Verse 1:
Smile Hopie, you ‘bout to be a star
Put that game face on
Wait ’til payday comes
Someone gon’ put you on
Almost a given
Though you’ll need a fallback
A way to make a livin’
If I could be a rap star, man I’d be chillin’
Tried to be a gangster with other rowdy children
Wasn’t gonna make the kind of money I required
Try to go legit admit it’s Hopie esquire
Though we only need a small amount for the rent check
Wanna buy my pops a house if he would accept it
Gotta cop a couple ounce, only temporary
Put that hustle skill to work, we’ll make it to the first
Dad, I got a couple stacks in the bank
I had to do some dirty work of which I’m not proud
But if I can, I scrawl, make a grip and make you happy
If I could have a wish, I’d make a million just rapping
Chorus:
It’s not easy
You could be [?]
Give me a reason so I can be [?]
I’ve been the searcher for such a long time
I’ll always be around
Just in case you need to smile
Verse 2:
Ask me how it is to be poor
Lot of folks front but never seen it before
Lot of folks stunt because it seems built the repertoire
Lot of rappers rep that sh*t like it’s a set to throw
But for me f*ck, it’s rough enough growin’ up with
Dad grind in the next room ‘cause rent’s due
If I get money, swear I’m never gonna change
Just tell me where to sign my name
If it’s all the same
I’ll take the cash now not later
Everybody sayin’ I’m a born negotiator
I’m gonna pave the way for
Us, that’s the game plan
First generation to make it to the mainland
I love my family man but it’s a travesty when
Your child got the world on its shoulders
I was a young girl when I told ‘em
I’ma build your happy home
Ain’t you glad you named me Hope
Chorus:
It’s not easy
You could be [?]
Give me a reason so I can be [?]
I’ve been the searcher for such a long time
I’ll always be around
Just in case you need to smile
Verse 3:
Never gonna be the way you want it, don’t it?
Seen the people neediest that flaunt it, won’t it
Be the sweetest victory? Groceries, utilities
Sh*t, we ain’t never had covered on one check
Livin’ ain’t so bad now, things are on the up
When my record sells, I’ma show my father love
Damn if I remember family who didn’t give a f*ck
When we need it most, me and pops is finna toast
Pause for me close so the people never knew me would
Case the smile up on my face, years we wasn’t doin’ good
Most don’t understand but dad was tryna raise a queen
Takes a stronger man than it seem, nah mean?
Sh*t I guarantee I’ma be a star yup
I ain’t never been the kind of person to give up
Luck would have situations worse before it hit the top
But I’m ready, willin’, forever steady
Chorus:
It’s not easy
You could be [?]
Give me a reason so I can be [?]
I’ve been the searcher for such a long time (such a long time)
I’ll always be around
Just in case you need to smile
You need to smile
You know you need to smile
You need to smile
Come on, go on and smile
I wanna smile
(smile)