Ghetto Ties
C-Murder Lyrics

Huh say man
Introducing the song and beginning to address the theme of not being allowed to escape one's impoverished neighborhood.

You know who get ready bro
Sending a message to his colleagues that they need to be prepared for what's to come.

It seems like they don't want a young nigga to get rich
Commenting on the social issue of systemic oppression that makes it difficult for people of color to succeed in society.

Make money like we ain't supposed to leave the ghetto But uh I ain't trippin' life's a bitch You know we was dealt some bad cards but You know We gotta deal with it Life's hard so lets show em show em show em what's up
Despite the obstacles against them, they will not let hardship keep them from striving for success and making their mark on the world.

My gate way tuh hell seems like its constantly open
The violence and danger of the ghetto constantly threatens his well-being and life.

The reaper is callin' so I'm constantly smokin'
Acknowledging the risks he's facing and the way he's coped with the anxiety and uncertainty of his situation.

See-Murder ain't gonna die in vein
Asserting his importance and contribution to the struggle of his community, regardless of the outcome.

My ghetto ties got me livin' my life in pain
The ties to his neighborhood and the struggle people there continue to face have resulted in his own unending pain and hardship.

See the world knows we gonna be thugs forever
Reflecting on the image that society has cast upon them and how difficult it is to break that stereotype.

You can take me out the ghetto But you can't make it better See the status of your money done changed But the status of your danger remains the same
Despite his triumph, he knows that financial success does not necessarily equate to physical safety and well-being, especially not for black men in America.

I need to clear my head of these evil thoughts And teach magnolian' gateway the shit I was taught Take a ride wit me nigga to eternity And watch you live tuh see anotha century
Reflecting on how the neighborhood has changed and how he has grown from his experiences, but doesn't know if he will survive or his community will persist.

Life's a bitch who do you trust I put my faith in my glock Cause I know its gone bust
Acknowledging the danger of the world and how he must rely on himself and his gun for protection.

I used to think the hood was cool But my ghetto ties keep my checkin' in my rearveiw
Despite enjoying the community and culture of his neighborhood, he knows that his past and present are heavily dangerous and has to keep an eye out for what is coming behind him.

Lord control me You know me These cards I got to play em My life is like a game I'm up from a.m. to a.m.
Resigning himself to fate and playing his hand one day at a time, always on guard and vigilant due to circumstances beyond his control.

My donner AK hem him If he don't have none of my paper man If I let him live He might take me for a faker He might try to do a jack and that might cost me my life If you ever jack its real nigga You best kill me or pay the price
Vowing to take extreme measures if anyone ever tries to steal from him, knowing that the consequences can be dire.

Ain't nuttin' I ain't fallen behind No street machine tell me what you seen Then tell a nigga about some stoned ass Left the murder scene disguised in army green with a infra beam
Not falling behind the machismo and violence of his surroundings, and describing a moment when he had to escape a murder scene and obscure his identity.

Own self tryin tuh gum nigga run as soon as he heard the blast fool one He didn't run tore his ass up with a quick fast sight Witness that murda the first degree my ghetto ties fuckin' round wit me Don't do that
Remembering a time when he witnessed someone's death and connecting it to the strong ties that keep him attached to his neighborhood - to escape that reality would be foolish.

How many times have you seen a family nut up and the mom was cut up I see now but later on I'm gonna be seein' now But see how us niggas get caught up Quick to go underwater niggas take advantage of the way Life sold us
Reflecting on how the cycle of poverty and violence takes hold of many families in his neighborhood and how it's all due to social circumstances that keep them oppressed.

I'm full of that freeze I'm fulla them weeds and them v's 2 23s 90 degrees I left them windows down to feel the breeze My cousin be and me and john in the back seat drinkin' off brome And to the z Thinkin' bout the lives we gonna free Now tell a nigga please
Recounting a moment of youthful rebellion, when he and his cousins were just enjoying the moment and thinking of a future where they could escape the oppression of the streets.

Soon as we drove up fuckin' doe was about to close up Knocked on the doe Nigga hold up you didn't see us rool up I forced my way in I put my seven to his stars No time for thankin' Is what I'm thankin' kill a bitch what you fittin' tuh say
Asking the listener to imagine a scenario in which he and his crew set out to rob someone, using violence to get what they want.

I went to the kitchen I'm flippin' pans and pots and spoons I heard foe glocks Sounded like foe shots commin' from the other room Its bout that time for us hounds to get Gonna get the dilly for a milly Went to the next room john jones was in the zone
Continuing the image of the robbery gone bad, with the intrusion leading to gunfire and chaos; he and his crew get away with some of the money, but not all.

Its over I come to lay ya eyes buggin' out his head Nigga bleedin' from the mouth He's shakin' he's on his way out But its time I took two from behind looked John at the eyes and said nigga you ready tuh die damn nigga why
Ending the song with a moment of introspection and remorse, wondering why he has done what he has done and knowing that it will forever link him to the tragedy and violence of the ghetto.