C-Rayz Walz is a rapper from New York. He is a former member of New York hi… Read Full Bio ↴C-Rayz Walz is a rapper from New York. He is a former member of New York hip hop alliance Stronghold along with L.I.F.E. Long. He left the underground record label Definitive Jux in June 2006 and is rumored to be on Uncle Howie record co. As well as releasing four LPs and one EP, he has appeared on many other rappers' records, including Aesop Rock and Immortal Technique, and has done work with such artists as Percee P. Immortal Technique is reputed - by Walz himself - to be the only emcee who can hold his ground against Walz in a freestyle battle.

We Live
C-Rayz Walz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus: see-Rayz Walz]
We live! Where ya close friends die
And they say that a man ain't supposed to cry
We live! Amongst the stress and struggle
And we know that the beast don't love you!
We live! Next door to rats and gats
And the cats in the back sellin crack
We live! Where there's no God in the sky

But we live cause we can't die!

[C-Rayz Walz]
We live, where +Heavy Metal+ ain't a rock magazine
Not f'real, but you'll get shot down with glock magazines
I feel, when we do good we did wrong
Dougie got murdered in the hood, but he still lives on
He played ball in the snow, with that bubblegoose warm
Tryin to clap boards, without turf shoes on
We live where the ambulance takes too long
When your ass is on the line, like you dressed in thongs
Be strong! The same thing I told my mother
With blood on her shoulder, as she was holdin my brother
We live! Where doo-rags stay under the hat
And you don't want waves, but the bandana gotta match
And some still rock gold, but everybody went plat'
Lookin at the ground like YO WHASSUP WIT DAT?
We live where some people fight fair
Everybody got a pair of Nike Airs and police is right there

[Chorus]

[C-Rayz Walz]
We live, where I could be the next man out
And shit is really +Ludacris+ now like +Def Jam South+
Just l-let me know, what's ya fantasy
Mine is to live 'til 50, with a family
Can it all be so simple then? The instrumental ends
On stage I kill it, with a stenciled pen
It's not strange, how the whole thing went down
It's a shame, everybody want to bling chain now
We live! Where the young ones is bigger than me
It used to be P-A-L and Little League
That's dead now, nobody want to play on the block
Everybody want rims, and a big face knot
It's not a game, I don't coach, I watch
From the sidelines, players be missin they shots!
And I still clap! Cause I know how it is
TIME OUT! We be tryin to score where we live

[Chorus]

[C-Rayz Walz]
We live, where a 40 and a blunt is breakfast
And police swerve to serve and disrespect us
Churches gassed us, Chinese foods induce asthma
Roaches run fast, the rats run faster
This feeling got a few cracks, the corner's flooded
Tell me who want it, we wake up from bad dreams runnin
Basketball games feel like heaven
I married the streets - Uncle Ben threw rice at the wedding
Classic, like a slapbox festival
Or when cats come home from doin five live federal
Surrounded by cheese like Domino, cat be cool
Mommy's got a gat, papi too
Next to the liquor store, next to the church
Cause of the verse I'm in the Vibe, next on the verbs
Cause of the dirt in my past, I'm still grimy
Still livin movin forward with death behind me

[Chorus] - 2X

Overall Meaning

In C-Rayz Walz's song We Live, the chorus emphasizes the idea of resilience amid struggles, pain, and challenges as the rapper extols the fact that they live despite the adversity around them. The lyrics reveal the harsh reality of life in the ghetto where the singer grew up, and where people have to survive amidst drugs, violence, and poverty. Walz talks about life with raw authenticity, from losing friends to violence, the lack of police protection, and the fight to live at all costs.

In the first verse, Walz mentions how life can be unpredictable and violent, telling a story of a friend named Dougie who was murdered while playing ball in the hood but still lives on in memory. Furthermore, he highlights the lack of police protection in the area, where the ambulance takes too long to respond in emergencies. The rapper tells his mother to be strong in trying times, encouraging her to stay hopeful despite a bleak situation. Walz concludes the verse by discussing fashion in the ghetto, where bandanas had to match, and everyone wore Nike sneakers.

The second verse starts with Walz rapping about the fear of death and how living can be challenging, comparing life to a Ludacris album. He reveals his wish to live till 50 with his family, and the simplicity of childhood when playing sports was the most significant problem. However, youth preferences have changed, and now everyone wants to have rims and cash. The rapper also discusses the lack of guidance in the neighborhood, where people miss their shots, but he still claps for their effort.

As for the third verse, Walz talks about the day-to-day life in the ghetto. He describes the use of illicit drugs, the discrimination from the police, and how religious institutions provide little solace to the people. Despite the grim situation, Walz highlights the beauty found in simple things like playing basketball, which feels like heaven. He concludes the song with a reflection on his past, acknowledging his wrongdoings while still moving forward.

Line by Line Meaning

We live!
Despite the harsh conditions we face, we continue to survive and persevere.

Where ya close friends die
We live in a place where death comes too soon for many of our loved ones.

And they say that a man ain't supposed to cry
Society tells men to suppress their emotions and not show vulnerability, but in reality, we have every right to grieve and feel pain.

Amongst the stress and struggle
Our daily lives are filled with anxiety and hardships that we must face head-on.

And we know that the beast don't love you!
We understand that the harsh environment we live in does not care about us or have our best interests in mind.

Next door to rats and gats
We live in close proximity to drugs, guns, and other negative elements that can have a harmful impact on our lives.

And the cats in the back sellin crack
Drug dealers operate behind the scenes, sometimes even in our own communities.

Where there's no God in the sky
We live in a place where some people may feel abandoned by a higher power or struggle to find meaning in their lives.

But we live cause we can't die!
Despite it all, we continue to persevere and live our lives to the fullest.

Where Heavy Metal ain't a rock magazine
We live in a place where violence and aggression are a very real part of our everyday lives.

Not f'real, but you'll get shot down with glock magazines
While it may seem like a fantasy, gun violence is a very real and present danger that we face in our community.

We live where the ambulance takes too long
Emergency services can be slow to arrive when we need them most, leaving us vulnerable in times of crisis.

When your ass is on the line, like you dressed in thongs
In dire situations, we are exposed and vulnerable, leaving us in a state of great risk.

Where doo-rags stay under the hat
Our fashion choices often involve hiding hairstyles or accessories that could make us a target of discrimination or prejudice.

And some still rock gold, but everybody went plat'
Our fashion trends have changed over time, but for some people, flashy accessories remain a symbol of status and prestige.

We live where some people fight fair
While some choose to resolve conflicts peacefully, others resort to violence as a means of settling disputes.

Everybody got a pair of Nike Airs and police is right there
We live in a place where fashion is important, but the constant presence of law enforcement can make us feel unsafe and exposed.

Where I could be the next man out
Our lives are precarious, and we never know when we could be the next victim of violence or tragedy.

And shit is really Ludacris now like Def Jam South
The harsh conditions we face can often feel like a surreal, nightmarish experience that is difficult to comprehend or make sense of.

Mine is to live 'til 50, with a family
Despite the many obstacles we face, we still have hopes and dreams for our futures, such as living long enough to see our families grow.

We live where the young ones is bigger than me
Our communities are often dominated by younger generations who may be more vulnerable and at risk of violence.

It used to be P-A-L and Little League
In the past, young people had more opportunities for innocent activities and structured programs that kept them out of harm's way.

That's dead now, nobody want to play on the block
Unfortunately, those opportunities for safe play have dwindled, leaving kids with fewer options and more exposure to danger.

We live, where a 40 and a blunt is breakfast
Drug and alcohol abuse are common in our communities, where suffering and despair are rampant.

And police swerve to serve and disrespect us
Law enforcement can often feel like an opposing force that sees us as the enemy rather than as individuals in need of help and protection.

Roaches run fast, the rats run faster
The living conditions in our communities can be squalid and dangerous, with pests and vermin posing a constant threat.

Basketball games feel like heaven
Despite the numerous challenges we face, we still find joy and happiness in everyday activities like playing basketball with friends.

Cause of the dirt in my past, I'm still grimy
The trauma and pain we've experienced can leave lasting scars that influence our behavior and outlook on life.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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