Block Episode

[Verse 1: Masta Ace] Woke up this morning hearing shots below my project window The TV's on from playing all night on Nintendo Jump out of bed, tryna to see what's up with all the noise and I see somebody else has caught a case of lead poisonin' This type of shit around my way's a regular occurrence Because the same shit just happened to my nigga Terrence A week later now, somebody else is laying dying Surrounded by a crowd of people and his momma crying The way he's laying there, it looks to me like duke's a goner I seen the cats who just did it run around the corner I start to wonder who it is and why they had to wet him I bet I knew him, or at least, I bet I probably met him I can't pretend that I'm shocked like electrocution 'Cause any night, there could be an execution My momma told me that that thug shit'll get you buried The next day, there's your name in the obituary I asked her, "Why we gotta live in this environment?" She said, "Your grandfather drank up his retirement Plus when I fucked around and had you, I was just a baby Just maybe, if I wasn't being miss lady Things could've been a little bit better" Threw on my jeans and my double knit sweater I hit the block tryna find out who got done in Who had the gun and who that was I seen running [Chorus] Another body on the ground, cold; and Another day, another lost soul; and Same shit in every zip code No matter where you go Its just another block episode Another story on the street told; and Another turn down the wrong road; and Sit back and watch it unfold Yo, I'll let you know Just another block episode [Verse 2: Punchline] Yo, I roam the streets with my peeps and a gun by my crotch I got beef with this cat that resides on my block He getting popped - I swear, when I see him, it's on He'll just be a tattoo on his best friend's arm My friends screaming, "Punch, be calm"; y'all can save it He borrowed five Gs two months ago, still ain't pay it This girl hit me on the cell about his location I grabbed my gun, jumped in the hoopty, then I started racing Turned out the lights a block away so he don't peep the caper I see him and a bunch of cats by the bodega Don't wanna kill him, I just wanna teach this cat a lesson Stepped on the gas, grabbed the gun, cocked back the weapon Shot up the whole corner, but hit him in the kneecap That's cool, 'cause dead niggas can't pay your cash back I'm nuttin' to laugh at, I keep a bad temper I hit him, a bystander, and one of his crewmembers (gunshot) [Verse 3: Wordsworth] Yo, yo, yo, yo Last thing I heard was a blast, car circling past I wasn't nervous, thought they might be searching for gas Soon as Rob came out dispersing the trash Car sped, and lead went through his windows, curtains and glass Dove in the dirt and the grass I look - bullet struck my right arm Glass in my left palm, I lost my neck charm I knew it was Punch, 'cause Rob owed him money But never had it, always got new kicks and gear to match it I'm in the ambulance, I thought that beef was squashed That's why when he seen Punch he crossed the street and dodged See Rob's records with the DA is forfeit My records 4.0 GPA, going to Harvard Athlete's a hundred miles and running, he's a convict Other hand, my high school football team, I lead in yardage Boys, regardless - blood pressure drop, artery vessel clogs Cardiac arrest, next my chest was shocked, IV Oxygen mask, bleeding heavily We need to get to the hospital fast; I'm doing 70! Why I gotta be a causality of war? Did good most my life My career was growing gradually and more Hearing, "Hold on, you'll be alright, you're gonna make it" Sirens up ahead, construction on the pavement Slowed down - from this moment, I didn't have a chance Seein' hazards flash, can't believe I died in a traffic jam (*ambulance siren*)