Rise & Fall
AZ Lyrics

Cold as the cold in the wintertime
I am unforgiving and tough in nature.

Slow rhyme when I rhyme, no beginner I'm
My rap style is deliberate, and I am an experienced rapper.

City walk when they sin tryna make a dime
People in the city are always in a rush to make money, often resorting to shady activities.

They don't ask for too much, just a lil' shine
Those who are struggling financially are only seeking a small amount of fame.

Lil' time on the grind tryin get that gwap
People on the streets spend a small amount of time hustling to make money.

Wah'n't worth eight years for your first time pop
The risk of imprisonment and time served just isn't worth the small reward of making quick money.

Now you back rehabilitated, punchin the clock
After serving time in jail, now working a regular job.

Old neighborhood witnessin your man and 'nem drop
The neighborhood is aware of previous associates either dying or being arrested.

Got the drop on that nigga said he runnin the block
Have information on a person who claims to be in charge of the local area.

Graduated from the greens to servin up rock
Moved on from selling weed to selling cocaine.

So you plot and you think and you sin on the plan
Thinking about illegal strategies to make money on the streets.

On some scheme-ass shit but, that's your man
Despite illegal plans, still loyal to those who are closest.

I'm sayin, you tryna push reasons to the front
Trying to justify actions that may be against the law.

And put a block on that other shit you want
Trying to suppress other side interests or desires in order to focus on making money.

But the streets keep callin ya name
Despite attempts to suppress illegal actions, the allure of money continues to pull them in.

An 9-to-5 slave to the rhythm ain't bringin you fame
Working a regular job is unfulfilling and not providing desired fame or wealth.

So it's back to the game, round up a lil' gang
Returning to illegal actions, and gathering associates to aid in making money on the streets.

Set it up to stick ya manye but he stick you first
Planning to rob someone, but becoming a victim of the crime themselves.

Goodbye!
The end of this person's journey, likely due to criminal activity.

I seen 'em rise, seen 'em fall (seen 'em fall)
Witnessing people's successes and failures in life.

Seen 'em come, seen 'em go, seen 'em all (seen 'em all)
Experienced an abundance of people who come into their life, and eventually leave it in some way.

Seen stars wit dey name on the wall
Experienced people gaining fame and celebrity status, as represented by their name on a wall (such as a Walk of Fame).

Til the money get tight and the limelight's gone (light's gone)
Until they run out of money and lose the public's attention, as fame is temporary.

3 A.M. in the backseat leanin'
A late night, likely in a car, where they are deep in thought.

Remember (-member), befo niggaz was on the bandwagon...
Reflecting on a time before many people became interested in something (likely music).

I fell asleep til the sound of hand cannons
One's peaceful state is suddenly disrupted by the sound of gunshots or an explosive situation.

Leavin holes in souls the size of Grand Canyons
Gunshots metaphorically leave a person scarred emotionally for life.

Late nights (?) streets with my man Brandon
Spent late nights on the streets with a friend named Brandon (or someone similar).

Fast forward, twelve years now we grandstandin
Years later, they have achieved a level of success to boast about.

Because I'm main-taining, wit'out man-tanin
Maintaining success without compromising or changing who they are as a person.

And it made me an ani-mal
Their drive and ambition turned them into someone with a fierce determination to succeed.

But I need another quota book for the catalog
They have achieved significant success, but still want to create more content to solidify their place in the industry.

I could dumb down and rap for bitches and alcohol
They acknowledge that it's possible to sell out and make shallow music solely for fame and fortune.

But I'm too loud, and too proud to tap-dance for these crackers, dawg
They refuse to compromise their artistic integrity, even if it means making music that doesn't appeal to the majority.

So, won't be no Gregory Hine-it
They won't bend over backwards to please others like a performer.

When Tay get hostle, he in the gospel like he in the Winans
Despite their tough persona, they can become very religious or spiritual in difficult moments.

And right now, he in there finding
Reflecting on their current state of mind.

A new platform for the rhymes that I arranged
Continually working on improving and finding new ways to create music.

A new ideas for the lines that I exchanged
Looking for inspiration to create unique and original lyrics.

Cause I can't be, a laughingstock homie, that'll be a crying shame
They refuse to create something that they feel would be mocked and bring shame to their reputation.

All I need is six bars and an intro
Feeling confident in their skills and abilities to create music, and not needing a lot of time to produce something great.

Cause I relate to these beats like it was kinfolks
They feel a personal connection to the music they create, treating it like family.

And the flow's so fresh like Mentos
Their rap style is unique and fresh.

And this is all real talk, that's for your info
Everything they are saying is genuine and honest.

Cause that's where I been, yo, ho!
Where they have been in life has influenced their music and artistry.

Grindin, time limb
Hustling and working hard to make money in a limited amount of time.

Muh'fucker back up, stepped-up muh'fucker
A call for someone to step back and beware of their actions.

So quiet, I coulda crept on a sucker (ahhh!)
Quietly and carefully approaching someone to catch them off guard.

From behind and blew the breath out the busta (poooow!)
Killing someone from behind in a violent manner.

But instead, held my head like a hustl-er
Acting in a calm and collected manner, like a seasoned hustler would.

Pumped-up and get the sound of the muffler
Feeling energized and motivated, listening to the sound of a car's muffler.

Heard him clown bout his pounds bein fluffier
Overhearing someone bragging about their drugs and how much money they make from selling it.

Tellin niggaz outta town they be luckier
Encouraging others to move out of town to make better money selling drugs.

And get sad when the hood had enough of ya
People become upset when the neighborhood no longer supports or allows drugs to be sold on the streets.

Broke niggaz buck at cha, poke you in ya jugga-ler
Impoverished people become violent towards those selling drugs on the street.

But when you high, you feel niggaz can't fuck wit ya
While under the influence of drugs, feeling invincible and untouchable.

I'm surprised some niggaz still had customers
Despite the pushback from the neighborhood, some people still buy drugs.

(?) my eyes and inhaled my smoke
Closing their eyes and taking a deep breath while smoking a substance.

Tryna decide, should I let him slide - but nope!
Debating whether or not to confront someone who has wronged them.

He broke ties when he spoke his lies
Someone betrayed them by lying or being dishonest.

Tell his pi's that he hope I die, so my reply is
Telling others that someone wishes them harm, and responding to that threat.

To "Keep it real, I hope you could fly"
Encouraging someone to stay true to themselves and be successful without resorting to violence.

Cause I'ma send him to them open skies
Promising to harm or kill the person who wished them ill.

(Gah! Gah! Rrraaah! Rrraaah!)
The sound of gunshots, likely after the person made good on their promise to seek revenge.