Born where the sirens sing lullabies at night, Streetlights flicker like they scared of the fight, Concrete jungle raised a soul so cold, Chasin’ fast money, dodgin’ stories untold. Mama im a criminal I was young, heart numb, with a criminal mind, Tryna outrun the past but the past don’t rewind, Yeah the block taught lessons school never did, Now I’m livin’ with the choices that I made as a kid. Product of the pressure, poverty professor, Pain was my mentor, anger my investor, Every alley whispered, “Power or perish,” Dreams got buried where the roses don’t flourish. Mama prayed hard but the rent stayed due, Fridge light brighter than the hope we knew, Fast cash flashing like a devil in disguise, Gold on my neck but regret in my eyes. Running with wolves, loyalty thin, Trust get you hurt, so I trust my sins, Courtroom echoes, cold steel cuffs, Judge read my future, said “you had enough.” Now I reflect when the cell door slam, Mirror on the wall like “who I am?” Street code heavy but the soul feel tired, Built my own cage from the life I desired. Born where the sirens sing lullabies at night, Streetlights flicker like they scared of the fight, Concrete jungle raised a soul so cold, Chasin’ fast money, dodgin’ stories untold. Mama im a criminal I was young, heart numb, with a criminal mind, Tryna outrun the past but the past don’t rewind, Yeah the block taught lessons school never did, Now I’m livin’ with the choices that I made as a kid. Respect felt better than a minimum wage, Fame on the corner was a gilded cage, Enemies lurkin’, paranoia thick, Sleep with one eye open, dreams move quick. Brother turned rival over pride and greed, Blood on the pavement where we used to dream, Siren crescendo, blue lights spin, Freedom got shorter every time we’d win. Now the pen scratches truth on the page, Wisdom cost time, every year my wage, If I could talk to that kid back then, I’d say “Power ain’t worth what you lose, my friend.” Criminal past but a future to write, Darkness don’t own you — step into light.
