In The Ghetto
Busta Rhymes feat. Ludacris Lyrics

When I was a young boy, growin' up in the ghetto
Busta Rhymes describes how he grew up in the ghetto

Hanging out on corners, singin' with the fellas
He hung around streets/corners with friends

Lookin' for the cute chicks, tryin' to find me
Busta Rhymes looked for girls he liked

Lookin' for some trouble, or anyone who'll give me some
He was searching for something that kept him occupied or engaged

I was young and crazy (in the ghetto)
He was young and did not make wise choices

Didn't know what my life would be (in the ghetto)
He did not have a clear vision of his future

I was dumb and oh so lazy (In the ghetto)
He acted lazily and made poor choices

Something had a spell on me (in the ghetto)
He felt trapped in that environment

Sure we be takin' them chances
People in the ghetto got accustomed to taking risks

While we search for the answers we be smokin' them cancer sticks
People resorted to cigarette smoking as a solution to problems they faced

Police provokin' motherfuckers, we dancin'
Police instigate conflicts, and people try to find ways to cope with it

And we be dodgin' them bullets they be poppin' off at us, shit
People have to be careful not to get hit by bullets during conflicts and fights

But yet we always romance the street
Despite the problems, people still find a way of enjoyment in the environment

And fall in love with the hood 'til somebody come blast the heat
Violence and conflict can lead destruction to what people love and cherish

Always up to no good, so all of my fam could eat
People need to partake in activities not considered legal to feed their families

See in the hood we hungry, hey nigga we playin' for keeps
The hunger for success in the environment is high, and people are not afraid to go to extreme lengths to achieve it

It be good if you flaunt it, we will take if we want it
People are not phased about obtaining what they want regardless of its effect on others

See nigggas from the ghetto got a different state of mind
People from the ghetto are unique in how they think

With a different kind of hustle and we iller with the grind
People go to great lengths to become successful in the ghetto

And develop our muscle 'til we sicker with the shine
People strive to work harder to achieve and project their success in the ghetto

In the struggle, thus our money come quicker doin' crime
People partake in illegal activities to make money in the environment

I see the way we rep the hood, gotta love me
People take pride in their environment

You can take me out the ghetto, but you can't take it from me
People retain a part of their ghetto life after leaving the environment

That's where we get into that street shit
People are conditioned to street life

Hustle hard, try to get money quick (in the ghetto)
People want to make as much money as possible in a short amount of time in the environment

That's where I got my name from
The environment is where the person acquired their name, which is important to them

I learned to get money and I all got my name from (in the ghetto)
The environment taught the person hustle and how to make money and, in turn, gave them their name

That's where you eat with a bunch of the wolves
Environment has people with dangerous tendencies

And get to hustlin' as hard as you could (in the ghetto)
People have a maximum effort mentality towards making money in the environment

Until your cake stackin' shit'll get good
People work hard to make their business successful

Throw a block party for the whole hood (in the ghetto)
People celebrate success through block parties

With them burn out cellys
People who display wealth across a short amount of time can be suspects of being involved in illegal actions

Talk crazy, sell drugs in front of Pancho Deli
People display involvement in illegal activity in public places

Crackhead chicks still smuggle babies in they belly
Women in the ghetto still find ways to have babies regardless of the fact of their addiction to drugs

And they pis sin elevators 'til the lobby all smelly (in the ghetto)
People show negligence and disrespect to buildings and public utilities.

That's where I keep my ratchets
People carry weapons in the environment

Get my instincts and survival tactics
People need to be prepared and strategically to survive the environment

Ain't nothin' like a hood nigga, I don't care
Being in the ghetto impacts the person's identity

You survivin' in the ghetto, you can make it anywhere
Surviving in the ghetto prepares you for challenges in other environments

Even though they act rude
People in the ghetto may not treat each other kindly

You'll always find a good hick to hold a brick for they dude
Even if it may seem difficult, you can find trustworthy people in the environment

Behind the bullshit, me and my clique on the move
People from the ghetto are always working towards a goal

We honor the code of the street and live by the rules
People in the ghetto follow an unwritten set of rules to survive and live with each other.

Find the most crooks and they sell the most drugs at
Illegal activity and drug dealing monopolize the ghetto's economy

Where you find beautiful women and rugrats and some of the most powerful people, I love that
The environment has a diverse mix of individuals and energy