Isla Sorna

"It was right at that moment - I looked around the city. I saw what my home boys was doing. I saw that everybody I had ever known, had always been right here in the same spot and I told myself I gotta get the f*ck out of here" - J. Cole I’m from the forgotten borough where people never get out And anywhere else you try those same people try to clown You for taking risks and moving different to me it’s cool to live in But the people here are way too insecure and narcissistic Just an artist living 'round people that make an honest living I don’t hate them for it, I get it, that shit's a hard decision Most the people here are city workers just trying to get it The workers route, 'cause here that’s what you do, you take securer outs Everyone I knew here was groomed here as they grew here To do one of two things only things they think to do here To go to school here to be a doctor or a lawyer Or a drop out, get a book, and make a union your employer I applaud you, cause I am not designed for that life I never identified with the 9-to-5 type I've always been the guy that was trying to find life Outside of what you make see a wage won’t define mine But here they’re quick to debate you for trying to fight back Quick to degrade you for straying out from the pack in fact I ain’t into all that, they could win with all that See they in competition for image they all cap And I am not timid I say it in all caps Fucking cess pool what I’m saying is all facts The people here that know what’s up will tell you that’s the realest And they’ll agree with me if they ain’t all in their feelings I tell it like it is but I really wish it wasn’t Cause for me it’s hard to do this where nobody does it As a rapper your hometown you supposed to hold down But mine don’t condone it, they’ll wait till it’s sold out (Hold up) Then they’ll embrace it, and welcome me home now? Cause I made it, on some fake shit, and say that they’re so proud Every time the conversation of my music comes up I get the same two reactions I maneuver through both The believers who know I’m grinding, who see me putting the time in The first thing that they say is you got to get off the island Which I always found intriguing, they knew I couldn’t believe in My hometown to support me they knew that I had to leave it And the ones that don’t believe it, their reactions make me laugh Try to make me feel ashamed because I think that I can and I’m gassed When I shouldn’t be, you should see how they look at me Asking all kind of questions like what if you don’t succeed I hope you do but if you don’t, what you gone do with no degree I tell them don’t hope for me, there’s really no hope for me And I say that openly with confidence, they get confused Cause the people in my neighborhood weren’t raised to pursue Their dreams, they were only told to follow them Until it ain’t convenient to keep dreaming They think they need a more solid plan And scared it won’t work out, plan life around fear and doubt And outside influence hindering what they’re about See people on this island, they’re scared to be great Scared to do what it takes, Me, I’m scared of moving that way Losing my faith, moving with snakes, I’m choosing to break The rules that they make, they fake, they confused in this place People stay in this bubble, don’t know it could be popped People here don’t love you till you’re the one that popped People so caught up in this little world of gossip Constantly passing judgment so catty about who’s got it Whose daddy spoiled them rotten Whose daddy‘s really mobbin Whose daddy put a front on acting like they somebody I really wish to be that guy that brings light here Way too much negativity, they just want to fight here But I’m past that light-year, want to give back to the city Do shows when I’m home knowing they fucking with me Then take it on the road and put on for my hometown I just wish I felt the love while I’m home now Let y’all into this world, little bubble we live in Hold up