There used to be a time when you could just say a rhyme And wouldn't have to worry about one of your people dyin' But now it's elevated cuz once you put someone's kids in it The shit gets escalated, it ain't just words no more is it? It's a different ball game, callin' names and you ain't just rappin' We actually tried to stop the 50 and Ja beef from happenin' Me and Dre had sat with him, kicked it and had a chat with him And asked him not to start it he wasn't gonna go after him Until Ja started yappin' in magazines how he stabbed him Fuck it 50 smash 'em, mash 'em and let him have it But I'm so busy being pissed off I don't stop to think That we just inherited 50's beef with Murder Inc. And he's inherited mine which is fine ain't like either of us mind We still have soldiers that's on the front line That's willing to die for us as soon as we give the orders Never to extort us, strictly to show they support us
Nas
[Verse 2]
I want you to close your eyes
I'm capable of anything, my imagination can give me wings To fly like doves over the streets watchin' many things Kids walkin' home from school on drug block missionaries Pass out papers that read: Love God See faces, cases, judges, juries, masons, lawyers and cops I watch because every thugs face is my mirror But this was one in particular This kid he was the vintage stick em up pro 16 years old, did his jail sentence, nowhere to go Every mornin calls his comrad to come and get him to smoke He insane, already gone mad Blames himself for his setbacks Dangerous street corners where his sets at Slang from dust to dawn, detectives act like they maniacs Chasin' him, his ass was flarin' Smokin' like a chimney, on really, of course he not carin' He need a place to go to keep his mind expandin' I give him a helpin' hand
2Pac
[Verse 3]
Can you picture my prophecy? Stress in the city, the cops is hot for me The projects is full of bullets, the bodies is droppin There ain't no stoppin me Constantly movin while makin millions Witnessin killings, leavin dead bodies in abandoned buildings Carries to children cause they're illin Addicted to killin and the appeal from the cap peelin Without feelin, but will they last or be blasted? Hard headed bastard Maybe he'll listen in his casket -- the aftermath More bodies being buried -- I'm losing my homies in a hurry They're relocating to the cemetary Got me worried, stressin, my vision's blurried The question is will I live? No one in the world loves me I'm headed for danger, don't trust strangers Put one in the chamber whenever I'm feelin this anger Don't wanna make excuses, cause this is how it is What's the use unless we're shootin no one notices the youth It's just me against the world baby