Return to da Wrongside
Artifacts Lyrics

I was out to bomb like Vietnam, but in this rhyme, I'm the prime suspect
I had big plans to make a big impact, but now I'm seen as the main culprit for these rhymes

Handcuffed for stuff that I ain't hit yet
I'm being punished for things I haven't even done yet

It seems the neighborhood block watch got open like a box top
The local community is suddenly very alert and vigilant, like a box that has been opened

Wanted they're props and called up the cops
They wanted recognition for themselves and so they called the authorities

While Momma Dukes is in the kitchen flippin
Meanwhile, my mother is in the kitchen getting agitated

Trippin cause spray caps is missin and I left without permission
She's upset because the can caps are missing and I left the house without her permission

I got bagged with the darkest black marker I had
I got caught with the blackest marker I owned

An easy target cause my tag is on my bookbag
They easily identified me as the culprit because my tag is on my bookbag

As I was shadowed they musta heard the bag rattle
As I was being followed, they probably heard the bag making noise

Tipped the cops off, and ran up, before I popped the top off
They alerted the police, who then approached before I even opened the bag

Got interrogated bout crews I never heard of
I was questioned about graffiti crews that I had no knowledge of

Got my face wrote on, and treated like I did a murder
My face was written on, as if I had committed a serious crime

Heard sermons, on property value and city workshops
I heard lectures on the impact of graffiti on property value and city improvement projects

Slapped with a fine, now in my record there's a new notch
I was fined, and now there's another mark on my record

The misdemeanor catcher comin back at cha
The law enforcement focused on minor offenses is coming after you

for the long ride, as we return to the wrongside
We're in it for the long haul as we go back to our rebellious ways

Out to burn, rackin paints by the sack to provide
We're determined to create graffiti and we're stocking up on paint supplies to do so

tracks as we return to the wrongside
We're leaving a trail of our actions as we go back to our rebellious ways

Art programs and more hip-hop jams, must arrive
We need more arts programs and hip-hop events to flourish

as we return to the wrongside
We're going back to our rebellious ways

More better styles and wack writers step aside
We're looking for more impressive graffiti styles and dismissing mediocre writers

Aerosol ride, as we return to the wrongside
We're going on a graffiti spree as we embrace our rebellious side again

Newark, New Jers - Brick City we reside
We proudly reside in Newark, New Jersey - also known as Brick City

Big up, to BS, as we return to the wrongside
We're showing respect to our crew, BS, as we go back to our rebellious ways

Once more, we have in store graffiti folklore
Once again, we have stories and legends about graffiti

in depth to score points, what this joint for?
In detail, we're aiming to make an impact, what's the purpose of this song?

All graffiti writers, we bring justice, to this
We, as graffiti writers, bring our own form of justice to the art

Art we take to heart but they missed
We have a deep connection to the art, but others fail to see its true significance

the actual Facts, paint with fat caps, artistic
We focus on the truth, using thick caps to create artistic pieces

gestures, flat or gloss be the texture
Our artistic expressions can have a smooth or shiny finish

If you measure the amount or count TV, shows on graf
If you count the number of TV shows about graffiti

Galleries, droppin all the skill calories
Galleries showcase our talent and the energy we put into our art

They crackin down to make us back down
They're cracking down on us to make us give up

but we still wreckin, who remember King 67?
But we're still causing havoc, who remembers the legendary King 67?

Peace to Insta, buildin a mad tag in December
Shout out to Insta, who created a memorable tag in December

Protective shell los for the winter
We're shedding our protective facade for the winter

Get in the subject, on how they say we suspects
Let's delve into the topic of how they label us as suspects

Harass me for a marker, there he goes with a Tec
They harass me for having a marker, treating it as a weapon

Blind to see wreck, cause they ignorant to check
They fail to see the beauty in our graffiti because they don't bother to understand it

the true art so, they pass laws just to catch
They pass laws to catch us because they don't appreciate the true art

Certain writers, most bite us anyway
Some writers copy us and still criticize us

L-S-be -S, L-T-D is on the path subway
L-S-be -S and L-T-D are making their mark on the subway

Try to bring an understanding, respect we're demanding
We're trying to make people understand and respect us

Wrongside tales, we never fail with the plannin
We always succeed in our rebellious plans from the wrong side

Fatter jams on the air must arrive
We need more impactful songs on the airwaves

The weak can't slide as we return to the wrongside
Those who are not skilled will not succeed as we go back to our rebellious ways

More joints on tape, less compromise
We need more quality songs and less settling for less

Better in size as we return to the wrongside
We're getting better and bigger as we embrace our rebellious side again

Toys bite my tags, throwups, and old pieces
Amateur graffiti artists copy my tags, throw up new work, and vandalize my older pieces

Thowin crews up, they can't be down with, and catchin beatings
They claim to be part of our crew, but they can't truly embrace it and suffer the consequences

Me and my crew stay close-knit
My crew and I are very close and tight-knit

Make niggaz say 'Oh shit!' about our dope shit, takin cities in doses
Our art is so impressive that it leaves people speechless, and we're taking cities by storm

With a tag here and a tag there next year
By leaving our tags here and there, we'll have even more presence next year

it'll be everywhere, catch me if you dare
Our graffiti will be all over the place, try to catch me if you're brave enough

It's rare for me not to have a marker after dark
It's uncommon for me to not have a marker with me at night

Cause I've been in this to win this since niggaz used to say spark
I've been dedicated to this art form since the early days

Yo, I got the black book designers and the bag
I have the best graffiti artists and the bag of supplies

Make sure I got the uni for the on tour tag
I ensure that I have the right markers for tagging while on tour

Saying that we cause mad terror in the city
People acknowledge that we create chaos and fear in the city

Kids ain't got shit so, we feels no pity
The kids in our crew don't have anything, so we have no sympathy

on any surface, hurtin it, experts in it
We can create graffiti on any surface, and we're skilled at it

Create with the Krylon, crafts be fantastic
We use Krylon spray paint to create fantastic graffiti pieces

Artistic misfits, gifted wicked with the sketchbook
We, as artistic outsiders, are uniquely talented with our sketchbooks

and the paint, maintainin the status top rank
We keep our status as top artists through our use of paint

With ink stained hands, I masterpiece master plans
My hands are stained with ink as I skillfully plan and create masterpieces

with cans we came across diss some toys who crossed me off
We found some cans of paint and used them to disrespect amateur artists who tried to challenge me

Lost in my thought, I can walk a mile on style
Lost in my own creativity, I can confidently express my unique style

it's been a while but I keep mechanicals on file
It's been a while, but I still have my mechanical pencils ready to use

for every new jack, and non-believer not knowin my background
I have tools prepared for every novice and doubter who doesn't know my history

from jump, sleepin cause they only see me with blunts
Since the beginning, they've underestimated me because they only see me smoking

My ghetto cartoons just express how I feel
I use graffiti art to express my emotions and experiences in the ghetto

Representin my culture, and not off it is the deal
I'm proud to represent my culture through graffiti and I won't betray it

I'm so ill with skill and I'm still up to par
I'm incredibly talented and still at the top of my game

Not your everday rap star, just who we are
I'm not your typical mainstream rapper, I'm true to myself and my art

Like conquering lions, we do our things with strong pride
We're like powerful lions, confidently doing what we do with great pride

for the long ride, tellin tales from the wrongside
We're in it for the long haul, sharing stories and experiences from our rebellious side

KRS keeps the stage show live
KRS-One keeps the energy alive during live performances

Sharper than knives, as we return from the wrongside
We're sharper and more skilled than ever as we go back to our rebellious ways

PNB Nation, no hesitation
We, as PNB Nation, have no fear or hesitation

Blazin, as we return from the wrongside
We're blazing our own trail as we go back to our rebellious ways

Peeps sleep, while these brothers coincide
While others are asleep or unaware, we're working together to make an impact

Keep in stride, as we return from the wrongside
We're staying in sync and moving forward as we go back to our rebellious ways

Comp hide, toy niggaz take a dive
Amateur artists hide and inexperienced artists fail to measure up

Kickin skills live, as we return from the wrongside
We're showcasing our skills and talents as we embrace our rebellious side again

Uhh, it's like that
This is how it is

Layin shit down on the map
We're leaving our mark on the world

Artifact crew, in the house
The crew from Artifact is here

like this like that, so whatchu want?
We're doing what we do, so what do you want?

For the who? You know the crew...
For the ones who know our crew...

Shawn J
Shout out to Shawn J

[Tame] Crossin out all y'all wack rappin ass motherfuckers
Tame is dismissing and insulting all the mediocre rappers