Ayy, yeah
Yeah
I'm payin', yeah

See, ever since the day I got the chance to make a change
I've been in this game, it's a new day
And I'm makin' it known 'cause I just want the world to know
I'm payin' my dues, and I got the utmost, I just wanna let you know
I'm payin' homage 'cause you've paved the way for me, yeah-yeah

I swear to God, it feel like every day is my birthday
Let the top down, California's my birthplace
So I'ma take you there like B.I.G took niggas to New York
"Juicy" had us feelin' like we was from New York
And that's real shit
Blazed the Philly, it's summertime, shout out to Will Smith
'Cause who didn't wanna be the Fresh Prince
Flat top, gold chain and some fresh kicks?
My nigga Nas told me money make the world go 'round
And Uncle Luke showed me how to make my girl go down
I've been around Hip-Hop since '85
She had her ups and downs but she stayed alive
I used to think LL stood for Love LA
He from Queens, how the fuck he put that with Cool J?
Red Kangol hat, red sweatsuit to match
Red Adidas, nigga, Game is back

And ever since the day I got the chance to make a change (make a change)
I've been in this game, it's a new day
And I'm makin' it known 'cause I just want the world to know (makin' it known 'cause)
I'm payin' my dues (ayy), and I got the utmost, I just wanna let you know (oh)
I'm payin' homage 'cause you've paved the way for me, yeah-yeah

Public Enemy and N.W.A is on my boom box, had to say
Today was a good day, had the hood buzzin'
Ice Cube my favorite rapper, y'all niggas can't tell me nothin'
Everybody's first bootleg was Boyz 'n the Hood
Whoever thought gangsta rap would make noise in the hood
When the cars ride by with the boomin' system
Two door Mustang and the roof was missin'
Every girl at ya school had the new extensions
Even gangstas was dancin' like New Edition
'Cause the house parties stayed rockin' all night
Niggas came through and shot it up but it was alright (alright)
'Cause after the cops left, it was a party then
You down with OPP, then bring Naughty in
They say it never rain in southern California, Tony Toni lied
Sit back, watch Game throw his money in the sky

And ever since the day I got the chance to make a change
I've been in this game, it's a new day
And I'm makin' it known 'cause I just want the world to know
I'm payin' my dues, and I got the utmost, I just wanna let you know
I'm payin' homage 'cause you've paved the way for me, yeah-yeah (I'm payin', oh)

Cash rules everything around me, C.R.E.A.M get the money
In the back, I relax with all the honey's
DJ bring it back, let it go
Mix it in with Black Rob, make 'em say, "Woah"
Every thing full circle, Game livin' major
Girls on my hip like a Skytel pager
Now I'm on the top, let the champagne pop
Throw ya hands in the sky 'cause The Game don't stop
Just a little more change, gotta Benz and the Range
Every rap metaphor always ends in my name
The Kool Hercs, DJ Red Alerts
Before I was born they was talkin' 'bout The Game (yeah-yeah)
Ask a Jay-Z fan 'bout Big Daddy Kane
Don't know him, Game gon' show 'em
Just like they showed me, my lyrics is OG
When it's all said and done, you niggas gon' quote me

Ever since the day I got the chance to make a change (ever since the day, oh)
I've been in this game, it's a new day (and I'm makin' it known)
And I'm makin' it known 'cause I just want the world to know (and I'm makin' it known)
I'm payin' my dues, and I got the utmost, I just wanna let you know
I'm payin' homage 'cause you've paved the way for me, yeah

See, Mary J. I want you to understand
You paved the way (for me)
I'm givin' homage (to you) Writer/s: Dahoud Darien, Ervin Pope, Grenique Harper, Jayceon Taylor, Jerome Foster, Keyshia Cole
Publisher: BRET D. LEWIS DBA SMOKING WORD RECORDS, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind