"Die Tryin'" ft. Chapter 13
Verse 1: Cas Metah
Welcome to the underground
Where it's like swimming up stream that's why some are going to drown
Just trust He and study the hustling functions of the industry if you want to abound
You better be in the streets of more than a couple towns
And tour a dozen places before your buzz is wasted
'Cause patience plus dedication, that's what it takes to make it
The combination isn't complicated or beyond your comprehension
It's really simple if you listen
You were given a gift for written speech that speaks to anyone within reach willing to pay attention
Consider this the motivation to stand and be seen
You know the tree roots now it's time to meet the branches and leaves
The season for vanity has past, why fight it?
Stop staring in this mirror, go blow or die trying
Hook 2x: Zero Basement
I'm a die trying, whether I make it or not
I'm a die trying, never thinking to stop
I'm a die trying, making this music because
If I die trying then I died doing what I love
Verse 2: Zero Basement
I know with certainty that I can over come adversity
'Cause hip-hop's opened up the world for me
It's probably only just a word for each of you
But for me it's truth past on, we produce rap songs to teach the youth the culture
Which roots are so pure, there's no words to truly describe it's own worth
And I'm so sure this is what I want to do with my life
There's nothing that's going to ruin my rhyme
So in due time I'll prove I'm one of the few trying to take it to new heights
I paid my dues twice
So I'll never lose sight, keep it in perspective
'Cause it needs to be respected to ever be used right
I'd rather be true to myself then become rich with some gimmick so my music will sell
And end up getting disillusioned by wealth
For even just one minute I could lose myself and I refuse to ever give up
Hook 2x:
Verse 3: Kory Calico
I make this music as a legacy to leave to the future
In a age of plastic rappers, ex-users leech off consumers
Look in my eyes, I done been to the gutter and back
So I push product like I'm tall, teeing it up in the trap
I just hope that the brothers react
At least part of the time, they hearts and their minds are caught in a rhyme
I found rap fuels a flame that makes my memory spark
The soundtrack that plays out the crescendo in my heart
Have you ever loved something so much you'd die for it (me neither)
Until I matched that first track with the right chorus
Now I choose my words carefully, watch for the vultures
It's more than a melody you can get lost in the culture
I'm from the blocks where niggas bust shots like every night
And black boys grow up worshipping Pac and Eric Wright
So now we write in code for all the time we owed
And die trying with this life we chose
Hook 2x: