(Verse 1)
I'm just tryna make my Mom proud since the day of my birth
8 pounds, 9 ounces I came to this Earth
15 days late at my Mother's expense
From December 10th to being a Christmas event
Like it was heaven sent, delivered at 8:43pm
Same Sun and rising sign as Muhammad Ali
With two beautiful sisters to protect me
Gifted with integrity and family, he blessed me
Named after my Grandfather respectfully
Never met him but carry traditions that he left me
From overly discreet to flourished speakin' to beats
Cause since a seed they always encouraged me being unique
Always told me what I needed, any goal that I could reach it
And if in my soul I believed it then boldly I should speak it
Applied that to these mic checkin' devices
And now I'm livin' proof that these life lessons are Priceless
(Chorus)
Destined from the throne from a lone peasant
Through these poems that I wrote with every known method
Pure innocence lost to a grown skeptic
My thoughts start to get dark, they say don't let it
Hip Hop chose me cause my soul meant it
My parents tried to support but they just don't get it
I used to think that I was blessed cause of my own effort
But the truth is it's to them I owe the most credit
(Verse 2)
Before rap and the lyrics under the mattress
Before rehearsin' Stillmatic memorizing the tracklist
I would play with patterns and numbers like a math wiz
Upside down puttin' these puzzles together backwards
Apparently that's not the norm and they were all impressed
In awe of me and probably thought I'd be an architect
But good thing I didn't take those bets
But I became more creative with those Lego sets
And alway had a stationed place at my home
Where I could be alone and my imagination could roam
Yet it's interesting I rap because back then I never said a thing
But brought up with the mentality that I could do anything
And to this day it's like I'm still on their laps
Makin' observations quietly to put in these raps
Then applied that to these mic checkin' devices
And now I'm livin' proof that these life lessons were Priceless
(Chorus)
Destined from the throne from a lone peasant
Through these poems that I wrote with every known method
Pure innocence lost to a grown skeptic
My thoughts start to get dark, they say don't let it
Hip Hop chose me and my soul meant it
My parents tried to support but they just don't get it
I used to think that I was blessed cause of my own effort
But the truth is it's to them I owe the most credit
(Verse 3)
I always had what I needed but never spoiled me with such
With more emphasis on the importance and loyalty of trust
And raised by a Dad who never demanded respect
With more integrity than any other man that I've met
And to my Mom who till this day still shows me comfort the most
You're the reason I exist and I'm in love with them both
Equipped with encouragement and faith in myself
Plus a wholehearted soul you couldn't pay me to sell
That's why I've already overcame most of my fears
Only to realize afterwards they really were there's
So when I'm speakin' through this music all I spew is the truth
Already proved it to myself so now I do this for you
Showed me to treat Asians, Arabs, Latins, and Blacks with respect
Matter of fact that shit ain't even ever have to be said
Then applied that as I write messages righteous
Cause now I understand that these life lessons are Priceless
(Chorus)
Destined from the throne from a lone peasant
Through these poems that I wrote with every known method
Pure innocence lost to a grown skeptic
My thoughts start to get dark, they say don't let it
Hip Hop chose me and my soul meant it
My parents tried to support but they just don't get it
I used to think that I was blessed cause of my own effort
But the truth is it's to them I owe the most credit
Longtime Style P collaborator Fortes serves up instrumental versions of eight of his productions for the New York rapper. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 22, 2020
