Blackboy
Tech N9ne Lyrics

And I was told in school I was a fool and money, I'd never gain none
In school, people told me that I was stupid and wouldn't make any money.

But I used my flow as a tool, they was cruel
I used my rap lyrics to my advantage, but people were still mean to me.

Said I'd be no rapper, but I did work and became one
Despite what people said, I worked hard and became a successful rapper.

Now it's a cryin' shame, I'm buyin' things and they got debts they got to pay back
It's sad that now I'm able to buy things while some of the people who doubted me are struggling to pay their debts.

Cause I'm a Blackboy
I am a black male.

Came from nothing, don't mean my life means nothin'
Just because I came from nothing doesn't mean my life is worthless.

Made it out the game through the pain and sufferin'
I made it out of a tough situation with a lot of pain and struggle.

Yall don't think I see them purses yall clutchin? (I do)
I notice that you're holding expensive items.

Scared when you see me, frauds disappear like a genie
When people see me, they get scared and fake people disappear like magic.

Little white-boys want to be me
Some white boys admire me and want to be like me.

But you don't want to go through What I go through
But they don't want to experience the struggles and challenges that come with being a black male like me.

True definition of a Blackboy
I embody what it means to be a black male.

It must be the way that my pants sag
People judge me based on my clothing style.

Or the sparklin' diamonds on the watch my left hand has
People might also judge me based on my flashy jewelry.

I know my appearance is looking like I am bad
I'm aware that some people may perceive me as a criminal or a bad person based on my appearance.

In your department store all I wanna do is pop a damn tag
I just want to purchase something from the store.

Made it honest, that's why the blacks get mad at you
I made my money honestly, which is why other black people might be upset if they see me buying expensive items.

Even foreigners shop and got big gratitude
Even people from other countries shop at expensive stores and are grateful for the experience.

I make more than you, but you got the attitude
I make more money than you, but you still have a bad attitude towards me.

Like I can't be shoppin' at Saks Fifth Avenue
As a black man, some people don't believe that I belong or can afford to shop at high-end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue.

I'm just tryin' to buy my baby some creed spring flower
I'm just trying to buy a nice perfume for my significant other.

But they don't know that the Tecca Nina cheese means power
They don't realize that my success as Tech N9ne gives me power and influence.

So they look at me like none of my breed brings valor
People judge me and assume that other black males like me don't bring value or worth to society.

Thats why when you see us in passing we seem sour
That's why black males might seem angry or unhappy when passing by strangers.

Last time I checked, my power shockeras
I still have power and influence despite what people might think or assume.

I was on top of the indy charts and not a slotera
I was successful on the independent music charts without the help of major labels.

But I'm the author of darkness and I like the opera
I am the creator of dark and intense music, but I also appreciate classical art forms like opera.

So why when I'm at Macbeth they wont treat me more propera?
So why don't people show me more respect when I attend events like operas or theater productions?

Frontline, shoot, soldiers represent that
I am a soldier and represent my fellow fighters.

Frontline, shoot, Grand Verb, it's the snatch back
Grand Verb is a fellow soldier and has my back.

Head wrapped in the desert, boombox on the camel back
I am a fighter in the desert, carrying my boombox with me.

Escape from the clone lab, fugitives spook black
I've escaped from a place where people are all the same, and now I'm on the run and trying to stay hidden.

With finesse in you, its the knowledge from way back
With intelligence and skill, I am using knowledge from the past.

The prophet of the page don't eat right till it all cracks
As a poet, I will continue to write and express myself even when things get tough for me.

Blackboy rappin' from the pages torn
I am a black male who raps and shares my story despite the challenges and obstacles I face.

Street scriptures more classic than the Jimmy Cracked Corn
My raps are classic and will withstand the test of time, unlike the nursery rhyme "Jimmy Cracked Corn."

A spawn of the movement, keep the music movement
I am a product of a larger movement and will continue to create music to keep that movement going.

So my purpose stays clear and my music stays groovin'
I will continue to create music with a clear purpose and keep the groove going.

I do it for the real, I don't need Jena Six
I am creating music for real people, not for publicity or for a specific cause like Jena Six.

For me to know America is still on that bullshit
My experiences have shown me that America still has many problems and issues to address.

So people think that black are just ball players and singers
Some people believe that black people are only good at sports or music and can't be successful in other areas.

That massa complex is what fuels the street bangers
A sense of oppression and discrimination fuels some of the violence and crime in certain neighborhoods.

And street soldiers to stand up
I want people to stand up against injustice and discrimination.

No choice to get it right, so these Blackboys can finally get they man up
We have no choice but to continue fighting and working towards success, so that black men can finally feel like they are true men in society.

I'm a Blackboy and always gettin' underestimated
People often underestimate me because I am a black male.

But when I move next door, I know you hate it
People are often uncomfortable or angry when a black family moves into their neighborhood.

You had my whole family investigated
Some people might even investigate and try to find dirt on a black family that moves into their neighborhood.

And when they didn't find no crack, you said I ate it
When people can't find any evidence of wrongdoing, they might still accuse a black person of doing something bad or illegal.

Uh-uh, a motherfucker just elevated
But despite those challenges, I am still successful and have risen above the hate and discrimination.

Over ghetto life that was designated
I have overcome the negative stereotypes and expectations that come with growing up in a poor neighborhood.

You see this Blackboy, you know heaven made it
I believe that despite the challenges I've faced, I was destined to be successful.

I don't want to go if I got to integrate it
I don't want to give up my cultural identity and assimilate into mainstream society in order to succeed.

You know pellot boy, be happy you made it
Some people might tell me to be grateful for my success and not complain about the challenges that come with it.

Just take what you got, and stop complainin'
People might tell me to be content with what I have and stop complaining about any issues or inequality I face.

OK, weather man will stop the rainin'
Someone might say they will make things better for me or stop any negative things that happen to me.

On my people head, and start explainin'
They will start to explain and address the issues that affect me and other black people in society.

What your people said, believe in the bible
They might say that I should believe in Christianity and follow the teachings of the Bible.

But you still act barbaric and psycho
Despite those religious beliefs, you still act violent and crazy.

My name is Ice Cube, bitch, it ain't Michael
My name is Ice Cube, not Michael Jackson (who famously had a skin pigmentation disorder).

I'll never bleach my own skin just to be like you
I will never change who I am or try to be someone else just to fit in or be accepted.