Running Boy

Hook: Run boy, run(x4)

 

Just turned 18, about to make it out that's crazy

Lately his momma prayed he launch out safely from this tainted

Existence cops raiding homes is feeling so outdated

Maybe he could trade it in for faded visions of nascent

Quads, green lawns, and fair laws

'Cause he's been trapped these grey blocks of sin for too long

Mom would cry behind his back because she knew the fact

That he was black would be enough proof to be tapped

By the angel of death, mapped out his future correct

The best she could, but the hood didn't care if he was good

It only needs and fiends for the bleeding to increase

The creases on her face from years of fear from police

Treating her people like children, like they ain't equal

Precinct tower looking like a haunted steeple

Seems that it's evil, sounds foolish but it feel's real

Boy's about to leave tomorrow, she begs God 'please let today be peaceful'

 

Hook: Run boy, run(4x)

 

It's sunset, the sky a magnificent red hue

Just left his homie's house celebrating the debut

Of his new path, man he worked his ass off

Test prep on his own, school system didn't help at all

Couldn't really ball, was pretty bad at rap

So with momma on his back, he made sure that he passed

Walking down the street, ear buds blasting beats

He couldn't hear or see the cops creep

In from behind him, blaring the sirens

Like Oddyseus trying to ignore, thinking don't mind them

But they already had their sights set. Why? That's the question

Just won't let him be at peace, never let him rest and

So they hopped out, guns loaded hands on the holster

Someone in front looked back, and then he turned towards them

He knew the fate of Trayvon, Mike, Eric and Tamir

So he calmed himself as much as possible as they came near

 

Run boy, run (4x)

 

One of the cops was new to the force

So of course he has to act tough, balls in his court

The experienced partner was hardened and ready

So when they got the carjacking tip, the vet said he

Would take this one, but the rookie wants to make his run

A tragedy in the making, but he thought it'd be fun

But see the young cop isn't evil, just like the boy wasn't bad

Fate was only waiting for it's tribute to be had

So when the boy turned around with music too loud, he couldn't reckon

That his life would be decided in a split second

The boy made the wrong move and took his hands out of his pockets

Meant to put them in the air to be fair, he thought it

Would be careful enough, but then the saw the gun

And when that comes, his only thought is run

Run as fast as you can, run as far as you can

From this land where your destiny is held in death's hands

So he's booking it down the middle of the street

He can feel the heat of the asphalt under his feet

The sun on it's way down and in the morning he's set to leave

Bus ticket on the kitchen counter, so close to being free

But right now he's a Boy in the Hood, bull's eye on his back like Ricky

25 years later, but still way too fitting

His earbuds fell out, and hears the cop yell, Stop!

I'm going to shoot! but he keeps running he has nothing left to lose

His house is three blocks down, then feels three shots down

The back of his back, spinal cracks, but he doesn't turn back

Bases loaded, bullets loaded but he believes he'll make it home

So close, so close, so close

Almost outran the hood, the police and the nation

The legacy of supremacy is simply too patient

His latent talent wasn't enough to escape untouched

But so what, he'll run, run, run until it's done

 

Bop, bop! Bop, bop, bop, bop!

 

Run, boy run(x4)