[Verse 1: Lloyd Banks]
My people ain't your ordinary man and woman
In 1982, a blessing landed on 'em
Then separation came I tried to understand but couldn't
Born with everything that I needed then turned around and took it
New baby from the Southside, beautiful mornin'
The same year Mike Jack dropped Thriller on em
A goat is growin', same time a goat's performin'
National championship for Michael Jordan
For me it's therapy, not just a recordin'
Raised in a crime wave, feel the temperature soarin'
Terrible nights, made out of wonderful mornings
Nike would drop the Air Force 1's, wonder who bought 'em
Product changin' on your TV, Letterman talkin'
The same year they would drop the CD, replace the Walkman
The game is the same, but the names are changin'
Often through disruption, corruption, destruction, extortion
[Hook: Lloyd Banks]
Success is callin' you, the haters hate the sound
From the city of the heartless, niggas tryna make it out
Shit don't stay the same, the world is changin' now
And you ain't gon' get no do-overs, there's no mistakes allowed
To get ahead in life, you gotta shake the crowd
Dedication's lookin' for you, time for you to take the vow
Here's your opportunity to take the crown
Am I my brother's keeper? Gotta be, my neighbor's foul
[Verse 2: Ransom]
In 1982, my pops had the Benz in navy blue
When Big Champ had them shootouts with Crazy Lou
See, back then, even the runners had Mercedes too
Crazy Lou killed Champ and said, look what you made me do
Then crack hit the neighborhood, that's when Reagan grew
That's when Paid In Full made stacks relatable that's debatable
Cause Tony Montana was cast to play the wolf
And that's what blacks related to
Those traps, we made it through, bless your soul
Cause my only X and O's was in Tecmo Bowl
Mike was off the wall with that techno soul
My brother made it a Thriller with them tecs he sold
I bet he cherished every breath he blowed (I bet he did)
And when he perished, I eventually showed
Couldn't touch none of my growth with a ten-feet pole
Made a choice to die on his feet, it's the death he chose
[Hook: Lloyd Banks]
Success is callin' you, the haters hate the sound
From the city of the heartless, niggas tryna make it out
Shit don't stay the same, the world is changin' now
And you ain't gon' get no do-overs, there's no mistakes allowed
To get ahead in life, you gotta shake the crowd
Dedication's lookin' for you, time for you to take the vow
Here's your opportunity to take the crown
Am I my brother's keeper? Gotta be, my neighbor's foul
[Verse 3: Lloyd Banks]
I never seen the gossip be important
I can never see my friends as enemies, I'm prayin' for 'em
The battle starts within first, the brain is warrin'
Who do you really earn it for the fame or fortune?
Problems weigh into your body, you need a new masseuse
Thirty-eight and playin' Bishop, I had too much Juice
From where the talent scouts'll lose recruits
It's to the point where they really shootin' no room for hoops
I'm always up to par, ain't never mad at who produced
Doubled back to pick up the pieces, had some screws get loose
And I'll be cruisin' coupes, one of the greatest, booth for booth
Twenty in and niggas can't outwit me, I'm loser-proof
New slaves to habits strong men became a addict
Women lost their way along the timeline when Reagan had it
Sufferin' from the laws of attraction, cause pain's a magnet
Money buys you everything except peace, can't pay to have it
[Hook: Lloyd Banks]
Success is callin' you, the haters hate the sound
From the city of the heartless, niggas tryna make it out
Shit don't stay the same, the world is changin' now
And you ain't gon' get no do-overs, there's no mistakes allowed
To get ahead in life, you gotta shake the crowd
Dedication's lookin' for you, time for you to take the vow
Here's your opportunity to take the crown
Am I my brother's keeper? Gotta be, my neighbor's foul
