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
Called the police on me
When I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughter (yeah)
And to all my peoples in the struggle
You know what I'm sayin'?
It's all good, baby baby (check it)

It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! Magazine (uh-huh)
Salt-N-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hangin' pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl (that's right)
I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Smokin' weed in Bambu, 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, Brucie B, Kid Capri (what's up?)
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starski
I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number, same hood
It's all good (it's all good)
Uh (yeah, check it)
And if you don't know, now you know (uh, come on)

You know very well (yeah)
Who you are (money, hoes and clothes)
Don't let 'em hold you down (bankrolls, yeah, haha)
Reach for the stars (it's all good)
You had a goal (come on)
But not that many (it's all good)
'Cause you're the only one
I'll give you good and plenty (check it)

I made the change from a common thief
To up close and personal with Robin Leach (yeah)
And I'm far from cheap
I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way (Brooklyn)
The Moët and Alizé keep me pissy
Girls used to diss me
Now they writin' letters 'cause they miss me (yeah)
I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff (uh-huh)
I was too used to packin' gats and stuff (come on)
Now honeys play me close like butter play toast
From the Mississippi down to the East Coast
Condos in Queens, indo' for weeks
Sold-out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak (that's right)
Livin' life without fear
Puttin' five karats in my baby girl's ear
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool (lunch, brunch)
Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school (yeah)
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it's still all good (still all good)
Uh (it's all good)
And if you don't know, now you know (check it)

You know very well (come on)
Who you are (bankrolls)
Don't let 'em hold you down (clothes)
Reach for the stars
You had a goal (mansions, yachts)
But not that many (ha, it's all good)
'Cause you're the only one
I'll give you good and plenty ('94)

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 (woo)
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' (uh-huh)
Thinkin' back on my one-room shack
Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back (yeah)
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 thirsty (thirsty, come on)
Uh, damn right, I like the life I live
'Cause I went from negative to positive (yeah)
And it's all (it's all good) (it's all good)
And if you don't know, now you know (that's right, come on)

You know very well (money)
Who you are (uh, uh) (hoes and clothes)
Don't let 'em hold you down (bankrolls)
And if you don't know, now you know
Reach for the stars (now you know, that's right)
You had a goal (it's all good)
But not that many (all good)
'Cause you're the only one (East coast represent)
And if you don't know, now you know
I'll give you good and plenty (come on)

Lettin' B-Town in the house (Biggie Smalls)
Junior Mafia, mad flavor (Bad Boy)
Uh, uh, yeah, aight (I see you, Cooch, come on)

Yeah (oh)
Ha, Junior Mafia (hey, yeah)
Ha

You know very well
You know (Puff Daddy)
Who you are
Who you are to me
Don't let 'em hold you down
Don't (come on)
Reach for the stars
You had a goal (it's all good)
You had a goal
But not that many (Brooklyn)
Not that many, baby
'Cause you're the only one (Bronx)
I'll give you good and plenty (Queens)

Uptown
Money earn in Mt. Vernon
Ha, South Central, Detroit
East Side, West Side
It's all good, niggas
Let's ride

Copyright: Cloud9, Downtown Music Publishing, MTUME MUSIC PUBLISHING, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Writer(s): Christopher Wallace, James Mtume, Jean Claude Olivier, Sean Combs