Self Esteem (feat. Chuck D)

You got to believe in yourself
Don't let nobody tell you what you can't be
You got to believe in yourself, yeah
And everything else will work out you'll see

You got to believe in yourself
Don't let nobody tell you what you can't be
You got to believe in yourself, yeah
And everything else will work out you'll see

Everybody I think I know, I know I can
I think I know, I know I can
I think I know, I know I can
I know I can, I know I can, ay

You see my poppa was a rollin' stone
And my momma had problems of her own
But I still managed to make it out okay

Although I'm hailed as a hometown hero
Still in my hometown I'm seen as a Negro
But man, that's okay

It's so many obstacles in life to overcome
And as soon as you jump over one here come another come
But we got to be strong and set examples for our sons
If the sun don't shine, then the decayin' has begun

You got to believe in yourself
Don't let nobody tell you what you can't be
You got to believe in yourself, yeah
And everything else will work out you'll see

I think I know, I know I can
I think I know, I know I can
I think I know, I know I can
I know I can, I know I can, ay

They say I'm old enough to go to war
But I ain't old enough to play in the NBA no more
Now you tell me what's wrong with that?

I pledge allegiance all the way to Iraq
But ain't nobody pledgin' to me when I get back
Tell my Uncle Sam he was wrong for that

You see my self-esteem, I'm never leavin' home without it
They told me I'd never make it, they told me I ain't got it
Now tell me whoever make it, now tell me I ain't got it
I'm seein' no limits, nigga who sayin' I ain't 'bout it?

You got to believe in yourself
Don't let nobody tell you what you can't be
You got to believe in yourself, yeah
And everything else will work out you'll see

I think I know, I know I can
I think I know, I know I can
I think I know, I know I can
I know I can, I know I can, ay

Go on Nelly, rock on my brother
Keep your head up over the storm, young fella
Got a letter from the government, opened and read it
And told 'em all to forget it

C'mon, 'cause we believe in the future
Uncle Sam sent his man to recruit ya
You still can't trust it 'cause you came this far
End of discussion when you know who you are

You got to believe in yourself
Don't let nobody tell you what you can't be
You got to believe in yourself, yeah
And everything else will work out you'll see

I think I know, I know I can
I think I know, I know I can
I think I know, I know I can
I know I can, I know I can, ay

You gotta believe it, you gotta believe my brother
You keep doin' your thing
That's right, keep that head up all the way to the future
That's right, for the babies baby, for the babies