The Corner Ft. Mos Def
Common Lyrics

Memories on the corners with the fo's and the mo's
Recalling memories of the past spent on the corners with friends and acquaintances

Walk to the store for the rose, talking straightforward to hoes
Heading to the store to buy a flower while having honest conversations with women

Got uncles that smoke, and some put blow up they nose, to cope with the lows, the wind is cold and it blows
Witnessing family members who turn to smoking or drugs as a coping mechanism for dealing with difficult times

In their socks and their soles, niggas holding they rolls, corners leave souls opened and closed, hoping for mo'
Struggling financially, yet still holding onto their money while having their spirits impacted by the events on the corner and hoping for better times

With nowhere to go, niggas rolling in droves, they shoot the wrong way, cause they ain’t knowin' their goals
Feeling lost with no direction, leading to making poor choices and mistakes

The streets ain’t safe cause they ain’t knowing the code, by the foes I was told, either focus or fold
Recognizing danger on the streets due to a lack of understanding of the unwritten rules and being advised to either succeed or give up

Got cousins with flows, hope they open some doors, so we can cop clothes and roll in a Rolls, now I roll in a Olds, with windows that don’t roll
Having relatives with musical talent who can potentially provide opportunities for success, allowing for purchasing luxury items, but currently driving a more modest vehicle with malfunctioning windows

Down the roads where cars get broken and stole, these are the stories told by Stony and Cottage Grove, the world is cold, the block is hot as a stove
Driving down dangerous streets where cars are commonly stolen, listening to stories of hardship from others in the community, and feeling the harsh reality of the world

I wish I could give you this feeling
Expressing a desire to share the emotions and experiences mentioned

On the corners niggas rob or kill, and dying just to make a living, huh?
Acknowledging the desperation and violence that can occur on the corners, as individuals resort to risky behavior to survive

We overstated, we underrated, we educated, the corner was our time when time stood still and, Gators and snakeskins and, Yellow and pink and profiles
Describing the diverse group of individuals who spent time on the corner, with varying degrees of success and intelligence, often dressed in flashy attire

Street lights and deep nights, cats trying to eat right, riding no-seat-bikes, with work to feed hypes, so they can get sweet Nike's, they head and they feet right
Navigating dark streets, while attempting to pursue a healthy lifestyle, despite struggling financially and needing to work hard to afford luxury items like Nike shoes

Desires of street life, cars and weed types, it’s hard to breathe nights, days are thief-like, the beasts roam the streets, the police is Greek-like
Facing temptation and struggles associated with street life, including drug use, difficulty breathing at night, frequent theft, and feeling oppressed by law enforcement

Game at its peak, we speak and believe hype, bang in the streets hats cocked left or deep right, it’s steep life, coming up where niggas is sheep-like
Participating in the competitive game of life, believing in oneself and taking pride in representing one's community, all while facing difficult challenges and feeling like a follower rather than leader

Rappers and hoopers, we strive to be like, G's with three strikes, seeds that need light, cheese and recite, needs and BE strife, the corner, where struggle and greed fight
Aspiring to emulate successful musicians and athletes, while also being surrounded by those who have faced significant legal consequences, needing guidance and exposure to opportunities, hustling and trying to gain wealth despite difficult circumstances

We write songs about wrong ‘cause it’s hard to see right, look to the sky, hoping it will bleed light, reality's a bitch, and I heard that she bites, the corner
Creating art that exposes the harsh realities of life while grappling with the challenge of seeking positivity, turning to religion in hopes of enlightenment, yet remaining aware of the cruelty of the world

The corner was our magic, our music, our politics, fires raised as tribal dances and war cries, broke out on different corners, power to the people, black power, black is beautiful
Recognizing the unique and inspirational nature of the corner as a place for artistic expression, political discourse, and community empowerment, with a focus on acknowledging and celebrating black pride and beauty

Black church services, murderers, Arabs serving burgers, as cats with gold permanents, move they bags as herbalists, the dirt isn’t just fertile, it’s people working and earning this
Observing the diversity of the community through visits to church, interactions with criminals, and witnessing people of different ethnic backgrounds working various jobs, recognizing the value of hard work in a tough environment

The curb getters go where the cash flow and the current is, it’s so hot that niggas burn to live, the furnace is, where the money moving, the determined live, we talk shit, play lotto, and buy German beers, it’s so black packed with action that's affirmative, the corners
Identifying the importance of following the money and taking risks in order to survive, feeling the urgency and intensity of the environment, aiming to maintain a positive attitude through humor and indulgence, and recognizing the vibrancy of the community despite hardship