So Many People

[Chorus: Bilal]

So many people

So many people

So many people

So many people

[Verse 1: Common]

So many people seek her, me especially

The H.E.R. I'm talkin' 'bout right now is Destiny

She and I was 'posed to meet to chop it up

I wanted to ask her in like but I was gettin' stuck

Many times, she said some of that was in my mind

And grind plus the right time equals divine

Ask if I would see a sign where I'm supposed to be

She said, "Just be free and get close to me

Destiny, to get dough, you've got the recipe

And I'm Anita Baker, giving you the best of me"

I got to a spot where I didn't know if you were true

With so many voices, how do I know when it's you?

She said, "I met you, boy, when you was ten years old

That rap that I gave you was a part of your soul

Any time you feel that, know that it's gold

Stick with me and your story will forever be told by many people"

[Chorus: Bilal]

So many people

So many people

So many people

So many people

[Verse 2: Common]

Some people live by her, some ignore her

Her name is Faith, I always loved the aura

The more I got to know her I became like Noah

The ark of my life, a prover and shower

She showed up for me in the darkest times

Conversations with her would spark my mind

My heart would find reasons that I needed her

She saw a future in me, reputation preceded her

Eager to be with her, my soul would leap for her

I lost love once, but still kept keepin' her

My miseducation was the doubtin' in me

Through valleys and Lauryn Hill, she moved mountains for me

The times I was broke, she was countin' for me

Money I would make rappin' over breaks

A Faith like Evans or light from the heavens

Her personality pleasant, still use her like a weapon

Many people

[Chorus: Bilal]

So many people

So many people

So many people

So many people

[Verse 3: Common]

Some people see her for the future, some see her for now

Her name is Hope, she first spoke to me as a child

I would listen, I could see the glisten in her eyes

Her wisdom, it was wise, she envisioned I would rise

Under Chi' city skies, she said I'd become king

She sat by my side and reminded me to dream

Through schemes or  rhymes, a queen sublime

The gates of heaven on Earth, yeah, we would climb

Though it seemed at times I would lose her

To get her back, like The Mack, I had to choose her

Dues of life, strife, struggle to survive

She ran with Jesse and them, they kept Hope alive

She spoke in the eyes of the first Black president

He would bring her around the Southside residents

Medicine for the masses seen through Hope's glasses

I pray that Destiny, Faith and Hope everlastin' for people

[Chorus: Bilal]

So many people

So many people

So many people

So many people

[Outro: Bilal | Malcolm X]

So many people

And what you and I have to let the man know is we are peaceful people

We are loving people

We love everybody who loves us

So many people

So many people

And what you and I have to let the man know is we are peaceful people

We are loving people

We love everybody who loves us

So many people

We are not violent with people

So many people

So many people

So many people

So many people

So many people

So many people

So many people

So many people

You are the very people of God

You do have a responsibility to wake up, clean up, and stand up