(Song begins with the iconic, somber synth-string melody and a deep, steady kick drum)) [VERSE 1] As I walk through the streets of my old 'hood, where the green once stood I take a look at my turf and see it's not good, and it's misunderstood 'Cause I've been chillin' in Liberty for five long years, dodgin' the stress But a phone call 'bout my mama's death put my mind to the test Got off the plane, got jacked by the man, CRASH put a gun to my head Sayin', "Work for us or your brother's dead," fillin' my heart up with dread So I go back to the Grove, to the set, to the fam I left behind See the Ballas in purple runnin' the line, leavin' nothin' but decline Sweet talkin' 'bout reclaimin' the block, Ryder's talkin' that mess Big Smoke orderin' from the Cluckin' Bell, but somethin' felt like a test... [PRE-CHORUS 1] I'm sprayin' over tags in the night, reclaimin' the green light Doin' drive-bys for the Family's name, tryna win back the same game But with every mission, a suspicion, a distant, twisted aim. [CHORUS] 'Cause I've been spendin' most my life Livin' in a Grove Street Paradise We've been sprayin' green so long That even 8-ball thinks my mind is gone But I ain't never crossed a homie that didn't have it comin' You better watch how you're talkin', and where you're walkin' Or you and your homies might be leavin' in a hearse You really think Grove Street's the worst? (Musical break: The beat simplifies, focusing on the bass and kick, the choir hums in the background)) [VERSE 2] We built the respect, took Glen Park back, put the Ballas on the run Started recruitin' homies, seven deep, under the Los Santos sun Cesar pulled me to the side, my sister's man from the Aztecas Said, "Keep your eyes on your so-called friends, 'cause power breeds a deceiver" We was ridin' high, plannin' the next attack under Mulholland Intersection Sweet's eyes blazin' with the will to fight, demandin' total correction Then Cesar called, said, "Meet me now, ese, I saw a green Sabre roll" That's the car that killed my mama, man, that story's takin' its toll. [PRE-CHORUS 2] We peeped the scene from the Verdant Bluffs, my heart turned to stone, what the— There's Smoke and Ryder shakin' hands with Tenpenny and the Ballas crew A green Sabre in the garage, and everythin' I knew was through. [CHORUS] 'Cause I've been spendin' most my life Livin' in a Grove Street Paradise We've been sprayin' green so long That even 8-ball thinks my mind is gone But I ain't never crossed a homie that didn't have it comin' You better watch how you're talkin', and where you're walkin' Or you and your homies might be leavin' in a hearse You really think Grove Street's the worst? (The music shifts for the BRIDGE. The beat becomes more sparse and tense, maybe just a light hi-hat and the ominous synth pad, allowing the story to take center stage)) [BRIDGE - THE PLOT TWIST] ...So it was all a lie. A set-up from the jump. My mother's death… a hit meant for Sweet, to make the Family slump. The cash, the power, the crack empire—that was Big Smoke's dream. While Sweet fought for the old ways, Smoke was scheamin' with the team. Ryder, that fool, with his "Busta!" talk, was in on the play. And Tenpenny's badge was the cover that let 'em all get away. They weakened the Grove from the inside out, with poison on the block. Made the sets turn on each other, 'til the whole thing was in shock. I rushed to the ambush, but it was too late, Sweet was hit, bleedin' out. The police swarmed in, not to save us, but to end all doubt. They took my brother, exiled me north, said, "Don't you ever come back." Left me in the country, thinkin' 'bout the Family and all we lacked. The Paradise was a prison. The green was just a color. The real gangsters wore suits and badges, makin' your own brothers smother ya. I lost my home, I lost my set, to the lure of the purple cash. Watchin' my Grove Street Paradise go up in betrayal's ash... (The full beat crashes back in with powerful emotion, leading into the final chorus)) [CHORUS] 'Cause I've been spendin' most my life Livin' in a Grove Street Paradise! We've been sprayin' green so long That even 8-ball thinks my mind is gone! But I ain't never crossed a homie that didn't have it comin'! You better watch how you're talkin', and where you're walkin'! Or you and your homies might be leavin' in a hearse! You really think Grove Street's the worst?! (Outro: The music fades with the haunting choir vocals, repeating "Grove Street Paradise..." as it echoes out))
