Now I Know

Yeah, uh, look
The older I get, the more I realize
Almost everything I believed in
In my life was a lie
It started as a child, first was Santa Claus
Then I believed that a brawl would never come between my dawgs (wrong)
My sister Mary filled me in when I was 7
Told me Hulk Hogan only existed on television (what?)
The Stone Cold Stunner and the Leg Drop?
Scripted, N.W.O and X-Pac? Dang
I used to walk up to the mall to 'matic doors
My momma told me my finger was the power source
So I pointed with my pointer
It was open, then come to find out she was joking
Had to let it soak in, my mind as a boy
Didn't wanna believe that McGwire or Barry were on the 'roids
But when I was young, I thought the world was alright
It's funny, I even thought that Jesus was white, but yo

All that glitters ain't made of gold
It's the things you heard a million times before
It took a lot of time, now I realise
Now I know better
It's better late than never
Now I know

Over the years, I've become more accustomed to pain
I used to believe my dad when he said he'd come to my games
Even believed my momma was a saint and could do no wrong
And then she sat me down and told me how I was born (shoot)
Mind-blown, but now it all makes sense
Why she didn't spazz on me when she caught me having sex
I was perplexed but now I get it
I used to think America was finished with racism
How could I miss it?
I'm mad so many people don't get it
Holding this list of black names but now I'm blacklisted?
Got older, it's like it got no different
I found out that these independent artists aren't independent
Major labels fund them quietly to keep perception
That's deception in the game
Used to believe that I wanted fame
Plus my name written in the lights
Now I know it's so much greater because it's written in the hand of Christ
I used to say the radio would play what the people wanted
Now I know they playing what's payin'
Feeling jaded, but somehow I still believe in God
I even thought of college education and getting a job, man

All that glitters ain't made of gold
It's the things you heard a million times before
It took a lot of time, now I realise
Now I know better
It's better late than never
Now I know better
Yes I know better
Now I know better
Yes I know better
Now I know better
Yes I know better
Now I know better
Yes I know better
Now I know
Too many times before