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11 How Much A Dollar Cost
Kendrick Lamar, James Fauntleroy, & Ronald Isley
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How much a dollar really cost?
The question is detrimental, paralyzing my thoughts
Parasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, y'all
Gotta see how I'm chilling once I park this luxury car
Hopping out feeling big as Mutombo
Twenty on pump six, dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo
Twenty years ago, can't forget, now I can lend him an ear or two
How to stack these residuals tenfold
The liberal concept of men who do
Twenty-oh-six, he didn't hear me
Indigenous African, only spoke Zulu, my American tongue was leery
Walked out the gas station, a homeless man with a semi-tan complexion
Asked me for ten rand, stressing about dry land
Deep water, powder blue skies that crack open
A piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smoking
He begged and pleaded, asked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe it
Told him beat it, contributing money
Just for his pipe, I couldn't see it
He said, "My son, temptation is one thing that I've defeated
Listen to me, I want a single bill
From you, nothing less, nothing more"
I told him I didn't have it then closed my door
Tell me how much a dollar cost
All you need to breathe is more than feeds your mind
Water, sun and love, the one you love
All you need to breathe
He's staring at me in disbelief
My temper is building, he's staring at me, I grab my key
He's staring at me, I started the car then I tried to leave
But something told me to keep it in park until I can see
The reason why he was mad at a stranger
Like I was supposed to save him
Like I'm the reason he homeless and asking me for a favor
He's staring at me, his eyes follow me with no laser
He's staring at me, I noticed that his stare is contagious
'Cause now I'm staring back at him, feeling some type of disrespect
If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aiming at his neck
I never understood someone begging for goods
Asking for handouts, taking it if they could
And this particular person just had it down pat
Staring at me for the longest until he finally asked
Have you ever opened up Exodus 14?
A humble man is all that we ever need
Tell me how much a dollar cost
All you need to breathe is more than feeds your mind
Water, sun and love, the one you love
All you need to breathe
Guilt tripping and feeling resentment
I never met a transient that demanded attention
It got me frustrated, indecisive and power tripping
Sour emotions got me looking at the universe different
I should distance myself, I should keep it relentless
My selfishness is what got me here, who the fuck I'm kidding?
So I'ma tell you like I told the last bum
Crumbs and pennies, I need all of mines
And I recognize this type of panhandling all the time
I got better judgment, I know who niggas hustling
Keep in mind, when I was struggling, I did compromise
Now I comprehend, I smell grandpa's old medicine
Reeking from your skin, moonshine and gin
Fuck all your babbling, your words ain't flattering
I'm imagining Denzel, we looking at O'Neal
'Cause I'm in sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre
The jig is up, I seen you from a mile away losing focus
And I'm insensitive and I lack empathy
He looked at me and said, "Your potential is bittersweet"
I looked at him and said, "Every nickel is mines to keep"
He looked at me and said, "Know the truth, it'll set you free
You looking at the Messiah, the son of Jehovah, the higher power
The choir that spoke the word, the holy spirit, the nerve of Nazareth
And I tell you just how much a dollar cost
The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss
I am God"
I washed my hands, I said my grace
What more do you want from me?
Tears of a clown, guess I'm not on what is meant to be
Shades of gray will never change if I condone
Turn this page, help me change to right my wrong
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