[Hook]
When my haters talk I just tune 'em out
They don't know a thing about me, all they do is doubt me
They say there's no way I can run the game
But I don't remember seeing your name in the hall of fame
[Verse 1]
When I was young, people would tell me I wasn't from Zimbabwe
Saying things like, "Is that like an African holiday?"
And some of those kids over there on the playground thought I was a bit of a freak
But how could you know a thing about me when you only met me last week?
But the truth is, I didn't fit in back home or in your cla**ic American mold
I couldn't speak a word of my own language and it left me at a distinct disadvantage
I'd be the flavor of the month every time we had a family gathering
But it always ended with them laughing at me while I did a lot of stammering
And every time I went to school I was made to look foolhardy
Trying to describe a place that to them sounded like it was straight out of Barney
They'd stop me and say, "Whoa, Zimbabwe's a country? Dude that's pretty gnarly"
But I bet it's just chock full of wheat and barley
And it got me thinking
Maybe I was just living in a web of lies
And that I just don't belong on Cloud 9
Especially considering I didn't even think I had a defining trait
And I couldn't even find myself a playmate
I was trapped by my chronic lack of self-esteem
And I felt like I was slowly running out of steam
[Hook]
When my haters talk I just tune 'em out
They don't know a thing about me, all they do is doubt me
They say there's no way I can run the game
But I don't remember seeing your name in the hall of fame
[Verse 2]
I know some of y'all still think I can't rhyme
And are saying to your buddy, "Hey, I think he's out of time"
But I still got 60 seconds to blow your mind
So just remember, right now this stage is mine
I'll be working on my next architectural design
While my haters 'll still be trying to flame my hairline
But how could these fakers know a thing about success
When half the time they don't even know how to properly dress
And they'd rather host a party givin' out their street address
Than try to make a name for themselves in the name of progress
So imma k** it and tell it like I'm in an airplane co*kpit
And to be honest, I don't expect all of y'all to get it
Because you're so busy trying to give me combat fatigue
That you probably don't even know a thing about the League
But it's all G, I'll let my haters stay and watch, but either way they wouldn't abort
Because it's not like they've got any other stamps on their pa**port
But they see my name and look at my face, they always say, "Oh, he's a little short"
Yet they fail to realize my game isn't out there on the court
But at Richard Montgomery from where I'm repping MD
And working and thriving in the state that made me
[Hook]
When my haters talk I just tune 'em out
They don't know a thing about me, all they do is doubt me
They say there's no way I can run the game
But I don't remember seeing your name in the hall of fame
[Verse 3]
So right here imma make a new declaration
That from this day onwards I'm gonna put my procrastination on probation
But look, I didn't come here to get a standing ovation
But rather to give you all a message
Because I know there are some of you just following the crowd
And you're too afraid to stand up and be loud
So just remember who said this
That you shouldn't let the mistakes of yesterday affect the decisions of today and the opportunities of tomorrow
Or else you'll leave yourself stuck in a whirlpool of sorrow
Because you've got to remember that someone believes in you
And hangs onto every word you say because they know it's true
So this is for all of you working those late nights
Trying to make things right
Just know that victory's in sight
Shining brighter than a light