The Becoming

[Phonte] I went from niggas tellin' me I really shouldn't rhyme To droppin' a classic album muhfuckers couldn't find Took my respect, took lessons and took the time And if you want a success story, just take a look at mine I was blessed with the right components, so precise Cause I write so tight within the moment And spit like my life depended on it I target you herbs On some teleprompter shit I got you watching your words Tay rhymes are real life, yours are so 'for instance' Taxin' these niggas like no dependents 12 bar courtroom drama with no co-defendants Don't beat it off, come to your senses [Hook] Hard rock, my block is where you better be from Top of the line, my team will never settle for crumbs And he's hated, but still rated 2nd to none I'm everything you wanna be but have yet to become [Phonte] It all started back in '99 when time was hard North Carolina Central but we called it the yard Cause niggas wasn't trying to study abroad They was trynna study a broad or two ir three up in the dorms Met my nigga Chaundon and I started to ponder "Fuck this, I'mma quit the football team tomorrow" Did shows around town and word got around that battling Tay Was like yelling 'spic' in Tijuana Build my rep up, that's when Pooh and 9th stepped up 9th was old school, Pooh was young and playing catch-up Cool, cause he could still rock an instrumental Our first joints, yeah they was wack But niggas could hear potential in 'em Honing our skills for survival, hustling Our flyers passed out like mamma at revival The real deal on how I repped my peeps You ain't goin' find this in no press release [Hook] [Hook extended] And "he's shook" That's what your team is telling me, son Still hated, but still rated 2nd to none And Greensboro, cause that's the only 'boro I'm from I'm everything you wanna be, but have yet to become