Hood Hope - Substantial, Steph, The Sapphic Songstress, Reginald William

I’ve seen many things over the years even shared many

Dreams with fam, friends and peers and it seems that

Life is hardly ever fair making clean living

Nearly impossible and rare.

When I was younger

And that hunger for more came to the door

Knocks sounding like shots wasn’t sure what it fucked with me for

Now I know it was the push I needed

I wish everybody from my hood received it

I gotta be their light that shines minus the strife and crime

And keep our struggle in mind when I write these rhymes

‘Cause them dudes in my hood didn’t back me for nothing

For me to move to Brooklyn just to catch me there fronting

I’m gonna represent until they bury me in Harmony

Cemetery where I will lay to rest with my pop and niece

Properly!

So when I’m gone a good quote

To describe what I represented is hood hope

I give hope to

Folks just like you

And yours so watch me

Nothing can stop me

I give hope to

Folks just like you

And yours so watch me

Nothing can stop me

Pardon the way I come at y’all but my boy once said

That if it wasn’t for the devil wouldn’t have no fun at all

I knew I had to stall so I could see what I was facing

And now this older man can overstand his situation

Forced to work with nothing so I’m naturally creative

And joe I’m not surprised when they’re mad to see I’ve made it

But what do you expect I was forced to adapt

And not every single one of us is caught in the trap

Like me… I chose to keep my hustle unique

Getting money for my art wasn’t nothing to me

In case you’re wondering what’s that have to do with this song

Basically I made a living out of proving them wrong

They said I wouldn’t be shit now they’re hearing me spit

Pops said I couldn’t draw but he wasn’t right at all was he?

Look what I’ve done with the little I’ve worked with

Far from perfect but the struggle was all worth it

I give hope to

Folks just like you

And yours so watch me

Nothing can stop me

I give hope to

Folks just like you

And yours so watch me

Nothing can stop me

We fighting AIDS, liquor stores, crack addicted whores

Absentee fathers, nicotine, bottles

Of Hennessy, self hate and racism

Crack cocaine and all sorts of laced ism

Poverty even crooked ass police

A shady government and did I mention no peace

Illiteracy, war, gentrification

And on top that constant humiliation

Just to name a few but you can’t buckle or crumble

Though it’s hella difficult overcoming our struggles

But I’m living proof that it can be done

And I’m still battling until victory’s won I’m as real

As you and your issues are no different from mine

Except I’ve found a forum where folks can listen to mine

So when I’m spitting these rhymes motivate is what I try to do

‘Til the day I rest I do my best to inspire you

I give hope to

Folks just like you

And yours so watch me

Nothing can stop me

I give hope to

Folks just like you

And yours so watch me

Nothing can stop me

Nothing can stop me

Nothing can stop me

Nothing can stop me

Nothing can stop me

Nothing can stop me now

Nothing can stop me now