Joy Denalane - Born & Raised lyrics

I was the first of three sisters My older brothers would treat me like a princess Sporting flattops and hightop sneakers My feet too small for my brand-new adidas 7 in the evening when my mama calls Were playing dodge ball up against the berlin wall That's how I was born and raised Now mama, look at where I am today It's alright Even though we had to struggle Sometimes Even if we stumbled It's all good Cause I learned how to stay on my feet It's alright Even though we had to struggle Sometimes Even if we stumbled It's all good Cause I learned how to do for me If my life's like your life, then I want for you to know There's not a thing in the world you can't achieve If your life's like my life, you got to keep on keeping on Cause there's so much more you can be 16 when I first left home Already hard headed thinking I was grown Berlin girl, half african, half caucasian Imagine conflicts I'm facing Skipped school, went clubbin with them black GI's Arguments on the phone would make my mama cry I fell in love with this thug, daddy threw a fit Only took one year, that n***a's doing a bid This is back when P.E. gave us identity A young girl in the streets of west germany That's how I was born and raised Now mama, look at where I am today Hip Hop Soul was the brand new rage Became my real love with Mary J I took my first steps on a spot lit stage It was clear I was here to stay See it wasn't always easy on this path I chose When it starts getting sleazy don't know friend from foe That's when I learned to discern and stand up for me And took control of my own destiny