Last night the sky's turned purple and

Past lives in light tunnels

Light tunnels

In the back of a town car, staring at myself in a tux

Maneuvering through the people out front

Police barricade, orange cones and we're stuck

Twenty minutes late and my manager blowing me up

Security guard in the garage at the entrance

Rolled down the window and showed him our credentials

Turrell flash the pass and he let's us continue

Metal detectors, phone booths and reception

I should be grateful this my nine to five

I walk into the green room, alright, alright

I get on Youtube tryna learn how to tie on my tie

Fuck it, I'll wear the bolo tonight, night, night

I probably shouldn't have done the drugs I've done

A couple of days ago, detox son

I forgot my belt at the hotel

Fuck, now my team all scrambling to help, this sucks

I need something to cope, ain't nothing to cope

I eat a banana and I drink a cup of throat coat

I wish I had the homies with me here but nope

Most of the artists that I know don't get invited to this show

Because success to them determines our value

The make-up, the power, hairspray, perfume, make-up and powder

The ratings come down to who's popular now in the song in the hour

Knock at the door, I let them in, hair and make up now, red carpet in ten

She covers up my freckles, concealer on my chin

I look orange but she swears it looks natural with my skin

The show is starting, they take me to my seat

Walk in the arena building, ego of elites

Like the whole industry is staring at me

A row away from Taylor, two away from Jay and B

Last night the sky's turned purple and

Past lives in light tunnels

Light tunnels

So that's who we are

Just like the stars

Shine your light on

Shine your light on

Curtain opens up, host walks out

We stand in unison and applaud real loud

I watch the other people that have been around for a while

Just excited I got invited, feeling cool in the crowd

Thinking such and such is bold, look at such and such's gold

Damn, such and such in real life, looks really fuckin' old

Such and such is fine, she's with such and such, oh

I'm here but I'm barely even watching the show

Cause tonight we toast to our accomplishments

Insecurity dressed up as confidence

I said tonight we toast to our accomplishments

Insecurity dressed up as confidence

An award is given out, commercial, re-set the scene

They keep saying "coming up soon is the Biebs"

Watch celebrities take selfies with celebrities

It feels so make believe

They want the gossip, they want the drama

They want Britney Spears to make out with Madonna

They want Kanye to rant and to go on longer, cause that equates to more dollars

They want talking topics, they want trending topics

They want outfits to be outlandish, they want sideways glances

Beef and problems, they want nipple slips

Cause they live for clips, this is economics

So we Botox our skin and we smile for the camera

Might as well get a new nose while we're at it

This is America insecurity's our fabric

And we wear it and we renamed it fashion

I look to my right, there's a cameraman snapping

Picture after picture after sister after sister

Of the line of Kardashians, mind so distracted

Realized there's an ovation and everyone's clapping

Last night the sky's turned purple and

Past lives in light tunnels

Light tunnels

So that's who we are

Just like the stars

Shine your light on

Shine your light on

It's just weird when the camera's on you

Gotta remember to still clap if I lose

I see myself up on the screen

Split into five different artists on TV

And just look normal, don't get turned into a meme

Relax, breathe

(And the award goes to: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis)

Me

There's a stranger holding my award

I give her an awkward hug she says "It's yours"

Think I'm supposed to kiss her on the cheek

Man, I should have prepared an acceptance speech

Do I talk first? Is it Ryan? Is it me?

Fuck it, I'll take the lead, grab the mic, say my piece

Do I look at camera one? Do I look at camera three?

I promise, I'm honored, I'd like to thank God, my momma and father

I'd like to thank Tricia, the mother of my daughter

I couldn't have done it without you all in my corner

Especially the fans, been here since the beginning

Supported the music, allowed us to be independent

And I know, I shouldn't be long-winded

Wait, hold up, don't play the music, let me finish

This feels so narcissistic, dressed as a celebration to conceal it's a business

Me, me, me, my, my image, my, my songs, my self interest

One big reality show that is scripted

And I can keep trying or get off the competition

I'd rather run out of my fifteen minutes

Than have life past me by and I forget to live it

But that doesn't mean retirement

But I don't like who I am in this environment

I forgot what this art's for

I didn't get through Freshman year to drop out as a Sophomore

Here I am in this arena, yeah, I'm scared

I got the people's attention, don't wanna lose it here

Thinking about my career, miserable here

But wanna make sure I'm invited next year

To the same damn party, celebrities and isle

Same blank stares, same fake smiles

Same big budget production

I know now who I am when the lights go out and it falls down

And the curtain closes, nobody notices

Wanted to throw up the Roc, wanted to be Hova

Wanted to be Wayne with the accent from the NOLA

Thought I'd feel better when the award show was over

But I guess I showed up late

Almost got cut off when they closed the gate

Just in time, what will I say?

Time to explain this unruly mess I've made

Ay, I guess I showed up late

Almost got cut off when they closed the gate

Just in time, what will I say?

Time to explain this unruly mess I've made