I was born three six seven eighteen with ???? on the wisdom Hail to the moon, just like Kunta Kinte That means I'm gifted from the get-go Mom's you never let go Mad thanks for raising me right, bro' You gave me confidence to stop the nonsense Didn't live in Bel Air like the Fresh Prince Times are hard, times are rough Didn't have Toys R Us toys, but I had enough love Plus the guidance from above To go to the park, sweatin' push and shove Maybe then for a dunk like you told me Then there were a few times when Dad had to scold me Prayed for my safety, I know how you was feeling Didn't want me wheeling and get to drug-dealing Remember when you asked me this one day Who I wanna' be like, I said Dr. J Then you said, "Good, now you gotta' go "Take the damn ball and slam it through the hole." Mom cracked a smile, Daddy gave a frown I said to myself, "I can't let them down." So make way, I'm coming in for a landing And nothing's gonna' stop me, from being outstanding
I'm outstanding
Now let's skip to the time when I was fifteen Shaq is in the house... no, Shaq is on the scene! Now my name's in papers, girls caught the vapors Kids look up to me like a skyscraper Now, a role model... I mean a role figure Then I ask myself, can I get any bigger? My dream is coming true, but coming true slowly Then I remember what Mom and Dad told me "Remember this, son, do all the runs Shoot your gift like a gun and never forget where you come from You're young, gifted, and Black If they can't say Shaquille O'Neal then make 'em scream, 'Shaq!'" Like the fam' do, in the stands who When I freak the funk on a dunk they, "Ahhh! Oooh!" From high school to college, they gave me enough knowledge Make that gift and now it's Time for me to fulfill my dream To be in the [leaders' game?] like Dakeem I'll make the backboards shatter Fans chit-chatter Even make the other [sen-tails?] get madder That's me. Who can it be? The master of disaster, seven foot three Brother, ain't no other in the nation I'm born from my mother but I'm God's creation I'm outstanding
I'm outstanding
Cause now I'm outstanding Wave your hands and pump your fist When I'm on the court you know it's strictly "Swish!" Cause there's some things that I gotta' do: Tape up the ankle, pump up my Shaq-shoe And now it's time to take care of business To run up the court with Nick and Dennis Scott, but I won't stop Gotta' keep striving until I reach the top Gonna' take a peek over the mountain I flow like a fountain Peace, I gotta' go! And I'm out and... But before I go, wave your hands Peace to all my family, friends, and fam I'm outstanding
"The Payback" by James Brown "Don't Stop the Music" by Yarbrough & Peoples "Outstanding" by The Gap Band "Jingling Baby" by LL Cool J