Bridgeland Road

(Hello Isaac, it's PC calling)

(Um, I was just trying to give you a call)

(I've tried a couple of times over the past couple of weeks)

(And I haven't had any luck getting through to you unfortunately)

I don't know about a dollar and a dream

My old man, he had a pound and a promise

Had to get the knowledge

He didn't care about the profit

He just didn't wanna struggle if we ever needed shopping

Early doors, I got a job in a office

'Cause early on, I saw my parents take some losses

Chipping in with rent really helped me find some solace

Being honest, I gotta give respect where it's due

They came a long way

It's only by their sacrifice, I made it on stage

Even on the long days

They kept me on track when I went the wrong way

It's all thanks to God's grace

'Cause even when we never had a penny

Still had joy 'cause the blessings they were many

Plenty

I'm here courtesy of Bridgeland Road

Yeah, we came from that block life

Where guys make moves and they're not nice

Lord knows how we got by

My boy's dead but his killers still got life

Wrong place wrong time

Pain by the blade of a long knife

It's a shame it was on sight

He would had a convo on the long side

But it's all complicated

Can't lie, it's been a while since we congregated

Some got out, but some are on the pavement

Still wishing on the stars and the constellations, yeah

And if you ain't from round here

It's easy to judge, that's my observation

And yeah, there's power in a conversation

But you probably learn more if we swapped locations

But we are who we are

You can't see them all but this a life full of scars

Every breath that I take is a chance to go again

And remind myself I ain't defined by my past

Back then, it was Saturday trials

Now it's German keys in a faraday pouch

I used to watch the raps in 8 Mile

I've been battling for a while

(Isaac, I've literally just woken up)

(To this picture Joel sent me of your eye cut open)

(I am livid, um)

(I know how you are, yeah)

(He said you reported and I think that's great)

(And I think that's a good thing to do)

(But I don't know if that's going to be as)

(Fulfilling as writing it down)

(Which I know probably sounds ridiculous to say)

(Just think about how you can use it creatively)

(But right now, that's all you can do)

(Because, um, if we don't do that)

(This is actually a helpless situation)

Go figure

Tryna do my best, tryna keep my chin up

Gotta stop myself from getting bitter

To some people I'll always be a

And they might avoid that name

Cos nowadays I guess they know what not to say

Doesn't change how they behave

True colours will show their face

The other day, I left a coffee shop on my way to Yard

After the zebra crossing, took a stroll to my car

Three white men in some stanley shorts and steel cap boots

Were there blocking my path

I said, "Excuse me, please" but they ignored

And then I said it again, but then what for?

I knew that they could hear me so I gently brushed past

Then one of them spun around and started to talk

He asked what I was doing and if I wanted a problem

I told him chill out, he must have thought that I mocked him

Coffee in his hand and he dashed it in my face

Five seconds later, right hook to my socket

It escalated in like fifteen seconds

I know man that could have bought fifteen weapons

But I ain't the type to invest in a fight

So I did it right and called the police

They said they had no witness, no CCTV

Everyone that saw didn't wanna make a statement

If I was an old lady, then maybe co-operation

I guess I'm not their idea of a victim, call that gentrification

I guess I'll do my own investigation

I gave the police a plate they apparently traced

To a company them guys was working for on the day

But the owner of the place didn't give up their names

Strange, imagine all of my rage

Bro, imagine that

Imagine closing a case with cuts on my face

And nobody pays, it's mad

'Cause imagine if they wanted to, they could do it again

You don't understand my pain

This is decades, could write you essays

On how the estate's relationship with feds ain't seen best days

Even when I separate from poverty

Get them chains up off of me, still not treated properly

Class is a novelty, the colour of my skin is what sparks this anthology

Still no apology, anyone could offer me

So music is the escape for me, that's my policy

Disrespectful

Can't believe what transpired

Asking if I got a criminal record

I didn't say a word, I just stood there in silence

But I've never shared a cell in HMP

If they wanna check my record, better go to HMV and enquire

Takes a village to raise a child

But I wonder what we do when the village on fire