False Prophets - J. Cole

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Be like this, be like this

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Yeah, life is a balance

You lose your grip, you can slip into an abyss

No doubt you see these niggas trippin'

Ego in charge of every move, he's a star

And we can't look away

Due to the days that he caught our hearts

He's falling apart, but we deny it

Justifying that half-ass shit he dropped, we always buy it

When he tell us he a genius but it's clearer lately

It's been hard for him to look into the mirror lately

There was a time when this nigga was my hero, maybe

That's the reason why his fall from grace is hard to take

'Cause I believed him when he said his shit was purer and he

The type of nigga swear he real but all around him's fake

The women, the dickriders, you know, the yes men

Nobody with the balls to say somethin' to contest him

So he grows out of control

Into the person that he truly was all along, it's startin' to show

Damn, wonder what happened

Maybe it's my fault for idolizing niggas

Based off the words they be rappin'

But come to find out, these niggas don't even write they shit

Hear some new style bubblin' up, then they bite the shit

Damn, that's what I get for lyin' to myself

Well, fuck it, what's more important is he's cryin' out for help

While the world's eggin' him on, I'm beggin' him to stop

And playin' his old shit, knowin' he won't top it, false prophets

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Be like this, be like this

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

False prophets

(La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la…)

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Be like this, be like this

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Yeah, false prophets

I got a homie, he a rapper and he wanna win bad

He want the fame, the acclaim, the respect that's been had

By all the legends, so every time I see him, he stressing

Talking 'bout, niggas don't fuck with him, the shit is depressing

And I know he so bitter he can't see his own blessings

Goddamn, nigga, you too blind to see you got fans, nigga

And a platform to make a classic rap song

To change a nigga's life, but you too anxious living life

Always worried 'bout the critics who ain't ever fucking did it

I write what's in my heart, don't give a fuck who fucking with it

But in a sense I can relate, the need to be great

Turns into an obsession and keeps a nigga up late

Writin' words, hopin' people observe the dedication

That stirs in you constantly, but intentions get blurred

Do I do it for the love of the music or is there more to me?

Do I want these niggas to worship me? False prophets

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Be like this, be like this

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

False prophets

(La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la…)

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Be like this, be like this

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Yeah, false prophets

These rappers insecure

They talk about being a man so much

I finally understand that they ain't even sure

'Bout who they are and why they do this

Guess I'm included in that category

As a nigga who done had the glory

My highest moments come from telling all the saddest stories

I've seen in my life, I be fiendin' to write

Songs that raise the hair on my arms

My lowest moments came from trying too hard

To impress some niggas that couldn't care if I'm on

Therefore from here on out, my hair grow out

I care nothin' bout opinions

I wanna give hope like the fountains you throw pennies in

Hit the store, take your diss, make your wish

This is dedicated to the ones

Who listen to me on some faithful shit

I'm on some thankful shit

But the real god is in you, not the music you copping

I hear my old shit and I know I can top it

False prophets

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Be like this, be like this

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

False prophets

(La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la…)

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

Be like this, be like this

Somebody shoulda told me it would be like this

False prophets