Shadow of Death
Black Hippy Lyrics

Yeah, Los Angeles, "Welcome to the Terrordome"
The artist welcomes the listener to Los Angeles, a city that embodies the danger and violence of the Public Enemy song "Welcome to the Terrordome".

City of Satan, angels can't even get along
The city is so full of evil that even heavenly beings can't coexist peacefully.

No lie, my town covered in darkness
The city is enveloped in a figurative darkness of crime, violence, and hopelessness.

Hoping that the sun just shine on us
The people of the city are yearning for something positive to happen in their lives.

Rolling up the kush, now I'm letting my mind wander
The artist is using marijuana as an escape from the harsh reality of his surroundings.

Into another place, I ain't tryna go down under
The artist doesn't want to succumb to the negative influences of the city.

Life is like a race and we all tryna finish it
Life is a competition and everyone is trying to come out on top.

Shit never fair, strays hitting the innocent
Life is unjust and sometimes innocent people are harmed.

The good die young where I'm from and it's sad to say
People who are considered "good" often die at a young age in the artist's hometown.

That somebody gotta die today
Death is an ever-present threat in this violent city.

Tomorrow's never promised, but we living for the moment
The artist and his community live day by day, not knowing what the future holds.

Nigga, time never stops, it just keeps on going
The passage of time is relentless, even in this dangerous city.

Crackers just gave my young nigga four life sentences
A young man from the artist's community was given a severe punishment by authorities.

Twenty-five times four, nigga, do the math
The punishment is a daunting total of one hundred years in prison.

And the hood never have witnesses
People in the artist's community don't usually cooperate with authorities as witnesses to crimes.

Cause if we did, then them shots gon' blast
People feel that speaking out about crimes would only lead to more violence.

As I reflect, I start realizing I wanna
The artist is beginning to contemplate his future.

Make a way one day for me and my momma, family and friends
The artist wants to create a better life for himself and his loved ones.

This ain't the way my life bout to end
The artist is determined to escape the negative aspects of his environment.

So I'm quick to grab on my pen and
The artist channels his emotions and aspirations into his music.

Give 'em something my people sure to defend
The artist wants to create music that resonates with his community.

Give 'em something that I know is all the way real
The artist wants his music to be authentic and truthful.

Just wakin' up, mind playing tricks on me
The artist is dealing with stress and paranoia.

Got the fifth on me, gotta take a risk homie
The artist is carrying a weapon and is prepared to use it in dangerous situations.

Was a ball player till the coach pissed on me
The artist's dreams of becoming a professional athlete were dashed by an authority figure.

Keep it real, I could take you down the list homie
The artist has a long list of grievances and injustices.

Be a tradition, see these Chucks be a mission
Wearing Converse Chuck Taylors is a symbol of rebellion and resistance.

Burner be the fuel to the flame, the key to the ignition
A gun is a key player in the cycle of violence in the artist's community.

If you banging, be serious
If you're involved in gang activity, take it seriously.

Boys run up in your pad, point-blank, period, moms ain't hearing it
Police officers may raid your home and harm your mother, regardless of her innocence.

Niggas said 'cuz lil nigga got blasted
Someone was killed, likely as a result of gang violence.

Oh well, give a shit, shouldn't half-assed it
The loss of a life is treated with casual disregard.

Only time you with it, when your niggas all tripping
You're only willing to engage in violence when you're surrounded by your gang.

Caught your ass slipping, now I'm stepping up my crip and steady dipping
The artist is capitalizing on his opponent's momentary weakness.

Riding through the city in lights, living it trife
The artist is living recklessly in a city that's always in turmoil.

Wrong intersection, ready to fight
The artist is constantly prepared for violence in his environment.

Hopping out with my own agenda, who the contender?
The artist is always ready for a challenge, regardless of the opponent.

Better hope this motherfucker jam (BLAHH!)
The artist fires his gun, indicating that violence has erupted.

Uh, as I'm hearing the first and second verse
The artist reflects on his own lyrics.

I try to analyse the feeling that's felt in the song
The artist is trying to understand the emotions conveyed in the music.

I want to tell Rock and Q to go to church
The artist feels that his peers need to engage in more positive activities.

But that's a hypocrite because I ain't been in so long
The artist acknowledges his own flaws and shortcomings.

I stare at the world from a righteous point of view
The artist tries to view the world from a moral and ethical perspective.

And realize a crisis coming
The artist sees looming chaos and instability.

Novocain couldn't numb it, the pain is unbearable times two
The artist is overwhelmed by the pain and suffering he witnesses in his environment.

Let's rally a team, summon, and school the youth
The artist wants to band together with others in his community to educate and empower young people.

How you feel about it?
The artist asks the listener for their opinion on his proposed solution.

Man, I feel the same way as you
The listener agrees with the artist's desire for change.

It hurts my soul, like a needle piercing through the bottom of my shoe
The listener is deeply affected by the pain and suffering in their community.

And if you behind bars
The artist addresses those who are currently incarcerated.

Hold your head
The artist encourages those in prison to keep their spirits up.

And if you in close range with a nigga with a gun in his waste
The artist acknowledges the constant danger in his environment.

I pray the intervention
The artist hopes that a divine or supernatural force can intervene to bring peace to his community.

I got a cousin in jail and handful of homies in heaven
The artist has lost friends and family members to violence and incarceration.

But earlier than expected, what the hell?
The artist is bewildered by the prevalence of death and suffering in his community.