U LET ME GROW

Last year, we did a record, that was dedicated to all our mothers

Shortly . yeah you can give it up for that...

Shortly after, doin' the record, uh my mom, my mom passed away

So my mom never got to hear this record

And this song means a lot to me

And my big brother Masta Ace is gon', gon' help tie the story together

We might get a 'lil, a 'lil emotional

But y'all have to bear with us it's the first time we doin this record

One month later, unexpectedly, my mother passes away

And I didn't get a, she didn't get a chance to hear the song either

So this song is extra special to both of us

We've never performed this song before

We wanna share this with y'all. Is that cool?

Thank you momma, for everything that you've done

Livin' in the slums, single mom, and you raised a son

I wanna thank you for the sacrifice

For a lot of kids in the hood, life wasn't half as nice

Used to take me out to Coney Island

I don't recall many tears, I remember only smilin'

I wanna thank you for the education

The college tuition, and all of life's preparation

I used to think is was the worst day

When you said I had to leave by my 21st birthday

I didn't get it then, I understand now

All is good, your boys a grown man now

I got a plan now, and I'm fine look

And all my thanks couldn't fit into this rhyme book

I ain't gon 'wait until you can't say it back

To tell you that I love you on a track, I love you

Made me strong like you, wipe these tears when I cry

Let your fingers wipe the cold from my eyes

I'm ya baby, taught me to stand on my own

But couldn't show me, some of the things I ain't know

You let me grow

Days like this, momma said there would be

Ten centimeters dilated, then you pushed me

Ain't psychic, but been down the paths I traveled

Decisions are the roads in life, that has no arrows

Became a compass, I always had home as an option

You accomplished on your own, after you were adopted

Knew that, only you made me a stronger person

Not those R rated movies or those songs with curses

Was worth it, and it shows, but each day I'm annoyed

Workin' to avoid, being Tyrese in Baby Boy

Dated women that you didn't like, friends I defended

You new that girl wasn't the one, and those friendships ended

Said your peace then let me grow

Head to toe, let me know, lessons though

What's best that kept me from dead below

Places I begged to go

Let me when bread was low

Extra dough could've said no, now I'm set to go

You the best momma, you definitely better than the rest momma

Always did your thing to keep me freshly dressed momma

And not once, did I ever see you stress momma

I'm so impressed momma

You was the sun on my cloudy day

And if you couldn't be that, you would take them clouds away

Wow, I hope you smile to what I'm bout to say

I love you moms and I hope I make you proud today

Lunches for school, you would always pack the nicest

They was great, now I appreciate them sacrifices

When I was wrong you would let me know

But at times you would let it go, just so you could let me grow

Basketball, I don't think you ever missed a game

If we lost you would say its okay it's just a game

I owe you so much and I can never pay you back

But I give you music, now just lay back and play the track

Made me strong like you, wipe these tears when I cry

Let your fingers wipe the cold from my eyes

I'm ya baby, taught me to stand on my own

But couldn't show me, some of the things I ain't know

You let me grow

Send this out to all the mothers

Check it

Yo, my version of a Mother's Day card

A blessin from God

Our relationship left me permanent scarred

Struggled with jobs, straight crazy, my main lady

Your pockets was as broke as the promises you gave me

Late eighties, dated men that were straight shady

You partied

I was at the babysitters daily

Seen rarely, stayed missin', stayed riffin'

I seen you fight the world, your pops, and a drug addiction

Contradictin', on my mother I was callin'

Ignorin', grams raised your son like mornin'

Tears fallin', you missed the growth and progression

I'm at the graduation, without a cheering section

Harsh lessons, I would live it again

Cause all of this still made me the man that I am

Mother and friend, forgive you for all your mistakes

I'm forgettin' the past so let's start with a clean slate

Love