[Vocals: 2Pac]
"Instead of me fulfilling my prophecy, I have to start one. Instead of me, you know... doing a good job and having to carry on an empire, I have to built one, and that's a hell of a job for a 21 year old. You know what I'm saying, That's a hell of a job for any youngster Male or female, To have to build an empire for your family..."
[Verse 1: T.R.A.Y.]
19, contemplating my dreams
Yeah I got me a Job, Im calculating my green
I was caught in the struggle
Arguing with my mama bout should I get a degree
Or should I, go out in hustle
Got a check in my left hand, a pack in my right hand
What they paid me for 2 weeks, I just made in a night fam
Like dam, What I look like playing myself?
sh**, Its looking like im better off paying myself, Tuh
6 Months later, Im a CEO
I finished school, when I figured out I knew what I need to know
Finesse Realty mama, im bout to get this doe
Im flipping real estate, I gotta let these b**hes know
I ain't dying in the hood, never see a n***a broke
Still got that good good, you can get it for the low
Still got the trap-spot, right there by the liquor store
$65 a gram hoe, that's what its hitting for
Taking money to the bank, putting on a suit and tie
Young n***a out here on his grind like its do or die
That n***a must be out his mind, suicide
All at the same dam time, n***a who am I
The weed man the dope boy, the high school graduate
Black entrepreneur, ain't that a b**h
They want a n***a locked up, I ain't having it
And lately I just been chilling with my savages
My savages, my savages, they got me on my trapping sh**
Im selling work to the teachers in my cla**es
Im f**ing b**hes in the bathroom, broad day
Taking selfies with some hoes, in the hallway
Meanwhile I just hit a lick on a duplex
My first deal, I came home with two checks
Still catching the bus, no need to flex
I never lose my composure Im a soldier
Streets watching, Im just playing poker
I keep a couple friends close, my enemies closer
Politic from the other side of my culture
Show you how to move in a room full of vultures
From the projects with the rats and the roaches
Lion of the jungle, n***a Im ferocious
I side step every trap, Im everywhere you never at
n***as be confused, I got to tell em that...
Chorus:
Im self made, I got me just worry bout you
Im self made, No matter what Imma do what I do
Im self made, All i know is how to get this paper
Im self made, Do me a favor dont do me no favors
[Verse 2: T.R.A.Y.]
Fast forward couple years, a n***a done hustling
I took the money that I made and put it on my publishing
Shot a couple videos, put a couple posters up
Now im in the studio, letting n***as know what's up
Im about to drop an album, Im headed to the venue
Im trying to eat, I got these rappers on the menu
Im writing songs, I dont even got a pencil
Im selling merchandise, my hustle just continues
Im 23 now, with my one record label
Im counting G's up, sitting at the kitchen table
I got my logo embedded on my polo
Im in Los Angeles, screaming "f** the Po Po"
n***as With a Attitude, they don't even know me though
I still got to diversify my, portfolio
The weed man the coke boy, the high school graduate
The artist the rapper the owner, immaculate
Dirty money turned clean, imagine it
I turned myself into my own machine, I should patent it
Im in love with the green, Im pa**ionate
I never could make enough, I just keep on stacking it
Stacking it and stacking it, Im working on an empire
The real Lucious, I ain't Lyon boy I been hired
Its people who think they better because they skin lighter
If it was up to them, I probably would have been fired
Thats the sh** I think about whenever Im getting faded
Thats the motivation, for the paper when I crave it
The Same reason Im telling you Im the f**ing greatest
And throw it in ya face, yeah boy I know ya hate it
Its been a long time coming, I ain't perpin aye
Real n***as feel me and they know that I disserve it aye
I put the work in, I know I ain't perfect aye
But when I finish with it, just know that its gone be...
Chorus: 1x
Speaking:
[Shawn the goon addresses hatters]