Kanye West - Graduation (2007) by Kanye West (보컬) on maniadb.com

Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning

Wake up, Mr. West, Mr. West, Mr. Fresh
Mr. by-his-self-he-so-impressed
I mean, damn, did you even see the test?
You got D's muh'fucker, D's, Rosie Perez
And yes, barely pass any and every class
Lookin' at every ass
Cheated on every test
I guess this is my dissertation
Homie, this shit is basic
Welcome to Graduation

Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning

On this day we become legendary
Everything we dreamed of
I'm like a fly Malcolm X
Buy any jeans necessary
Detroit red cleaned up
From the streets of the league
From the 8th to ki'
But you graduate when you make it up out of the streets
From the moments of pain
Look how far we done came
Haters sayin' you changed
Now you doin' your thang

Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning

Look at the valedictorian scared of the future
While I hop in the Delorean
Scared-to-face-the-world complacent career student
Some people graduate, but we still stupid
They tell you read this, eat this, don't look around
Just peep this, preachers, teach us, Jesus
Okay, look up now, they done stole your streetness
After all of that, you receive this

Good Morning
Hustlers, that's if you're still livin' get on down
Every time that we hear them
Good Morning
Hustlers, that's if you're still livin' get on down
Every time that we hear them
Good Morning
Hustlers, that's if you're still livin' get on down
Every time that we hear them
Good Morning
Hustlers, that's if you're still livin' get on down

Get on down
Get, get on down
Get on down
Get, get on down.

Did you realize
That you were a champion in their eyes?

Yes I did, so I packed it up and brought it back to the crib
Just a little somethin', show you how we live
Everybody want it but it ain't that serious
Mmm hmm, that's that shit
So if you gon' do it, do it just like this

Did you realize
That you were a champion in their eyes?

You don't see just how wild the crowd is?
You don't see just how fly my style is?
I don't see why I need a stylist
When I shop so much I can speak Italian
I don't know I just want it better for my kids
And I ain't sayin' we was from the projects
But every time I wanted, layaway or a deposit
My daddy'd say "When you see clothes close your eyelids"
We was sort of like Will Smith and his son
In the movie I ain't talkin' 'bout the rich ones
'Cause every summer he'd get some
Brand new hare-brained scheme to get rich from
And I don't know what he did for dough
But he'd send me back to school wit' a new wardrobe and hey! hey! hey! hey!

Did you realize
That you were a champion in their eyes?

I think he did, when he packed it up and brought it back to the crib
Just a little somethin' show you how we lived
Everything I wanted man it seemed so serious
Mmm hmm, that's that shit
So if you gon' do it, do it just like this

Did you realize
That you were a champion in their eyes?

When it feel like livin's harder than dyin'
For me givin' up's way harder than tryin'
Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion
I wish her heart still was in rhymin'
'Cause who the kids gon' listen to? Huh?
I guess me if it isn't you
Last week I paid a visit to the institute
They got the drop out keepin' kids in the school
I guess I'll clean up my act like Prince'll do
If not for the pleasure, least for the principle
They got the CD then got to see me drop gems
Like I dropped out of P.E.
They used to feel invisible
Now they know they invincible hey! hey! hey!

Did you realize
That you were a champion in their eyes?

This is the story of a champion
Runners on your mark and they pop the guns!
Stand up, stand up! Here he comes
Tell me what it takes to be number one?
Tell me what it takes to be number one?

This is the story of a champion
Runners on your mark and they pop the guns
Stand up stand up! Here he comes
Tell me what it takes to be number one?
Tell me what it takes to be number one?

Did you realize
That you were a champion in their eyes?

Yes I did, so I packed it up and brought it back to the crib
Just a little somethin' show you how we live
Everybody want it but it ain't that serious
Mmm hmm, that's that shit
So if you gon' do it, do it just like this

Did you realize
That you were a champion in their eyes?

Work it, make it, do it,
Makes us harder, better, faster, stronger! [played throughout]

Work it harder make it better,
Do it faster makes us stronger,
More than ever, hour after hour,
Our work is never over [played throughout]

N-n-now that don't kill me,
Can only make me stronger.
I need you to hurry up now
'Cause I can't wait much longer.
I know I got to be right now
'Cause I can't get much wronger.
Man, I been waitin' all night now,
That's how long I've been on ya.

I need you right now,
I need you right now.

Let's get lost tonight,
You can be my black Kate Moss tonight.
Play secretary, I'm the boss tonight,
And you don't give a fuck what they all say right?
Awesome, the Christian and Christian Dior,
Damn, they don't make 'em like this anymore,
I ask 'cause I'm not sure,
Do anybody make real shit anymore?
Bow in the presence of greatness
'Cause right now thou hast forsaken us.
You should be honoured by my lateness,
That I would even show up to this fake shit,
So go ahead, go nuts, go ape shit,
Especially in my Pastelle, or my Bape shit,
Act like you can't tell who made this,
New gospel, homey, Take Six, and take this, haters.

N-n-now that don't kill me,
Can only make me stronger.
I need you to hurry up now
'Cause I can't wait much longer.
I know I got to be right now
'Cause I can't get much wronger.
Man, I been waitin' all night now,
That's how long I've been on ya.

I need you right now,
I need you right now.

Me likey.

I don't know if you got a man or not,
If you made plans or not,
But if God put me in your plans or not,
I'm trippin', this drink got me sayin' a lot.
But I know that God put you in front of me,
So how the hell could you front on me?
There's a thousand yous, there's only one of me.
I'm trippin', I'm caught up in the moment, right?
'Cause it's Louis Vuitton Don night,
So we gon' do everything that Kan like,
Heard they do anything for a Klondike,
Well, I'd do anything for a blonde dyke.
And she'll do anything for the limelight,
And we'll do anything when the time's right,
Uh, baby, you're makin' it
Harder, better, faster, stronger, oh!

N-n-now that don't kill me, oh!
Can only make me stronger, oh!
I need you to hurry up now, oh!
'Cause I can't wait much longer, oh!
I know I got to be right now, oh!
'Cause I can't get much wronger, oh!
Man, I been waitin' all night now,
That's how long I've been on ya.

I need you right now,
I need you right now.

You know how long I've been on ya,
Since Prince was on Apollonia,
Since OJ had Isotoners,
Don't act like I never told ya.
Don't act like I never told ya.
Don't act like I never told ya.
Don't act like I never told ya.
Don't act like I never told ya.

Ugh, baby, you're makin' it
Harder, better, faster, stronger.

N-n-now that don't kill me,
Can only make me stronger.
I need you to hurry up now
'Cause I can't wait much longer.
I know I got to be right now
'Cause I can't get much wronger.
Man, I been waitin' all night now,
That's how long I've been on ya.

I need you right now,
I need you right now,
I need you right now,
I need you right now.

You know how long I've been on ya,
Since Prince was on Apollonia,
Since OJ had Isotoners,
Don't act like I never told ya.

You know how long I've been on ya,
Since Prince was on Apollonia,
Since OJ had Isotoners,
Don't act like I never told ya.
told ya
Told ya
Never told ya [x4]

Never over. [x7]
Harder, better, faster, stronger.

Work it harder make it better, Do it faster makes us stronger, More than ever, hour after hour, Our work is never over [x4]

Find your dreams come true
And I wonder if you know
What it means, what it means
And I wonder if you know
What it means, what it means
And I wonder if you know
What it means to find your dreams

I've been waiting on this my whole life
These dreams be waking me up at night
You say I think I'm never wrong
You know what, maybe you're right, aight

And I wonder if you know
What it means, what it means
And I wonder if you know
What it means to find your dreams

You say he get on your fuckin' nerves
you hope that he get what he deserves, word
do you even remember what the issue is
you just trying to find where the tissue is
you can still be who you wish you is
it ain't happen yet
and that's what the intuition is
when you hop back in the car
drive back to the crib
Run back to their arms
the smokescreens
the chokes and the screams
you ever wonder what it all really mean

And I wonder if you know
What it means, what it means
And I wonder if you know
What it means to find your dreams

and I'm back on my grind
a psychic read my lifeline
told me in my lifetime
my name would help light up the Chicago skyline
and that's why I'm
7:00, that's primetime
heaven'll watch, God calling from the hotlines
why he keep giving me hot lines
I'm a star, how could I not shine
how many ladies in the house
how many ladies in the house without a spouse
something in your blouse got me feeling so aroused
what you about
on that independent shit
trade it all for a husband and some kids
you ever wonder what it all really mean
you wonder if you'll ever find your dreams.

Like we always do at this time
I go for mine, I gots to shine
Now throw your hands up in the sky
I go for mine, I gots to shine
Now throw your hands up in the sky

I'ma get on this TV, mama
I'ma, I'ma put shit down
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, I'm good

Welcome to the good life
Where niggaz that sell D
Won't even get pulled over in they new V
The good life, let's go on a livin' spree
Shit, they say the best things in life are free

The good life, it feel like Atlanta
It feel like L.A., it feel like Miami
It feel like N.Y., summertime Chi, ahh
Now throw your hands up in the sky

So I roll through good
Y'all pop the trunk, I pop the hood, Ferrari
And she got the goods
And she got that ass, I got to look, sorry

Yo, it's got to be 'cause I'm seasoned
Haters give me them salty looks, Lowry's
50 told me go 'head switch the style up
And if they hate then let 'em hate
And watch the money pile up, the good life

Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine
Now throw your hands up in the sky
Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine
Now throw your hands up in the sky

I'ma get on this TV mama
I'ma, I'ma put shit down
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, I'm good

Welcome to the good life
Where we like the girls who ain't on TV
'Cause they got more ass than the models
The good life, so keep it comin' with them bottles
Till she feel boozed like she bombed at Apollo

The good life, it feel like Houston
It feel like Philly, it feel like D.C.
It feel like VA or the Bay or Ye
Ayy, this is the good life

Welcome to the good life
Homie, tell me what's good
Why I only got a problem when you in the hood?
Welcome to the good life
Like I'm new in the hood, the only thin' I wish?
I wish a nigga would

Welcome to the good life
He probably think he could, but, but
I don't think he should
Welcome to the good life
50 told me go 'head switch the style up
And if they hate then let 'em hate
And watch the money pile up, the good life

Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine
Now throw your hands up in the sky
Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine
Now throw your hands up in the sky

Hey, I'ma get on this TV mama
I'ma, I'ma put shit down
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, I'm good

Have you ever popped champagne on a plane
While gettin' some brain?
Whipped it out, she said, "I never seen snakes on a plane"
Whether you broke or rich you gotta get biz
Havin' money's the everythin' that havin' it is

I was splurgin' on trizz, but when I get my car back
Activated, I'm back to Vegas 'cause
I always had a passion for flashin' before I had it
I close my eyes and imagine, the good life

Is the good life better than the life I live
When I thought that I was gonna go crazy?
And now my grandmama ain't the only girl callin' me baby

And if you feelin' me now then put your hands up in the sky
And let me hear you say hey, hey, hey
Ooh, I'm good

I had a dream I can buy my way to heaven
When I awoke, I spent that on a necklace.
oh,oh,oh,oh
I told God I'd be back in a second,
Man It's so hard not to act reckless.
To who much is given much is tested.
Get arrested, guess until, they get the message.
I feel the pressure, under more scrutiny,
And what I do? Act more stupidly.
bought more jewelry, more Louis V, my mama couldn't get through to me.
The drama, people suing me,
I'm on T.V. talking like it's just you and me.
I'm just saying how I feel man,
I ain't one of the Cosby's I ain't go to the Hill man
I guess the money should've changed him,
I guess I should've forgot where I came from.

La, la, la, la wait till I get my money right
la, la, la, la then you cant tell me nothing right
Excuse Me, is you saying something?
Uh, uh, you can't tell me nothing
You can't tell me nothing
Uh, uh, you can't tell me nothing.

Let up the suicide doors.
This is my life homey, you decide yours.
I know that Jesus died for us,
But I couldn't tell you who decide wars.
So I parallel double parked that muthafucker sideways
Old folks talking bout back in my day
But homey this is my day.
Class started 2 hours ago, oh am I late?
You know I already graduated
And you can live through anything if Magic made it.

They say I talk with so much emphasis,
They're so sensative.
Don't ever fix your lips like collagen
To say something when you gon' end up apologin'.
Let me know if it's a problem man,
Alright man, holla then.

La, la, la, la wait till I get my money right
la, la, la, la then you can't tell me nothing right
Excuse Me, is you saying something?
Uh, uh, you can't tell me nothing
You can't tell me nothing
Uh, uh, you can't tell me nothing.

Let the champagne splash, let that man get cash,
Let that man get past.
You don't need a stop to get gas,
If he can move through the rumors, he can drive off the fumes cause
How he move in a room full of nos?
How he stay faithful in a room full of hoes?
Must be the pharaohs, he in tune with his soul,
So when he buried in a tomb full of gold.
Treasure. What's you pleasure?
Life is a, uh, depending how you dress her.
So if the devil wear Prada,
Adam Eve wear Nada,
I'm in between, but way more fresher.
With way less effort, 'cause when you try hard,
That's when you die hard.
Ya homies looking like "Why God?"
When they reminisce over you, my god.

La, la, la, la wait till I get my money right
la, la, la, la then you cant tell me nothing right
Excuse Me, is you saying something?
Uh, uh, you can't tell me nothing
You can't tell me nothing
Uh, uh, you can't tell me nothing.

Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights

[Kanye West]
She don't believe in shootin' stars,
but she believe in shoes & cars
Wood floors in the new apartment,
couture from the store's department
You more like "I love to start shit",
I'm more of the, trips to florida
Order the hors d'oeuvre, views of the Water
Straight from a page of your favorite author
And the weather so breezy,
man why can't life always be this easy
She in the mirror dancing so sleazy,
I get a call like where are you Yeezy
Try to hit you with a ‘Oeur de Whopdee'
Till I get flashed by the paparazzi
Damn, these niggaz get me,
I hate these niggaz more than the Nazis

[Dwele]
As I recall, I know you love to show off
But I never thought that you would take it this far
But what do I know? Flashing lights, lights
What do I know? Flashing lights, lights

[Kanye West]
I know it's been a while,
Sweetheart, we hard-ly talk, I was doing my thing
I know I was foul bay-bay,
a-bay late-ly you been all on my brain,
And if somebody would've told me a month ago
Fronting though, yo I wouldn't wanna know
If somebody would've told me a year ago
it'd go, get this difficult
Feeling like Katrina with no FEMA
Like Martin with no Gina
Like a flight with no visa
First class with the seat back I still see ya
In my past, you on the other side of the glass
Of my memory's museum,
I'm just saying, Hey Mona Lisa,
come home you know you can't Rome without Caesar

[Dwele]
As I recall, I know you love to show off
But I never thought that you would take it this far
But what do I know? Flashing lights, lights
What do I know? Flashing lights, lights

As you recall, you know I love to show off
But you never thought that I would take it this far
What do you know? Flashing lights, lights
What do you know? Flashing lights, lights

Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights

[Fade out]
Lights, lights, lights, lights…

Oh oh ohoo.
damn, here we go again.
Oh oh ohoo.
Common passed on this beat, i made it to a jam,

now everything im not, made me everything i am.
damn, here we go again.
people talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
everything im not, made me everything i am.

I never be picture-perfect-Beyonce
Be light as Al B. or black as Chauncey
Remember him from Blackstreet
He was as black as the street was
I'll never be laid back as his beat was
I never could see why people'll reach a
Fake-ass facade that they couldn't keep up
Y'see how I creeped up?
Y'see how I played a big role in Chicago like Queen Latifah?
I never rock a mink coat in the winter time like Killa Cam
Or rock some mink boots in the summertime like will.i.am
Let me know if you feel it man
Cause everything I'm not, made me everything I am

Damn, here we go again.
everybody sayin' what's not for him
but everything I'm not, made me everything I am
damn, here we go again.
people talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
everything I'm not, made me everything I am

and i'm back to tear it up
haters, start your engines
I hear 'em gearin' up
people talk so much shit about me at barbershops
they forget to get they haircut
okay fair enough, the streets is flarin' up
cause they want gun-talk, or I don't wear enough
baggy clothes, Reeboks, or A-di-dos
can I add that he do spaz out at his shows
so say goodbye to the NAACP award
goodbye to the In-di-a Arie award
they'd rather give me the ni-nigga-please award
but I'll just take the I-got-alotta-cheese award

damn, here we go again.
but everything I'm not, made me everything I am
damn, here we go again.
people talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
everything I'm not, made me everything I am

I know people wouldn't usually rap this
but I got the facts to back this
just last year, Chicago had over 600 caskets
man, killin's some wack shit
oh, I forgot, 'cept for when niggas is rappin'
do you know what it feel like when people is passin'?
he got changed over his chains, a block off Ashland
I need to talk to somebody, pastor
the church want tithes, so I can't afford to pay
the slip on my door, cause I can't afford to stay
my 15 seconds' up, but I got more to say
That's enough Mr. West, please no more today

damn, here we go again.
everybody sayin' what's not for him
but everything I'm not, made me everything I am
damn, here we go again.
people talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
everything I'm not, made me everything I am

("I got fury in my soul, fury's gonna take me to the glory goal.
In my mind I can't stand anymore.")

Gonna take you to the glory
Oh I can't study war
Yeah
(I can't study war)
No, no
(I can't study war)
Yeah
(I can't study war)
Uh
(I can't study war)
Now where the south side
(I can't study war)
Uh, uh ,uh
(I can't study war)
Now where the west side
(I can't study war)
Yep
(I can't study war0
Uh

Can I talk my shit again
Even if I don't hit again
Dog, are you fucking kiddin'?
My hat, my shoes, my coat, Louis Vuitton stitch,
With Donatella Versace, thats Louis Vuitton, bitch
I think Hennessey, I drink, I'm gone off that Bacardi Limon,
Or Corona I'm zoning
Class back in session so I upped it a grade
In two years Dwayne Wayne became Dwayne Wade
And eh!

Please don't start me
I'm like Gnarls Barkley meets Charles Barkley
I'm pop the barkers, I'm hood like parkers
While y'all was in limbo I raised the bar up
I touched on everything
Married to the game, rock a chain stead of a wedding ring
Y'all bridesmaids catch the garter
On nights when Ye romance
Cameras flash so much
That I gotta do that llello dance
I'm on a world tour with Common my man
After each and every show a couple dikes in the van
It's easy
The hood love to listen to Jeezy, and Weezy, and oh yeah Yeezy
I did it for the glory

(I can't study war)
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
(No, no)
The glory
(I can't study war)
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
I did it for the glory
(I can't study war)
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
I did it for the glory
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
The glory
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
Uh

What am I supposed to do now?
Man the game all messed up
How I suppose to stand out when everybody get dressed up
So yeah at the Grammies I went ultra Travolta
Yeah that tuxedo mighta been a little guido
But with my ego, I can stand there in a speedo
And be looked at like a fuckin' hero
The glory, the story, the chain, the polo, the night, the grind
Empty bottles of no-doz
Tank on empty whippin' my momma Volvo
I spent that gas money on clothes with logos
The fur is Hermes, shit that you don't floss
The Goyard so hard, man I'm Hugo's boss
Why I gotta ask what that Tudor cost?
House on the hill
Two doors from Tracey Ross
And I'm asking about her girlfriends yeah the dark skinded ones
She askin' bout the speed boats, I admit we rented em
When you meet me in person what does it feel like?
I know, I know I look better in real life
I hear people compare theyself to Big a lot
You know Big and Pac, you know to the gear that hot
I guess after I live I wanna be compared to Big
Any one Big Pun, Big L or Notorious.
'til then,
Get money and stunt and stay glorious
And Im'a stop killin these niggaz as soon as the chorus hit

(No, no)
(I can't study war)
Yeah I'ma start killin these niggaz soon as the chorus hit
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
Uh
These haters be killing theyself they wanna come and get the glory


(No, no)
(I can't study war)
Uh
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
The glory
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
Uh huh
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
Now where the south side
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
Yeah
Now where the west side
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
Yeah
(No, no)
(I can't study war)
(No, no)
(I can't study war)

Yeah
And you say Chi-City?
Chi-City, Chi-City

I'm coming home again
Do you think about me now and then? Yeah
Do you think about me now and then?
'Cause I'm coming home again, coming home again

I met this girl when I was three years old
And what I love most, she had so much soul
She said "Excuse me little homie, I know you don't know me
But, my name is Wendy [windy], and
I like to blow trees" and
From that point I never blow her off
Niggas come from out of town, I like to show her off
They like to act tough, she like to tell 'em off
And make 'em straighten up they hat cause she know they soft
And when I grew up, she show me how to go downtown
And in the night-time, my face lit up, so astound
And I told her, in my heart is where she'll always be
She never mess with entertainers cause they always leave
She said it felt like they walked and drove on me
Knew I was gang affiliated, got on TV, and told on me
I guess that's why last winter she got so cold on me
She said "Ye, keep makin' that, keep makin' that platinum and gold for me"

Do you think about me now and then?
Do you think about me now and then?
'Cause I'm coming home again, coming home again

Do you think about me now and then?
Do you think about me now and then? Ohh
Now I'm coming home again
Maybe we could start again.

But if you really cared for her
Then you wouldn't 've never hit the airport, to follow your dreams
Sometimes I still talk to her
But when I talk to her, it always seems like she talkin' bout me
She said, "You left your kids, and they just like you
They wanna rap and make soul beats just like you
But they just not you, and I just got through
Talkin' 'bout what niggas tryin' to do, just not new"
Now everybody got the game figured out all wrong
I guess you never know what you got 'till it's gone
I guess that's why I'm here and I can't come back home
And guess when I heard that, when I was back home
Every interview I'm representing you, makin' you proud
Reach for the stars, so if you fall you land on a cloud
Jumpin' a crowd, spark your lighters, wave 'em around
If you don't know by now, I'm talkin' 'bout Chi-town
(I'm coming home again)

Do you think about me now and then?
Do you think about me now and then?
'Cause I'm coming home again, coming home again

Baby, do you remember when fireworks at Lake Michigan
Oh, now I'm coming home again, coming home again
Baby, do you remember when fireworks at Lake Michigan
Oh, now I'm coming home again, maybe we could start again.

Loioio, loioio, coming home again
Loioio, loioio, coming home again

Maybe we could start again.

Stadium status

(Uh)

My big brother was B.I.G.'s brother
Used to be Dame and Biggs' brother
Who was hip hop brother, who was No I.D.' friend
No I.D., my mentor, now let the story begin

It's the 'Hard Knock Life' tour, sell out
Picture us in the mall coppin' iceberg and yell out Jigga (Jigga)
Yeah that's what we'll yell out (yell out)
You know the name, do I gotta spell out, or tell 'bout?

J A Y, and 'Ye so shy
Now he won't even step to his idol to say hi
Standin' there like a mime and let the chance pass by,
Back of my mind, "he could change your life"

With all these beats I did, at least let him hear
At least you can brag to your friends back at the gig
But he got me out my mama' crib
Then he helped me get my mama a crib

Big brother was B.I.G.'s brother
Used to be Dame and Biggs' brother
Who was hip hop brother, who was No I.D.' friend
No I.D., my mentor, now let the story begin, begin
Let the story begin, the story begin
If you feel the way I feel, why don't you wave your hands?

Fresh off the plane, I'm off the base line
Nothin' handed out, I'm 'bout to take mine
'Round the same time of that 'Blueprint 1'
And these beats in my pocket was that blueprint for him

I played my little songs in that old back room,
He'd bop his head and say, "Damn, oh, that's you?"
But by the 'Black Album', I was blackin' out
Partyin' S.O.B.s and we had packed the crowd

Big brother got a show up in Madison Square
And I'm like, "Yeah, yeah, we gon' be there!"
But not only did I not get a chance to spit it
Carlene told me I could buy two tickets

I guess big brother was thinkin' a little different
And kept little brother at bay, at a distance
But everything that I felt was more bogus
Only made me more focused, only wrote more potent

Only thing I wanna know is why I get looked over
I guess I'll understand when I get more older
Big brother saw me at the bottom of the totem
Now I'm on the top and everybody on the scrotum

My big brother was B.I.G.'s brother
Used to be Dame and Biggs' brother,
Who was hip hop brother, who was No I.D.' friend
No I.D., my mentor, now let the story begin, begin
Let the story begin, begin
If you feel the way I feel, why won't you wave your hands?

Have you ever walked in the shadow of a giant?
Not only a client, the presidito
Hola' Hovito', the game gettin' foul
So here's a free throw

I was always on the other side of the peephole
Then I dropped 'Jesus Walks', now I'm on a steeple.
And we know, New Jack City gotta keep my brother,
But to be number one, I'ma beat my brother.

On that 'Diamonds' remix, I swore I'd spaz
Then my big brother came through and kicked my ass
Sibling rivalry only I could see
It was the pride in me that was drivin' me

At the Grammys I said, "I inspired me"
But my big brother who I always tried to be
When I kicked the flow, it was like pick and roll
'Cause even if he gave me the ROC, it's give and go

I guess being styled was more of a slam dunk
And my shit was more like a finger roll
But I had them singles, though
And them hoes at the show gonna mingle yo, hey, ya'll know

I told Jay I did a song with Coldplay
Next thing I know, he got a song with Coldplay
Back of my mind, I'm like "Damn, no way"
Translate Espanol, "No way, Jose"

Then I went and told Jay Brown
Should have known that was gonna come back around
Should have talked to you like a man, should have told you first
But I told somebody else and that's what made shit worse

My big brother was B.I.G.'s brother
So here's a few words from your kid brother
If you admire somebody, you should go ahead and tell 'em
People never get the flowers while they can still smell 'em

A idol in my eyes, god of the game
Heart of the city, Roc-A-Fella chain
Never be the same, never be another number one
Young Hov', also my big brother

My big brother was B.I.G.'s brother
Used to Be Dame and Biggs' brother
Who was hip hop brother, who was No I.D.' friend
No I.D., my mentor, and that's where the story ends

Don't kill this shit