Did you realize That you were a champion in their eyes? Yes I did, so I packed it up and brought it back to the crib Just a little somethin', show you how we live Everybody want it but it ain't that serious Mmm hmm, that's that shit So if you gon' do it, do it just like this Did you realize That you were a champion in their eyes? You don't see just how wild the crowd is? You don't see just how fly my style is? I don't see why I need a stylist When I shop so much I can speak Italian I don't know I just want it better for my kids And I ain't sayin' we was from the projects But every time I wanted, layaway or a deposit My daddy'd say "When you see clothes close your eyelids" We was sort of like Will Smith and his son In the movie I ain't talkin' 'bout the rich ones 'Cause every summer he'd get some Brand new hare-brained scheme to get rich from And I don't know what he did for dough But he'd send me back to school wit' a new wardrobe and hey! hey! hey! hey! Did you realize That you were a champion in their eyes? I think he did, when he packed it up and brought it back to the crib Just a little somethin' show you how we lived Everything I wanted man it seemed so serious Mmm hmm, that's that shit So if you gon' do it, do it just like this Did you realize That you were a champion in their eyes? When it feel like livin's harder than dyin' For me givin' up's way harder than tryin' Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion I wish her heart still was in rhymin' 'Cause who the kids gon' listen to? Huh? I guess me if it isn't you Last week I paid a visit to the institute They got the drop out keepin' kids in the school I guess I'll clean up my act like Prince'll do If not for the pleasure, least for the principle They got the CD then got to see me drop gems Like I dropped out of P.E. They used to feel invisible Now they know they invincible hey! hey! hey! Did you realize That you were a champion in their eyes? This is the story of a champion Runners on your mark and they pop the guns! Stand up, stand up! Here he comes Tell me what it takes to be number one? Tell me what it takes to be number one? This is the story of a champion Runners on your mark and they pop the guns Stand up stand up! Here he comes Tell me what it takes to be number one? Tell me what it takes to be number one? Did you realize That you were a champion in their eyes? Yes I did, so I packed it up and brought it back to the crib Just a little somethin' show you how we live Everybody want it but it ain't that serious Mmm hmm, that's that shit So if you gon' do it, do it just like this Did you realize That you were a champion in their eyes?