Eric B. & Rakim - In The Ghetto(1997)

[00:34.44] Planet Earth was my place of birth
[00:37.27] Born to be the SOLE controller of the universe
[00:39.97] Besides the part of the map I hit first
[00:42.68] Any a rhyme that I can adapt when it gets worst
[00:45.33] The rough gets going, the going gets rough
[00:47.13] When I start flowing, the mic might bust
[00:49.88] The next state, I shake from the power I generate
[00:52.56] People in Cali used to think it was earthquakes
[00:55.32] 'Cause times was hard on the Boulevard
[00:58.07] So I vote God and never get scarred and gauled
[01:00.72] But it seems like I'm locked in hell
[01:02.56] Looking over the edge but the R never fell
[01:05.20] A trip to slip 'cause my Nikes got grip
[01:07.98] Stand on my own two feet and come equip
[01:10.63] Any stage I'm seen on, I'M LIKE A PHENOM
[01:12.47] I stand alone and need nothing to lean on
[01:16.16] Going for self wit a long way to go
[01:17.91] So much to say but I still flow slow
[01:20.69] I come correct and I won't look back
[01:23.33] 'Cause it ain't where you're from, it's where
[01:25.12] You're at
[01:26.97] Even the (ghetto)
[01:36.92] I learn to relax in my room and escape from New York
[01:38.73] And return through the womb of the world as a
[01:40.54] Thought
[01:41.43] Thinking how hard it was to be born
[01:43.29] BEING EQUIPPED wit no physical form
[01:45.99] Millions OF CELLS wit one destination
[01:48.69] To reach the best part, it's life creation
[01:51.36] 9 months later, a job well done
[01:53.26] Make way, 'cause here I come
[01:55.93] Since I made it this far, I can't stop now
[01:58.64] There's a will and a way and I got THE know-how
[02:01.34] To be all I can be and more
[02:04.02] And see all there is to see before
[02:06.77] I'M Called and go back to the essence
[02:08.58] It's alot to learn so I study my lessons
[02:11.20] I thought the ghetto was the worst that could
[02:13.95] Happen to me
[02:14.80] I'm glad I listen when my father was rapping to me
[02:16.67] 'Cause back in the days, they lived in caves
[02:19.36] ExileD from the original man, a straight way
[02:22.07] Now that's what I call hard times
[02:24.77] I rather be here to exercise the mind
[02:26.53] Then I take a thought around the world twice
[02:29.30] From knowledge NEWBORN back to knowledge precise
[02:32.03] Across the desert, that's HOT AS THE ARABIAN
[02:34.71] But they couldn't cave me in 'cause I'm the Asian
[02:37.42] REaching for the city OF Mecca, visit Medina
[02:39.23] Visions of Neffertiti then I seen a
[02:41.94] Mind keeps traveling, I'll be back after I
[02:44.64] Stop and think about the brothers and sisters in
[02:46.41] Africa
[02:47.36] Return the thought through the eye of a needle
[02:50.18] For miles I thought and I just fought the people
[02:51.96] Under the dark skies on a dark side
[02:54.69] Not only there but right here's an apartheid
[02:57.37] So now is the time for us to react
[03:00.05] Take a trip through the mind and when you get back
[03:02.78] Understand you're third eye seen all of that
[03:03.64] It ain't where you're from, it's where you're at
[03:07.22] Even the (ghetto)
[03:12.72] Even the (ghetto)
[03:38.98] No more props, I want property
[03:40.77] In every borough, nobody's stopping me
[03:43.44] Because I'm thorough, rhymes are making real estate
[03:45.26] For me to own
[03:46.15] Wherever I bless a microphone
[03:48.94] 007 is back and relaxing
[03:50.70] On POINT N' reactin' and ready for action
[03:53.46] I'm so low key that you might not see me
[03:56.11] Incognito and taking it easy
[03:58.87] Quiet, it's kept on a hush hush
[04:01.53] In front of a crowd, I get loud, there's a bumrush
[04:04.28] Be calm, keep a low pro, and play the background
[04:06.01] HOPIN' the wack rapper'LL put the mic back down
[04:09.64] So rip it, break it in half, go head and slam it
[04:12.32] 'Cause when it's time to build, I'm a mechanic
[04:14.11] I'm bonding and mending, attaching and blending
[04:15.96] So many solos, there is no ending
[04:18.66] People in my neighborhood, they know I'm good
[04:21.35] From London to Hollywood, wherever I stood
[04:24.01] Footprints remain on stage ever since
[04:26.87] As I walk the street, I leave fossils and dents
[04:29.52] When I had sex, I left my name on necks
[04:31.39] My trademark was left throughout the projects
[04:34.03] I used to get rich when I played celo
[04:36.72] When I rolled 4, 5, 6, they go we know
[04:39.47] So I collect my cash then slide
[04:42.19] I got my back, my gun's on my side
[04:44.80] It shouldn't have to be like that
[04:46.62] I guess it ain't where you're from, it's where
[04:48.43] You're at
[04:49.32] Even the (ghetto)
[04:54.80] I'm from the (ghetto)
[04:59.39] Word up, peace
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