Lyrics
Don I am in the ghetto, we know the power of the guns
Recognition of the influence and impact of guns in the ghetto
We are the scars of violence
Acknowledgment of the enduring marks left by violence
Son, turn in your guns
An appeal or advice to relinquish firearms
Think my shit is too real for them
Perception that personal experiences may be too raw or intense for others
A young girl killed by a straight bullet in Chicago
Reference to a tragic incident of a girl killed by a stray bullet in Chicago
Same thing in Jamaica queens, right in front of McDonalds
Similar occurrence in Jamaica, Queens, emphasizing the ubiquitous nature of violence
The ghetto’s on fire, the pyro is nothing but sorrow
Metaphorical description of the ghetto ablaze with sorrow and despair
It’s burning inside the soul of the future kids of tomorrow
The deep emotional turmoil affecting the future generation due to current circumstances
We used to use hip hop to teach us the way
Historical use of hip-hop for guidance contrasted with its current perceived inadequacy
For some reason these fucking artists don’t reach us today
Expressing disillusionment with contemporary artists' inability to connect with the community
My little cousin got popped, he was slipping, he wasn’t taught in
Personal anecdote of a relative's tragic death due to lack of guidance
Plus was sipping too much of that vodka puffy promoted
Blaming excessive alcohol consumption popularized by influential figures
My mama died, niggas was sending me yak
Receiving condolences while consuming a type of alcohol ironically named 'black'
It was ironic, that shit was called hennesy black
Implies that drinking this alcohol might drive someone to commit violence (picking up a gun)
Sipping that, make a nigga go and pick up a mac
The temptation to resort to violence under the influence of alcohol
And stick up the spot, when I should wanna rip up a track
Conflict between criminal activities (robbing) and creative pursuits (music)
Say fuck that, …for you on a check
Suggesting a desire to change, wanting more than just a monetary reward
Say…we gotta bring our community back
Advocacy for community rebuilding and restoration
Bring the guns…black, unity back
Call for reclaiming black unity and solidarity
To come with this shit to get rid of that buffoonery rap
Rejecting frivolous and meaningless rap in favor of substance
That soon to be looked as lunacy, cartoonery crap
Describing shallow, superficial rap as foolishness or absurdity
The sooner we maneuver that, the sooner we could react
Emphasizing the need for a swift and decisive response
Fact, it’s triple g’s now who running with me
Asserting leadership and allegiance with a group (Triple G's)
And I’m rep until the pack of wolves come and get me
Commitment to represent until facing overwhelming opposition
A young girl joins a gang out in Brownsville Brooklyn
Narrative of a girl getting involved in a gang in Brownsville, Brooklyn
As down where they got them coke pounds still cooking
Indication of continued illegal drug activities in the area
The prostitutes lurking, they still out here hooking
Presence of prostitution despite the surroundings
The booker still feeling niggas was black and brown looking
Perception of discrimination based on skin color
This little girl one night they gave her a burner right
Explanation of how the girl was initiated into the gang culture
Told her she wanna be gang she gotta earn the stripes
Implies that gaining respect within the gang requires violent acts
Her adolescent didact a lesson to learn in life
The harsh lesson learned in adolescence through a violent act
She shoots a kid in the back ,pow, turns his life, ah
Description of a shooting incident that alters someone else's life
That was the 7th shooting in less than a week
Highlighting the frequency and normalization of shootings in the area
The reason I feel is what I should’ve addressed in this beat
Expressing regret for not addressing the root causes in the music earlier
Check them receipts, funerals consecutively
Observation of consecutive funerals due to ongoing violence
It’s the god, and by the power invested in me
Asserting a sense of authority and responsibility
I’m telling niggas to chill, and go easy on the gun play
Advising restraint and advocating for non-violence
Besides, you gonna have to learn how to fight someday
Encouraging the development of personal strength beyond reliance on guns
Develop a warrior spirit, let your fist talk more than your lyrics…
Encouraging conflict resolution through physical means rather than violence
Check, it’s real whack, that blacks only kill blacks
Highlighting the tragedy of intra-community violence
I know that sound off the wall but it’s real fact
Admission of personal involvement in fatal shootings within the community
I shot about 8 people and they all black
Self-criticism and acknowledgment of guilt for perpetuating violence
I’m a dumb motherfucker’s what I call that
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