Independence Day

[Intro: B-Baz] Check! Big City Nights! B-B-A-Z [Verse One: B-Baz] "I think it's time to let this light of mine shine Drop a dope beat, Imma drop nice rhyme" That was the first line that I ever performed On stage, 8th grade, man it made me feel empowered Had me thinkin' up the words every time I showered But I'd never tell my parents, damn, I was a coward 'Til one day, my rhyme book was taken The cat was out the bag, goddamn, I swear I was shaken Cause I knew my mama wouldn't approve Sayin' that rap was for fools And she ain't wanna see her baby on the news She knew I was gentle, imagine what she envisioned Gunshots to pipes, cars and "bad bitches" But all my Philly niggas said my flow was really vicious It's a miracle my mama never saw what I had written But Pops was a witness - crisis averted Surprised when it wasn't the raps he was concerned with See back then, the biggest in the game was Curtis Jack A big nigga rappin', gettin' bitches stayin' strapped 50 was crack - that's he was used to dealin' But me rappin' about it? Man, that shit wasn't appealing Even though the girls was finally talkin' to me - fuck it By sophomore in high school, my rhyme book? I chucked it Alright, I admit it, there's more - I omitted Like fights I got into that fucked up my image See, for a long time ya boy struggled for acceptance But now I'm Fresh Prince, dog, I found my independence Power of the pen showed the power from within From the poetry to rap, full circle again See, I had a new perspective, witty and introspective Discarded all of my dreams of scientists and detectives Started storytelling, guess I followed my roots Every single line I rhymed came alive in the booth Fell in love with the game, but it wasn't the same If I make my own lane they'll remember the name Niggas laughed and harassed, more than half of them ass Out-rapped the unworthy, put the team on my back Shouts out to my home boys in Wissahickon Philly and Atlantic City, never give up spittin' Some thought I was whack and they never failed to mention But this is my story, motherfucker, pay attention Cause for a long time ya boy struggled for acceptance But now I'm Fresh Prince, dog, I found my independence Power of the pen showed the power from within From the poetry to rap, full circle again