Vince Staples - Dark Times Album Lyrics

[Instrumental]

"To live is to be, like the nigga in the tree."

Tears fall from the sky, mindin' the hooligans
I think I'm losin' it, hope you're along for the ride
Buckle the seatbelt, so many want me to crash and die
Who can I call when I need help? Jugglin' thuggin' depression and pride
Sayin' it loud, like James, rollin' the window down, ayy
Bro, do you gang bang? Yeah, click-clack baow
I'ma regret it mañana, niggas be doin' shit just to be doin' it
We eatin' better tomorrow, real food stamp babies
My people product of poverty, I don't know why they would play with us
Choppers in luxury vehicles, livin' like Saudi Arabians
Learned Reaganomics and ran it up, we don't got nothing to show for
Infatuated with folklore and we still on some nigga shit

Money, I'm gettin' it (Money, I'm gettin' it)
Heaven, I'm livin' it (Heaven, I'm livin' it)
I look in the mirror and see somethin' missin'
I feel like it's you (I feel like it's you)
I know that it's you (I know that it's you)

So black and blue
So black and blue
So black and blue
So black and blue
So black and blue, so black and blue
So black and—

The cable was basic, the bitches was basic-er
Love and a kiss from her mom, call me her son, she let me stay with her
Maybe we livin' haram, can't go to prom, send me a prayer up
To the Heavens above, is it a mansion for thugs? (Mansion for thugs)
Where did Tupac and 'em go? Where Nipsey Hus' and 'em go?
Swavey and Drakeo? Ricche and Slim Foe?
I spend a lot of my time missin' our kinfolks
Put 'em inside of a rhyme, hopin' they live on

Money, I'm gettin' it (Money, I'm gettin' it)
Heaven, I'm livin' it (Heaven, I'm livin' it)
I look in the mirror and see somethin' missin'
I feel like it's you (I feel like it's you)
I know that it's you (I know that it's you)

So black and blue
So black and blue
So black and blue
So black and blue
So black and blue, so black and blue
So black and—

Still on some nigga shit, still on that nigga shit, uh
Tell me what you know 'bout it
Get your hand out my pocket, uh, uh
Infatuated with folklore
I'd rather be a N-I-G-G-A
What do you say?

I promise it's no love lost
What that half acre house in the slums cost?
If I gave it my all, probably fall short
Tryna charge to the game? It's a blood sport
Mic check, least that's what it feel like
"Slow down, sit tight", what they tell me
You should try walkin' light with two left feet
Devils dance, prayin' hands can't protect me
On God
But I know if I prayed more, I could probably save more
Runnin' through these bank notes, stressin' as the waves roll by
Keep my fade low, I can't let the grays grow
Just another day closer to my demise
Keep the gang 'round, least the ones that stayed down
Love to see they face smile, love to see they heads held high
Everybody gotta die, only question, is it Hell or in the sky, yeah

Just don't forget to smile, don't forget to smile
Know the world can weigh you down
Not now, then when? Not this, then how?
Don't forget to smile, don't forget to smile
Don't you lose your inner child, not now

I got a call the other day
From my partner on the four yard in Pelican Bay
Popped his pistol once and them people put him away
Promised him he would never get to see the light of day
Asked how I was, said he seen me on ABC
Told him that I was good, wonder if he believed
Couldn't tell him the truth, what kind of homie would I be?
Knowin' these fifteen minutes the only time that he free
See, it's hard to sleep when you the only one livin' the dream
Hard to leave niggas hangin' when you the money tree
Somethin' about the gutter that make us hate each other
Had to bury my older brother, it humbled me
Pullin' his plug like a trick from under my sleeve
Just the luck of the draw, don't know who shuffle the cards
Heard His name is God, just pick up when I call
Right now, it's free of charge

And don't forget to smile, don't forget to smile
Know the world can weigh you down
Not now, then when? Not this, then how?
Don't forget to smile, don't forget to smile
Don't you lose your inner child, not now

Pressin' five 'til the pen, free my Aphex Twin
In the street like
I ain't really tryna scrape that rim (Uh)
Niggas be like (Like)
"Ayy, bro, 'member back when?" ('Member back when?)
Let it go, loc (Let it go, loc)
I'm way too rich to be your friend (On the hood)
I'm way too lit to let you dim me (Niggas can't dim me)
Ridin' 'round South Pasadena on a ten speed
And I still got blicky (Boom)
And I still get tricky (Still get tricky)
It is what it is (Still get filthy)

Don't play with my Crippin', go play with your kids, bitch (Yeah)
Don't play with my Crippin', go play with your kids, bitch (Yeah)
Don't play with my Crippin', go play with your kids
Don't play with my—, go play with your—
Don't play with my Crippin', go play with your kids, bitch (Damn, damn)
(Yeah)

Don't be callin' my phone after eight, I'm at home
(Ayy, check it out, yeah)
Ayy, don't be callin' my phone after eight, I'm in bed, bitch (Bitch)
And if I'm with a bitch, it's not none of your business
Gotta keep this shit bliss, gotta keep this shit ignant
Pray this not what the devil intended (Nah)
It's money outside, go and get it
Make a ticket
Up all night with the smokers and crickets
I been broke all my life, had to flip it
All these grown niggas livin' off women (What?)
(They doin' what?)
That ain't no real shit

Don't play with my Crippin', go play with your kids, bitch (Damn)
Don't play with my Crippin', go play with your kids, bitch (Damn)
Don't play with my Crippin', go play with your—
Don't play with my—, go play with your—
Don't play with my Crippin', go play with your kids, bitch
(Yeah)
Don't play with my Crippin', go play with your kids, bitch

Don't play with my—, don't play with my—
Don't play with my—, don't play with my—
Don't play with my—, don't play with my—

I long for lovin' and affection
These hoes ain't what I need, I need direction
Don't leave me, please, swear I learned my lesson
But I still chase thrills, I'm imperfected
I don't want to talk on the phone, leave me a message
Voices still in my head, voices still in my head
Beef with my closest of friends and made no amends
I'd rather kill 'em instead
Out of the rumors to spread
You pick the one that's gon' get us some fed time
Corey still calling with deadlines

Shame on the Devil
I'm touched by an angel
The Lord made me special (made me special)
I've prayed for days like this
(Thank God)
Shame on the Devil
I'm touched by an angel
The Lord made me special (special)
I've prayed for days like this (amen)

Mission complete, outta the mud
Labeled a leader they following cuz
Light on my feet, floatin' above
I don't be creepin' or keepin' in touch
I know some hoes that'll pull up to give me some pussy
Before they come give me a hug
Shit is disgustin'
But then, only the Heavens can judge
Look what I'm jugglin', Tommy the clown
Momma 'nem found a way, keepin' me clean, wipin' me down
Love when that Boosie and Webbie would play
Passing the Getty to pull up on bae
Getting them Malibu chills
Though we not talking as much as we should
Know that I'm proud of you still
Sliding for Shelly and Phil
If I don't do it, who will?
Tell me, who shoot for the shooters?
Who gon' look after Medusa?
Life is a bitch, hit it and quit
Deal with the karma, the sutra
F*ck up some commas like Future

Shame on the Devil
I'm touched by an angel
The Lord made me special (made me special)
I've prayed for days like this
(Thank God)
Shame on the Devil
I'm touched by an angel
The Lord made me special (so special)
I've prayed for days like this (amen)

(I hope that it's a good day)
Dear God, forgive me for my sins
Forgive me for trespasses and those who trespass against me
(I hope that it's a good day)
For they know not what they do (I hope that it's a good day)
And who they do it to (I really need a good day)
Please help me, Father (ain't had too many good days)
Keep praying
Keep praying
Keep praying
That God will lead me there (I'm praying it's a good day)
Keep praying (keep praying)
Until then (keep praying)
I keep praying
Keep praying
In Jesus name (keep praying)
Amen

Every minute!

That's how it be happin'
This for all my niggas trappin' out abandoneds (This for my niggas)
For my ladies on stage ass-clappin'
Transactions, 'cause your momma need a mansion
Get crackin', put them niggas in a casket (R.I.P., man down)
Can't forget the shit they did to your lil' brother'nem (Dead homies)
Shed so many tears, lost a hundred friends
Every time I see them niggas, I'ma need that (On the hood)
Believe that (I'm not lying)
Label tryna give me feedback, told me "Bring the streets back"
Fans said they want 2015 Vince
Dropped Big Fish, cuh been weak since (Cuh be trippin')
Damn, tell me how you really feel (That's how you feel?)
And, all I wantеd was a couple mill' (Okay)
Make the city proud (Hood)
Put it on 'forе them crackers come and tear it down
What are you about?

In the ghetto, I'm a martian
Crash-landed in them dirty ass apartments
Stay solid, I'll forever be the hardest
Big timin', like them niggas in New Orleans
Grill shinin', like them niggas from Magnolia
Chopper City in the ghetto, I'm a soldier now
Where they at? Get the gat, ha
Where they at? Get the gat

Money growin' on trees, niggas hangin' on palm, smoker spillin' OE
Code 3-0-4, she don't want a sixteen
Renegade on the blade, makin' tricks, buy her treats
No love, I'ma sleep with my weapon
Porsche 911, slide through the section
Gotta show my homies I'm on now
Both soles on the ground, never sold out
What you know 'bout this? No glitz and glamour
Pole hangin' out of my Polo pajamas
Fades gettin' ran, gotta watch for the cameras
Before you get freaky, can't f*ck with no random
These bitches is sneaky
If police come ask you, then you never seen me
The ghetto will trap you, but I love it
Yeah, I love this shit, on crip (65th Street)

In the ghetto, I'm a martian
Crash-landed in them dirty ass apartments
Stay solid, I'll forever be the hardest
Big timin', like them niggas in New Orleans
Grill shinin', like them niggas from Magnolia
Chopper City in the ghetto, I'm a soldier now
Where they at? Get the gat, ha
Where they at? Get the gat
[Soulja Slim]
Oh, we need nobody else but God
That's all we need, you understand what I'm sayin'?
Everybody else, everybody else is sour, you know what I'm sayin'?
Everybody, family turn your back on you, everything
You know what I'm talkin' 'bout?
Do you know one thing, you gotta soldier like him imma stay solid, baby, to the bone gristle
You know me, you understand what I'm sayin'
Off the top, yo

I don't need your flowers, I'm livin'
First time I seen a million dollars, I squinted
Bro gave me a pack to help me hustle, some midget
Came a long way from them project buildings
That's where granny went when she left Louisiana
Tryna dodge Jim Crow, but you can't escape the Massa
Stained glass windows kept my vision from the pastor
I'm probably finna go to Hell, but it don't matter
Seen Heaven on Earth (Earth), nah, I could've been up on a shirt
If I ain't get my shit together, go to work
I been hittin' licks since F.L.I.P. vs. F.L.I.R.T.S
Ridin' with the stick like witchcraft
Findin' beauty in the darkness like Rembrandt
Everybody gang, gang, gang, 'til it get bad
Do you hearin' me? The ghetto is a mismatch
You ain't never finna win that, nah
[Chorus]
In the ghetto, I'm a martian
Crash-landed in them dirty ass apartments
Stay solid, I'll forever be the hardest
Big timin', like them niggas in New Orleans
Grill shinin', like them niggas from Magnolia
Chopper City in the ghetto, I'm a soldier now
Where they at? Get the gat, ha
Where they at? Get the gat
In the ghetto, I'm a martian
Crash-landed in them dirty ass apartments
Stay solid, I'll forever be the hardest
Big timin', like them niggas in New Orleans
Grill shinin', like them niggas from Magnolia
Chopper City in the ghetto, I'm a soldier now
Where they at? Get the gat, ha
Where they at? Get the gat

[Nikki Giovanni & James Baldwin]
If I love you, I can't lie to you
Of course, you can lie to me, and you will
If you love me, and you goin' off with Maddy someplace, you're lyin' to me
'Cause what the hell do I care about the truth? I care if you're there
What Billy Holiday say? "Hush now, don't explain"
Alright, I accept that
Of course, of course you'll lie to me (Alright, I accept that)
'Cause I don't even wanna ca—
And what—, what does the truth matter?
And why you gonna be truthful with me when you lie to everybody else?
You lied whеn you smiled at that cracker down the job, right?
Liе to me, smile
Treat me the same way you would treat him
I can't treat you the way I treat him
You must, you must
Because I've caught the—, I've caught the frowns and the anger
He's happy with you
Of course he doesn't know you're unhappy, you grin at him all day long
You come home and I catch Hell because I love you
I get least of you, I get—, I get the very minimum
And I'm saying, you know, fake it with me

Met this pretty woman in the Summer from Qatar
Late night at Gjelina, she was eatin' at the bar
Said she was a teacher, seven months left on her Visa
But she used to be a singer, she was meant to be a star
Asked me how I feel about the music I done dropped
Some of it was cool, some of it was hot
Deeper conversations under surface level thoughts
Asked if she can get a ride to her spot, I said "I gotcha"
Pull up on La Brea, where them niggas shootin' choppers
Can barely hear the ambulances over helicopters
She invited me up for a drink
I don't indulge, but the moments with her make me feel, so what's the rush?
Started talkin' 'bout the future and the ever-present past
Awkward silences and laughs got me feelin' like we on the path to somethin'
Right before this woman stole my heart, I see a shadow by the door and hear a knock
Eyes bloodshot like she had seen a ghost or somethin'
I don't know what's what, reach in my pocket, get to clutchin'
She like "Hold up, I'm comin'", if it get tricky, then I'm bussin'
She said "Baby, meet my little cousin', Justin"
Damn


Nice to meet you
Nice to meet you too
Women lie a lot, put that on the dead homies
Women lie a lot, on God
Women lie a lot, put that on the dead homies
Women lie a lot, on God

I'd like to hear a new beat on the request line

I miss the radio
Big Boy in the mornin', zoned in, waitin' for my favorite song
Ridin' with my pops in the front seat
Pull up to the block with the real Gs
92.3, 94.7, The Wave (The Wave)
I know my real ones from the ghetto relate
I know they finna play some Nelly today (I know they finna play)
My favorite rapper 'til I hit seventh grade
And Eron played Below The Heavens and everything changed (everything changed)
A better day was just a stone's throw away
Kday would play the records that my sister would say
Was realer than whatever I listened to (I listened to)
When I got older, I realized it was true (I know it's true)
Purity of when it's nothin' to lose (ain't nothin' to lose)
Back when niggas had the rhythm and blues

(I'm all 'bout)
I turned up my hustle, I turned up my section
I turned up my bitch (on-on-on the radio)
I turned up my savage, I turned down they street
And I made me a hit (on-on-on)
Just like music (just like music)
(We been the music for a long, long time)
Just like music (just like music)

Hey, Mr. DJ, can I make a request?
The woman that I love won't respond to my text
I broke her heart, I'm tryin' hard as hell to clean up the mess
I prayed to God above, but He ain't never say nothin' back
When we met, she told me she don't ever listen to rap
I asked her "Why?," She said "No man should speak to women like that"
I asked her "Why?," She said "The woman is the the key to the Earth"
"And she the one that gives birth," and she was raised in the church
So what you say in a verse means somethin' different, but to me, they just words
Wasn't really tryna hear it 'til she kicked me to the curb
Now it's Smokey Robinson and after that I play Roberta Flack
Etta James and Amy, waitin' for the day she take me back
Michael and his brothers make me wonder 'bout who lovin' you
Brandy understand me, broken-hearted, sittin' in my room (sittin' in my room)
I got a lot on my chest can you play my request? (Please)

I turned up my hustle, I turned up my section
I turned up my bitch (on-on-on the radio)
I turned up my savage, I turned down they street
And I made me a hit (on-on-on)
Just like music (I got my music, just like music, I got-)
(We been the music for a long, long time)
Just like music (just like music)

(On the radio)
So, you wanna give your audience the best sound on the dial
Cookin' up a lot of good music (on the radio)
Matter of fact, twenty minutes worth of commercial free- (I'm on the)
Alright now, I'd like to mention to everyone one final time
Wake up your friends and your neighbors
Because we have somethin' tonight that we will be doin'
That will be very special
Wake up (on the radio)
Everybody, wake up

The band plays on like it's supposed to
Follow suit, because it ain't nothin' new
Beneath the solar systems of oppression
Got me aloof
The way of control is puppet master
Got me shinin' his shoes, collectin' quarters
Didn't know I was about that life 'til his was over
You worry 'bout the wrong thing, wrong things
Why would you play the long game?
It's not same, we all change

Why would you tell me that you love me when you don't?
No time for arguin', I'm hangin' up the phone
You made a promise, said you'd never do me wrong
Guess that doesn't matter
Nothin' really matters
Nothin' really matters at all
Nothin' really matters
Nothin' really matters at all

But baby, everybody love me, I'm a joint
Still, my heart is hollow
I don't mean to dissapoint
Shootin' for the stars, and gassin' bitches on the 'gram
Is that what boy becomes a man?
I guess I'm as buoyant as a boat
Floatin' like a butterfly, you got me on the ropes
I'm tryna dance with feet of clay if cash is all these women want then
I don't wanna fight no more
Who told the lie and said that life was short?
Tall tales, I know all too well
'Cause every moment that we share feel like a Polaroid
Sometimes you gotta shake it up, to see what's really there
Is it in the air?

Why would you tell me that you love me when you don't?
No time for arguin', I'm hangin' up the phone
You made a promise, said you'd never do me wrong
Guess that doesn't matter
Nothin' really matters
Nothin' really matters at all
Nothin' really matters
Nothin' really matters at all

Why would you tell me that you love me when you don't?
No time for arguin', I'm hangin' up the phone
You made a promise, said you'd never do me wrong
Guess that doesn't matter
Nothin' really matters
Nothin' really matters at all
Nothin' really matters
Nothin' really matters at all

Chase checks, little homie (Uh-huh)
'Cause the money bring the power and respect, little homie (Yeah)
Give some dollars to your mama and invest, little homie (Uh-huh)
Do you, don't worry 'bout the rest, little homie
Just be blessed, little homie
You don't gotta crash out for the set, little homie
Keep your head on the swivel when you step, little homie
If them niggas catch you slippin' it's a wrap (Ayy)
But don't worry 'bout that, little homie (Aw, yеah)
It don't matter where you from, whеre you at, little homie?
I was ridin' down South with the mask and the .40 (Uh-huh)
Tryna get a nigga, now I'm gettin' love, gettin' money (I'm out here)

Got it out the mud, I was hustlin' (I was hustlin')
I was runnin' 'round, tryna run the bands (Run it)
Know you say you wanted better (On the hood)
But you gotta feel the pressure
You feel it?

Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Streets cold but the road taught us (Uh-huh)
Concrete where the rose blossom (Uh-huh)
Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh) (Ayy-ayy, tell 'em about the last time)
Hey, don't crash out

Last time niggas tried me (Bang-bang)
It was R.I.P's, it was airbrushed tees (Bang)
It was glass sittin' on concrete
Love them east side streets, runnin' with Fly Meech
'Fore they booked cuz, let Pac free (Free the homies)
'Fore the F's turned ICG
I was laced cleats, tryna make plays
'Cause a broke ass nigga don't eat (No way)
If you woke up bitter, don't come 'round me
Streets so played out, spread love, spread peace
If the police pull up, run, don't freeze
Know they love to put a nigga in the ground six feet (Dead homies)

Got it out the mud, I was hustlin' (Got that hustle)
I was runnin' 'round, tryna run the bands (Run)
Know you say you wanted better
But you gotta feel the pressure, ayy

Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Streets cold but the road taught us (Uh-huh)
Concrete where the rose blossom (Uh-huh)
Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Hey, don't crash out

I know you see it (Uh-huh)
These streets made me a demon (Yeah, hey)
These thoughts made me an artist (Uh-huh)
This card makes me elitist (Yeah, get fly)
If I swipe it, you got it
Just tell me what you're dreamin'

'Cause I can make it come true 'round this bitch
What kind of nigga said money don't make you rich?
'Cause he was buggin', blow the budget, baby, cut me a check (Uh-huh)
They arguin' about my net worth over the net (Uh-huh)
They quantifyin' everything I ever did for the set (Uh-huh)
When every nigga livin' for it still livin' in debt (Uh-huh)
It's so moronic, so iconic
We platonic but sex is what she wanted (Uh-huh)
Sorry, I can't move my two o'clock (Mm-hmm)
Bad decisions over women everybody want
Left with nothin' but a broken heart (Feel it?)
You feel it?

Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Streets cold but the road taught us (Uh-huh)
Concrete where the rose blossom (Uh-huh)
Life hard but I go harder (Uh-huh)
Hey, don't crash out (Break it down)

(Life hard but I go harder, uh-huh)
White man once said life is what you make it (Life hard but I go harder, uh-huh)
Most niggas don't make shit (Life hard but I go harder, uh-huh)
You know what I'm talkin' 'bout? (Life hard but I go harder, uh-huh)
Late on rent (Life hard but I go harder, uh-huh)
Check to check (Life hard but I go harder, uh-huh)
If that's how you livin' (Life hard but I go harder, uh-huh, hey)
Repeat after me

Say, "Things get better"
Everything gets better
Hey, keep your head up
Gotta keep your head up, keep your head up
You gotta keep your head up, feel the pressure
Stormy weather makes those clouds (Just don't look down)
Don't look down, down, down
Please, don't look down

It feels good to be a free man with clenched hands
I used to pray to find a way to make a label advance (I used to pray everyday)
But nowadays 100k ain't even getting my glance (Hell nah)
Ain't even setting up no meeting 'til they meet the demands
An undisclosed amount from Netflix, invest it
I turned the set into a movie set for all of the kids
To see who you can be if you believe you're bigger than this
Don't be no crab in the bucket, be a Crip at the Ritz
Them crackers see me in the suite and try to call up the pigs
But we know they don't fly, the top floor way too high, feel like the time flew by
Been ten plus years, lost love, lost peers
Shed blood, shed tears
Cheers, grab a glass
I'll never find a equal mind, I'll settle for the fattest ass (For real)
I'm tryna find a way and all she say is, "Bae, you make me laugh" (What's so f*cking funny?)
Heavy is the hand that reaches past the plates to pay the tab
But niggas gotta eat, right?
Right?

It's all good, it's all good
It's all good

Yesterday, this lady told me that she feel like we homies
Love the music, love the way I'm moving, watchin' me closely
Wanna see me on the GRAMMYs stage, holdin' them trophies
I responded, "as above, so below me," she said, "Explain"
It's the power of the human brain, we trapped in our dreams
I understand I'm just a grain of sand and life is a beach
Only Heaven knows whichever way I blow in the breeze
I'll be a fool to think it's left up to me
But I appreciate the love, loved one, still young
They tryna figure out the ins and outs of where we from
Heal the blocks that we spun, the concrete crack
Heavy steppin' niggas won't get back, right?

It's all good, it's all good
It's all good, it's all good
It's all good, it's all good
It's all good, it's all good

[Santigold]
I think creativity is the way that we connect to our spirits
Like, I have had this thought recently
Actually, I had like an experience
And my body was like, the whole, like, world, I guess?
And my leg was like, um
What do you call it, is it, what, a whirl-
My leg was a whirlpool, and people were goin' down
And they were, like, dyin', but, like, at the same time in another part of my body, like
Things were bein' born, and I was like, you know
(Why won't the sun come out?)
The, like, mother, but I was, like, the murderer, and I was like, I was everything
I was everything at once in my body
And I was walkin' forward
I was like this force, this energetic force movin' forward, the whole time I'm real slow
And I came away from that vision like
"Oh, everything is exactly as it should be"
(Why won't the sun come out?)
And people are playin' the game that they chose to play
And they is, is me, and we are
(Why won't the sun come out? Why won't the sun come out?)
Killing each other and being horrible and dark and beautiful and light at the same time
And it's all movin' us forward on the path that humans are meant to be on, but very slowly
(Why won't the sun come out? Why won't the sun come out?)
But I came away feeling, like, "But it's at the pace that it's meant to be at"
For what we need to do and be to get to where need to get to
This is where we need to get to
This is where we need to get to
Emotional vulnerability
Like on one song, you said that, like, um
And I don't know if this is just a story, or, or, or a feeling, but like
You said something about like
"It's easier for a girl to come over and give you pussy, than it is for her to come over and give you a hug"
It's f*cked up
I'm gonna say it, you don't have to judge it, but I'm gonna judge it