Verse one focuses on the hardships of growing up with a single mother. CL Smooth raps about how his father did not play a role in helping his mother raise him or his sister, and how his mother was forced to take on both roles in the household. He says that although his mother raised him right, he still needed a male figure in his life. He ultimately concludes the first verse saying that the lack of male leadership destines young men to repeat the cycle of not being involved in their own children’s lives. In the second verse, CL Smooth talks about how his uncle played the crucial role of a male father figure in his life and helped him become a man and how more males need to make a positive impact on the community. Finally in the third verse, CL Smooth speaks to his friend Troy. He thanks him for being one of the only people who believed in him and kept him on the right path. He then continues to update Troy on the well being of his family and saying that they reminisce about him. References and cover versions The song has been lyrically referenced by numerous artists, including "My Advice 2 You" by Gang Starr off the Moment of Truth album, "Home of the Greats" by Black Milk, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" by Kanye West, "Reminisce" by Mos Def, Bilal, and Common, "Ego Trippin' (Part Two)" by De La Soul, "Memory Lane" by Nas, "Stay Around" by Talib Kweli, "It Is Me" by Method Man, "Nostalgia" by Chance the Rapper, "I Want You" by Common, "School of Hard Knocks" by Californian Rock/Rap group P.O.D., and "More" by Flying Lotus featuring Anderson .Paak. The title of Shaquille O'Neal's song "Biological Didn't Bother" is taken from the song's lyrics. The duo of Rock and Smooth themselves lent their voices to a 2003 version of the song titled "Reminisce '03", by Mr. Cheeks. A sample of the song was used in the remix to Mary J. Blige's single "Reminisce". The instrumental version is the main song from the video game NBA Street Vol. 2. The song was also featured in the video game Madden NFL 12 as part of that game's EA Trax. In 2012, Lupe Fiasco's song "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" from Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 recreated