[Phonte]

I went from niggaz 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 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 niggaz 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 niggaz 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