Make Mama Proud

In elementary I used crayons, even chalk I learned to count money before I could read and talk And my mama told me son, you need to shine I couldn't stand at the back, I had to lead the line I use to make good grades, but I talked in class In middle school I was late when I walked in class I the teacher ran a aron, I taught the class And what I didn't know, I was about to ask And just because I played ball, I got easy grades And when I turned 13, I got even fades Everybody wearing Air Macs, Ree's and J's But all my parents cared about, was be 's and A's In high school, I picked up my pen and pad I had dreams, of pulling up in a Benz or Jag I had to get it on my own, I couldn't depend on dad I had to grow up too fast, but then I'm glad Because the stuff I know now, I wouldn't believe it The main goals that I set, I wouldn't achieve it I'd probably be locked up, or running the streets I'd probably wouldn't have platinum, in front of my teeth I'd probably still be mocking, trying to earn a dollar I'd probably be in the hood selling sherm or powder But instead, I'm making bread legal dough Going to church and staying away from these evil hoes You only got one life, you better do what you can 'Cause when you turn thirteen, you are a man And I can't be broke so I'ma rock the crowd It's up to me, I gotta make my mama proud You only got one life, you better do what you can 'Cause when you turn thirteen, you are a man And I can't be broke so I'ma rock the crowd It's up to me, I gotta make my mama proud There's a place called heaven and a place called hell There's a place called freedom and a place called jail And if you go to jail, they gone treat you bad Take your commissary, and beat you bad So I'm staying out of trouble, I'm chasing my dream I know you see your little boy on t.v. screens I'm blowing up, your little boy making it happen I'm not selling dope mama, I'm making it rapping So when you go to sleep at night, you know I'm safe Cause in Houston everyday somebody catching a case Like yesterday, my partner went to jail And he ain't coming home until he fifty seven He nineteen, so you do the math I got smart, man, I choose to rap So when I grow up, my kids can have a good life That's all I wrote, y'all have good night You only got one life, you better do what you can 'Cause when you turn thirteen, you are a man And I can't be broke so I'ma rock the crowd It's up to me, I gotta make my mama proud --- Make Mama Proud - Lil' Flip