| Whatever goes around, comes around |
| Every lifetime is a lesson, this is what I found |
| No matter who you are (It don’t matter), gonna have your ups and downs |
| (Time to come up, baby, time to come up, it’s whatever) |
| Whatever goes around, comes around |
| Uh, yo, uh… I walk, wit' a swag of a letterman |
| No amateur here, I’m a veteran |
| You couldn’t find many more who is better than |
| Big Pooh when he rocking the mic |
| No games, no hype, just mind and skills |
| Pure determination and a heart full of will |
| My nigga Tiggalo held me down for real |
| But it’s time now for me to ante up on the bills |
| 'Cause at the point when we signed our deal |
| I was three years young, now I’m five plus some |
| Write, to the beat of 9th's wonderful drum |
| Overhung by the snare and the bassline |
| It’s face time, commentators they deface my — |
| Place I pick up the pace, 'cause I belong here |
| Marathon man, outlastin the chariot |
| I got a bone to pick and 'bout to bury it This letter goes out to whoever want read it (whoever) |
| Please share it with the world 'cause I won’t repeat it (I won’t repeat it) |
| Believe me, I know who all need it So for you, I wrote this letter (check it out) |
| I woke up, wit' an epiphany (Whaaat?) |
| It’s like this feelin came over me (Whaaat!) |
| 'Cause right is where I’m 'posed to be So for you, I wrote this letter |
| Uh, yo… I awoke wit' a lot on my chest |
| And every breath that I took wasn’t gettin' any better, P I swear, some niggaz wish they could replace me No bullshittin, I watched the rumors chase me |
| 'Til it had me in the corner, (back down) |
| I mean, my back against the wall yo, I thought I was a goner |
| I let the pressure get the best of — |
| I let words make a mess of what’s left of my pride but |
| I refuse to hide, behind the silence and smiles |
| It’s been a while though, you hearin me now |
| Remember every foul comment that you motherfuckers spoke? |
| Well, I +Rakim+ niggaz now, +no joke+ |
| This is no hoax, back to bench scrubs like Tremaine Foulks |
| Coast to coast, please put up a toast |
| For the most, slept on! |
| Better open your eyes 'fore yo' ass get crept on, surprise… |
| This letter goes out to whoever will read it (whoever) |
| Please share it with the world 'cause I won’t repeat it (I won’t repeat it) |
| Believe me, I know who all need it So for you, I wrote this letter (check it out) |
| I woke up, wit' an epiphany (Whaaat?) |
| It’s like this feelin came over me (Whaaat!) |
| 'Cause right is where I’m 'posed to be So for you, I wrote this letter (uh, yo) |
| «The Minstrel Show» is taped in front of a live studio audience |
| At Chop Shop Studios in Durham, North Carolina |
| Funding for «The Minstrel Show» is provided by the Atlantic Group |
| In association with abb Records |
| Production design by Frank William Miller Jr Executive producers: Lowest and Common Denominator |
| On behalf of everyone at the ubn Network |
| This is your announcer Pete Rosenburg saying thank you |
| For tuning in to the biggest colored show on earth |