I was born in Pomona
North Park Avenue
Schooled in Azusa
Victor Hodge wearing gold and blue
I love my life!
Thank God for the beautiful
Cities that I’ve slept in
This goes out to you
And each every one of us Who make it count
If you grind like all of us Cmon make it bounce
We gone make it out
Cut from a different cloth
Working hard for pennies
Walking around on
Lions paws
Kings of the jungle
Breathing in the thick
Chipping off the rubble
Breaking down the brick
Of the walls and the steps
That I’ve passed as kid
To the places that I walk now Where i live
Where Ive been
I love from where I came
I love who I am
And the way that I was raised
Growing up with both parents
Just on their own ways
Single mom single dad
Just trying to afford eggs
So we moved and we stayed
Close to Foothill Transit and MTA
81 480 280 Everyday
Yes this was my ride
From 2nd to 5th grade
Till my dad finally found a job
Christian school white and blues Didn’t last for long
Christian views misconstrued By Pastor Bob
He’s excused let him loose
He’ll find his way with God
And everyday Im a lil closer
Romans Ch9 New Testaments open
To the people walking by
While my window views open
This city has my heart
So for you I wrote this

Hook
I Hope this thing lasts forever
I won’t trade my pain for pleasure I Hope this thing lasts forever
I won’t trade my pain for pleasure

I was raised in El Monte
Highland Park too
Fontana and Ontario
Montebello too
Yeah I love my life!
Thank God for the beautiful
Cities that I’ve slept in
This goes out to you
And each every one of us
Who make it count
If you grind like all of us
Cmon make it bounce
We gone make it out
Pass all the pressure
Do it for yourself If you know theres something better
Yeah we came form the lesser
Grew from concrete
Stemmed to a rose
Now we’re in and on beat
Working hard to keep it pushing
When we’re passing by police
Doing our thing
Grinding good to eat
I remember tortillas and beans
From the lady across the street
Whole summers at a time
Top ramen and mac n’ cheese
Grinding for a dollar
And thinking Im on a spree
Shopping till I drop
At the apartment vending machine
Thats why I take the time to write these words
I thank God for every block, friend and home Ive earned
Every place Ive ever slept and everything Ive learned
We’re the people and the truth
Thats why they’re so concerned
About the way we eat and way we think
Section 8 apartments with roaches all around the sink
You only live this life once
And I ain’t scared to dream
And if you with me then you with me
And you know just what I mean

Hook
I Hope this thing lasts forever
I won’t trade my pain for pleasure
I Hope this thing lasts forever
I won’t trade my pain for pleasure

Yeah I’ve stayed in Covina
Las Vegas and San Dimas Monrovia’ been home
But now Im booking planes leaving
Montana to Seattle
Checking home in Ontario
And heading to where its beautiful Thank God this ones for you!
And each every one of us
Who make it count
If you grind like all of us Cmon make it bounce
We gone make it out
Kings, Queens!
Ain’t nothing else to say
Just let the Most High lead
God squad team
The proof is in the putting
Watch the I break free
Sometimes it’s hard to breathe
When the pressure don’t ever back up
And these bills have got you backed up
Sliding down the wall falling
Thinking you’ve missed your chance
But it’s all in Gods grace
Throw these words on the page
And tell these demons fuckin back up!
Spirit we rise from ashes
We ain’t worried about a grave
We’re living for the day
Forever now and ever after
Seeing beyond the fashion
Codes and high standards
My people are the soul
God bodies and we master
New age days
Book of life and new chapter
For those who get it now
And for those who come after

Yeah...
And if you wonder we do this c’mon...

Hook
I Hope this thing lasts forever
I won’t trade my pain for pleasure
I Hope this thing lasts forever
I won’t trade my pain for pleasure...