dead prez — When Mama Cries Real

Dead prez ft. Jamila and Umi - “When Mama Cries” [Emcee(s): M1, stic.man, and Umi] [Producer(s): Sol Messiah] [Vocals: Jamila] [Sample: Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Californication"] [Bridge 1: Jamila and stic.man] Why do babies cry? ‘Cause they knew they were born in the eye of the storm And my mama cried On the day I was born ‘cause she knew I would die [Verse 1: M1] Aww shit. Another young brother hit They got me doing my dips and loading my clips Bloomberg name taste like shit on our lips Projects flipping, niggas is shitting on pigs It ain’t a war where we live no more. It’s a massacre Brothers ain’t trying to ride. We’re in the passenger seat And everybody just trying to eat But I’m trying to eat, then live, get high, and get free Don’t tell me I’m deceiving myself. If that’s the case I’d rather meet reality now, a gun to my face Than play-fight with police and get shot in the back So they could dirty my name and sprinkle some crack Tell me that’s not how we’re getting down. We had some principles I guess some things is different now. Broken promises We made to my homie’s mom. They killed her only son And now she crying in my arms. Be strong [Hook 1: Jamila and stic.man] Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry no more ‘Cause it won’t be long. We will survive Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry no more ‘Cause it won’t be long. We’re gonna ride [Verse 2: stic.man] I cried when 2Pac died. It was a Friday We sat up that whole night, bumping “Shawtay” I felt the same way when I lost my cousin Padre Why so many niggas had to go out the hard way? Nobody knows the reason we’re here. We’re just surviving From day to day, caught up in a game you got to pay to play Life is just a series of days that fade away Every day, the sun rises, but nothing changes [Verse 3: Umi] I feel the sadness. I’m trying to console his family And tell his mama that her son is still standing I know he left you and life is full of pressure But, in me, you’ll find a piece of his spirit And, as children, the block was our prison We couldn’t escape the bid that we was given Learning lessons, searching for directions Clinging to the truth, poverty kept us desperate Was steady grinding with our minds on survival Had plans to build a fam without dope or violence But, in a second, niggas is left breathless We was caught in a storm, being born as black men And life is tragic. My nigga’s in his casket It got me loading clips, ready to bust a cracker I can’t replace him, but I’m here to help you face it Consider me your son ‘til it’s my time to face death [Hook 1: Jamila and stic.man] Don’t cry, don’t cry (Don’t, mama), don’t cry no more (Don’t you cry) ‘Cause it won’t be long. (You know that) We will survive (We will survive) Don’t cry, don’t cry (Don’t, mama), don’t cry no more (Don’t you cry) ‘Cause it won’t be long. (You know that) We’re gonna ride (We’re gonna ride) [Hook 2: Jamila and stic.man] Mama, hold your head up high (Hold your head up high) ‘Cause it won’t be long (You’ve got to be strong). We’re gonna ride Mama, hold your head up high (Hold your head up high) ‘Cause it won’t be long (It won’t be long). We’re gonna ride [Outro: stic.man] Bang for change, make the change. That’s on everything. It’s on for life