[Intro: RZA] I wanna dedicate this song to the young god, Kareem The Genius... Digi... Say it to 'em roof angel
[Hook: Thea] Learn to keep my head up to the sky And ask myself why, it has to be this way I'd like to live my life in peace And health, not to worry about All the dramas of the day
As we strive for luxury And try to feed our families It always seems that someone's in your way I'd like to live my life in peace And health, not to worry about All the dramas of the day
[RZA] (Monk) I met a young brother, about 28 Who seemed intelligent and rather quite straight
I greeted him, and struck up conversation To see if the youngster had some self motivation
Peace brother, whats your name? How you be? (I'm Rugged Monk and I'm all about the currency)
[Monk] (RZA) (You mean gettin' paid?)
Yeah like my man's brother Who has a condo, he shares with his baby mother
You know a condo beats my apartment With no lights, no gas and backed up rent
No hot water or heat, infested with plenty rats That'll eat up the average alley cat
(I'm like damn, homey, thats poverty) (He's like) Word O.G. that bothers me
Plus I'm about to be a new father, G (We need to wise up and change the hood policy)
[Hook]
[RZA] (Monk) {both} Yo, why you fear the devil, as a grown man? Why you not out there trying to make your own plan?
See we are a victim, of a situation Where a wicked man, separated the nation
And got us killin' off one another Black on black, they pit brother on brother
It's gettin' hot, hotter than July See the murder and crime rate is risin' to the sky
(For example, in my neighborhood it's so hot I'm often woke up, from the alarming sounding of a shot)
(So I'm thinking what), Is your neighborhood a trap? {Could this be the place marked X on the map?}
(And I'm spotted like a target in a shooting gallery So I strive to seek for a better salary
So I can escape from where? From this ghetto life area {Cuz everyday it gets scarier}