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

It was all a dream
The following lyrics is a portrayal of a dream the rapper had.

Last night I had a dream
The dream sequence begins with the rapper introducing the dream he had in the previous night.

Thoughts was racing through my head (it was all a dream)
The dream was so vivid that the rapper's mind couldn't differentiate it from reality.

Felt so real to me
The dream the rapper had felt immensely lifelike.

Had a dream I said, bout who he said?
The rapper recalls dreaming about someone and questioning himself about whom he was dreaming about.

Bout B.I.G. I said, that's big he said
The rapper realizes that in his dream he was conversing with Biggie Smalls (B.I.G.).

Dig he said, proceed he said
Biggie Smalls instructed the rapper to delve deeper into the conversation and continue the discussion.

Indeed I said, so, breathe I did
The rapper agreed to pursue the conversation with Biggie, so he took a deep breath to focus and continue the discussion.

Don't repeat what I say I said, he said nothing
Biggie warns the rapper not to gossip about their conversation and remains silent after the statement.

He agreed with his head, he just nodded like this
Although Biggie remained silent, he acknowledged the rapper's statement by nodding his head in agreement.

What I believe to be a yes I repeated what was said
The rapper verified what he interpreted to be a yes from Biggie by repeating what he said.

It came to me like a well as even I said
The rapper recalled his retort to Biggie's response coming to him naturally, like water flowing from a well.

"You feel playboy," was the greeting he said
Biggie continued the conversation with a jovial greeting, referring to the rapper as playboy.

First thing I wanted to know, what's the reason he was dead?
The rapper was curious about the reason behind Biggie Small's death and puts his question forward to him.

"More money, more problems, better believe it," he said
Biggie gives a reason for his death by saying it was a result of having more money leading to more issues and problems in his life.

"Careful what you wish for you might receive it," he said
Biggie advises the rapper to be watchful of his desires as they might lead to unfavorable consequences.

I see I said, jealousy I said
The rapper reflects on the envy he attracts from the industry due to his success.

Got the whole industry mad at me I said
The rapper acknowledges the industry's hatred towards him.

Then B.I. said, "Hov' remind yourself Nobody built like you, you designed yourself"
Biggie encourages the rapper by telling him that nobody can match his uniqueness since he is the one who created himself.

I agree I said, my one of a kind self
The rapper accepts Biggie's compliment and acknowledges that he is unique.

Get stoned every day like Jesus did
The rapper compares himself with Jesus in terms of being high on weed every day.

What he said, I said, has been said before
The rapper realizes that what Biggie said to him isn't new or original.

"Just keep doing your thing," he said, say no more
Biggie concludes the conversation by telling the rapper to continue pursuing his career.

It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine
The dream shifts from Biggie to the rapper reminiscing about his childhood memories.

Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
The rapper recalls listening to Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D's songs while being driven in a limousine.

Hanging pictures on my wall
The rapper recollects a pastime of his, putting up posters on his wall.

Every Saturday, "Rap Attack," Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
The rapper recalls tuning in to the radio every Saturday to listen to 'Rap Attack' led by Mr. Magic and Marley Marl.

I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
The rapper used to play his cassette until it reached its end.

Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
The rapper reminisces about smoking weed and bamboo while enjoying a bottle of 'private stock.'

Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack With the hat to match
The rapper recollects wearing a red and black lumberjack coat along with a matching hat.

Remember Rappin' Duke? "Duh-ha, duh-ha"
The rapper remembers Rappin' Duke and quotes one of his famous lyrics.

You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far
The rapper marvels at the success and cultural impact of Hip-Hop Music.

Now I'm in the limelight cause I rhyme tight
The rapper acknowledges his newfound fame and attributes it to his musical skills.

Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
The rapper uses a metaphor to express his desire to become rich and successful.

Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
The rapper acknowledges his past as a sinner and indicates that he's inverse to a winner.

Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
The rapper reminisces a time when his financial status was poor, and sardines were his only choice of dinner.

Peace to Ron G, Brucey be, Kid Capri Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
The rapper gives a shoutout to various disc jockeys and radio personalities who helped him progress.

I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
The rapper recognizes that people expected him to become successful.

Call the crib, same number same hood, it's all good
The rapper implies that despite his success, he hasn't changed his number and still lives in the same environment, indicating that nothing has changed.

Uhh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
The rapper concludes the song by saying that people who aren't aware of his success should be informed.