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Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
The Notorious B.I.G.
Vocals
J. Raynor
Vocals
James Mtume
Sampled Artist
Keisha Spivey
Vocals
Pamela Long
Vocals
Rappin' Duke
Sampled Artist
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
The Notorious B.I.G.
Songwriter
Christopher Wallace
Songwriter
James Mtume
Songwriter
Jean Claude Olivier
Songwriter
Sean Combs
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
The Notorious B.I.G.
Executive Producer
Conrad Dimanche
Associate Producer
Harve "Joe Hooker" Pierre
Executive Producer
Mario Rodriguez
Mixing Engineer
Faith Evans
Executive Producer
Mark Pitts
Executive Producer
Voletta Wallace
Executive Producer
Wayne Barrow
Executive Producer
Chris Athens
Mastering Engineer
DJ Mister Cee
Associate Producer
Sean Combs
Producer
Lyrics
[Intro]
Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers
That told me I'd never amount to nothing
To all the people that lived above the buildings that I was hustling in front
That called the police on me when I was just trying
To make some money to feed my daughter (Yeah)
And to all my peoples in the struggle
You know what I'm saying?
It's all good baby, baby (Check it, check it)
[Verse 1]
It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine (Uh-huh)
Salt-n-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hanging pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl (Huh, that's right, that's right)
I let my tape rock till my tape popped
Smoking weed and bamboo, sipping on Private Stock (Yeah)
Way back when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match (Huh)
Remember Rappin' Duke? Duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far
Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight (Yeah)
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner (Mm-hmm)
Peace to Ron G, Brucie B, Kid Capri (What's up?)
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starski
I'm blowing up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number, same hood, it's all good, uh (Yeah, check it)
And if you don't know, now you know, you know (Uh, come on)
[Chorus]
You know very well who you are (Money, **** and clothes)
Don't let 'em hold you down (Bankrolls, yeah, ha-ha)
Reach for the stars (It's all good)
You had a goal, but not that many (Come on, it's all good)
'Cause you're the only one
I'll give you good and plenty (Check it)
[Verse 2]
I made the change from a common thief
To up close and personal with Robin Leach (Yeah)
And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way (Brooklyn)
The Moët and Alizé keep me pissy, girls used to diss me
Now they write letters 'cause they miss me (Yeah)
I never thought it could happen, this rapping stuff (Uh-huh)
I was too used to packing **** and stuff (Come on)
Now honeys play me close like butter play toast
From the Mississippi down to the East Coast (Uh-huh)
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
Sold-out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak (That's right)
Living life without fear
Putting five carats in my baby girl ear
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool (Lunches, brunches)
Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school (Yeah)
Stereotypes of a Black male, misunderstood
And it's still all good, uh (It's all good)
And if you don't know, now you know, you know (Check it)
[Chorus]
You know very well who you are (Come on, come on, bankrolls)
Don't let 'em hold you down (Clothes)
Reach for the stars
You had a goal, but not that many (Mansions, yachts, huh, it's all good)
'Cause you're the only one
I'll give you good and plenty ('94)
[Verse 3]
Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
When I was dead broke, man, I couldn't picture this (Huh)
Fifty-inch screen, money-green leather sofa
Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur (Woo)
Phone bill about two G's flat
No need to worry, my accountant handles that (That's right)
And my whole crew is lounging
Celebrating every day, no more public housing (Uh-uh)
Thinking back on my one-room shack
Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back (Yeah)
And she loves to show me off, of course
Smiles every time my face is up in The Source
We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
Birthdays was the worst days
Now we sip champagne when we thirsty, uh (Thirsty, come on)
Damn right, I like the life I live (Yeah)
'Cause I went from negative to positive
And it's all (It's all good)
And if you don't know, now you know, you know (That's right, ha-ha, come on)
[Chorus]
You know very well who you are (Money, **** and clothes)
Don't let 'em hold you down
And if you don't know, now you know, you know (Bankrolls, now you know)
Reach for the stars (That's right)
You had a goal, but not that many (It's all good, all good)
'Cause you're the only one (East coast, represent)
And if you don't know, now you know, you know
I'll give you good and plenty (Come on)
[Bridge]
Reppin' B-Town in the house (Biggie Smalls)
Junior M.A.F.I.A., mad flavor, uh, uh (Bad Boy, huh, I see you, Cooch)
Yeah, alright (Come on, yeah, Junior M.A.F.I.A., huh)
[Chorus]
You know very well who you are (Puff Daddy)
You know, who you are to me
Don't let 'em hold you down
Don't (Come on)
Reach for the stars
You had a goal, but not that many (It's all good, it's all good)
You had a goal, not that many, baby (Brooklyn, Brooklyn)
'Cause you're the only one (Bronx, Queens)
I'll give you good and plenty
[Outro]
Uptown
Money earnin' Mount Vernon
Huh, South Central
Detroit
East side
West side
It's all good, ****
That's right
Written by: James Mtume, Jean Claude Oliver, Sean "Puffy" Combs, The Notorious B.I.G.