[Verse 1]
Growing up I used to want to be my Uncle Wayne
Until I saw his body laying in a grave (Rest in peace)
Growing up I used to want a Jeep Wrangler
Until I got to drive a Range
Growing up I used to have a lot of friends (Fuck them all)
Until I saw the money change them
Growing up I used to want a lot of hoes
Until I met Ben Franklin (Ha ha)
I'm writing this from a place that you ain't heard about
And you can only come here through the word of mouth (That's real)
Growing up I used to tell my mom I'd work it out
I worked it out but now still somehow shit ain't working out (Real shit)
Growing up I watched my favorite rapper's interviews
I ain't believe them when they said it ain't all what it seems (Ah hah)
But now I'm here and realized that they were telling truth
'Cause you sacrifice yourself for everybody's needs
By any means, I'm married to the game for this diamond ring
And I spend more time with her than anybody else it seems
Courtside with my bitch, we can't see the nosebleeds
Afterparty, Bootsy Bellows, hoes make they nose bleed
Always stressing about my brother, I know this shit hard on him (Ah hah)
Always stressing about my momma, but I know that God got them (Ah hah)
I'm stressing out more now than what I did at rock bottom
And I'm blowing more clouds, hoping that it'll help stop it
It's all smoke and mirrors with these bitches
It's all smoke and mirrors with them all (For real)
Promised the world and delivered me an atlas
But I guess that's how it goes
[Chorus]
Ooh
I don't know why I can't believe it (Oh yeah)
Oh, nothing ever as it seems at all (Ooh ooh)
I thought my nightmares were my dreams (I don't believe)
This ain't what it seems, no, no

[Interlude: Sloane Howard]
Hey Charlton, been trying to call, it's mom
Just wanted to check up and say I miss you
Call me back when you get a chance, love you

[Verse 2]
We've been to hell and back together, you're my closest friend
Shit, you probably know me better than
I know myself and you're the reason why I never rest
And walk into the crib, high as hell, head full of stress
I love you even though sometimes I forget to text
I'd give everything even if it means I have nothing left
And even at your worst for us, you tried your best
And all the shit that we went through together I just won't forget
You check me when I spend lots of money that I made
You tell me you won't ever let me make the same mistakes
You make, shit, we had it good and then we lost it all
A year later, hiding narcotics in the wall
Of the apartment we was living in in King's Cross
Always thought my uncle was a boss
But now he up with God, I thought he was invincible
Ninth grade, turned around and said fuck my principal
And dropped out and this was at the time that we ain't have a house
And me and you was sleeping on the separate ends of Louis's couch
I would go to JD's to make music, end up passing out and wake up
With my back soaked, calling tryna figure out just where you at
Shit made me mad
Seeing you in the back of the ambulance
To the hospital, I thought you weren't coming back
Next morning, walked in just like nothing happened
You'd never admit the problems that you had
And tell me that I'm being crazy if I ever asked
But now I got my own problems and I understand
'Cause I'm tryna protect you from anything bad
[Chorus]
Ooh
I don't know why I can't believe it (Oh yeah)
Oh, nothing ever as it seems at all (Ooh ooh)
I thought my nightmares were my dreams (I don't believe)
This ain't what it seems, no, no