Juicy


Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me I'd never amount to nothin'. To all the people that lived above the buildings that I was hustlin' in front of, called the police on me when I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughter (it's all good). And all the niggas in the struggle. You know what I'm sayin'? It's all good, baby baby. It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! magazine Salt-n-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine, hangin' pictures on my wall. Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl. I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped. Smokin' weed in Bambu, sippin' on Private Stock way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack. With the hat to match. 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. 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. Peace to Ron G, Brucie B, Kid Capri, Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starski. I'm blowin' up like you thought I would, call the crib, same number, same hood. It's all good (It's all good). And if you don't know, now you know, nigga.

You know very well, who you are.
Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars. You had a goal but not that many. 'Cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty. I made the change from a common thief to up close and personal with Robin Leach. And I'm far from cheap. I smoke skunk with my peeps all day, spread love, it's the Brooklyn way. The Moët and Alizé keep me pissy Girls used to diss me mow they write letters 'cause they miss me. I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff. I was too used to packin' gats and stuff, now honeys play me close like butter play toast. From the Mississippi down to the East Coast. Condos in Queens, indo for weeks sold-out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak. Livin' life without fear, puttin' five karats in my baby girl's ear. Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool. Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school. Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood and it's still all good. And if you don't know, now you know, nigga.
You know very well, who you are.
Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars. You had a goal, but not that many. 'Cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty. Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, when I was dead broke, man, I couldn't picture this. 50-inch screen, money-green leather sofa, got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur. Phone bill about two G's flat. No need to worry, my accountant handles that. And my whole crew is loungin', celebratin' every day, no more public housin'. Thinkin' back on my one-room shack - now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back. 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, damn right, I like the life I live, 'cause I went from negative to positive. And it's all (It's all good, nigga). And if you don't know, now you know, nigga.
You know very well, who you are.
Don't let 'em hold you down. And if you don't know, now you know, nigga. Reach for the stars, you had a goal, but not that many. 'Cause you're the only one, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga. I'll give you good and plenty. Representin' B-Town in the house. Junior Mafia, mad flavor, uh, uh, yeah, aight.
You know very well, who you are.
Don't let 'em hold you down. Reach for the stars. You had a goal, but not that many. 'Cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty. Biggie Smalls, it's all good, nigga. Junior Mafia, it's all good, nigga. Bad Boy, it's all good, nigga, it's all good. That's right, '94. And on and on, and on and on.
You know very well, who you are.
Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars.

Juicy — The Notorious B.I.G. — c. 1994