing instability

Abuser went to jail but that nigga been out
The perpetrator was imprisoned but has since been released

Producer was in house, they closer then pen pals
The perpetrator had connections within the system, resulting in favorable outcomes

Homeless in the home of the slaves, I wonder how that would feel
Being without a permanent residence in a country with a history of slavery

The manifested destiny a bunch of land they could steal
The notion of territorial expansion used as justification for land acquisition

Think about Kenneth Walker and Philando Castile
Reflecting on individuals who faced injustice and violence

How they only wanted to protect their family
Highlighting the desire of these individuals to ensure their loved ones' safety

While it's niggas out here that make it worse for they folks
There are individuals who exacerbate the challenges faced by their own community

It's a deeper, hotter hell for the worst of these folks
Those who face the most adversity experience profound suffering

It's a mystery, we never heard the murder she wrote
The truth behind certain crimes remains concealed

If we finally paid her back the whole earth would be broke
If justice was served for all wrongs, society would crumble financially

I write for my niggas doing life with no possibility of parole
Expressing solidarity with incarcerated individuals facing life sentences

You playing Fortnite, that's how long you spent in a hole
Comparing the time spent playing a video game to the isolation and confinement of prison

Live from Death Row, free my nigga Julius Jones
Advocating for the release of Julius Jones, who is on death row

I had a dream that Mumia was home, I speak freedom in songs
Imagining Mumia Abu-Jamal's release and using music as a medium to advocate for freedom

'Cause all I see is racist faces
Perceiving a prevalence of racism in society

Where hate lives and they rape kids in cages
Highlighting the cruel treatment of children in detention facilities

What kinda nation lynch Elijah McClain?
Questioning the actions of a country where individuals like Elijah McClain face violence

Then send us to the Middle East to die for the flag
Deploying soldiers to foreign lands to fight in wars

They drive us insane to sell us medication
Manipulating society's well-being and prescribing drugs for profit

We demand reparations and they tell us have patience
When seeking compensation for historical injustices, patience is urged

Instead of cash payments, we get minimum wages
Receiving minimal income instead of substantial reparations

They give us the black plague, then send us a white savior
Society brings harm and suffering, only to offer limited assistance

I found faith when I lost hope
Discovering belief and trust during a period of despair

That's when Julius reminded me of a bar I wrote
Julius Jones's situation prompted a recollection of poetic lyrics

Behind bars on the yard where they dream of the street
In prison, longing for freedom and reminiscing about the outside world

On death row singing we could be free (we could be free)
Death row inmates expressing the desire for liberation and justice

I know you'll be my shelter from the storm
Believing and relying on the person to provide protection during challenging times

I know you'll be my shelter from the storm