Things I’ve Been Through

[Intro]
Uh huh. I just wanna thank y'all for takin' the time to listen
(Ah-ha)
I appreciate that

[Verse 1]
Yo, from regular TV to cable; from bouncin' label to label
Just tryna get the horse out of the stable
Was once part of a dynasty, at least I was tryna be
Think it was the time in my life when I was findin' me
Sittin' in the spot with the dimes
Willin' to do anything just to be a Bad Boy at the time (That's right)
Then I rolled the dices, nah the money didn't add up
But just that whole experience, it was priceless
No free rides to the bank, on top of that
Was the untimely demise of Frank (B.I.)
Then the 'No Way Out' tour, we was smoking outdoor
Made 80 stacks off Cee-lo, that's without tour
Videotaped it all, I still watch it now
Travel the world, learned how to rock a crowd
It ain't much but it beats poor
Things that I've been through is all I can speak for

[Chorus: Luther Vandross sample]
I can only speak for
The things that I've been through
I can only speak for
The things that I've been through

[Verse 2]
Now I'm on Ruff Ryders, Interscope, same shit
Partnership, joint venture, fifty-fifty, same split
Jimmy put that money up, two singles off of *We Are the Streets*
Then after that, seemed like he was done with us
But it wasn't over yet, Stout had a plan from the jump
Which was to come out with my solo next
Things a little better, these the niggas that I've been doin' it with forever
So I'm like whatever
First album dropped, promotion was hella
Every stage I rocked, the performance was stella
Had the whole world ready to Ryde or Die for me
And I wasn't even platinum, I was just side money
X was bringin' in the moolah
I was in the hood in the kitchen with the digital ruler
I can't tell you about the evil that men do
I can only speak for the things that I've been through

[Chorus: Luther Vandross sample]
I can only speak for
The things that I've been through
I can only speak for
The things that I've been through

[Verse 3]
As far as The LOX, we all fine, cellar is all wine
Selfish for me to say Roc-A-Fella is all mine
'Cause it ain't, I'm just another employee that's on line
Trying to get my act together and do it one more time
Twenty-one gun salute with all 9's
And I know it's on me to make sure that we all shine
Fall back, let the weed contact your mind
Could find bullshit in any contract you sign
But if you from the streets though, there's plenty of loopholes to eat, yo
Once they let you in, you 'sposed to keep dough
But I can't give you the formula, I'm on it though
Expect the worst, the outcome is enormous though
Stay humble, still keep your heat for insurance though
Things that I been through to get it weren't normal yo
Yeah, this is what my heart beats for
Things that I've been through is all I can speak for

[Chorus: Luther Vandross sample]
I can only speak for
The things that I've been through
I can only speak for
The things that I've been through