[00:00.025]You don't have to be afraid
[00:06.300]You don't even have to be brave
[00:11.429]Living in a gilded cage
[00:16.220]The only risk is that you'll go
[00:20.459]Yeah, this album is dedicated
[00:24.666]To all the teachers that told me I'd never amount to nothin'
[00:27.601]To all the people that lived above the buildings that I was hustlin' in front of
[00:31.542]Called the police on me when I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughter
[00:34.131]And all the niggas in the struggle
[00:36.610]You know what I'm sayin'? It's all good, baby baby
[00:40.174]It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! magazine
[00:43.235]Salt-n-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
[00:46.177]Hangin' pictures on my wall
[00:48.011]Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
[00:51.084]I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
[00:53.405]Smokin' weed on Bambu, sippin' on Private Stock
[00:56.275]Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
[00:58.592]With the hat to match
[01:00.932]Remember Rappin' Duke? Duh-ha, duh-ha
[01:03.304]You never thought that hip hop would take it this far
[01:05.857]Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
[01:08.453]Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
[01:11.221]Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
[01:13.933]Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
[01:16.285]Peace to Ron G, Brucie B, Kid Capri
[01:18.785]Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starski
[01:22.819]Your mind is on track
[01:27.580]For games we play these days
[01:32.637]With every path we take
[01:36.317]You know you're safe, safe, safe
[01:42.825]The only risk is that you'll go insane
[01:49.420]And if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[01:52.316]The only risk is that you'll go insane
[02:01.853]I made the change from a common thief
[02:03.889]To up close and personal with Robin Leach
[02:06.551]And I'm far from cheap
[02:08.060]I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
[02:09.788]Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way
[02:11.568]The Moët and Alizé keep me pissy
[02:13.768]Girls used to diss me
[02:15.183]Now they write letters 'cause they miss me
[02:17.409]I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff
[02:19.971]I was too used to packin' gats and stuff
[02:22.616]Now honeys play me close like butter play toast
[02:25.046]From the Mississippi down to the East Coast
[02:27.863]Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
[02:30.342]Sold-out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
[02:33.034]Livin' life without fear
[02:35.172]Puttin' five carats in my baby girl's ear
[02:37.672]Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
[02:40.688]Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school
[02:43.559]Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
[02:46.055]And it's still all good
[02:48.285]And if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[02:56.978]You'll go insane
[03:00.816]And if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[03:04.512]Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
[03:06.066]When I was dead broke, man, I couldn't picture this
[03:08.670]50-inch screen, money-green leather sofa
[03:11.532]Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur
[03:14.422]Phone bill about two G's flat
[03:17.195]No need to worry, my accountant handles that
[03:19.429]And my whole crew is loungin'
[03:21.475]Celebratin' every day, no more public housin'
[03:24.351]Thinkin' back on my one-room shack
[03:26.538]Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back
[03:28.905]And she loves to show me off of course
[03:31.929]Smiles every time my face is up in The Source
[03:34.595]We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
[03:37.156]No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
[03:39.366]Birthdays was the worst days
[03:41.655]Now we sip Champagne when we thirsty
[03:44.207]Uh, damn right, I like the life I live
[03:46.946]'Cause I went from negative to positive
[03:49.271]And it's all… (It's all good, nigga)