Big Dreams In The City

(Verse 1: Marcus Orelias)

I knew this was it, since ‘93
I’m talking bout big dreams in the city
See corners where they’re on the block
Liquor store, selling rocks
Absent father in my life but I turned out aite
Lost my best friend at the time in ‘99
That’s 99 problems but I’m fine
The inner youth in Bayview just wants to survive
Never was a strong book student, number of times
Didn’t make the honors, watching my grades drop
Still I wanted everything that was in
When my momma was in with two kids
As a young boy wanted a Gameboy
Finally got it, changing everything to color
My life changed again, moms introduced another man
A young man adjusting to another grown man, I’m bad at math
Looking back on the past, middle school came and past
In a sense, lost my innocence cause…

(Hook: Marcus Orelias)

The city is mine. Top back, California sunshine
Same place where I stayed on my grind
Mama told me I was destined to shine
Yea I’m destined to shine
The city is mine. Top back, California sunshine
Same place where I stayed on my grind
Mama told me I was destined to shine
With big dreams in the city

(Verse 2: Marcus Orelias)

Fuck what people say, high school wasn’t fun
I wasn’t Mr. Popular or popular opinion
I was cool; often it hurt to know so much
Transferred schools in 9th grade, I didn’t comprehend much
A round peg trying to fit in some boxes, plus
I tried out for JV, guess who got cut?
Like the girls who wouldn’t give me time of day
Separating themselves, I spoke my mind
Who cares, to them I was always high or mad
Walking into class like somebody died
Taking stretches to master lines that I rhymed
Never paid attention to lectures, not one time
Word is I caught A.D.D; plus I needed money
I did a week of selling weed; looked around realizing it wasn’t me
My life became a tug of war, with so many pulling for me
I'm just glad we got to see eye to eye
Because being rejected, is what makes I, I

(Hook)

(Verse 3: Marcus Orelias)

Fast foreword past ‘09, in due time
I had a 12-inch PowerBook; that was a hammy down
Recorded into it, after I wrote my raps down
It was so old, froze in a few weeks. A week is all I need
Found Jay B and started writing to his beats
A true scholar in every essence, digging different sounds
Searching for samples that would turn my life around
It’s hard feeling motivated, amongst the lack of response
The next month made a demo with used beats and instrumentals
Matter of fact it was instrumental, everything I had I hustled for
Wanting to drop but never knew when
A few producers were supposed to come through
Never did, blind to my vision
12th grade came, barely passed to graduate
Spiting a solo verse from We On, tearing up the stage
I’m on now; all I want to do is make you proud
With big dreams in the city

(Hook)