Prayer

[00:24.83] I was born on February 24th, 1970

[00:28.81] The day I was delivered

[00:30.40] They said I would build a legacy

[00:32.26] Picture me with influence

[00:33.59] That last generations

[00:34.92] I was made out of love to

[00:35.98] Keep you happy and educated

[00:38.37] The first three letters of

[00:39.42] The alphabet my name

[00:41.30] I made you laugh, I made you dance

[00:43.42] I made you sing

[00:44.48] I been around the world and back

[00:46.08] You recorded my almanac

[00:47.67] So dearly way before the fact

[00:49.26] Me and pops was estranged

[00:50.86] My father was a public figure

[00:52.73] Bigger than life

[00:53.80] Lived as a winner, on stages alike

[00:56.45] Rivers of people surely united

[00:58.04] Just to see our bond

[00:59.11] Time carried on, that was a common thread

[01:01.50] My perfect father had many flaws

[01:03.62] Still they moved they legs and

[01:05.22] Shook they heads in unison

[01:06.54] He had more children, I was the oldest

[01:08.67] We always played with each other

[01:10.25] 'fore they ruined 'em

[01:11.32] He told me his personal secrets

[01:13.18] Childhood catching on beatings

[01:14.77] Sexually touched and abused

[01:16.38] Never seen life in a school

[01:18.50] The price of being iconic

[01:19.84] Was demonic and screwed

[01:21.43] I stood on stage and had to

[01:23.03] Watch my father on the news

[01:24.62] Stress on the head of my spirit

[01:26.48] I was lost and confused

[01:27.81] I knew both sides of the story, but still

[01:30.48] I couldn't choose see, it was more than

[01:32.61] Humiliation and bein' sued

[01:34.47] They crucified my affiliation for

[01:36.59] Points to prove

[01:37.66] And now my purpose for livin'

[01:39.52] Makes no difference to you

[01:41.11] My total existence was for

[01:42.70] Makin' a smiling move

[01:44.03] They said that I'll live forever

[01:46.17] But the moment he died

[01:47.50] More accusations arrived i had to die too

[02:02.14] I remember takin' my first

[02:03.73] Breath August 28th, 1963

[02:06.93] The whole nation had saved the day

[02:08.79] I made it on TV

[02:10.39] My come out was a standing ova'

[02:11.98] The crowd in disbelief

[02:13.58] How could a group of words be so great?

[02:15.44] Designed to make you think

[02:16.76] Races and faces embracin' my

[02:18.90] Conscience in letter form

[02:19.97] How gracious was I speakin' on

[02:21.81] Changes once outside the norm?

[02:23.13] The person responsible, my creator

[02:25.52] He never conformed or used hatred

[02:27.38] To form mass retaliation

[02:28.98] Watch him perform with conviction

[02:30.57] Two hundred and fifty thousand souls

[02:32.44] Left they homes to listen

[02:33.78] I gather his thoughts in abundance

[02:35.67] Made to complete the mission

[02:36.99] His life became heroic, then tables turned

[02:39.38] My creator stripped from being a

[02:41.24] Poet because he yearned

[02:42.83] Other women, infidelity stricken

[02:44.96] I can't say he was perfect

[02:46.29] It made me nervous

[02:47.62] They tear him down and forget me

[02:49.48] I prayed that I survived in

[02:50.81] The midst of the controversy

[02:52.93] How many lives'll fall on deaf

[02:54.26] Ears if I'm not worthy?

[02:55.62] I won't justify his personal problems

[02:57.74] That's not my job

[02:59.08] I was only born to make sure

[03:00.67] Your children can play outside

[03:02.27] And I imagine the other demons

[03:03.85] He hid before he died

[03:05.45] If they came to surface

[03:06.77] This dream probably won't be alive

[03:08.37] Because of you

[03:21.65] I was born in paranoia, it's poison for us

[03:25.10] We can't create with joyous ambition

[03:26.70] We're out of luck the critics formed a new

[03:29.33] Coalition and huddled up

[03:31.46] The non-creators are now elated

[03:33.32] And out of touch

[03:34.65] Why can't you gladly appreciate

[03:36.51] The influence we give?

[03:37.83] Stop starin' at me disgusted

[03:39.43] My substance made sure you'd lived

[03:41.02] You want the head of the messenger

[03:42.88] And the history from him

[03:44.47] Which eventually takes away from

[03:46.34] The good you accustom

[03:47.66] Think of a life without the

[03:48.72] Likes of imagination that's prosperin'

[03:51.91] The bodies that you consider genius

[03:53.23] You like to box 'em in

[03:54.56] The great debaters and thinkers

[03:56.16] They gave you a voice

[03:57.48] Why can't you prosecute the crimes and

[03:59.34] Not the thoughts I employ?

[04:00.67] Because your better judgement will always

[04:03.06] Look down on me

[04:03.86] But if I recollect how we connect

[04:06.00] You'll account on me

[04:07.32] I got a theory that most of

[04:08.93] Y'all won't allow to see it goes like this

[04:11.32] Talent doesn't choose morality

[04:13.45] See, if Daniel Hale was a killer

[04:15.57] Would you not want a heart?

[04:17.17] If Carl Benz was a racist

[04:18.76] Would you stop driving cars?

[04:20.62] I can't help we jump in these bodies

[04:22.21] And you called them a God

[04:23.81] Just know the Earth is just a

[04:24.86] Rock without the voices of art

[04:26.98] Sincerely yours