Know my place? My place is at the top.
There is no "started from the bottom"
because I was always here.
I didn't need to climb. I didn't need an invitation,
because I don't need validation.
Not even in a white man's nation.
So my complexion is a little dark,
and I don't have the preferred parts.
You still can't tell me apart from
Patrick or Stephen on a chart.
Oh, I'm sorry, it's not very polite to
assume you've all got the same names,
just 'cause you're white.
But no one seemed to care about political correctness
when I got confused with "Latoya" at the dentist.
And for those in the back screaming "yass girl, slay!"
I need y'all to understand, I do this every day.
This isn't an act, this isn't a gimmick.
This is my 9 to 5. This is my business.
This is my career. This is my proffession.
Standing here, big and tall, screaming my confessions.
'Cause I want y'all to get it, life is hella hard,
but being black and beautiful, that's a true art.
So, for the Latoya's and the Lashauna's and
Miss Jackson's, if you're nasty,
don't forget that they dress in black to stay classy.
Don't let them steal that smile off your face.
They're only mad because they
know your place.
There is no "started from the bottom"
because I was always here.
I didn't need to climb. I didn't need an invitation,
because I don't need validation.
Not even in a white man's nation.
So my complexion is a little dark,
and I don't have the preferred parts.
You still can't tell me apart from
Patrick or Stephen on a chart.
Oh, I'm sorry, it's not very polite to
assume you've all got the same names,
just 'cause you're white.
But no one seemed to care about political correctness
when I got confused with "Latoya" at the dentist.
And for those in the back screaming "yass girl, slay!"
I need y'all to understand, I do this every day.
This isn't an act, this isn't a gimmick.
This is my 9 to 5. This is my business.
This is my career. This is my proffession.
Standing here, big and tall, screaming my confessions.
'Cause I want y'all to get it, life is hella hard,
but being black and beautiful, that's a true art.
So, for the Latoya's and the Lashauna's and
Miss Jackson's, if you're nasty,
don't forget that they dress in black to stay classy.
Don't let them steal that smile off your face.
They're only mad because they
know your place.