Born & Raised Songtext
von Joy Denalane

I was the first of three sisters
My older brothers would treat me like a princess
Sporting flattops and high-top sneakers
My feet too small for my brand-new Adidas

Seven in the evening when my mama calls
We′re playing dodgeball up against the Berlin wall
That's how I was born and raised
Mama, look at where I am today

(It′s alright)
Even though we had to struggle (sometimes)
Even if we stumbled (it's all good)
'Cause I learned how to stay on my feet
(It′s alright)
Even though we had to struggle (sometimes)
Even if we stumbled (it′s all good)
'Cause I learned how to do for me, yeah


If my life′s like your life, then I want for you to know
There's not a thing in the world you can′t achieve
If your life's like my life, you got to keep on keeping on
′Cause there's so much more that you can be

16 when I first left home
Already hard-headed thinking I was grown
Berlin girl, half-African, half-Caucasian
Imagine conflicts I'm facing

Skipped school, went clubbing with them black GI′s
Arguments on the phone would make my mama cry
I fell in love with this thug, daddy threw a fit
Only took one year, that nigga′s doing a bid

This is back when P.E. gave us identity
A young girl in the streets of West Germany
That's how I was born and raised
Mama, look at where I am today

(It′s alright)
Even though we had to struggle (sometimes)
Even if we stumbled (it's all good)
′Cause I learned how to do for me


If my life's like your life, then I want for you to know
There′s not a thing in the world you can't achieve
If your life's like my life, you got to keep on keeping on
′Cause there′s so much more that you can be

Hip-Hop Soul was the brand-new age
Became my real love with Mary J
I took my first steps on a spot lit stage
It was clear I was here to stay

See it wasn't always easy on this path I chose
When it starts getting sleazy, don′t know friend from foe
That's when I learned to discern and stand up for me
And took control of my own destiny

If my life′s like your life, then I want for you to know
There's not a thing in the world you can′t achieve
If your life's like my life, you got to keep on keeping on
'Cause there′s so much more that you can be

(It′s alright) it's alright
(Sometimes) sometimes
(It′s all good)
I know it's a struggle
But I know it′s gonna be alright (it's alright)
(Sometimes) sometimes
(It′s all good) it's all good
If you love me, stay on your own too

If my life's like your life, then I want for you to know
There′s not a thing in the world you can′t achieve
If your life's like my life, you got to keep on keeping on
′Cause there's so much more that you can be