Be what I wanna be
(I know I can)
Still goes on today, you see?
If I work hard at it
No fun 'cause now when she reaches for hugs people hold they breath
Watch the company you keep and the crowd you bring
If I work hard at it
I'll be where I wanna be
So if you gonna be the best, I'm a tell you how
(If I work hard at it)
I'll be where I wanna be
He was so shocked at the mountains with black faces
If I work hard at it
(If I work hard at it)
(Be what I wanna be)
You thinking life's all about smoking weed and ice
Nobody says you have to be gangstas, hoes
Money then became empowerment for Europeans
You can be anything in the world, in God we trust
Begging different women for a place to sleep at night
(I know I can)
I'll be where I wanna be
Save the music y'all, save the music y'all
I'll be where I wanna be
The Persian military invaded
Be what I wanna be
She was very beautiful, leaving people in awe
Read more, learn more, change the globe
An architect, doctor, maybe an actress
But nothing comes easy, it takes much practice
I'll be where I wanna be
Be what I wanna be
Coulda died, so young, now looks ugly and old
If I work hard at it
Africa was almost robbed naked
Be what I wanna be
Ghetto children, do your thing
There was empires in Africa called Kush
'Cause they came to do drugs and you came to sing
Hold your head up, little man, you're a king
Be, be'fore we came to this country
Careful, 'fore you meet a man with HIV
I know I can
'Cause she smells of corrosion and death
(If I work hard at it)
We were kings and queens, never porch monkeys
Be what I wanna be
I know I can
(I'll be where I wanna be)
Save the music y'all, save the music y'all
This is for grown looking girls who's only ten
Put your hands in the air and take a vow
(If I work hard at it)
Young boys, you can use a lot of help, you know
I know I can
Your man is saying "She's my queen"
(Be what I wanna be)
I know I can
Singing songs, Lina Horn, but the younger version
Be what I wanna be
Gold was converted to money it all changed
I know I can
I'll be where I wanna be
(I know I can)
(I'll be where I wanna be)
They heard about the gold, the teachings and everything sacred
As cute as can be, up in the club with fake ID
Asian, Arabs and gave them gold when
If I work hard at it
You thinking he can give you wealth, but so
Hung with the wrong person, got her strung on that heroin
Shot off they nose to impose what basically
(Be what I wanna be)
(I'll be where I wanna be)
Young princess, when you get your wedding ring
(I know I can)
To learn from black teachers who taught Greeks and Romans
Rapists, so act your age, don't pretend to be
Timbuktu, where every race came to get books
(I'll be where I wanna be)
(If I work hard at it)
Be, b-boys and girls, listen again
You can host the TV like Oprah Winfrey
(I know I can)
I know I can
Egypt was the place that Alexander the great went
Smart boys turn to men and do whatever they wish
(Be what I wanna be)
Like, I met a woman who's becoming a star
(If I work hard at it)
(Be what I wanna be)
Slavery was money, so they began making slave ships
(Be what I wanna be)
If the truth is told, the youth can grow
If you believe you can achieve, then say it like this
I know I can
If I work hard at it
(I know I can)
I'll be where I wanna be
The ones who watch videos and do what they see
You don't wanna be my age and can't read and write
I'll be where I wanna be
Be what I wanna be
Be, b-boys and girls, listen up
(I'll be where I wanna be)
If I work hard at it
(Be what I wanna be)
Cocaine sniffing up drugs all in her nose
Whatever you decide, be careful, some men be
(I know I can)
(I'll be where I wanna be)
(I'll be where I wanna be)
Then learn to survive until they gain control
(If I work hard at it)
Older than you are, give yourself time to grow
If I work hard at it
