Hung with the wrong person, got her strung on that ******
Save the music y'all, save the music y'all
Smart boys turn to men and do whatever they wish
Be what I want a be
To learn from black teachers who taught Greeks and Romans
Be what I want a be
Gold was converted to money it all changed
(I know I can)
Be what I want a be
(I know I can)
He was so shocked at the mountains with black faces
Be, be, 'fore we came to this country
(If I work hard at it)
If I work hard at it
'Cause they came to do drugs and you came to sing
I know I can
(I'll be where I want a be)
Still goes on today, you see?
Whatever you decide, be careful, some men be
I know I can
(Ohh ohh ohh, ohh ohh ohh)
(If I work hard at it)
Slavery was money, so they began makin' slave ships
I know I can
As cute as can be, up in the club with fake I.D.
You don't want a be my age and can't read and write
Be what I want a be
If I work hard at it
Like, I met a woman who's becoming a star
So if you gonna be the best, I'm a tell you how
An architect, doctor, maybe an actress
Your man is sayin', "She's my queen"
Save the music y'all, save the music y'all
We were Kings and queens, never porch monkeys
(I'll be where I want a be)
(I know I can)
Read more learn more, change the globe
If I work hard at it
I know I can
Young boys, you can use a lot of help, you know
(I'll be where I want a be)
Nobody says, you have to be gangstas
Asian, Arabs and gave them gold when
But nothin' comes easy it takes much practice
She was very beautiful, leaving people in awe
(I know I can)
Be, B-boys and girls, listen again
Africa was almost robbed naked
Young princess when you get your wedding ring
(I'll be where I want a be)
(Be what I want a be)
(If I work hard at it)
(If I work hard at it)
******* sniffin' up drugs all in her nose
If I work hard at it
I know I can
No fun 'cause now when she reaches for hugs people hold they breath
I'll be where I want a be
(Be what I want a be)
They heard about the gold, the teachings, and everything sacred
You can be anything in the world, 'In God We Trust'
Be, B-boys and girls, listen up
(I'll be where I want a be)
(If I work hard at it)
I know I can
Save the music
I'll be where I want a be
I'll be where I want a be
Timbuktu, where every race came to get books
Rapists, so act your age, don't pretend to be
Money then became empowerment for Europeans
If the truth is told, the youth can grow
Older than you are, give yourself time to grow
Be what I want a be
Shot off they nose to impose what basically
I'll be where I want a be
The one's who watch videos and do what they see
If you believe you can achieve, then say it like this
I'll be where I want a be
(I'll be where I want a be)
(If I work hard at it)
I'll be where I want a be
(Be what I want a be)
Ghetto children, do your thing
(If I work hard at it)
(I know I can)
Beggin' different women for a place to sleep at night
Singing songs, Lena Horn, but the younger version
If I work hard at it
You can host the TV like Oprah Winfrey
'Cause she smells of corrosion and death
If I work hard at it
Songwriters: Roy Hammond, Nasir Jones, Salaam Remi
(I'll be where I want a be)
Egypt was the place that 'Alexander The Great' went
Watch the company you keep and the crowd you bring
Publishers: EMI APRIL MUSIC INC., ILL WILL MUSIC, SALAAM REMI MUSIC, UNIVERSAL MUSIC - Z TUNES LLC.
If I work hard at it
This is for grown lookin' girls who's only ten
I know I can
(Be what I want a be)
(I know I can)
Put your hands in the air and take a vow
I know I can
(Be what I want a be)
The Persian military invaded
It was empires in Africa called Kush
Then learn to survive until they gain control
I'll be where I want a be
I'll be where I want a be
(Ohh ohh ohh, ohh ohh ohh)
Careful, 'fore you meet a man with H.I.V.
Be what I want a be
Be what I want a be
(Be what I want a be)
You thinkin' he can give you wealth, but so
(Be what I want a be)
Hold your head up, little man, you're a king
If I work hard at it
Be what I want a be
(I know I can)
You thinkin' life's all about smokin' **** and ice
Could-a died so young, now looks ugly and old