I was sitting around the other night

And I started to think about what I need in my life

At first, my list was materialistic, selfish and vain

I sure could use a Range Rover decked out with wood grain

A closet filled with brand names like Gucci and Fendi

And enough shoes to make the Foot Locker man green with envy

But then I rethought is that what I really need in my life

Or do I desire that my people endure less strife

Then my list started to transform

I was optimally prime, a man reborn

I really could use love in this world

Not from the masses, but from one girl

Then I had to bite Diddy

What I need is a pretty woman next to me

To share the dreams that I believe

Maybe start a family

Someone who truly understands how to treat a man

This is what I need

But I moved on because love is strong, but I can’t lie on that alone

I could use a real gig, not that $7.50 from McDonald’s asking people “Would you like fries with that?”

I could use some of that good green and I don’t mean weed or grass

I need dinero, some lira, them Benjamins aka cold hard cash

I swear before God I need a break from being black up in here

These cops watching me like I’m Nino Brown , the bust of their career

I need respect and understanding from the woman and man

That call themselves my parents but act like they don’t give a damn

I’m hungry but no Extra Value Meal could fill me

The hunger I want to satisfy is that for knowledge of self

Knowledge of wealth, knowledge of what’s on the top shelf

Three decades on planet earth and I ain’t got a thing to show

Stayed in school all those years, yet there’s still so much I don’t know

I need somewhere to showcase my talents, express my beliefs and views

Can I get a hallelujah, an amen or two

Let me get back on track before I pretend y’all sitting in pews

I need peace of ind that my life has meaning

That I’m not just here for the sake of being

I need to know that my children won’t go through the same shit that I did

Just like our parents did for their kids and their parents did for their kids

I need all my people to know that being black is beautiful

We’re descendants of royalty, there’s nothing we can’t do