Too often troubled youth are told what is wrong with them; rarely are they asked what can be done. Plan B asks us simply to listen.

The “end is hard” in two senses:

• the “end” for the youth described in the story below is not a positive one

• foreshadowing the violent “end” of the gunfight in Raekwon’s narrative verse

Raekwon (or his character here) and his boys are hanging in the front yard, standing “guard,” striking the toughest of outward poses.

This is the style:

You got to take care of your own, the extended “family” of the gang.

A coupe is actually strictly defined as an enclosed car, but convertible coupes do exist.

Put the gun (mag=magazine) to your head.

Everybody is strapped, packing, and generally running the show in the ‘hood.

A series of horror novels and films.

In the song, a blood bath is about to take place.

These lyrics do not vary from the original Lost My Way by Plan B.