Intro
its not its not me exactly
who touches people
its what i represent
the possibility that dreams from long ago
may still come true even if they look lost forever

Verse One:

I had a homie named Tony
16, 6"2'
headed to the NBA
straight from high school
my nigga had his ball game on lock
but at the same time
he was in love with the block
all the stuff that came wit it
the drugs and the guns
the gangs, the slang
and all the funds
he just got a letter of intent
from the Cavaliers
sayin how they love him
and they wish he was there
he had it made like special ed
about to get the bread
but chose to do something dumb instead
go to war with the crew on the other side of town
and was more ready
then Tony got laid down
he aint even have a chane
died before the ambulance
even got to him
so many went through him
I hate to tell the story
but thats how it is
growin up in tha hood
as a kid

Chorus:

When you got big dreams
dont listen to what nobody say
and dont let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams
keep your eyes on the prize
dont fall to the waste side
When you got big dreams
dont listen to what nobody say
and dont let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams
keep your eyes on the prize
dont fall to the waste side
reach for the sky

Verse Two:

I knew this girl named Gina
that was a hell of a singer
and everybody fell in love
with her when they seen her
babygirl was on the verge
of signing a big deal
eighteen, and life looked so surreal
She was stuck wit a dude
that was all bad news
and all he ever did was give
baby the blues
but she was true to a nigga
do for a nigga
pop you and ya whole crew
for a nigga
One night he came
picked her up
told her lets ride
thats the same night
that he watched her die
they was tryna hit a lick
but the lick hit back
put a end to the deal
and all of that
she aint even have to be there
he knew it wasn't right
now he gotta deal with it
for the rest of his life
and the part i dont like
he aint even get graze
but homegirl Gina
is layin in the grave

Chorus:

When you got big dreams
dont listen to what nobody say
and dont let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams
keep your eyes on the prize
dont fall to the waste side
When you got big dreams
dont listen to what nobody say
and dont let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams
keep your eyes on the prize
dont fall to the waste side
reach for the sky

Verse Three:

I got a few relatives
given family drama
always got they hands out
when they see me and my momma
One coulda been a doctor
the other a chef
but when he got his own kitchen
he was cookin somethin else
Now his life in the drain
a triflin shame
He all washed up
wife took everything
No car no mo' no house
and everywhere he go
he stole
so they throwed him out
I was growin up
lookin up to be like them
Now Im throwin up cash
rollin up in the Benz
I was stuck wit a dream
I had since a shorty
I be damned if i let
another man support me
now uncle Junebucks sick
skinny as hell
he got AIDS in his body
from the needles he shared
everytime he get his welfare checks
he dont care
You wanna see him go to the crack house
he there

Chorus:

When you got big dreams
dont listen to what nobody say
and dont let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams
keep your eyes on the prize
dont fall to the waste side
When you got big dreams
dont listen to what nobody say
and dont let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams
keep your eyes on the prize
dont fall to the waste side
reach for the sky

When you got big dreams (repeat 4x)
keep your eyes on the prize
dont fall to the waste side
reach for the sky

Writer : DUPRI, JERMAINE/PHILLIPS, JAMES/HARRIS, SHAWNTAE
Copyright : Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing