[Verse 1]
Let's take it back to 2008/
Around the time when everyone I knew was browsing the grapevine/
In hopes of finding the next great line, I'd take time/
Whenever I was constructing the words of a straight rhyme/
A couple years into the game/
With nothing more than hunger to rip beats and aspirations of fame/
Rappin about dumb shit, hoping to make a name/
And haters started hating soon as aggravation was gained/
And in an attempt to perfect my skills/
I started talking shit just to vent my feels/
I chose to change my style and some cats took notice/
And they hit me up and said it's bogus/
And they said "Why don't you rap more about the bitches and checks?/
and maybe if you do you'll finally get respect"/
Those words, though with malicious intent, made me reflect/
On when I started out rappin and put it into perspective/
[Hook]
And they told me "Swallow your dreams"/
They said "Swallow your dreams"/
They said "Swallow your dreams"/
[Verse 2]
I first started rappin bout what I cared in my heart/
But then somebody had to come and tear it apart/
He said "Man, you sound like a fool/
Nobody fuckin wants to listen to you rappin about school/
They wanna hear you rap about money and bitches"/
But to either of those I was never much of a witness/
So I sat down with a pen, pretending owning these riches/
Writin such verses had me thinkin "I'm uncomfortable with this"/
To me it just didn't feel right/
Like I was saying I had a golden staff that was really a steel pipe/
Though very hesitant, I was thinking I still might/
Yo fuck that shit, now I know that I will fight/
To tell my stories my own way, homie I don't play/
I don't care even if it means that my music won't pay/
I'll do all in power to ensure I don't stray/
And to let you know that I've arrived and I'm gon stay/
[Hook]
Now I'm sayin "Follow your dreams/
Follow your dreams/
Follow your dreams"/
Yeah