Ghetto, ghetto livin'

These streets remind me of quicksand
When your on it you'll keep goin' down
And there's no one to hold on to
And there's no one to pull you out, you keep on fallin'
And no one can here you callin'
So you end up self-destructin'

On the corner with the toolie on the waist line
Just got outta the bing doin' state time
Teeth marks on my back from the K-9
Dark memories of when there was no sunshine
'Cause they said that I wouldn't make it, I remember like yesterday
Holdin' on to what God gave me

No need to cherish luxuries 'cause everythin' come and go
Even the life that you have is borrowed
'Cause your not promised tomorrow
So live your life as if everyday's goin' be your last
Once you move forward can't go back
Just prepare to remove your past
'Cause ya gotta be willin' to pray
Yes, there gotta be, there gotta be a better way
Yes, ya gotta be willin' to pray
'Cause there gotta be, there gotta be a better day
Whoever said that the struggle would stop today

Rodwell C.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, straight out the trenches shinin'
Woah, woah, woah, woah, I walk in and change the climate (ice)
It's a cold world, make sure you keep your heat with you (for real, though)
Them same ni**** that starved with you, let 'em eat with you (gang)

The police pulled me over for nothin', just because she racist (damn, man)
Two minutes later, it's five police cars
They got me face down on the pavement (goddamn, man)
Just 'cause I'm a black man in America (what about it?)
That's what give them permission to treat us terrible (hell nah)

They say this the land of the free (that's a lie)
It seem like the land of bullshit to me (yeah, yeah)
They say this the land of the free (uh-huh)
But it seem like the land of bullshit to me (uh)" 

This isn't necessarily my favorite song but I remembered listening to this song a few times, it represents the survival and the truth in suffering in communities where African Americans are discriminated against and hunted down. He told many stories about enforcement policies and brutality that weren't equitable to people like him, one involving the death of George Floyd in this song. Where he mentioned "Two minutes later, it's five police cars. They got me face down on the pavement (goddamn, man)." Shows him pinned down in the music video imitating George Floyd's position. It also showed names of victims spray-painted on the police cars, it's a very strong motive that he showed out for these victims. Young Dolph has created countless songs that involved this specific topic leading to his death in Memphis. 

- Anna Y. 

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yeah

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
Oh, what's going on (What's going on)
What's going on (What's going on)
What's going on (What's going on)
What's going on (What's going on)

Right on, baby
Right on, baby
Right on

Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply 'cause our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Come on talk to me
So you can see
What's going on (What's going on)
Yeah, what's going on (What's going on)
Tell me what's going on (What's going on)
I'll tell you, what's going on (What's going on)

Right on, baby, right on
Right on, baby
Right on, baby, right on

Oh, have you looked in the mirror lately? (Lately)
Wish you could trade eyes with me (Because)
There's complexities in complexion
But your skin, it glow like diamonds

Dig me like the earth, you be giving birth
Took everything in life, baby, know your worth
I love everything about you, from your nappy curls
To every single curve, your body natural

Same skin that was broken be the same skin takin' over
Most things out of focus, view
But when you're in the room, they notice you (Notice you)
'Cause you're beautiful
Yeah, you're beautiful

Them men, them gon' fall in love with you and all of your glory
Your skin is not only dark, it shines and it tells your story
Keep dancin', they can't control you
They watchin', they all adore you
If ever you are in doubt
Remember what mama told you

-karen C

It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

It's been too hard living
But I'm afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's up there
Beyond the sky

It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

I go to the movie
And I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me
Don't hang around

It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know, a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

Then I go to my brother
And I say, brother, help me please
But he winds up, knockin' me
Back down on my knees

Oh, there been times that I thought
I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able, to carry on

It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will
- Ibtisam Z.

Nigga, we gon' be alright
Nigga, we gon' be alright
We gon' be alright
Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon' be alright
Nigga, we gon' be alright
Huh? We gon' be alright
Nigga, we gon' be alright
Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon' be alright

Uh, and when I wake up
I recognize you're lookin' at me for the pay cut
But homicide be looking at you from the face down
What MAC-11 even boom with the bass down
Schemin'! And let me tell you bout my life
Painkillers only put me in the twilight
Where pretty pussy and Benjamin is the highlight
Now tell my mama I love her but this what I like
Lord knows, twenty of 'em in my Chevy
Tell 'em all to come and get me, reapin' everything I sow
So my karma come in heaven, no preliminary hearings on my record
I'm a motherf****** gangster in silence for the record, uh
Tell the world I know it's too late
Boys and girls, I think I've gone cray
Drown inside my vices all day
Won't you please believe when I say

Wouldn't you know
We been hurt, been down before, nigga
When our pride was low
Lookin' at the world like, "Where do we go, nigga?"
And we hate po-po
Wanna kill us dead in the street for sure, nigga
I'm at the preacher's door
My knees gettin' weak and my gun might blow
But we gon' be alright

Nigga, we gon' be alright
Nigga, we gon' be alright
We gon' be alright
Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon' be alright
Nigga, we gon' be alright
Huh? We gon' be alright
Nigga, we gon' be alright
Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon' be alright
-Kendall Sutton