Smooth like Johnny Cochran, I keep it movin' through Brooklyn
Base against the hymn, brings the sweat to the skin
Reminisce of the days as a shorty
Had no stress, no bills, was comin' for me
I lived it up, yeah, money ain't a thing
Never thought twice on what my future bring
Role models, naw I thought nothing of it
Eyes fixed on skies and planes fly high above it
Summer's comin', September's middle school
Mom Dukes mad strict, she'll never raise a fool
I'm comin' up, clean the dirty from the ghetto
So we can plant some seeds and watch them grow
Right, knowledge, wisdom, understanding rules, right
Everybody got to pay the dues, right
Knowledge, wisdom, understanding rules
Everybody got to pay the dues
Tripped up by bad luck, 16 years and buck
I realized the world might end, not givin' up
Stickin' up, runnin' up, comin' up
Turn it up, I see signs of blowin' up
Study life in every facet of my trainin'
We need masters in biology, zoology
To overtake, Illuminati tricknology
Transform, reciprocate your mental state
Now make a date to overtake your objective
Show that through light, that everything is connected
But not in categories, that's the Devil's story
Symbols of cannibalism, ruin your vision
The thoughts formulate in your mind with no precision
So reenact, a rebirth, now you're the Phoenix
When shorties see it, now that's the time they believe it
Achieve it, your goals in life, don't be a casualty
Infinite and intricate, monument
Knowledge wisdom understanding
Right, knowledge, wisdom, understanding rules, right
Everybody got to pay the dues, right
Knowledge, wisdom, understanding rules
Everybody got to pay the dues
Right, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, rules
Uprising, surprising
I know the next millennium seems like it's cursed
That's why I have to rehearse
Tune my physical, mental spits the lyrical
It's so essential, transcends thoughts I'm into
As we continue, touch rhyme styles I'm into
All grown up, Junior High to 25
A made man, tight connection with my brothers
Bridgin' gaps, dodgin' traps with my raps
Signs you're followin'
Shed more light
Than a halogen, take a step back
Now who you followin'?
Right, knowledge, wisdom, understanding rules, right
Everybody got to pay the dues, right
Knowledge, wisdom, understanding rules
Everybody got to pay the dues
Right, knowledge, wisdom, understanding rules, right
Everybody got to pay the dues, right
Knowledge, wisdom, understanding rules
Everybody got to pay the dues
The lyrics on the most recent version are sanctioned by the composer, or owner of the rights to the lyrics, however, there may be lyrics that are more complete on the prior version(s) that have been submitted by a contributor to mp3lyrics.org
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