Then and Now

From the age of 10

I used to do a paper route

Just so I could see the paper round

So I could splash in the corner shop

And buy sweets till my teeth would rot

I used to play football,

I used to like dancing

Man, I tried everything, even karate

After 5 years

I had to pull it'

Cause black belt can't teach you how to dodge bullets

I never knew what

I wanted to be

Oh, I knew what the man above wanted for me

They said

Jehmal, you're smart enough to be a doctor or a lawyer

But **** that, them jobs are boring

And footie's getting dry like raving

But shout out to

Craig, he's some other kind that made it

I don't know my profession yet quite

But one day

I'm gonna get signed

Just write the check

I'm out here spending money so

I gotta make it

Rest to make it, things are different so

Don't you take this **** for granted

When the money's in your hand, yeah

My big bro's

MCing nowI might have to try this out

And Dizzee

Rascal's on

TV *******, this could be my way out

Good at English but

I hate reading

Good grades, just a few exclusions

My story's inspirational and with the right help

I can execute this out to the nations

Or my words can lock down the pavement

Skip Jamma's basement,

Eskimo dance aside

Winding, take it straight to the big stages

That'll be amazing

But damn,

I gotta make some

I'm doing it independent, spent before you make some

Think I know my profession now, guys

Damn, I got stars in my eyes

Just write the check

I'm out here spending money so

I gotta make it

Rest to make it, things are different so

Don't you take this **** for granted

When the money's in your hand, yeah

If you ever knew what was getting sold

Just so we can pay for videos8

R from the bottom we roll

So when the checks came the first hundred bags got blown

Shout at us boy, better know

Me and Skeppy from the north side

We tried it on our own so they approached us

We never approached the majors and now look, we majors

Just write the check

I'm out here spending money so

I gotta make it

Rest to make it, things are different so

Don't you take this **** for granted

When the money's in your hand, yeah

Just write the check

I'm out here spending money so

I gotta make it

Rest to make it, things are different so

Don't you take this **** for granted

When the money's in your hand, yeah, uh

Oh baby, oh yeah

Oh yes, I'm making money, baby

Oh yeah