Verse One:
Rough upbringings will turn a choir boy into a tough drug king
Or, a gruff gunslinger in the bust slug business
And, the fucks? None’s given
Lack of self-improvement’s got enough thugs slipping
Gained knowledge, but lost grips
Trapped in the corner by these opposing forces
During drunken nights, some praise the God made of porcelain
Pleasure’s changed to pain as you release sharp drips
Stone-faced ‘cause you dropped emotional guards; she pulled that prank on you
As you gave Medusa Head until she put that stank on you (Stankonia)
Outcasts (OutKasts) draw the black irons (Blak Irons) for major bank, homie
Just to pledge allegiance to line snorters and dank smokers
Once the doubt fills your brain, hope and dreams remain broken
Then, niggaz plot to block escape routes and drain focus
But, when 13 o’clock hits, we stay woke
And, recognize game played on society like notes by Beethoven

Hook:
Behind the smile hides the elements of grief
Low self-esteem and everlasting beef
Leave a mess and lose the sense you’re blessed with
Before you reach that dead end, you turn reckless
It’s hectic in the urban life

Verse Two:
Blinded by the lust for dollars like Creflo
Heads know the lies can have you railroaded in hellholes
To make sure your future’s scarred, they keep them prison cells opened
Self-loathing seek relief through outer shell coating
‘Cause they overlook the beauty within
Just to find love, they sacrifice the booty and trim
We’re in the days where peasants are blessed and ancestors (are) neglected
These devils censor your message and bring stress to your presence
Laundry’s aired on social media, loud and rude with bravery
But, can’t escape the Hell from psychology slavery
Your house is like a cult, it sends your guidance through convulsions
Plus, it’s not the Lord’s wrath, they fear social expulsion
Lost counts on the days that you cried
‘Cause, like a bad conk, you’re fried, died (dyed), and laid to the side
Sheeyit, make all the grades, you’ll still get it the worst
As you lost time for checks with no credit or worth

Hook:
Behind the smile hides the elements of grief
Low self-esteem and everlasting beef
Leave a mess and lose the sense you’re blessed with
Before you reach that dead end, you turn reckless
It’s hectic in the urban life

Verse Three:
Some ask, how can you be granted serenity
When the body’s held in captivity for the next few centuries?
Blindsided by political treachery
The schoolhouse is now a graveyard for lost memories
The foul stench is overpowering the planet ‘cause the evil’s brewing
Inviting humans to ruins
With these shadetree leaders, you’ll never know your purpose
And, to top it off, the elders are slaves to social services

Hook:
Behind the smile hides the elements of grief
Low self-esteem and everlasting beef
Leave a mess and lose the sense you’re blessed with
Before you reach that dead end, you turn reckless
It’s hectic in the urban life