Dan Jeon - Second Time Around (My Roots) Lyrics

Ready, get set, now, we go again
OG in the house, blazing 'round the bend
When I say "OG", I mean the 'old guy'
Can hardly spit a verse without breathing a sigh

Made you laugh? Well ain't here to play the heel
Father Time, has limited my mass appeal
Not to steal rhymes, or reinvent the wheel
Hip hop ain't broke, so my rhymes are for real

Now in days of yore what, seems a long time ago
Rockin' cuffs in our jeans, mixtapes and radios
Bboys and house jams? Yeah, anyone who knows
The elements of hip hop claimed the looks of my clothes

If you think life, has always been a breeze for me
That everything was free, that I've slept soundly
Well, that's a lie; a, false positivity
A case of only-child syndrome, and a wannabe

It's been tough, yeah, though my parents showed me love
First to arrive on this soil, kids from Korea
This is my ode them, working hard to pay rent
Giving thanks to the Lord, learning to be content

Being the first to deal, in weaves, wig and braids
A family business by my uncle, who helped us back in the days
To teach us all the ways of all the products we sold
For black communities, who's brought us into their homes

This is my ode to them too, for without your support
Show my love crystal clear; nothing left to distort
That's why I'm by your side, always cheering you on
Being a visible minority we're not social pawns

If who think I'm fakin', to any nth degree
This ain't some badge of honour, it's my reality
Showing my love to my fam, owe my life to them
If y'all learned appreciation, you might understand

It hasn't all been bad, yet I've been in need
So don't mistake my being generous for stupidity
Or my paranoia, as some kinda disease
My trust is earned, sucka, it's not easily appeased

In contentment and in greed, can attest to them both
The pursuit of these dreams has left a gap in my soul
Is my life just a joke, or is this make believe?
It's how life plays out, for all you can't concede

In the end not, 'bout rackin' in the dough
Or who you know, what you know, even keepin' this flow
It's about love, and all of the impacts we've caused
Combinations thereof, and His grip from above

But don't be fooled, not all will play nice with you
Even your fam; born, in-laws and Christians
They'll smile, say a prayer and even make you laugh
But when you turn around, they'll stick a knife in your back

This song glimpse my life, a look in my heart
Mind's ablaze, yet regrets even from the start
In this moment of time, as we bask in this realm
We see the meaning of life; bad trailers, good films

And for the record, I make these claims till I'm spent
Sift through friends, make amends, play good Christian
This tired conversation, I see to no end
Your pretentious proclamation lacks a means to contend

If you think I'm acting out, don't fault me for a fool
Or a hater, in hopes that I play nice with you
Cause as much as I try, won't play it on cue
If you don't know my steez, you'll remain confused