[Intro - Sample from "Rocky Balboa"] (*echo*)

You ain't gonna believe this

But you used to fit right here

I'd hold you up, and say to your mother

"This kid's gonna be the best kid in the world

This kid's gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew"

And you grew up good and wonderful

It was great just watching you every day, it was like a privilage

Then the time come for you to be your own man

And take on the world, and you did

But somewhere along the line, you changed

You stopped being you

[Joe Budden - talking over the end of the Intro]

It's, it's, it's that On Top Music!

[Verse 1 - Joe Budden]

Look, look, look, shout to all my fans, glad I can inspire y'all

Got a couple haters, still tryin to acquire more

You're prayin to a higher power, hopin I should fall

But even my writer's block, ends in a firewall

Everybody acts reckless, judgin by they past efforts

If they ran shit, why it won't show up on they track records? (talk to 'em)

How could the critics ever hear me and say I'm a suffer?

How when they play with words and I make 'em play with each other?

Choppers over the booth, ready for prime time

Become one with his thoughts, intertwine with his mind

Go toe to toe, blow for blow or do it rhyme for rhyme

Be competitive coke heads and go line for line

Honestly that crap of yours, you should raffle off

With me they gettin Genius Bars without the Apple store

Under the microscope, I rebut' the scrutiny

If I'm to be compared, it's only to who I used to be

Take a closer look at rappers and you might discover

These faggots talking boxing, avoid the Mike Buffers

Now you the type to cuff her, me I get tired of her

See you the type get hyped to hug her but won't try to fuck her

Them pencil thin bitches, me that ain't the style he dates

Mine sit on the bed and leave an imprint of a smiley face

To introduce the newcomers to my habitat

The calm's before the storm, this the debris from the aftermath (aftermath)

[Break - Sample from "Rocky Balboa"]

Let me tell you something you already know

The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows

It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are

It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it

You, me or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life

But it ain't about how hard ya hit

It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward

[Verse 2 - Joe Budden]

Check it, check, check it, let me change pace

The alternate route's a long one but you'll ultimately end up in the same place

So I tell aspiring artists "think beyond greater"

I know some niggas with platinum plaques and bronze paper

But better livin should be earned, never fed or givin

So I traded my recognition instead for a vision

They always told me that I'd end up dead or in prison

Who ever thought that same dude gettin head while he whippin

That the chicks would hang up on? Give 'em the dial tone

Now buyin wild homes, straight cash without loans

I always managed to do better when there's doubt shown

I'll teach you how to turn them diamonds into milestones

Class is in session and look who's come to tutor

They passin the fake off as real like Brian Pumper's jeweler

Where I'm from niggas with fear gettin slumped by shooters

But my equal to dumpin Rugers is done by computers

I'm gettin bread, every verse like the lotto

Give 'em substance but they treat every word like it's a hollow (blaat)

My niggas off parole, I'm tryin to give 'em somethin pure to follow

Cause he ain't have a pot to piss in, just a urine bottle

I come from where so many people were raised with neglect

Cops tryin to meet they quota, thirsty to make an arrest

All my wrongdoings did, was put my faith to a test

Which made me much stronger, guess my mistakes were correct (oh!)

Ta ha

Ta ha (ta ha)!

[Outro - Sample from "Rocky Balboa"]

Now if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth

But ya gotta be willing to take the hit

Not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of

Him, or her, or anybody!

Cowards do that and that ain't you!

You're better than that!