Memory Lane - Rotimi, mom, Stacy Barthe

Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks

We are so proud of you, Ro

Dad and I

How glorious are the feat of those who bring good tidings

From your mother’s womb, you were chosen to speak to many generations

Yeah

I got this two door coupe and this brownstone stoop

In my bank account, there’s a parachute

And the amount big enough if this shit don’t work out

It’s clean, but I got it from the dirt now

Off to college, '06, selling mixtapes out the dorm

In Mazda, no tints with a bitch that keep me warm

I was broke as shit, niggas tryna pass classes

Me, I’m on the L to the city tryna cash in

In the Chi', I was never shy

No, I ain’t had shit, but I was still that guy

Twenty-three below out in front of GCI

Tryna get my shit some plays, spread my wings so I could fly

Graduated, but still tryna make it

Gotta make these ends meet, but my pockets naked

I can’t take it

Then my mans, he told me I should audition

Because time in front the camera might help me make a living

So I did it

Didn’t know if I would get it

But I walked off in that room and I read a couple sentences

God was in there with me, all I had to do was finish it

Went in for commercial and I came out with a meal ticket

No acting class in my past, but I still get it

Wasn’t looking for a lick, but I still hit it

God showed me the light when I was lost

Gotta shoutout Kelsey Grammer, he helped make me a boss

I took off

Ooh

I had to choose

Whether to win or lose

And look at what it turned into, yeah

Look at what it turned into, yeah

Look at what it turned into (Damn)

Show cancelled, so I’m headed to Atlanta

No whip, but I’m dreaming 'bout a Phantom

Came up so fast, didn’t think that we would lose it

That fell through, guess it’s back to the music

Then I met my nigga Quise back in 2012

We was both young dreamers tryna figure out ourselves

Came across James Foye, now he better known as Keyz

That’s my nigga forever, we did some shit you can’t believe, yeah

2014, we had a crib, it was a vibe

We ain’t had no furniture, but still was sitting high

Hookah on the coffee table, Chinese food and bottles

Way before the 'Gram, we was bagging Insta' models

I’m not a gambling man, but had to bet on myself

Booked a flight to LA, I was in debt to myself

Hoping that when it’s over I’d have a story to tell

I should be in the W, but I’m in the motel

For three weeks straight, all that I could do was wait

And keep my faith, thank God it was free to pray

Phone ringing, I hopped straight up out the shower

And they said, «Congratulations, Ro, we want you for Power»

I took off

Congratulations, we want you for Power (Took off)

Phone ringing, I hopped straight up out the shower

I took off

Ooh

I had to choose

Whether to win or lose

And look at what it turned into, yeah

Look at what it turned into, yeah

Look at what it turned into

He asked you to be faithful in His mercy, told you to praise Him

We remember you singing «Higher Ground» in our little church

One line in that song reads, «Lord, plant my feet on higher ground»

God has been with you through the maze of your life’s journey

It hasn’t always been easy, you know

You had full exuberance

And through it all, God has been faithful

Allowing you to stop and take stock

So, real- realize destiny

Your journey from Columbia High to West- Northwestern, to manhood is gloriously

unfolding new heights

We are grateful to the most high

Who is forever faithful and true

Dad and I are so incredibly proud of you

Soar like the eagle you are

Roar like the lion you were made to be (Woo)

You will humbly serve, with wisdom, your God

I had to choose

I took off