Been so long
C.K.Strong Lyrics

Let me see them 3's, put 'em up
Show me your gang sign and represent your set.

This for all my lil' soldiers out there stuck in the world
This song is dedicated to all the young people who are struggling to survive in this harsh world.

Or put in a situation (situation) where they didn't have a choice
Who are forced to live a certain way due to the circumstances they were born into.

(Fuck the world nigga you got a choice)
Despite what the world may throw your way, you still have the power to choose how you react and how you make your way in the world.

On whether they wanted to be there or not
Whether they had any say in the matter or not.

In the ghetto it's kill or be killed, in a place called the street
Survival in the ghetto boils down to a ruthless dog-eat-dog mentality that dominates the streets.

(Ya heard me?)
Do you understand?

It's been a long time since a nigga showed me love
It's been a while since someone has shown me kindness or respect.

I'ma make it even if I have to spill a nigga blood
I will overcome my circumstances and succeed no matter what it takes, even if it means resorting to violence.

I'm trapped in crime, I'm pushin' nickels and dimes
I'm stuck in the underworld of crime and I'm only making pennies and dimes for all my work.

And will I lose my mind, or am I wastin' my time?
Wondering if all the hard work and danger is even worth it in the end or if it will ultimately lead to my downfall.

I'm breakin' bread, on the block, with them thugs no love
I'm trying to make ends meet by selling drugs with a crew that has no love for me.

Fresh out of jail, hard to kill, took two shots and lived
Just got out of prison and survived a close call with death, making me even more determined to keep going.

It ain't my time, I asked the Lord, to put the reaper on hold
I still have things to do in this world, so I begged God to let me live a little longer.

I know my soul is kinda cold, pops told me to be bold
I'm aware that I've become hardened and jaded by the life I'm living, but my father told me to be strong and stand up for myself.

And I'm a grown man, protected by my set and my weapon
I'm a man now and I rely on the support of my gang and my weapon to keep me safe and respected in these streets.

Ain't no regrettin', earnin' stripes, from them niggaz I'm checkin'
I have no regrets about the things I've done because they've helped me earn respect from the people I'm trying to impress.

Them 15's, layin' laws like the man, callin' shots
The other members of my gang who are carrying AK-47s are the ones who decide who lives and dies around here.

Holdin' meetings on the block a young nigga at the top
I'm a young and respected member of my gang and I attend important meetings with other top-ranking members.

And will I make it, out the ghetto, fuck the future cause I'm usedta
I don't concern myself with the future and whether I can ever leave this life behind because I'm used to the way things are now.

Doin' what I'm doin' right now, and this shit will never stop
I'll keep doing what I'm doing until the day I die, and this life of crime will never stop for me or anyone else in this world.

Two years I'm locked up like a bitch I'm boxed up
I served two years in prison and had no choice but to feel trapped and powerless during my time there.

Hard times got me trapped nigga, I shoulda been put them rocks up
The hard times in my life have left me feeling stuck and regretting all the things I've done to try and make ends meet.

But it's the code of the ghetto, hold your own take care of your moms
In the ghetto, you have to take care of yourself and your family because no one else will.

By any means stack yo' chips, if it's illegal nigga don't trip
Make money any way you can, even if it's illegal, and don't feel bad about it.

They're dead, ya heard me nigga serve me don't be like no busta
Anyone who crosses me or doesn't treat me with respect will regret it because they will be dead, so don't be a coward.

These streets don't love ya and uhh I really don't trust ya
The streets are a cruel and heartless place, and I don't trust anyone who might try to take advantage of me.

Make a move fool you choose, you gotta pay your own dues
If you try to make a move against me or my gang, you will have to face the consequences and pay the price for your actions.

And all them gold teeth and tattoos, them ain't nuttin' but clues nigga
The way a person presents themselves can give clues as to who they are and what they're capable of, so I pay close attention to these things.

I'ma menace to society, I slang dope, in varieties
I'm a dangerous person who sells drugs of all sorts, causing harm to society as a whole.

Be like A.J., come take a ride, what you see is what you get nigga
Be like me and come join my gang, what you see is what you get and you won't be disappointed.

You creep or you sleep, but me, I'm packin' my heat
Either be sneaky and stealthy or be blatantly armed like me and protect yourself at all times.

'Cause real life ain't on TV nigga, real life is on the street beotch
This is real life, not some TV show where everything is resolved in 30 minutes or less. The real action happens on the streets, and that's where you'll find me.

See-Murder, see-P-3-killer
Referring to himself as a murderer and killer with the initials of his own name.

Projects the cold hearted streets of New Orleans
The housing projects of New Orleans are notoriously dangerous and unforgiving, and that's where he grew up.

The infamous ghetto, young niggaz, will age well
The notorious and dangerous ghetto will have a lasting impact on the young people who spend their lives there.

Streets got me crazy, will I die I don't know
The harshness and brutality of the streets has driven him to the brink of insanity, and he worries that he will die before he can find a way out.

It's war crimes baby, takin' over the world
Existing in the ghetto is like living in a state of constant war, and it feels like he has to fight for his survival against the entire world.

Put in a situation, forced to, handle your business
Forced to handle the dangerous and violent situations you find yourself in because there's no one else around to help you.

Handle your own hold your own boy that's the code of the ghetto
In the ghetto, there's no one to rely on but yourself, so you have to learn to handle your own problems and stand up for yourself.

It ain't up to me it's up to that man upstairs
Ultimately, it's not up to him whether he lives or dies, but up to God.

So I just say to all the young niggaz out there
A message to all the young people who are struggling and trying to survive like he did.

Goin' through what I went through, there's a way out
Even though he struggled and lived a hard life in the ghetto, he knows that there's a way out for those who are determined and willing to work hard.

So keep your head high
Stay strong and don't let the harsh realities of life get you down.

And keep your heat low, ya heard me?
Carry a weapon to protect yourself, but don't draw unwanted attention to yourself.