Everything I Am
Kanye West¿ÏÑÇ¡¤Î¤Ë¹ÌØ Lyrics

Damn, here we go again
Here we are once again, facing the same old challenges and problems.

Common passed on this beat
Rapper Common didn't want to use this beat, but I did.

I made it to a jam
I turned this beat into a hit song.

Now everything I'm not, made me everything I am
My flaws and imperfections made me who I am today, and I'm proud of that.

People talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
People like to talk badly about me, but when trouble arises, they're nowhere to be found.

I'll never be picture-perfect Beyonce'
I know that I'll never be as flawless or successful as Beyonce.

Be light as Albi or black as Chauncey
I can't change my skin color or physical appearance to fit in with societal norms.

Remember him from blackstreet
I'm referencing Chauncey Black, a member of the R&B group Blackstreet who had dark skin.

He was as black as the street was
An emphasis on Chauncey's dark skin color.

I never could see why people'll reach a
I've never understood why people try to put up a fake front that they can't sustain.

Fake-ass facade that they couldn't keep up
People put on a fake persona that they can't maintain in reality.

Ya see how I creeped up?
Look how far I've come in my music career.

Ya see how I played a big role in Chicago like Queen Latifah?
I've had a significant impact on the music scene in Chicago, much like Queen Latifah had on hip hop in the 90s.

I never rock a mink coat in a winter time like Killa Cam
I don't wear expensive clothing like rapper Cam'ron, famous for his fur coats.

Or rock some mink boots in the summertime like Will.I.Am
I also don't wear expensive fur boots like Will.I.Am, another rapper known for outlandish fashion choices.

Let me know if you feel it man
If you relate to what I'm saying, let me know.

Cause everything I'm not, made me everything I am
My shortcomings and struggles are what made me the successful artist I am today.

Haters, start your engines
Bring on the hate, I'm ready for it.

People talkin' so much shit about me at barbershops
People gossip about me to the point of distraction, even while getting haircuts.

They forget to get their haircut
People are so caught up in talking about me that they forget why they came to the barbershop in the first place.

Okay fair enough, the streets is flarin' up
I understand that tensions are high in the streets and people are angry.

Cause they want gun-talk, or I don't wear enough
People either want me to talk about violence and guns, or they criticize me for not dressing a certain way.

Baggy clothes, Reebok's, or A-di-dos
People want me to dress a certain way, often associated with the hip hop fashion of the time (baggy clothes and popular sneaker brands).

Can I add that he do spaz out at his shows
I'm acknowledging that I have a reputation for being unpredictable at concerts, often getting overly excited or agitated.

So say goodbye to the N-double-A-C-P award
I'm criticizing the NAACP for not recognizing the work I've done in the industry.

Goodbye to the India Arie award
I'm also saying goodbye to an award given out by singer India Arie.

They'd rather give me the nigga-please award
Instead of recognition, I'm often met with criticism and dismissive attitudes.

But I'll just take the I-got-a-lot a-cheese award
I don't need awards to prove my worth, I'm thankful for the success I've achieved.

I know that people wouldn't usually rap this
I know that this song is not typical for the rap genre.

But I got the facts to back this
However, I have real stories and experiences to support my message.

Just last year, Chicago had over six hundred caskets
I'm referencing the high murder rate in Chicago, with over 600 homicides in 2007.

Man, killin's some wack shit
I'm denouncing violence and murder in the strongest terms.

Oh, I forgot, 'cept for when niggas is rappin'
I'm being sarcastic, saying that murder and violence seem to be celebrated in some parts of the hip hop industry.

Do you know what it feel like when people is passin'?
Do you understand the pain of losing loved ones to violence?

He got changed over his chains, a block off Ashlin
I'm referencing a specific incident where a man was killed for his jewelry on Ashland Avenue in Chicago.

I need to talk to somebody, pastor
I'm expressing a need for guidance and support from a religious leader.

The church want time, so I can't afford to pay
Even though I need spiritual support, I can't always afford it because of my financial situation.

The slip on the door, cause I can't afford to stay
I can't even afford to keep my apartment or house, as evidenced by the eviction notice on my door.

My 15 seconds up, but I got more to say
I may no longer be in the spotlight, but I still have important things to say.

That's enough Mr. West, please no more today
I'm admonished by others to stop talking and be quiet, but I won't be silenced.