1982

[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