Now I Know

[Verse 1] The older I get, the more I realize Almost everything I believed in my life was a lie It started as a child, first was Santa Claus Then I believed that a broad would never come between my dawgs, wrong My sister Mary filled me in when I was seven Told me Hulk Hogan only existed on television (what?) The Stone Cold Stunner and the Leg Drop, all scripted? N.W.O. and X-Pac? Dang I used to walk up to them automatic doors My momma told me that my finger was the power source So I pointed with my pointer, then, pow! It was open, then come to find out she was jokin' Had to let it soak in, my mind as a boy didn't wanna believe that McGwire or Barry were on the 'roids But, uh, when I was young, I thought the world was alright It's funny, I even thought that Jesus was white, but yo [Hook: Mr. Talkbox & (Andy Mineo)] All that glitters ain't made of gold It's the thing you've heard a million times before (I know, I know) It took a little time, now I realize Now I know better, it's better late than never Now I know [Verse 2] Over the years, you get more accustomed to pain Used to believe my dad when he said he'd come to my games Even believed my mother was a saint and could do no wrong And then she sat me down and told me how I was born (shoot) Mind blown, but now it all makes sense Why she didn't spazz on me when she caught me havin' sex I was perplexed but now I get it I used to think America was finished with racism, how could I miss it? I'm mad so many people don't get it Holdin' this list of black names, but now I'm blacklisted? Got older, it's like it got no different I found out that these independent artists isn't independent Cause major labels fund them quietly to keep perception That's deception in the game Used to believe I wanted fame, plus my name written in them lights Now I know it's so much greater cause it's written in the hand of Christ Then, I, I used to say the radio would play what the people wanted Now I know they playin' what's payin' Feelin' jaded, but somehow I still believe in God I even thought a college education got me a job, man [Hook: Mr. Talkbox] All that glitters ain't made of gold It's the thing you've heard a million times before It took a little time, now I realize Now I know better, it's better late than never Now I know [Outro: Mr. Talkbox] Yes, I know better Now I know better Yes, I know better Now I know better (took me a while) Yes, I know better (just to realize) Now I know better Yes, I know better Now I know Too many times before