“Middle Child”, by J. Cole released January 23, 2019

[Chorus] N****s been countin' me out I’m countin' my bullets, I'm loadin’ my clips I'm writin' down names, I'm makin’ a list I'm checkin' it twice and I'm gettin’ ’em hit The real ones been dying, the fake ones is lit The game is off balance, I’m back on my shit The Bentley is dirty, my sneakers is dirty But that's how I like it, you all on my dick

[Verse One] I'm all in my bag, this hard as it get I do not snort powder, I might take a sip I might hit the blunt, but I'm liable to trip I ain’t poppin' no pill, but you do as you wish I roll with some fiends, I love 'em to death I got a few mil’, but not all of them rich What good is the bread if my n*s is broke? What good is first class if my ns can't sit? That's my next mission, that's why I can't quit Just like LeBron get my ns more chips Just put the Rollie right back on my wrist This watch came from Drizzy, he gave me a gift Back when the rap game was prayin' I'd diss They act like two legends cannot coexist But I'd never beef with a na for nothin' If I smoke a rapper, it's gon' be legit It won't be for clout, it won't be for fame It won't be 'cause my shit ain't sellin' the same It won't be to sell you my latest new sneakers It won't be 'cause some na slid in my lane Everything grows, it's destined to change I love you lil' n*s, I'm glad that you came I hope that you scrape every dollar you can I hope you know money won't erase the pain To the OGs, I'm thanking you now Was watchin’ you when you was pavin’ the ground I copied your cadence, I mirrored your style I studied the greats, I'm the greatest right now Fuck if you feel me, you ain't got a choice Now I ain't do no promo, still made all that noise This shit gon’ be different, I set my intentions I promise to slap all that hate out your voice

[Chorus] N****s been countin' me out I’m countin' my bullets, I'm loadin’ my clips I'm writin' down names, I'm makin’ a list I'm checkin' it twice and I'm gettin’ ’em hit The real ones been dying, the fake ones is lit The game is off balance, I’m back on my shit The Bentley is dirty, my sneakers is dirty But that's how I like it, you all on my dick

[Hook] I just poured somethin' in my cup I've been wantin' somethin' I can feel Promise I am never lettin' up Money in your palm don't make you real Foot is on their neck, I got 'em stuck I'ma give 'em somethin' they can feel If it ain't 'bout the squad, don't give a fuck Pistol in your hand don't make you real

[Verse Two] I'm dead in the middle of two generations I'm little bro and big bro all at once Just left the lab with young 21 Savage I'm 'bout to go and meet Jigga for lunch Had a long talk with the young na Kodak Reminded me of young ns from 'Ville Straight out the projects, no fakin', just honest I wish that he had more guidance, for real Too many n***s in cycle of jail Spending they birthdays inside of a cell We coming from a long bloodline of trauma We raised by our mamas, Lord we gotta heal We hurting our sisters, the babies as well We killing our brothers, they poisoned the well Distorted self-image, we set up to fail I'ma make sure that the real gon' prevail

[Hook] I just poured somethin' in my cup I've been wantin' somethin' I can feel Promise I am never lettin' up Money in your palm don't make you real Foot is on their neck, I got 'em stuck I'ma give 'em somethin' they can feel If it ain't 'bout the squad, don't give a fuck Pistol in your hand don't make you real

Money in your palm don't make you real Pistol in your hand don't make you real Money in your palm don't make you real

UW Libraries