A Dream
Faith Evans/Jay-Z/The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics

It was all a dream
The experience was only a dream

Last night I had a dream
The singer recounts a dream they had

Thoughts was racing through my head
The singer's mind was active and busy

It was all a dream
Reiterating that the dream was not real

Felt so real to me
Although it was a dream, the artist experienced it vividly

"Had a dream," I said, "'Bout who he said?"
The singer recounts what they said in the dream

"'Bout B.I.G.," I said, "That's big he said"
The singer reports the content of the dream conversation

"Dig what he said", "Proceed," he said
The artist recalls B.I.G. offering encouragement

"Indeed," I said, so, breathe I did
The artist responds positively

"Don't repeat what I say," I said, he said nothing
The artist is instructed not to repeat something, and B.I.G. does not respond further

He agreed with his head, he just nodded like this
B.I.G. expresses agreement nonverbally

What I believe to be a yes I repeated what was said
The artist assumes agreement and repeats what was said

"It came to me like a whisper last evening," I said
The singer describes how the dream conversation occurred

"What's the deal playboy?" was the greeting he said
B.I.G. greets the singer in the dream

First thing I wanted to know, what's the reason he was dead
The singer asks about B.I.G.'s death

"Mo' Money, Mo' Problems, better believe it," he said
B.I.G. attributes his death to the perils of fame and success

"Careful what you wish for you might receive it," he said
B.I.G. cautions the artist about the negative aspects of success

"I see," I said, "jealousy," I said
The singer identifies the source of negativity towards B.I.G.

"Got the whole industry mad at me," I said
B.I.G.'s success has garnered him criticism from others in the music industry

Then B.I. said, "Hov' remind yourself
B.I.G. offers further advice

Nobody built like you, you designed yourself"
B.I.G. offers praise and reminds the artist of their unique qualities

"I agree," I said, "My one of a kind self"
The artist accepts B.I.G.'s encouragement and praises themselves

Get stoned every day like Jesus did
An allusion to the Biblical story of Jesus fasting in the desert

"What he said," I said, has been said before
The artist recognizes the wisdom in B.I.G.'s words

"Just keep doing your thing," he said, say no more
B.I.G. offers final words of support

It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! magazine
The singer reminisces about their past

Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
The singer remembers popular music acts from their youth

Hanging pictures on my wall
The artist describes decorating their space as a youth

Every Saturday, "Rap Attack," Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
The artist recalls listening to popular radio shows as a youth

I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
The singer reminisces about their love of music as a youth

Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
The singer describes some of their youthful indulgences

Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
The artist describes a particular piece of clothing they used to wear

With the hat to match
The artist describes a matching accessory

Remember Rappin' Duke? "Duh-ha, duh-ha"
The artist references a popular song from their youth

You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far
The singer reflects on the success of the hip-hop genre

Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
The artist takes pride in their success as a rapper

Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
The singer celebrates their financial success

Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
The singer acknowledges their past mistakes

Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
The singer reflects on their past struggles

Peace to Ron G, Brucey bB, Kid Capri
The artist acknowledges popular DJs from their past

Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
The artist continues listing DJs

I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
The singer references people who doubted their success

Call the crib, same number same hood, it's all good
The singer embraces their roots and identity

Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
The artist asserts their status as a successful artist