[Verse One]: I'm from a city where the go getters get that gold quick And get that gwop and lay both money and the chicks Nobody has a monopoly over Grindin' Some people pull the clips out with no rhymin' They the pushers but I don't have Malice though They smoke everything without touchin' the chalice though I tried to give a damn, ain't nobody want it though So I held on to it and took it personal I lived around crack dealers and preachers Street graduates becoming the teachers Politicians talkin', they couldn't reach us So we becoming the six o'clock features Don't study me You won't graduate But my life's good money, you can't tabulate Get that doe, but hold your head high A piece ain't enough we deserving the whole pie [Hook] [Shi Wisdom]: Dear Mr. Parker you made me this monster Cause what don't k** me makes me strong And I decide where I belong Dear Ms. Mahalia, got something to tell ya If they never made you, they can never break you Just remain the real truth, you decide your fate Go on [Verse Two]: If you can't take the heat, then why you got your hand out? In Hell's Kitchen, the regular never stand out In high school they told me I wouldn't be nothin' Wouldn't make it out the turf, wouldn't see nothin' They saw my gang and made up they mind quick But I would never let the evil in their minds stick Further more, some of the hoodlums I ran with are doctors and lawyers Trick, I hope you feelin' it Watchin' us on television with your daughters Say cheese girl, wave to your father While his life is Welcome Back Carter I'm at the ACC with Shawn Carter Backstage thinkin', "Look at my life now." I done did good got a house in a white town Just so that whenever them white folks talk They gotta respect the rapper who bought the whole block [Hook] [Shi Wisdom]: Dear Mr. Parker you made me this monster Cause what don't k** me makes me strong And I decide where I belong Dear Ms. Mahalia, got something to tell ya If they never made you, they can never break you Just remain the real truth, you decide your fate Go on [Verse Three]: The teachers got the kids from nine to three But we got 'em 24/7 in they I.P.O.D So respect my P.O.V When I'm fillin' their ears with love, that's on me See the driver in the fancy car, that's on me But it is only a fraction of who I be Never leave my Common Sense like No I.D What my daddy taught me got me into V.I.P You see [Hook] [Shi Wisdom]: Dear Mr. Parker you made me this monster Cause what don't k** me makes me strong And I decide where I belong Dear Ms. Mahalia, got something to tell ya If they never made you, they can never break you Just remain the real truth, you decide your fate Go on