I Am
Novel feat. Ben Folds Talib Kweli & Spree Wilson Lyrics

I am, reverends′ future black president
I am a young, talented and ambitious person, who has the potential to become the first black president elected by the people's hopes and the support of religious leaders.

I'm what you see rollin′ every day through your resident
I am an ordinary person who lives every day the same as everybody else, and travel regularly through the neighborhoods of the people.

Windows tinted, young and relentless
I am young and full of energy, and like to keep my privacy by having tinted windows in the car.

To the cops, I'm a suspect that fits the description
Unfortunately, I am often suspicious to the cops because of my appearance, and they tend to believe that I match the description of many suspects they look for.

But I am, not a hoodlum, I'm not an abuser
Despite what others might think or believe, I am not a troublemaker nor someone who likes to abuse others.

I′m sort of a connoisseur slash entrepreneur.
I am a person who appreciates and understands the finer things in life, and I also have the skills and mindset to create and grow successful businesses.

I′ve seen a lot of people grow, some went, some came
I have witnessed many people growing, achieving their goals, leaving their previous lives behind, or arriving somewhere new.

Rappers are next-generation shit but I am change.
While rappers are already the next generation of performers, I represent a change that goes beyond music, influencing people's thoughts and society's developments.

At the age of 21 they said I'd be non-existent,
Many thought that I would not exist or succeed after I reached 21 years old due to various reasons.

It′s that, or pleading the trial or being convicted.
I faced the possibility of either pleading guilty or being convicted by a trial for a crime I may or may not have committed.

I guess since I'm alive then I beat the statistics
However, since I am still alive and well, I have defied the odds and emerged victorious against the negative possibilities.

Y′all can all kiss my ass when I am rich.
When I become wealthy, I won't forget those who doubted me, and I will feel a sense of satisfaction that trumps any insult or disrespect toward me.

I'm the sun, I′m light,
I am a shining light that others can look up to and rely on.

I'm much more than your bling or the shine off your ice
Unlike the materialistic things people often value, I am a person with a greater sense of purpose and depth of character.

I'm as, free as a spirit, I′m as fly as a bird
I am free like a spirit and fly like a bird, with no limits, untouchable by any oppressive force in the world.

I'm whatever I wanna be as long as I am heard
As long as my voice is heard, I can express myself and become whoever I want to be.

Cause I am...
All these things I have described and more, make me who I am.

I'm a product of the ghetto, my father′s boy,
I grew up in a poor neighborhood, and I am my father's son.

A brother to my sister, my mother's pride and joy, I am
I have a sister, and my mother loves and cherishes both of us with pride and joy.

The king of all knights I am I am
I am the leader and example for all people to follow and look up to.

I'm the blade of the knife, that slaughtered the lamb
I am the ruthless and powerful force that defeated my enemies, represented by the 'lamb.'

The greatest sacrifice, the son of Abraham
I am like the son of Abraham, who was the greatest sacrifice, and my life has given me the same kind of meaning.

C-E-O, H-N-I-C
I am a CEO, Head N***a in Charge.

B-K-M-C, Talib Kweli
I represent and work with other talented people, like Talib Kweli, as a part of my artistic and business endeavors.

My name roll off the tongue like L-M-N-O-P
My name is easy to say and pronounce, just like the simple letters that make up L-M-N-O-P in the alphabet.

See I am at touch, you can I'm me.
I am a tangible and visible entity that people can connect and relate to, and you can call me anything that you want.

I′m not nobody's toy, I'm not nobody's boy
I am a grown and independent man who will not be controlled or treated like a child.

I am someone′s man, I am someone's joy
However, I am still meaningful and loved to somebody, like a partner or a family member, bringing them happiness and fulfillment.

I am the voice, I am the truth
I am the one who speaks up and shares the real and honest facts, bringing light to the darkness.

I am the choice, I am the proof.
I present people with a choice and a challenge, and I also offer proof that anything is possible with effort and determination.

Like my man from the D
Like a friend from Detroit or someone who has similar experiences and traits.

Gon′ stand on my feet
I will stand strong and grounded even in the toughest of situations.

I am the branch, from the family tree
I am a part of my family's history and legacy, and my actions and achievements can continue to grow and sustain that legacy.

A baby to the leaves, carriers of the seeds
I am like a new generation and a continuation of the family tree, responsible for carrying on the good qualities and upbringing potential future generations.

To carry on the name, to make a man complete.
I am also responsible for maintaining the family's name and honor, and to reach my full potential and become the best man I can be.

De La Soul said I am a beat
A popular hip hop group like De La Soul recognizes my talent and sees me as an exciting and unique performer and musician.

I'm not a dream, I′m not a fantasy
I may seem too perfect or too good to be true, but I am a real and authentic person, not just a figment of someone's imagination.

Right here in the flesh,
What you see is what you get, I am here and present for anyone to witness.

I am out of this world, I am something else
My abilities, talent, and potential surpass anything found or expected in this world, making me truly unique and special.

I am something lived, I am something felt.
Above all, my music and my presence offer people an experience worth living and feeling, with emotions and messages that resonate and inspire many.