[Chorus: Keyshia Cole] See, ever since the day I got the chance to make a change I've been in this game, it's a new day And I'm making it known 'cause I just want the world to know I'm paying my dues, and I got the utmost, I just wanna let you know I'm payin' homage 'cause you've paved the way for me, yeah
[Verse 1: The Game] I swear to God, it feel like every day is my birthday Let the top down, California's my birthplace So I'ma take you there like B.I.G took niggaz to New York "Juicy" had us feeling like we was from New York And that's real shit blazed the Philly It's summertime shout out to Will Smith 'cause who didn’t wanna be the Fresh Prince Flat top, gold chain and some fresh kicks? My nigga Nas told me money make the world go round And Uncle Luke showed me how to make my girl go down I've been around Hip Hop since '85 She had her ups and downs but she stayed alive I used to think LL stood for Love LA He from Queens, how the fuck he put that with Cool J? Red Kangol hat, red sweatsuit to match Red Adidas, nigga, Game is back
[Chorus] And ever since the day I got the chance to make a change I've been in this game, it's a new day And I'm making it known 'cause I just want the world to know I'm paying my dues, and I got the utmost, I just wanna let you know I'm payin' homage 'cause you've paved the way for me, yeah
[Verse 2] Public Enemy and N.W.A is on my boombox, had to say Yoday was a good day, had the hood buzzin' Ice Cube my favorite rapper, y'all niggaz can't tell me nothin' Everybody's first bootleg was Boyz 'n the Hood Whoever thought gangsta rap would make noise in the hood When the cars ride by with the boomin' system Two door Mustang and the roof was missing Every girl at ya school had the new extensions Even gangstaz was dancin' like New Edition 'cause the house parties stayed rockin' all night Niggas came through and shot it up but it was alright 'cause after the cops left, it was a party then You down with OPP, then bring Naughty in They say it never rain in southern California, Tony Toni lied Sit back, watch Game throw his money in the sky
[Chorus] And ever since the day I got the chance to make a change I've been in this game, it's a new day And I'm making it known 'cause I just want the world to know I'm paying my dues, and I got the utmost, I just wanna let you know I'm payin' homage 'cause you've paved the way for me, yeah
[Verse 3] Cash rules everything around me, C.R.E.A.M get the money In the back, I relax with all the hunnies DJ bring it back, let it go Mix it in with Black Rob, make 'em say WHOA! Every thing full circle, Game livin' major Girls on my hip like a Skytel pager Now I'm on the top, let the champagne pop Throw ya hands in the sky 'cause The Game don't stop Just a little more change, gotta Benz and the Range Every rap metaphor always ends in my name: The Kool Hercs, DJ Red Alerts Before I was born they was talking 'bout The Game Ask a Jay-Z fan 'bout Big Daddy Kane Don’t know him, Game gonna show 'em Just like they showed me, my lyrics is O.G When it’s all said and done, you niggas gon' quote me
[Chorus] And ever since the day I got the chance to make a change I've been in this game, it's a new day And I'm making it known 'cause I just want the world to know I'm paying my dues, and I got the utmost, I just wanna let you know I'm payin' homage 'cause you've paved the way for me, yeah
[Outro: Keyshia Cole] See, Mary J. I want you to understand you paved the way (for me) I’m givin' homage (to you)
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