LIFE STORY
by Alberto G

Born in 2000, in Ecuador, where everyone in my section was poor
Young age dropped at the door, just an orphan without a family
Some would call that a tragedy, but all was good I was adopted at three
By a family in the USA felt good, being in a nice neighborhood
Went to school, just 5 actin’ a fool, breaking all the rules, getting into fights
Sent to the office left and right, played soccer, basketball and baseball
Still enough energy to run up a wall, started 6th grade
Catching 8th graders fade, showing I’m tough
Never been afraid of no wanna be thugs
Started to get into real trouble for trying to rumble
But remained solid, never crumbled
Mom kicked me out the home, stayed alone in my zone
Sleeping benches, stayed in the trenches
Age 15 first time went to juvi
Got out and fools act like they know me
Saying they didn’t like the new me
9 more times committing crimes, doing time
Mom said I’ll never shine, put me in a group home
Saying I wasn’t welcome to return, thought it’d make me burn
But I had to learn to change my habits, make checks, cash it
Just to live lavish, prove my mom wrong, fuck tryna get along
Praying to God, long nights to help me beat the odds
Met lots of lame’s people switched, what shame they couldn’t stay the same
Had to stay up in my lane. Got out after 15 months, and hella good can’t front
Got a job at CCNB, working like a g in school, tryna to get all A’s and B’s
Reconnecting with society, off probation chasing graduation.
Got a girl that got my world, baby, lady, never do her shady
Loyalty above all lawz a value I don’t small, or light
Kind of shit that’ll make you lose your life. Seen a lot
Seen gangs, felt pain, had to struggle through the hustle
But I can’t be beat, never will I accept defeat
Ten toes down on my feet