Life's been hard, but I keep pushing through Every obstacle, every struggle, I stay true Grew up in the hood, where dreams don't come easy But I refuse to let my circumstances defeat me I hustle every day, trying to make a way In a world that's cold, where you gotta pay to play I've seen friends fall victim to the streets But I'm determined to rise above, never accepting defeat I spit rhymes that reflect my reality Painting pictures of the struggle, the brutality I'm Kendrick Lamar, with a message to convey That no matter how hard life gets, I'll find a way So I keep grinding, keep climbing to the top No matter the setbacks, I'll never stop I'll overcome the odds, break free from the chains 'Cause in this hard life, only the strong remain