Nas - I Can - Various Artists

I know I can I know I can

Be what I wanna be be what I wanna be

If I work hard at it If I work hard it

I'll be where I wanna be I'll be where I wanna be

I know I can I know I can

Be what I wanna be be what I wanna be

If I work hard at it If I work hard it

I'll be where I wanna be I'll be where I wanna be

Be B-Boys and girls listen up

You can be anything in the world in God we trust

An architect doctor maybe an actress

But nothing comes easy it takes much practice

Like I met a woman who's becoming a star

She was very beautiful leaving people in awe

Singing songs Lina Horn but the younger version

Hung with the wrong person

Gotta astrung when I heard when

Coc*ine sniffing up *** all in her nose

Coulda died so young no looks ugly and old

No fun cause when she reaches for hugs people hold they breath

Cause she smells of corrosion and death

Watch the company you keep and the crowd you bring

Cause they came to do *** and you came to sing

So if you gonna be the best I'ma tell you how

Put your hands in the air

And take the bell

I know I can I know I can

Be what I wanna be be what I wanna be

If I work hard at it If I work hard it

I'll be where I wanna be I'll be where I wanna be

I know I can I know I can

Be what I wanna be be what I wanna be

If I work hard at it If I work hard it

I'll be where I wanna be I'll be where I wanna be

Be B-Boys and girls listen again

This is for grown looking girls who's only ten

The ones who watch videos and do what they see

As cute as can be up in the club with fake ID

Careful 'fore you meet a man with HIV

You can host the TV like Oprah Winfrey

Whatever you decide be careful some men be

Rapists so act your age don't pretend to be

Older than you are give yourself time to grow

You thinking he can give you wealth but so

Young boys you can use a lot of help you know

You thinkin life's all about smokin w**d and ice

You don't wanna be my age and can't read and right

Begging different women for a place to sleep at night

Smart boys turn to men and do whatever they wish

If you believe you can achieve then say it like this

I know I can I know I can

Be what I wanna be be what I wanna be

If I work hard at it If I work hard it

I'll be where I wanna be I'll be where I wanna be

I know I can I know I can

Be what I wanna be be what I wanna be

If I work hard at it If I work hard it

I'll be where I wanna be I'll be where I wanna be

Be be 'fore we came to this country

We were kings and queens never porch monkeys

It was empires in Africa called Kush

Timbuktu where every race came to get books

To learn from black teachers who taught Greeks and Romans

Asian Arabs and gave them gold when

Gold was converted to money it all changed

Money then became empowerment for Europeans

The Persian military invaded

They learned about the gold the teachings and everything sacred

Africa was almost robbed naked

Slavery was money so they began making slave ships

Egypt was the place that Alexander the Great went

He was so shocked at the mountains with black faces

Shot up they nose to impose what basically

Still goes on today you see

If the truth is told the youth can grow

They learn to survive until they gain control

Nobody says you have to be gangstas hoes

Read more learn more change the globe

Ghetto children do your thing

Hold your head up little man you're a king

Young Prince thats when you get your wedding ring

Your man is saying She's my queen

I know I can I know I can

Be what I wanna be be what I wanna be

If I work hard at it If I work hard it

I'll be where I wanna be I'll be where I wanna be

I know I can I know I can

Be what I wanna be be what I wanna be

If I work hard at it If I work hard it

I'll be where I wanna be I'll be where I wanna be

Save the music y'all save the music y'all

Save the music y'all save the music y'all

Save the music