I am not throwing away my shot, I am not throwing away my shot, ayo I'm just like my country I'm young scrappy and hungry, I am not throwing away my shot!
I’m a diamond in the rough
A shiny piece of coal
Trying to reach my goal
My power of speech unimpeachable
Only 19 but my mind is older
These New York City streets are getting colder,I shoulder
Every burden every disadvantage
I have learned to manage
I don’t have a gun to brandish
I walked these streets famished