Pharaoh Takari - Handcuffs lyrics

[Verse 1] Back in elementary, I was awarded honor roll Having a bright future was what I was always told But now I'm older and folders are filled with grades that are low And scholarships are important because we don't have the dough Only African American achieving academically And just for that, black kids were never feelin' me Attemptin' to fit in had always been a tendency So I started slackin' and started actin' outrageously Middle school came around and I found depression Then aggression appeared because I feared confession Didn't wanna admit I was sick of being an outcast But still, I managed to outlast Each and every single bully, it took me a while to find myself Now there ain't a single mountain I can't climb myself I'm at the peak and I'm peeking over these peeps Who peeking right up me, peeking right up at me [Hook x2] Hold ya head up when it's rough, I know it's tough With all the pain, gotta make a change when you've had enough Abstain from things that'll leave Permanent stains, never defame but break handcuffs [Verse 2] College is coming soon, I'm concerned about admission Gotta apply to Charlotte for the early decision Either that, UNCG or A&T As long as I'm not residing in this community Immunity has developed for any foolery My character is not defined by my j**elry It ain't cool to be generous, but I still am Even when they reviewing me like a k** cam k** Sam, that is what I stand for Only way I'm staying strapped is with my Jansport I don't bust caps, I bust raps They snicker at this n***a who bigger than all caps They lower the case for the lack of pigment in the skin They don't want me to win unless I claim 'em as my kin And as I begin breathe, they take the knife from the sheathe And shank me from behind, I needa find a retreat [Hook x2]