[Intro: Jay-Z]

There's a nigga right now somewhere

He at the table with a bowl of Apple Jacks

And he's reading the back of the cereal

And in between eating the Apple Jacks, he's writing some shit

And he wants my spot

I'ma find him though, I'ma sign him...

I don't want no problems

[Verse 1: J. Cole]

Like we always do at this time, Cole blowin' your mind

Hey, dummy, this no accident, all of this was designed

T-T-T-Took my time, c-c-crept from behind

And I opened up your blinds, rise and shine, Cole World

Same nigga used to drive around with yo girl

In my mama's Civic, now I'm out here tryna get it

I ain't like you lame ass niggas, boy, I spit it how I live it

So when you see me in the streets, man, I ain't gotta mimic

'Cause I ain't got an image to uphold, this real shit

I ain't got a gimmick, I just flow, the niggas went nuts for

The boy that set fire to the booth

In a game full of liars, it turns out that I'm the truth

Some say that rap's alive, it turns out that I'm the proof

'Cause the ones y'all thought would save the day can't even tie my boots

The ones y'all thought could hang with me can't even tie my noose

Let these words be my bullets, nigga, I don't rhyme, I shoot, bang!

[Chorus]

Before I wake, uh

I pray to the Lord, uh, my soul to take, uh

My soul to take, uh, my soul take, uh

My soul to take

[Verse 2]

Lord I been dreamin' bout the paper, get rich 'fore I see my life taper

Hope my mama get to see Jamaica before she meet her maker

I hoop was never good enough to ever be a Laker

But these words I record got me ballin', Jordan

More than a rapper, this a natural disaster

Boy, I'm meaner than Katrina mixed with Gina, "Shut up, Cole!"

This is for my niggas back home, homes, what up, bo?

This is for the bitches that played me, what up, ho?

Nah, I ain't mad, it's sad, you went from bad to real bad

Two kids that don't even know their real dad

Real sad, baby girl, I wish you still had it

Then maybe you could get a taste of livin' Villematic

Is Cole still at it? Y'all be talkin' about the same shit

That's how I feel about it, mama was a real addict

That's why I don't respect that lyin' ass white shit you talkin'

Cole's planning funerals, you might fit the coffin

[Chorus]

Before I wake, uh

I pray to the Lord, uh, my soul to take, uh

My soul to take, uh, my soul take, uh

My soul to take, hey (Uh)

[Verse 3]

Get on your job lil mane, this ain't Saturday

We in two different lanes, you can't navigate

We in two different games, you playin' patty cake

Brother, you're lame, you're Shane Battier

You out of shape, my mind run a mile a minute

The sky's the limit, I'm so high, I'm divin' in it

My rides is tinted, my knob's gettin' slobbed up in it

She hollerin' God, man you would've thought that God was in it

But it's just a nigga God invented

The best out, foolish pride'll make you not admit it

But if this shit ain't fire, nigga, why you noddin' with it?

The hate in your blood can't stop your soul from vibin' with it

Now you all conflicted 'cause my flows is wicked

And my hoes is thicker and all of yours is pickin' me

'Cause they know a star when they see a star, nigga

Ain't even got to fuck him to know he a raw nigga

I got her in my bedroom, but cheer up, nigga

You saved so many hoes, you a hero, nigga!

Medal of honor, I'm feelin' on top like Pac

When he slept with Madonna, hey, this is death before dishonor

Get arrested and forget to tell my mama

She got enough to stress about, my niggas gonna get me out

Then we hit the club with the thugs and the liquors

No criminal record but I'm makin' criminal records

Isn't it ironic? Isn't it iconic?

Jacket so expensive you wouldn't even try on it

But it fit me perfect, I purchase it if I want it

The city on my shoulder, so, no, girl, you can't cry on it

When you make a list of the greatest, ayy, am I on it?

Maybe not yet but, bitch, I got the clock set

It goes tick-tock, game on lock

Son gon' shine but the reign won't stop, oh no

[Outro]

If I should die before I wake

I pray to the Lord my soul to take

My soul to take, my soul to take