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[Kids] I know I can (I know I can)
Be what I wanna be (be what I wanna be)
If I work hard at it (If I work hard at it)
I'll be where I wanna be (I'll be where I wanna be)
[Nas] Be, B-Boys and girls, listen up
You can be anything in the world, in God we trust
An architect, doctor, maybe an actress But nothing comes easy it takes much practice
Like, I met a woman who's becoming a star She was very beautiful, leaving people in
awe Singing songs, Lina Horn, but the younger
version Hung with the wrong person
Got her strung on that ***, ***, sniffin up drugs all in her
nose... Coulda died, so young, now looks ugly and
old No fun cause now when she reaches for hugs
people hold they breath Cause she smells of corrosion and death
Watch the company you keep and the crowd you bring
Cause they came to do drugs and you came to sing
So if you gonna be the best, I'ma tell you how,
Put your hands in the air, and take a vow
[Chorus - 2x (Nas and Kids)] I know I can (I know I can)
Be what I wanna be (be what I wanna be) If I work hard at it (If I work hard at it)
I'll be where I wanna be (I'll be where I wanna be)
[Nas] Be, B-Boys and girls, listen again
This is for grown looking girls who's only ten
The ones who watch videos and do what they see
As cute as can be, up in the club with fake ID
Careful, 'fore you meet a man with *** You can host the TV like Oprah Winfrey
Whatever you decide, be careful, some men be
Rapists, so act your age, don't pretend to be
Older than you are, give yourself time to grow
You thinking he can give you wealth, but so Young boys, you can use a lot of help, you
know You thinkin life's all about smokin weed and
ice You don't wanna be my age and can't read and
write Begging different women for a place to sleep
at night Smart boys turn to men and do whatever they
wish If you believe you can achieve, then say it
like this
[Chorus]
[Nas] Be,
be, 'fore we came to this country We were kings and queens, never porch monkeys
There was empires in Africa called Kush Timbuktu, where every race came to get books
To learn from black teachers who taught Greeks and Romans
Asian Arabs and gave them gold when Gold was converted to money it all changed
Money then became empowerment for Europeans The Persian military invaded
They heard about the gold, the teachings, and everything sacred
Africa was almost robbed naked Slavery was money, so they began making slave
ships Egypt was the place that Alexander the Great
went He was so shocked at the mountains with black
faces Shot up they nose to impose what basically
Still goes on today, you see? If the truth is told, the youth can grow
Then learn to survive until they gain control Nobody says you have to be gangstas, hoes
Read more learn more, change the globe Ghetto children, do your thing
Hold your head up, little man, you're a king Young Princess when you get your wedding ring
Your man is saying "She's my queen"
[Chorus]
Save the music y'all, save the music y'all Save the music y'all, save the music y'all
Save the music