LEARNED THE HARD WAY

Hook: Vocalist 1
I learned the hard way, had to pay that price
Lost a couple people, still I stayed on grind
South Side nights, I was chasing that bag
Had my back on the wall, still I never went back
Money on my mind, gotta get it all day
Same ones switched sides, I remember them names
Thug life, cold nights, had to make my own way
Ain't nobody coming, so I learned the hard way

Verse 1: Vocalist 1
I done seen the good turn bad in a minute
Pocket full of nothing, still I had ambition
South Side raised, every loss came with tuition
Had to learn who was real, had to study the position
I was broke, couldn't call nobody for a favor
Now I'm stacking every dollar, thinking 'bout the later
Ain't chasing validation, I'm chasing paper
Took a couple losses, came back greater
Cold nights, same shoes, different mission
Turned frustration into tunnel vision
Everybody got advice when you finally start winning
Where the fuck was everybody when the rent wasn't hitting?
I don't talk about the struggle, I remember it
Every scar got a story, every dollar got significance
Had to cut some people off just to elevate
Now I'm moving with a purpose, ain't got time to hesitate

Verse 2: Vocalist 2
Had to get it, get it, get it — ain't no waiting on a favor
Built it from the floor, now I'm thinking skyscraper
They was laughing when I struggled, now they asking for the flavor
Funny how the same damn people change when you get paper
South Side!
I'm in the city with a plan
Had to tighten up the circle, had to understand the scam
Everybody shaking hands don't necessarily be your man
So I keep my eyes open with the money in my hand
Quick move, big step, calculate the play
One mistake can cost you years, gotta think before you make
They want shortcuts, I want everything I create
If the door don't open up, I'ma build another way
I remember being down, now I'm running up the score
Lost a couple battles, had to understand the war
I ain't asking for permission, I ain't knocking anymore
Learned it once the hard way — I won't make that mistake no more!

Hook: Both
I learned the hard way, had to pay that price
Lost a couple people, still I stayed on grind
South Side nights, I was chasing that bag
Had my back on the wall, still I never went back
Money on my mind, gotta get it all day
Same ones switched sides, I remember them names
Thug life, cold nights, had to make my own way
Ain't nobody coming, so I learned the hard way
(South Side! Get it! Run it up! Still grinding! No handouts! Hard way!)

Outro: Vocalist 1
Yeah... South Side made me. Every loss taught me. Every dollar mean something. Still grinding. Still here. Still getting that money. I learned the hard way.