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[00:00.95] Yeah, this album is dedicated
[00:03.85] To all the teachers that told me I'd never amount to nothin'
[00:06.85] To all the people that lived above the buildings that I was hustlin' in front of
[00:09.76] Called the police on me when I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughter
[00:14.08] And to all the people's in the struggle You know what I'm sayin'? It's all good, baby baby
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[00:19.13] It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! magazine
[00:22.75] Salt-n-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
[00:25.47] Hangin' pictures on my wall
[00:26.98] Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
[00:30.31] I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
[00:32.58] Smokin' weed in Bambu, sippin' on Private Stock
[00:35.25] Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
[00:38.26] With the hat to match
[00:39.66] Remember Rappin' Duke? Duh-ha, duh-ha
[00:42.33] You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far
[00:45.07] Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
[00:47.51] Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
[00:50.23] Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
[00:52.58] Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
[00:55.03] Peace to Ron G, Brucie B, Kid Capri
[00:57.40] Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starski
[01:00.26] I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
[01:02.20] Call the crib, same number, same hood It's all good
[01:07.13] And if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[01:10.67] You know very well who you are
[01:15.62] Don't let 'em hold you down
[01:18.55] Reach for the stars
[01:20.98] You had a goal
[01:22.89] But not that many
[01:25.31] 'Cause you're the only one
[01:27.77] I'll give you good and plenty
[01:29.50] I made the change from a common thief
[01:31.95] To up close and personal with Robin Leach
[01:34.19] And I'm far from cheap
[01:35.30] I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
[01:37.29] Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way
[01:39.06] The Moët and Alizé keep me pissy
[01:41.24] Girls used to diss me
[01:42.52] Now they write letters 'cause they miss me
[01:44.66] I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff
[01:47.54] I was too used to packin' gats and stuff
[01:49.70] Now honeys play me close like butter play toast
[01:52.44] From the Mississippi down to the East Coast
[01:54.89] Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
[01:57.52] Sold-out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
[02:00.40] Livin' life without fear
[02:01.90] Puttin' five karats in my baby girl's ear
[02:04.44] Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
[02:07.42] Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school
[02:10.22] Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
[02:13.50] And it's still all good
[02:17.25] And if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[02:20.75] You know very well
[02:23.15] Who you are
[02:25.65] Don't let 'em hold you down
[02:28.34] Reach for the stars
[02:31.01] You had a goal
[02:32.89] But not that many
[02:35.37] 'Cause you're the only one
[02:37.79] I'll give you good and plenty
[02:39.95] Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
[02:42.52] When I was dead broke, man, I couldn't picture this
[02:44.92] 50-inch screen, money-green leather sofa
[02:47.47] Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur
[02:50.34] Phone bill about two G's flat
[02:52.49] No need to worry, my accountant handles that
[02:55.24] And my whole crew is loungin'
[02:57.17] Celebratin' every day, no more public housin'
[03:00.35] Thinkin' back on my one-room shack
[03:02.19] Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back
[03:05.24] And she loves to show me off of course
[03:07.47] Smiles every time my face is up in The Source
[03:10.35] We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
[03:12.54] No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
[03:15.20] Birthdays was the worst days
[03:17.30] Now we sip Champagne when we thirsty
[03:19.83] Uh, damn right, I like the life I live
[03:22.26] 'Cause I went from negative to positive
[03:24.24] And it's all
[03:27.11] And if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[03:30.68] ♪
[03:37.09] And if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[03:40.71] You know very well who you are
[03:45.68] Don't let 'em hold you down
[03:48.45] Reach for the stars
[03:50.97] You had a goal
[03:52.82] But not that many
[03:55.32] 'Cause you're the only one
[03:57.86] I'll give you good and plenty
[04:02.24] ♪
[04:07.23] And if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[04:10.53] Representin' B-Town in the house
[04:12.90] Junior Mafia, mad flavor
[04:15.39] Uh, uh
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