Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me
I'd never amount to nothin, to all the people that lived above the
buildings that I was hustlin in front of that called the police on
me when I was just tryin to make some money to feed my daughters,
And all the n***** in the struggle, you know what Im sayin?
Uh-ha, its all good baby bay-bee, uh..
It was all a dream
I used to read Word Up magazine
Salt N Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hangin pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. magic, Marley Marl
I let my tape rock til my tape popped
Smokin weed and bamboo, sippin on private stock
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match
Remember rappin duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far
Now I'm in the limelight cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the world trade
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
I'm blowin up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number same hood
It's all good.
Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, n****, uh..
[Chorus:]
You know very well who you are
Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a goal, but not that many
cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty.
I made the change from a common thief
To up close and personal with Robin Leach
And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way
The Moet and Alize keep me p***y, girls used to diss me
Now they write letters cause they miss me
I never thought it could happen, this rappin stuff
I was too used to packin gats and stuff
Now honies play me close like b***er played toast
From the Mississippi down to the east coast
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
Livin life without fear
Puttin 5 karats in my baby girl's ear
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
Considered a fool cause I dropped out of high school
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it's still all good.
Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, n****..
[Chorus]
You know very well who you are
Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a go, but not that many
cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty.
Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
When I was dead broke, man I couldn't picture this
50-inch screen, money green leather sofa
Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur
Phone bill about two Gs flat
No need to worry, my accountant handles that
And my whole crew is loungin
Celebratin every day, no more public housin
Thinkin back on my one-room shack
Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back
And she loves to show me off, of course
Smiles every time my face is up in the Source
We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
Birthdays was the worst days
Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay
Uh, d*** right I like the life I live
'cause I went from negative to positive
And it's all...
(it's all good)
...and if you don't know, now you know, n****, uh..
[Chorus]
You know very well who you are
Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a go, but not that many
cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty.
[Outro: Puff Daddy]
Representin B-town in the house, Junior M.A.F.I.A., Mad Flavor, uh
Uh, yeah, a-ight...
I'd never amount to nothin, to all the people that lived above the
buildings that I was hustlin in front of that called the police on
me when I was just tryin to make some money to feed my daughters,
And all the n***** in the struggle, you know what Im sayin?
Uh-ha, its all good baby bay-bee, uh..
It was all a dream
I used to read Word Up magazine
Salt N Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hangin pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. magic, Marley Marl
I let my tape rock til my tape popped
Smokin weed and bamboo, sippin on private stock
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match
Remember rappin duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far
Now I'm in the limelight cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the world trade
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
I'm blowin up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number same hood
It's all good.
Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, n****, uh..
[Chorus:]
You know very well who you are
Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a goal, but not that many
cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty.
I made the change from a common thief
To up close and personal with Robin Leach
And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way
The Moet and Alize keep me p***y, girls used to diss me
Now they write letters cause they miss me
I never thought it could happen, this rappin stuff
I was too used to packin gats and stuff
Now honies play me close like b***er played toast
From the Mississippi down to the east coast
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
Livin life without fear
Puttin 5 karats in my baby girl's ear
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
Considered a fool cause I dropped out of high school
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it's still all good.
Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, n****..
[Chorus]
You know very well who you are
Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a go, but not that many
cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty.
Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
When I was dead broke, man I couldn't picture this
50-inch screen, money green leather sofa
Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur
Phone bill about two Gs flat
No need to worry, my accountant handles that
And my whole crew is loungin
Celebratin every day, no more public housin
Thinkin back on my one-room shack
Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back
And she loves to show me off, of course
Smiles every time my face is up in the Source
We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
Birthdays was the worst days
Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay
Uh, d*** right I like the life I live
'cause I went from negative to positive
And it's all...
(it's all good)
...and if you don't know, now you know, n****, uh..
[Chorus]
You know very well who you are
Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a go, but not that many
cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty.
[Outro: Puff Daddy]
Representin B-town in the house, Junior M.A.F.I.A., Mad Flavor, uh
Uh, yeah, a-ight...