Everything I Am
Kanye West Lyrics

Damn, here we go again
Starting again, facing the same struggles.

Common passed on this beat
Common did not want to use this beat.

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 weaknesses and failures made me who I am today.

People talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
Critics and haters spread rumors and negativity until something big happens.

I'll never be picture-perfect Beyonce'
I cannot achieve perfection like Beyonce.

Be light as Albi or black as Chauncey
I cannot change my skin color.

Remember him from blackstreet
Referencing a member from the R&B group Blackstreet.

He was as black as the street was
He was very dark-skinned.

I'll never be as laid back as this beat was
I cannot be as relaxed as the beat of the song.

I never could see why people'll reach a
I do not understand why people try to be something they are not.

Fake-ass facade that they couldn't keep up
A phony front that they cannot maintain.

Ya see how I creeped up?
You see how I gradually became successful?

Ya see how I played a big role in Chicago like Queen Latifah?
I had a positive impact on Chicago like Queen Latifah did.

I never rock a mink coat in a winter time like Killa Cam
I do not wear fur coats like rapper Cam'ron.

Or rock some mink boots in the summertime like Will.I.Am
I do not wear fur boots in the summer like rapper/producer will.i.am.

Let me know if you feel it man
If you understand this, show me.

Damn, here we go again
Starting again, facing the same struggles.

Everybody sayin' what's not for him
Everyone saying what I cannot do.

And I'm back to tear it up
I am back to be successful.

Haters, start your engines
Jealous people get ready to attack me.

I hear 'em gearin' up
I hear them preparing to hate on me.

They forget to get their haircut
They are too busy talking about me to take care of themselves.

Okay fair enough, the streets is flarin' up
The city is experiencing violence.

Cause they want gun-talk, or I don't wear enough
People want to hear about guns or they do not like what I am wearing.

Baggy clothes, Reebok's, or A-di-dos
Fashion trends in hip-hop culture from the 90s and 2000s.

Can I add that he do spaz out at his shows
I have a reputation for passionate performances.

So say goodbye to the N-double-A-C-P award
I am not accepted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Goodbye to the India Arie award
I am not recognized by the India Arie Awards.

They'd rather give me the nigga-please award
They would rather not give me an award at all.

But I'll just take the I-got-a-lot-a-cheese award
I will gladly take the award for making a lot of money.

Damn, here we go again
Starting again, facing the same struggles.

I know that people wouldn't usually rap this
I know people usually do not talk about issues like this in rap songs.

But I got the facts to back this
I have evidence to support what I am saying.

Just last year, Chicago had over six hundred caskets
Reference to the high homicide rate in Chicago.

Man, killin's some wack shit
Killing is a horrible act.

Oh, I forgot, 'cept for when niggas is rappin'
Only in rap music is violence accepted.

Do you know what it feel like when people is passin'?
Do you know how it feels when people are dying?

He got changed over his chains, a block off Ashlin
A reference to a local tragedy in which a man was killed for his jewelry.

I need to talk to somebody, pastor
I need to speak with a religious leader for guidance.

The church want time, so I can't afford to pay
The church charges money for their services.

The slip on the door, cause I can't afford to stay
I cannot afford to keep my home, so I am struggling to survive.

My 15 seconds up, but I got more to say
My brief moment of fame is over, but I still have more to say.

That's enough Mr. West, please no more today
Please stop talking, Mr. West.

Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
My weaknesses and failures made me who I am today.

Damn, here we go again
Starting again, facing the same struggles.

People talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
Critics and haters spread rumors and negativity until something big happens.

Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
My weaknesses and failures made me who I am today.