Sideways
B-Legit E-40 & Mac Shon Lyrics

Uhh I come from nothin
I come from a place of poverty and hardship

Come up I come from nothin
I have worked hard to overcome my past and achieve success

to get it crankin right here
to create a hype atmosphere of excitement and energy

Turma turmoil torment and turmoil
Constant difficulties, challenges, and struggles

Uh ooh
Expressing surprise or concern

We been in bondage for years
We have been trapped and oppressed for a long time

For how long?
Questioning the length of time they have been oppressed

Trapped up in the ghetto
Stuck in a low-income, disadvantaged community

Yea that's true
Acknowledging the reality and validity of the situation

Dang I got a dream though
Despite the challenges, I have aspirations and goals

Fiction
Expressing that achieving their dreams may seem unrealistic

Tryin to make my own progress
Working towards personal advancement and improvement

[E 40] ZOOM!
Expressing excitement and energy

Even though the streets mob filthy lights burned out (out)
Despite the darkness and decay of the streets

Dopefiends die with antennas in they mouth
Drug addicts suffer and can even die from their addiction

Niggaz are starvin, some of my niggaz is havin they cash
Some people are struggling to survive, while others have wealth

Niggaz is ballin, parkin they car, all on the grass
Some people are living lavishly and showing off their wealth

Livin it up to the fullest platinum colored jew-els and organized glass
Enjoying luxuries and extravagances like expensive jewelry and glasses

Not none of that old fake ass costume jewelry, that looks like brass
Rejecting cheap and fake accessories

I'm lookin out the window while you play Nintendo
Reflecting on the differences in lifestyle

You drive a Navigator, I drive a Pinto
Comparing the luxurious lifestyle of others to their own limited resources

I was there, nothin polite, me and my fools
They were present in the difficult and dangerous environment with their friends

The ghetto, field mice and rat drippings up in my shoes
Describing the squalor and poverty of the ghetto

A rebel, without a pause, commodes n stars
They are a defiant and fearless rebel, despite lacking basic necessities

No toilet tissue, dirty doodoo stains up in my draws
They lack even basic hygienic products

[singers] Ooh zoom, I like, to flap my wings where my mind flows on, it's fresh and clear
Expressing a desire to escape and dream, despite the harsh reality

And I, found a love, that I long to see
Finding hope and positivity amidst the struggles

And people, who be, who they want to beeee, ho!
Celebrating individuality and freedom of expression

I never had, lobster in my life (or what?)
Reflecting on never having experienced luxury or extravagance

or teriyaki steaks, just sardines and spam and cornflakes
They are used to simple and limited diets

Pacific Bell done put me on restriction once again
Facing financial difficulties and consequences

I can't call out, but you can call in
Feeling limited and restricted in communication

Can barely think straight, barely keep focus
Suffering from stress and exhaustion

My crackhead cousin spent the night (what we got) now we got roaches
Experiencing hardships due to the behavior of others

(Damn!) Here lies my property, no composure
Feeling a loss of control over their own life

Six months behind on my mortgage, house under fo'closure
Facing the imminent loss of their home

Momma ain't feelin too good, she diabetic
Worried about the health and well-being of their loved ones

Scared of needles hospitals ambulance paramedics
Expressing fear and anxiety regarding medical treatment

And I'm the oldest of fo', sleepin on the flo'
Feeling a responsibility to provide for their family, despite their own struggles

Watchin TV channels we used to borrow cable from next do'
Recalling past resourcefulness and the struggle to obtain basic necessities

[singers] Ooh zoom, I like, to flap my wings where my mind flows on, it's fresh and clear
Reaffirming their desire for escape and positivity

And I, found a love, that I long to see
Finding hope and happiness in love

And people, who be, who they want to beeee, yea! HAHAHHHHHH!
Celebrating individuality and freedom of expression

I seen it in a dream, a big white home, looked like a office building
Holding onto and striving towards a dream of success and wealth

An old school Brougham with a sunroof ceiling
Describing a luxurious car they hope to own one day

Thug living, sixty-four ounce of drinkin thinkin
Describing a lifestyle of danger and recklessness

"How could I come up, and purchase me a Lincoln?"
Aspiring to buy a luxury car

Drug dealin, leelin and dealin tryin to make a million
Turning to illegal means to achieve wealth and success

Blood spillin, driveby walk up to that nigga peel him
Engaging in violent and dangerous criminal activity

Back then I was blind, penetentiary chance at jail
Reflecting on the recklessness and danger of their past actions

Livin off my gahl for hella long she worked at Taco Bell
Depending on their partner for financial support

And if the heater ain't workin and it's freezin cold
Experiencing the difficulties of lacking basic necessities like heat

We open up the oven and turn on the stove
Trying to find alternative means of warmth

Survival, granddaddy's appreciation revival church of pentacostal, we raised money by givin car washes
Describing creative ways of making money and surviving in hardship