Diamond in the Ruff
[00:08.96] Back when breakfast was a bag of chips
[00:11.35] Between mom and dad, the saddest trips
[00:12.95] A young man who had a wish, to have a platinum disc
[00:15.33] My parents gave life, the streets gave a family
[00:17.45] And with the damage in my life, the streets saved my sanity
[00:19.84] Was in a room where the dog would shit and piss is where we slept
[00:22.50] And soon it was all hit or miss and unfair regrets
[00:25.16] No one ever gave a helping hand or ever showed remorse
[00:27.81] And dear ol' dad left us with a tab, we had to pay the cost
[00:30.48] Of course there wasn't any helping relatives to lend
[00:33.12] A hand or a plate of food
[00:34.71] We broke and they like, "Q stay in school"
[00:35.78] Couldn't play the rules, had to find another way
[00:37.91] So while my brother played, I strayed away to get a j
[00:40.30] And brighten mothers day
[00:41.62] I brought the storm cause I was born and raised in ignorance
[00:43.49] And with an alcoholic step dad, who gives a shit
[00:46.40] In the end it all boils down to one thing
[00:48.80] Q-Unique the diamond in the ruff, now watch the son bling
[00:51.45] These... streets test ya, Q-Unique under deep pressure
[00:54.90] Wisdom speaks, who needs a lecture
[00:56.50] My soul dark coal, compressed and scuffed
[00:59.16] I guess strivin' ain't enough for the diamond in the ruff
[01:01.55] These... streets test ya, Q-Unique under deep pressure
[01:05.27] Wisdom speaks, who needs a lecture
[01:07.12] My soul dark coal, compressed and scuffed
[01:09.78] I guess strivin' ain't enough for the diamond in the ruff
[01:12.17] Now I know lots of people in high places
[01:14.30] But that doesn't equal my career spotted in the right spaces
[01:17.48] I talk it up with legends and laugh it up with favorites
[01:20.16] The moment passes up and then I gotta hit the pavement
[01:22.83] No man's responsible for another man's path
[01:25.20] But in other camps I see other man's increasin' other man's math
[01:28.13] A question of loyalty or a question of greed
[01:30.52] And if I question the authority they won't let Q lead
[01:32.91] Cats hold on to they spots like a nigga's gonna rob ‘em
[01:35.56] Like the world'll pass ‘em up and what they did ‘ll get forgotten
[01:38.22] And I had brothers backs from the beginning
[01:40.34] Always showed support, and always celebrated when a brother man was winning
[01:43.53] And I played the background for too long
[01:45.66] WWF put the Smack Down in a true song
[01:48.84] Adds to the pressure when I'm rhymin' in the cut
[01:51.23] Motherfuckers is threatened by the diamond in the ruff
[01:53.90] These... streets test ya, Q-Unique under deep pressure
[01:57.34] Wisdom speaks, who needs a lecture
[01:59.20] My soul dark coal, compressed and scuffed
[02:01.59] I guess strivin' ain't enough for the diamond in the ruff
[02:04.25] These... streets test ya, Q-Unique under deep pressure
[02:07.70] Wisdom speaks, who needs a lecture
[02:09.83] My soul dark coal, compressed and scuffed
[02:11.97] I guess strivin' ain't enough for the diamond in the ruff
[02:14.87] And the struggle goes on
[02:16.20] But not without the help of friends who's friendship
[02:17.79] I'm defending to the end
[02:19.12] And even after then
[02:20.18] If I should see the gates of heaven ahead of you
[02:22.05] I'm makin' sure that shit is right for you rather than someone instead of you
[02:25.50] Yo Swel, you my heart dog, thanks for always being there
[02:27.89] Through the ups and downs, you was the one who's always seeing clear
[02:30.55] Legs put me on revamped the Rock Steady name
[02:32.94] When I started out he helped a nigga get a little fame
[02:35.60] You was there homie on the day of my seeds birth
[02:38.25] And the girl Eka told me that Q should lead first
[02:40.91] Ill Bill you believed and co-signed
[02:42.76] Saw skill dropped green so we both shine
[02:44.89] And dreamed of the gold rhyme
[02:46.49] And even when some spoke against it
[02:48.08] Ya proved to me that it was more than beats and rhymes and it was all a friendship
[02:51.27] So many names I could say this time ain't enough
[02:53.66] Here's a thanks if you deserve it from the diamond in the ruff
[02:56.58] These... streets test ya, Q-Unique under deep pressure
[02:59.77] Wisdom speaks, who needs a lecture
[03:01.62] My soul dark coal, compressed and scuffed
[03:03.75] I guess strivin' ain't enough for the diamond in the ruff
[03:06.67] These... streets test ya, Q-Unique under deep pressure
[03:10.12] Wisdom speaks, who needs a lecture
[03:11.99] My soul dark coal, compressed and scuffed
[03:14.38] I guess strivin' ain't enough for the diamond in the ruff
