Then And Now Lyrics - Transition - Chipmunk

From the age of 10 I used to do a paper route 

Just so I could see the paper round 

So I could splash in the corner shop 

And buy sweets till my teeth would rot 

I used to play football, I used to like dancing 

Man, I tried everything, even karate 

After 5 years I had to pull it 

'Cause black belt can't teach you how to dodge bullets 

I never knew what I wanted to be 

Oh, I knew what the man above wanted for me 

They said Jehmal, you're smart enough to be a doctor or a lawyer 

But fuck that, them jobs are boring 

And footie's getting dry like raving 

But shout out to Craig, he's some other kind that made it 

I don't know my profession yet quite 

But one day I'm gonna get signed 

Just write the check 

I'm out here spending money so I gotta make it 

Rest to make it, things are different so 

Don't you take this shit for granted 

When the money's in your hand, yeah 

My big bro's MCing now 

I might have to try this out 

And Dizzee Rascal's on TV now 

Shit, this could be my way out 

Good at English but I hate reading 

Good grades, just a few exclusions 

My story's inspirational and with the right help 

I can execute this out to the nations 

Or my words can lock down the pavement 

Skip Jamma's basement, Eskimo dance aside 

Winding, take it straight to the big stages 

That'll be amazing 

But damn, I gotta make some 

I'm doing it independent, spent before you make some 

Think I know my profession now, guys 

Damn, I got stars in my eyes 

Just write the check 

I'm out here spending money so I gotta make it 

Rest to make it, things are different so 

Don't you take this shit for granted 

When the money's in your hand, yeah 

If you ever knew what was getting sold 

Just so we can pay for videos 

8R from the bottom we roll 

So when the checks came the first hundred bags got blown 

Shout at us boy, better know 

Me and Skeppy from the north side 

We tried it on our own so they approached us 

We never approached the majors and now look, we majors 

Just write the check 

I'm out here spending money so I gotta make it 

Rest to make it, things are different so 

Don't you take this shit for granted 

When the money's in your hand, yeah 

Just write the check 

I'm out here spending money so I gotta make it 

Rest to make it, things are different so 

Don't you take this shit for granted 

When the money's in your hand, yeah, uh 

Oh baby, oh yeah 

Oh yes, I'm making money, baby 

Oh yeah