(Word up, we gon' talk that truth)
(Yeah, check the mic, one two)
This ain't no random hike in the premium
(Nah)
This is a calculated curse in the medium
(Gimme that)
Same street, same house, but the price tag switch
Financial chokehold, yeah, the whole damn pitch.
System set the traps, then they call us criminals
(Crooked)
Just tryna eat, breakin' laws subliminal.
The cost of bein' Black, it's a tax on the soul,
Built in the ledger, written in code.
(Uh)
Since the auction block, they been measurin' the cost
Human property, every dollar embossed
On a contract that insured the owner's investment, loss
(Fact)
Not my life, but their profit, see the blueprint, boss?
Now the whip is a policy, the chain is a loan
They built their whole Capitol off the seeds that were sown
Near the slave pens, where the family got broke
While they debated"freedom," that's the ultimate joke.
(Word)
Now I try to buy a crib, put my name on the deed
White folks' down payment is what I'm payin' to feed
My landlord—that's the rent that's due every first
Still fightin' for the blessing in a land that is cursed.
They redlined the maps, said my block ain't got worth
Then they charge me for the poverty they created on Earth.
(Hit 'em again)
Look, the insurance gatekeeper, he ain't checkin' my driving
Just my zip code, so my struggle is thriving.
The risk is inflated, the rate is obscene
Like I'm runnin' on fumes, never lookin' too clean.
They stack the deck high, then they shuffle the debt
Watchin' families get crushed, what you think gon' be left?
Empty pockets, empty stomachs, a desperate mind state
Tryna flip a quick dollar 'fore it's locked behind the gate.
(Gotta eat)
They push you to the margins, then they point out your fall
Sayin'"Look at 'em struggle," ignoring the wall
That was built brick by brick, by the bank and the state
To ensure that my future is bound by their hate.
But my mind is sharp, ain't no need for a plea
I see the whole game, from the coast to the sea.
This ain't no random hike in the premium
(Nah)
This is a calculated curse in the medium
(Gimme that)
Same street, same house, but the price tag switch
Financial chokehold, yeah, the whole damn pitch.
System set the traps, then they call us criminals
(Crooked)
Just tryna eat, breakin' laws subliminal.
The cost of bein' Black, it's a tax on the soul,
Built in the ledger, written in code.
(Keep it movin')
They say"Go to college,""Get a job,""Be legit"
But that student loan trap got your future all lit
Up in flames, before you even step on the block
The equity in their homes is clockin' off the clock.
While my neighborhood gets drained, no capital flow
See the generational wealth, watch it dwindle and go.
I'm talkin' the legacy, the future they stole
Keepin' us on the treadmill, lose control of our soul.
(Never that)
Every corner store price, every fine that they levy
The weight of the system, man, it's heavy, so heavy.
But we ain't breakin', nah, we still standin' tall
Ready to fight for the future and break through the wall.
The knowledge is power, that's the true equalizer
Writin' my own ledger, I'm the ultimate reviser.
This ain't no random hike in the premium
(Nah)
This is a calculated curse in the medium
(Gimme that)
Same street, same house, but the price tag switch
Financial chokehold, yeah, the whole damn pitch.
System set the traps, then they call us criminals
(Crooked)
Just tryna eat, breakin' laws subliminal.
The cost of bein' Black, it's a tax on the soul,
Built in the ledger, written in code.
Outro
(Yeah)
Check the history, check the numbers, it all connects.
This ain't 'bout happenstance, it's about what they expect.
We payin' double just to live like we supposed to...
But we survivin', yeah, we still findin' a way through.
Word up.
(True story)
