[Verse 1]
I grew up in the same places as
Ricky got shot in the face
I saw Abraham's brain split on the pave
He jumped off the block, right where the kids play
We used to sit everyday
Chattin' shit, We all strayed
I guess its deep-seeded urban decay
From my angle I can see the ghetto burning away
I wanna cry, I find myself turning away
This kid 16, Burning the yay
Mislearning the game
I send a prayer for the pain

[Hook]
As I stand here
Oooooo
Watching the world go round
How it always gets me down
Is it supposed to be like this?
Like this?
As we ride, (As we ride)
Oooooo
To gain an edge in life
Someone always seems to try
To come in the way, Is it supposed to be like this?

[Verse 2]
I come from a place where
You can't tell what's round the corner
Going to jail, Or fail
Getting fucked up
Like them little black kids from Bronxtale
Well, As long as we're living in hell
In the streets violence will always dwell
I can tell you a thousand tales
Documented in detail
And most niggas can relate around the world
My nigga Kurt got found
With bullet rounds in his chest
Up in the ATL
And the papers hate me well
I'm trying to revoke the violence
Not promote the violence
This is my broken silence
And you can hear my screams louder than police sirens
I'm tryna fight back
Like my nigga little Byron
Just as long as I love and stay vibrant
I shall provail
And I shall not betrayal
I shall put my hands up at the end and say I done well
Only time will tell, fo' real

[Hook]

[Verse 3]
(Last verse coming from the heart)
I guess we need more stability
It's like we're imprisoned in the ghetto and it's getting to me
To the point where I'm feeling institutionalised
Look in my eyes
You'll see pain in it
But who can decide?
Whether I stay entrapped in
Packed in
Or fly from the restraining of thoughts packed in
-side my brain but
I proclaim that I will withstand the rain in
- order to get out this game, plus
The media, Government
Tried to blow us
But they can't out the flame
Or doubt the name
Shit and your evolution's about to change
Trust me
Sitting round tables with the ties and shirts
With the lust to discuss me
You disgust me
So I must be
As level headed as I can
To never back pedal on the plan
So we can all hold hands together
Unite so we can live as one

[Hook (x2)]