Power of the Tongue

I can recognize backhanded praise like the back of mine That tough talk is hardly ever backed when they lack a spine Back against the wall, now it's back to the alkaline Back up on the horse and backing tracks, that's how I pack a line In the back of my mind is my vengeance: I'm exacting mine Back-to-back imitation acts, I've got sacks and ties If I don't hear back from your packs of fans? X-Acto knife Bloody eagle, entry through the back - sell your stash online Reporting back to where I left y'all at - it's been a long ride Had some setbacks like the clocks around fall time. Wound up back at square one, but now the blocks are all mine And niggas taking back their words, working out their jawline She calls me "Tall, fine", but back then, I was "Strong thighs" Only getting stronger, holding rap up on my back tight. Black Sacagawea, lead through backwoods and black nights. Back up all your hard drives and stack up 'cause it's that time. Back out in the field, tryna make the majors Tryna see my photos up in every paper Hometown hero, momma, I made it Hometown hero, momma, I made it They don't know it now, but they'll see it later So I don't give a damn about who thinks they're greater Hometown hero, momma, I made it Hometown hero, momma, I made it This ain't back and forth like tennis matches, I'm not one for games, But I can entertain the idea when I serve up an ace. Chuck the deuce like Jigga, these niggas brought the wrong tools to play, Though I can play that too, I'm like Jigga's boo on a bad day. Slide across your bases while aiming to make it home safe. Kick it with the chiefs when I touch the green like Mahomes' game. I don't need a helmet to run the plays in my home games. Call me young Ronaldo with all the goals that I'm gon' break. Home State got me flippin' eagles to the competition, The same way we're flippin' vehicles when the opps are winnin'. Lots of beef and cheese for the bread, we're not talking Phillies, But when I'm on the plate, I'll hit home base while their tops are spinning. Watch it hit the air and judge the difference between our skill sets. Billion dollar tongue and I haven't made them bills yet. Destined for the rings, put me in Olympic Village. This is scrimmage, separating the images from the real vets. Back out in the field, tryna make the majors. Tryna see my photos up in every paper. Hometown hero, momma, I made it. Hometown hero, momma, I made it. They don't know it now, but they'll see it later. So I don't give a damn about who thinks they're greater. Hometown hero, momma, I made it. Hometown hero, momma, I made it. Wasn't s'posed to make it out the city where they found me Not like there were bloodbaths around, but I was drowning Lose myself to mediocrity or be astounding But every time I had the chance to shine, my heart was pounding Something 'bout the pressure made me think I couldn't measure up Niggas 'round my age and younger made it seem so effortless Not to mention listening to voices 'till my head erupt About my life's direction - what would happen if my hopes go bust All I know is that I've studied this for sixteen years Spending time training my tongue and developing ear So if that doesn't say that I'm way ahead of my peers Then, f*ck it - watch me take their heads off and disappear Antisocial as I am, don't need to denigrate Though I'm about to send your favorites up to Heaven's gates Never been afraid to box niggas above my weight Power of the tongue - watch a nigga demonstrate Back out in the field, tryna make the majors Tryna see my photos up in every paper Hometown hero, momma, I made it Hometown hero, momma, I made it They don't know it now, but they'll see it later So I don't give a damn about who thinks they're greater Hometown hero, momma, I made it Hometown hero, momma, I made it