Its not me exactly, that touches people
Its what I represent
The possibility that dreams long ago, may still come true
Even if they look lost forever

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 wit 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'em and they wish he was there
He had it made like special-ed, about to get the bread
But chose to do somethin' dumb instead
Go to war wit the crew on the other side of town
And was mo ready, and Tony got laid down
He ain't even have a chance
Died for the ambulance even got to'em
So many went through'em
I hate ta tell the story but that's how it is
Growin' up in the hood as a kid

[Chorus: x2]
When you got big dreams,
Don't listen to what nobody say
And don't let nobody turn you away
When you got big dreams,
Keep ya eyes on the prize don't fall to the way side

I know a girl name Gina
That was a hell of a singer
And everybody fell in love wit her when they seen her
Baby girl was on a verge of signing a big deal
18, and life looked so-so real
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
That's the same night that he watched her die
They was trying to hit a lick, but the lick hit back
Put a end ta the deal, and all of that
She ain't even have to be there, he know it wasn't right
Now he gotta deal wit for the rest of his life
And the part I don't like, he ain't even get grazed
But the home girl Gina, is layin' in the grave

[Chorus]

I got a few relatives that give the family drama
Always got they hand out when they see me and my momma
One could of been a doctor, the other a chef
But when he got his own kitchen he was cookin' something else
Now his life in the drain
A trifling 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' lookin' up to be like them
Now I''m throwin' up cash, rollin' up in a Bent
I was stuck wit a dream I had as a shortie
I'll be damned if I let another man support me
Now, uncle June Buck sit, skinny as hell
He got AIDS in his body from the needles he shared
Every time he get his welfare checks,he don't care
If you want to see him got to the crack house, he there

[Chorus]

When you got big dreams [Repeat: x4]
Keep ya eyes on the prize, don't fall tot the way side

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