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