[Verse 1]
My brother had a Magic Starter jacket, me I wore Golden State
Cold winter disregard the wind and make a fashion statement
Meant to me something more, back when I had something to prove
But the materials used only impressed a few
Kinda depressing, the view, poor kids in December
Man I remember, thoughts used to enter
What if I was in the same position skippin' dinners
To cope most got soaked livers
But you don't got hope and you won't give up
Who am I to complain about my pain
I know it ain't the same if I had to live the same, I'd be insane
And the world keep passing me
Hearing God speak, and he asking me:
"Whatchu doin' with this time that I'm giving you?
You could be change, stop waiting on a miracle"
I'm sorry God, but I don't think it's time yet
My heart and mind aren't aligned yet
I wanna do what you design
I'm afraid to fall when I start to climb
The world seen through my 9-year old eyes
[Verse 2]
My brother wore a Michael Jordan jersey, I had Tim Hardaway
Gettin' whoopin's until we learned a smarter way
Watching Soul Train, Don Cornelius
If I seen somethin' dope I would mimic it
Had SNES, I wanted Genesis
They Mortal Kombat had blood when they finished him
Listening to Illmatic, didn't understand half of "Halftime"
But I still rapped it, a class act like Kid N Play
Fifth grade, scheming on a girl who was built for her age
Maybe buy her some chips, or some candy and shit
Maybe I could hold her hand or put my hand on her hips, heh
And maybe walk her home, and when her mother answer
Ask, "Can I speak to her on the phone? Can I speak to Alisha?"
You gotta put me on like Bonita, Bonita, Bonita
[Verse 3]
My brother started wearing suits, I'm stuck in these jeans
Still his little brother with these hip hop dreams
Not sure if he sees what this hip hop means
Hip hop means more than what hip hop seems
Since a snotty-nose run and hide or play space
How to hold dominoes, made some mistakes, seen a lotta growth
Seen the cars, broads, and where the crime lead
Seen drugs turn parents into zombies
Making scratch like what Primo did
To keep me laced like Primo, know the lingo, kid
So my momma didn't hafta work, come home, her soles hurt
Used to make my soul hurt
My homie tried to quit his dirt cold turk', like thanksgiving leftovers
If I make it, I bet we won't be stepped over
Gettin' older, I miss the little things
Chillin' with my little brother watching TV eatin' chicken wings
It's crazy how the time fly, here today, gone tomorrow
The time we got is all borrowed
Before I give it back some things will rearrange
Hope the game don't change me when I change the game
[Outro]
My brother had a Magic Starter jacket, let me take you back then
Close your eyes, imagine, imagine, imagine...
Tell you what happened, happened, happened...
Tell you what happened, happened, happened...