Amongst the youngsters, never hung with no punks
Since 8th grade, make way, never faking the funk
My crew wasn't deep, but quality wise, was large
Back then, we wasn't humble we were trying to be stars
But couldn't reach them. I was kinda short but I could speak
And they could never mind the height, I sounded big up on the sequence
Don't mistake me for a rapper jocking your late beats
It's been straight heat since I was at school on 188th street
Was a beast with the pen... well at least to my friends
My job is to ensure the rap's means meet with the ends
Despite the storm, I just write, record, 'til the hype is more
Was between a stellar guy and terrified, what am I fighting for?
I'm certified. Rippin' apart my shirt and tie
Unlimited bars, for certain, I have determined I am like Simba
I deal with Scars trying to hurt my Pride
Look how I've grown, do it all on my own as I verbalize
They say I'm grown, let's just take a look back
I'm grown, lets just take a look back, look back
They say I'm grown, let's just take a look back
I'm grown when I'm up on the track, the track
You ain't alone, said you'd never look back
But I was wrong, let's just take a look back, look back
They say I'm grown, let's just take a look back
Now I'm grown, lets just take a look back, look back
Millennium, flow's venom, windbreakers sport denim
True b-boy, Nike Cortez with holes in them
First show was grade school, flowin' like a wave pool
My addiction is the stage, blowin' up like grenades do
Huh? Asian Rap? There's fame in that? Well, obviously
Some people making mockeries but I don't let that bother me
I just keep moving, pursuing the goals that I can see
These professions I can be, there ain't no way they're stopping me
Drinkin'
Eating well, getting healthy
I wasn't a college dropout but I might as well be
Skipped calculus and engineering, said that I'd be wealthy, instead
I thought that writing rhymes would bring me the bread
My Buzz was Light-years ahead, but this was just a campus
Me and my boys wasn't toys, writing party anthems
The goal was: King size, in my eyes
Mesmerized, from the earth to the sky, no lie
The butterfly feeling
They say I'm grown, let's just take a look back
I'm grown, lets just take a look back, look back
They say I'm grown, let's just take a look back
I'm grown when I'm up on the track, the track
You ain't alone, said you'd never look back
But I was wrong, let's just take a look back, look back
They say I'm grown, let's just take a look back
Now I'm grown, lets just take a look back, look back
And now, I'm graduated, agitated at the hardships
Wondering if I can really get as far as these stars get
And now they rapping about money, cars, and Starships
I'm rapping for the food but they're just rhyming for the market
Damn, my timing must be off, kid. They tell me that I'm old
And that the 90s style is gone, kid. Well, I don't disagree
But this is all that I be working with
And is it cause it's death that I like flirting with?
Certainly. My name is Hydroponikz, don't you try to spark me
Artsy, but my New York game is John Starks-ly
4-5-6, roll Ceelo like it's Yahtzee
Some Youtube fame but wonder what that really got me
But before you tell me put on a suit
I'm 'a kick in the door and put my foot in it, too
So they better be prepared for the moment that I show up
Plenty time to grow up after I blow up, motherf---
They say I'm grown, let's just take a look back
I'm grown, lets just take a look back, look back
They say I'm grown, let's just take a look back
I'm grown when I'm up on the track, the track
You ain't alone, said you'd never look back
But I was wrong, let's just take a look back, look back
They say I'm grown, let's just take a look back
Now I'm grown, lets just take a look back, look back