One in a Million

It's been a long time coming to do this one
Blood, sweat, tears — I ain't the only one
I am Maria's son, I know I make her proud
From the slums to the board, I'm on my way to the clouds

Give me one time, I got a story to tell
Had an epiphany when I came out my shell
Yeah... when I came out my shell

They say there's only two important days in your life
The day you're born, and the day you find out why
...Well, I found my why

Follow me — April 28th, 1980
Crazy — she finally made me
Just a little premature, not heavier than a toy
But Mama smiled — I was her second boy

From the gate, I saw struggle in front of my eyes
But I also saw soldiers right there by my side
Big bro Romy, Nana, Elly-El
And my big sis Marlene — our lighthouse as well

They gave me hell, but they also gave me truth
My tribe is my truth — don't you touch on my troops
We're the Black Gambinos of the local ghetto
You accepted your fate — but we never settle

One in a million — yeah, that's my legacy y'all
Listen up now, whoo! I love that vibe
That's that good vibe, yeah... here we go

Hidin' in my room, writing out scriptures
Middle finger up to my history teachers
Digital Underground, Biggie, Tupac
Public Enemy said: Be proud to be Black

Tryna find my way through these mean-ass streets
While my mama barely made enough ends meet
We got up on our feet, tryna find the meat
By any means necessary — put that on repeat

Bittersweet memories as I contemplate
Tribulations of a kid feeling out of place
I'm feeling good now — yeah, we made it outta there
But it's the streets that raised me — so it's only fair

I'm just one in a million — many had it worse
But my story gotta be told before I ride in a hearse
Yeah... one in a million — many had it worse
But my story gotta be told before I ride in a hearse

One in a million — that's my legacy y'all
Follow me, Smart to the Z — let's get into it now
Yeah