Intro:

(fuck all you hoes) Get a grip motherfucker.

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 niggaz in the struggle you know what I'm sayin'?

Uh ha it's 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 filla, 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, nigga, 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



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 pissy

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 butter 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 ears

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, nigga

chorus



you know very well who you are

dont let em hold you down, reach for the stars

you had a go, but not that many

'cause your 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 G's 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, damn 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, nigga, uh



chorus

you know very well who you are

dont let em hold you down, reach for the stars

you had a go, but not that many

'cause your the only one i'll give you good and plenty



Uh, uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga

Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh

Representin' B-Town in the house, Junior Mafia, mad flavor, uh

Uh, yeah, a-ight



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 your the only one i'll give you good and plenty