I just wanna live, I just wanna breathe
Don't wanna fit in, I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be you
I just wanna be true
True to myself, truly I felt
That I was one-of-a-kind, you couldn't tell
If I was gonna survive, but I will excel
I'm gonna thrive, 'cause I will never be you
It's frightening, I bring the lightning and thunder back
If the rap scene's a damn tree, I'm a lumberjack
Master of the humble brag, you're nothin', just another actor
Tell these mumble rappers to enunciate
I'm touchin' greatness, I say this 'cause confidence is key
I might've struggled in the past, but not to a beat
I'll never suffer from a lack of competency
I'm not a wannabe; honestly, I only wanna be me
So mission accomplished; language, I flip it for profit
Wish I could quit my day job, it's gettin' monotonous
But I got kids, I'm tryin' to pay tuition for college
I'm on a mission from God and failure isn't an option
They're sittin' and watchin', wishin' I'd slip and I'd fall
This is ridiculous, all this hatred; I only show love
They're tryin' to play childish games, but I'm a grown up
It might just take some time and patience, but I'ma blow up
I just wanna live, I just wanna breathe
Don't wanna fit in, I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be you
I just wanna be true
True to myself, truly I felt
That I was one-of-a-kind, you couldn't tell
If I was gonna survive, but I will excel
I'm gonna thrive, 'cause I will never be you
I'm tragically gifted, my family's indifferent
To my damaged existence, my personality's addictive
But I was never addicted to drugs
Always stuck with the beer and the liquor to buzz
I'm not an alcoholic, I don't use it to cover up the scars I hide
Swallow pride, chase it with bourbon neat
I'm tryin' to learn to be what my loved ones deserve of me
Surely we can agree it'd be disturbingly egregious of me
Not to turn the cheek, you live and you learn
Bridges will burn eternally; currently, my biggest concern
Is currency, it's hard to earn and keep
But I earn my keep with urgency, assuredly
The nerve of these people; you're see-through, I'll never be you
Not quite through, I'm nothing like you and I won't change
I'm grown now, turned a lone spark to a whole flame
Got the know-how to go far doin' my own thang
I just wanna live, I just wanna breathe
Don't wanna fit in, I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be you
I just wanna be true
True to myself, truly I felt
That I was one-of-a-kind, you couldn't tell
If I was gonna survive, but I will excel
I'm gonna thrive, 'cause I will never be you
I don't wanna be complacent; can't you see I'm actually
Tryin' to reach for greatness; I live and breathe this, I never
Wanna be a basic MC, let's face it
Victory's so close, I can see and taste it
Never gave in or gave up on the dreams I'm chasin'
I make this music for me, I can see 'em hatin'
They hope I fail, hopin' this'll be to no avail
No publicity in the industry, got dope for sale
I don't wanna go to jail, miss my kids growin' up
And I don't want 'em to live like I did growin' up
I won't ever be a drunk, addict, or junkie
Like most everyone in my family but me
I don't wanna die young, live old if I'm lucky
Trust me, I'll never forget where I came from
We don't march to the beat of the same drum
It's a shame what fame does; if it calls, hang up
Three Rivers, MI, based hip-hop artist A Rapper Named Nati has been penning rhymes since 1996. He met Dutch producer Rob Maestro in high school, circa 2004. Fifteen years later, the pair have been anointed Self-Proclaimed Kings. (Pronounced “notty.”)
Recorded at the rapper's Brooklyn apartment during lockdown, this album offers poignant reflections on the uncertain decisions defining the uncharted territory of today's reality. Bandcamp Album of the Day Jul 21, 2020
An 18-minute instrumental hip-hop suite from the Philly beatmaker, inspired by ’70s thriller movies from India, China, Europe and beyond. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 7, 2021
