I was the first of three sisters
My older brothers would treat me like a princess
Sporting flattops and hightop sneakers

My feet too small for my brand-new adidas
7 in the evening when my mama calls
Were playing dodge ball up against the berlin wall

That's how I was born and raised
Now mama, look at where I am today


[Pre-Chorus:]
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

[Chorus:]

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 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 clubbin 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 ^!$$%'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
Now mama, look at where I am today


[Pre-Chorus]

[Chorus]


Hip Hop Soul was the brand new rage
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


[Chorus]