Ghetto
Ali B featuring Akon and Yes-R Lyrics

Ghetto, ghetto
The difficult reality of living in poverty-stricken areas

Ghetto, ghetto livin'
Living in poverty-stricken areas with constant struggles and obstacles

These streets remind me of quicksand (quicksand)
The poverty-stricken areas can be extremely difficult to navigate, like quicksand that drags you down

When you're on it, you'll keep goin' down (goin' down)
Once you're in poverty, it's challenging to escape and improve your situation

And there's no one to hold on to
There's no one to offer support or help those living in poverty

And there's no one to pull you out
There's no one to rescue you from the cycle of poverty

You keep on fallin' (fallin')
Continuously struggling and facing challenges that lead to more struggles and hardships

No one can hear you callin'
Those living in poverty are often unheard and overlooked by society

So you end up self-destructin'
Living in poverty can have a devastating impact on individuals, leading to self-destructive behavior

On the corner with the tuli on the waistline
Refers to carrying a gun for protection or to engage in illegal activities like drug dealing, which is common in poverty-stricken areas

Just got up out the bing doin' state time
Being in prison and serving time, which is common for people living in poverty

Teeth marks on my back from the K-9
Refers to being caught and attacked by police dogs while engaging in illegal activities, another common occurrence in poverty-stricken areas

Dark memories of when there was no sunshine
Remembering difficult and challenging times where hope and happiness were hard to come by

‘Cause they said that I wouldn't make it
Facing negative attitudes and beliefs from society about one's ability to succeed due to living in poverty

I remember like yesterday
Vividly remembering past struggles and hardship

Holdin' on to what God gave me
Finding strength and belief in God to keep going through difficult times

No need to cherish luxuries
Living in a state of poverty means having to forego luxury and focus on survival

‘Cause everything come and go
In a state of poverty, nothing is permanent and everything is transient

Even the life that you have is borrowed
Life itself is temporary, and the circumstances of living in poverty can make it even shorter

‘Cause you're not promised tomorrow
The future is uncertain, and living in poverty can make it even more so

So live your life as if every day is gon' be your last (be your last)
Appreciate and make the most of every day, as tomorrow isn't a guarantee

Once you've moved forward, can't go back just pretend to remove your past (remove your past)
Once you make progress and improve your situation, it's impossible to go back and forget everything you've experienced

‘Cause you gotta be willin' to pray
Finding faith and seeking help through prayer to overcome the struggles of living in poverty

Yes, there gotta be, there gotta be a better way, oh
Belief that there must be a way out of poverty and a better life to be had

Whoever said that this struggle would stop today?
Acknowledging that overcoming the struggles of living in poverty isn't an easy or quick process

A lot a niggas dead or locked away
The harsh reality is that many people in poverty don't make it out alive or end up in prison

Teenage women growin' up with AIDS
In poverty-stricken areas, young women are at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS due to a lack of education and resources

Gun shots every night in the (ghetto)
Living in poverty means being exposed to violence and danger, such as gunshots at night

Crooked cops on sight in the (ghetto)
Police corruption and abuse of power is rampant in poverty-stricken areas

Everyday is a fight in the (ghetto)
Surviving and making it through each day is a constant battle in poverty-stricken areas

Got kids to feed in the (ghetto)
Parents in poverty must provide for their children with limited resources and opportunities

Sellin' coke and weed in the (ghetto)
Drug dealing is a common way to make money in poverty-stricken areas, but it also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and violence

Everyday somebody bleed in the (ghetto)
Violence and bloodshed is a constant reality in poverty-stricken areas

Oh oh oh oh oh (ghetto livin')
Living in poverty is a challenging and difficult reality

Oh, livin' by the (ghetto)
Living in close proximity to poverty constantly reminds you of the harsh reality of what you're up against

Oh, eatin' in the (ghetto)
The limited resources and opportunities in poverty-stricken areas extend to basic necessities like food

Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto)
Even finding a safe and comfortable place to sleep can be a challenge in poverty-stricken areas

Ghetto
An area marked by poverty, crime, and struggle

Ghetto, ghetto (ghetto livin')
Living in poverty-stricken areas can be challenging and difficult with constant struggles and obstacles