It's True
Queen Pen Lyrics

Yeah, it's ninety-seven going into ninety-eight,
It is currently the transition from year ninety-seven to year ninety-eight.

And I've been doin' this for mad years, payin' dues.
I have been doing this for many years and have worked hard to earn my place.

This is my heart, my purpose in life,
This work is my passion, and it is what I am meant to do with my life.

And finally I'm on.
I have finally achieved success in my career.

Which brings me to realize that the tough life that I had only made me Stronger, true.
I have come to the realization that the hardships I faced in life only made me stronger.

Richard Stites.
This line is a shout-out to a friend named Richard Stites.

A ha, ha, ha, ha.
These words are a form of laughter or celebration.

I know this much is true.
I am sure about the truth of what I am saying.

Growin' up, didn't want to have nothing to do wit' you.
When I was younger, I did not want to associate with you.

Make you hittin' everybody went to high school wit' you.
You used to bully everyone in high school.

Want to play you close and jump in the pool wit' you.
Now I want to be close to you and enjoy life together.

I don't know what to do, but this much is true,
I am unsure of how to handle this situation, but I know one thing for sure.

And in the hood, they all like to knock your career,
People in my community like to criticize my career.

And turn right around when you hot a gear.
They will suddenly change their tune when I become successful.

I played Midas and told them that it's God I fear;
I do not take credit for my success; I attribute it to a higher power.

That the man upstairs, he control this here
I believe a higher power is in control of my destiny.

And it's funny how, soon as the money piles,
It is interesting how people suddenly want to befriend you when you become wealthy.

Everybody want to play with that brother now,
People want to associate with me now that I am successful.

Run me down, but when the doe gets low, only a few friends roll, you know.
People will talk behind my back, but only a few true friends will stick with me when I am struggling financially.

And Mama, bless her heart, she used to give me strife,
My mother used to give me a hard time.

Said "Lynisse, please do something with your life."
My mother urged me to do something meaningful with my life.

And how it's gon' play out, I don't have a clue;
I am uncertain about the future and how things will turn out.

All I know is this much is true, true.
However, I am sure about one thing.

And I remember when, I used to feen for calls,
I recall when I was desperately waiting for phone calls.

When I hit number one I had to scream out calls.
When my song became a hit, I screamed in excitement.

Used to see my Mama strugglin', worn from work,
I used to witness my mother struggling and fatigued from work.

Told her when I made it big, she never gonna work.
I promised her that when I achieve success, she would no longer have to work.

I used to wish at night that my brothers in the street,
At night, I used to hope for the safety and success of my brothers in the streets.

Hustlin', s***, they would live to the light,
I hoped my brothers would survive the street life and find a better future.

And see another day somehow, find another way I vow.
I made a promise to myself and to others to find another way to live and see another day.

To all my soldiers, I hold you down.
I support and stand by all of my comrades or friends.

From standin' in the rain, to the rovers now.
From standing outside in the rain to driving nice cars now.

I'm screamin your name, to warn you that the rollers is around,
I am shouting out my friend's name, warning them of potential trouble in the area.

To on-stage throwin' it down.
I am now on stage, performing and entertaining people.

No matter where you at, represent your hood.
Regardless of where you are, always represent and stay true to your community.

No matter where I'm at, I'm representing my hood.
I will always represent and stay true to my community, regardless of where I am.

And how it's gon' all play out I don't have a clue;
I still do not know what the future holds or how things will turn out.

All I know is this much is true, true.
However, I am sure of one thing.

I've opened up my eyes to a brighter day,
I have seen a brighter future and have hope for better days.

Nobody in the block gave their life away.
Nobody in my community has lost their life to violence, drugs, or other harmful actions.

We all tryin' to take it easily,
Everyone is working to live a more peaceful and comfortable life.

And everybody want to make it seems is free.
People often appear to be living carefree and easy lives.

Today it's all good and it seemes so strange,
Things are going well today, which seems unusual and peculiar.

Since you look up in the hood now things done changed.
The situation in my community has changed for the better.

Kids they used to be wheelies for blocks,
Children used to ride bikes and do wheelies for amusement.

Is out ridin' their bikes, doin' wheelies for blocks.
Now, children are still riding bikes and doing wheelies, but in a safer environment.

And b****es on the bench, still gossipin', who's she slidin' in, Who's she slidin' with, outside partyin'.
Some people are still sitting on benches gossiping and discussing the social lives of others, while others are outside having a good time.

Old timers in the back playin' dominoes.
Senior community members are playing games of dominoes in the background.

Kids freestyling, all kinds of flows.
Young kids are freestyling and experimenting with various forms of music or expression.

Girls flow through with designer clothes.
Girls are walking around wearing stylish and expensive clothing.

It's day now, but you know how night time goes.
Although things are going well now, it can easily change in the future.

And how it's gon' play out I don't have a clue;
I am still unsure of what will happen in the future.

All I know is this much is true, true.
However, I am confident about one thing.

...you know it's true!
This is a call to acknowledge and remember the truth.