As the story progresses, Reason slowly expands his narrative to include prominent historical figures like Harriet Tubman, transitioning from the underground railroad to the current cultural climate rife with anti-black police brutality. Though he originally wrote the first half two years ago, Reason reveals that he wrote the latest verse in response to everything that has transpired. “This is the best way I know how to give back,” he writes. “I hope this resonates and hits y’all the way it did while I was writing it. I don’t want to argue, I just want an understanding on both sides.

“Cops patrolling cities they don’t live in, badge make a brutal murder feel fair,” he raps. “Hate us for our presence cause we live here, made us travel over now you mad cause you still here.” As his verse crescendos, the power in his words grows all the more resonant; insofar as writing goes, this may be the finest penmanship of Reason’s career so far. Much respect for the TDE lyricist for sharing this one. Show some support for Reason below.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

I don’t wanna argue about who’s better
Truthfully, that argument’s what led us
To a place of bitter feelings, I look down at my skin
That’s the reason you killin’ n***s, this shit don’t mean nothin
I can’t kick it with the homies out, ’cause cops starin’
Can’t walk the wrong neighborhoods — hi Karen
You focus on the riots, you gon’ focus on the lootin’
You gon’ focus on the violence, everything besides the shootin’