Yeah man, these folks think
Just 'cause 
I won some 
American Idol show
Everything ain't the same
Man you know they see me on 
TVOr up in the crib every week
And you think everything is all good
I mean, it really is all good man, keep secure
From hangin' out late in the 
ElmaTo Beverly 
Hills, California
From heatin' up the leftovers
To becomin' a restaurant owner
From a little block, from a little hood
To the whole world and it's all good
And if ya didn't know
I was a star before the show but if it was
No block, no 
RubenNo hood, no 
RubenNo boulevards, no 
RubenNo corner spots, no 
RubenNo stayin' up late nights
Tellin' mama everything gone be alright
And if it was no you
There would be no 
RubenFrom wearin' my big brother's clothes
To buyin' him a new wardrobe
From listenin' to 
Fred Hammond
To hangin' out with 
Fred Hammond
From a little block from a little hood
To the whole world and it's all good
And if ya didn't know
I was a star before the show but if it was
No block, no 
RubenNo hood, no 
RubenNo boulevards, no 
RubenNo corner spots, no 
RubenNo stayin' up late nights
Tellin' mama everything gone be alright
And if it was no you
There would be no 
RubenThis goes out to the barbershops
The black man's country club
And this goes out to the single mothers
At the laundry mat foldin' the covers
You're my inspiration
And you've been my motivation
And that's why
I had to do this dedication 'cause if it was
No block, no 
RubenNo hood, no 
RubenNo boulevards, no 
RubenNo corner spots, no 
RubenNo stayin' up late nights
Tellin' mama everything gone be alright
And if it was no you
There would be no 
RubenNo block, no 
RubenNo hood and no 
RubenNo boulevards, no 
RubenNo corner spots, no 
RubenNo stayin' up late nights
Tellin' mama everything gone be alright
And if it was no you
There would be no 
RubenHey Ruben let's take 'em to church
If it wasn't for the block, no 
RubenIf it wasn't for the hood, no 
RubenIf it wasn't for the boulevards, no 
RubenAnd and the corner spots, no 
RubenStayin' up late nights
Tellin' mama everything gone be all right
And if it was for you there would be
There would be, no 
RubenHey man 
I don't think they heard you
Ruben let's take them to church
If it wasn't for the block, 
I said no 
RubenIf it wasn't for the hood, no 
RubenIf it wasn't for the boulevards, no 
RubenAnd and the corner spots, no 
RubenStayin' up late nights
Tellin' mama everything gone be all right
Let it be, let it be, no 
Ruben