Your World
Common Lyrics

Night Blows, Stoves don't work, Hoes at work
The atmosphere is tense and difficult, with no resources or support available.

A warrior, so I wear 'em on my shirt
I embrace the struggle and wear it proudly as a symbol of strength.

Wish I was free as Che was, I spend a day buzzed
I long for the freedom and rebellious spirit of Che Guevara, but for now, I indulge in temporary escape through drugs.

Tripping on heights, wishing for Nikes in different flavors
I am chasing material possessions, like different flavors of Nike shoes, but also yearning for a higher purpose.

The age of Kane and Big Daddy, shown by the caddies
The influence and impact of influential hip hop artists like Big Daddy Kane is evident in the flashy cars they drive.

Uncles named Larry, that really never grabbed me
The male figures in my life, like my uncles, didn't have a strong influence on me or provide guidance.

My mother gave birth but she really never had me
My mother physically gave birth to me, but she wasn't emotionally present or involved in my upbringing.

Left to the hood to play daddy
I was left to be raised by the streets and the negative influences of the neighborhood.

Raised by niggaz named Butch through the bay bay
I was raised by men in the neighborhood with names like Butch, who acted as surrogate father figures.

With waists so they weigh they status on the streets
These men measure their importance and reputation in the community based on their criminal activities.

License plates that say they, motto This is Chicago in the hay day
Their license plates proudly proclaim their affiliation with the city of Chicago during its prime.

Similar to Good Times, I guess that I was Jay Jay
Growing up in the hood, my life resembled the struggles portrayed in the TV show 'Good Times', and I identified with the character Jay Jay.

A skinny nigga, young girls with penny figures
As a skinny guy, I was attracted to young girls who didn't have much money or material possessions.

So many niggaz, stacked upon each other
There are many black men in the hood, crowded together and struggling to survive.

It's the black upon each other that we love so much
Despite the challenges we face, the unity and solidarity within the black community is something we deeply cherish.

Wonder how many of us, these drugs gonna touch
I worry about the number of black individuals who will be negatively impacted by drug addiction.

Used to gangbang, ain't really thug that much
I used to be involved in gang activities, but now I don't embrace the thug lifestyle as much.

Rather have some thick broads then the dutch to clutch
I prefer the company of curvy women over holding onto a marijuana blunt.

Went to school in Baton Rouge for a couple of years
I attended college in Baton Rouge for a short period of time.

My college career got downed with a couple of beers
My college journey was derailed by excessive alcohol consumption.

Came back home, now I gotta pay back loans
After returning home, I am burdened with the responsibility of repaying my college loans.

Same nigga, same block, same shit they own
Despite my brief departure for college, I am back in the same neighborhood, dealing with the same struggles imposed by others.

Only thing different, quicker, they click that chrome
The only difference now is that people in the neighborhood are quicker to resort to violence and use firearms.

In my defense, yo I had to hit that zone
I acted out of self-defense and survival instincts, which led me to engage in violent actions.

Man to man, I'm good working with my hands
I have the skills and ability to work effectively using my physical strength and craftsmanship.

My generation never understood working for the man
Many individuals from my generation didn't comprehend the concept of being subordinate to a higher authority or working traditional jobs.

And, of being broke I ain't a fan
I don't enjoy being financially unstable and lacking resources.

Now I stand in the same spot, as my old man
Despite my efforts to distance myself from my father's circumstances, I find myself in a similar situation.

My life I planned not to be on this corner
I had aspirations and goals to escape the struggles of the neighborhood and not end up trapped in this same corner.

I still wanna see California
I still have dreams and desires to explore new places, like California.

But this is my world
However, I am rooted in the reality and circumstances of my current environment, which is my world.

'It's your world'
The repeated phrase serves as a reminder that each individual has the power and agency to shape their own world and destiny.

Life and death law around us
We are constantly surrounded by the harsh realities of life and death.

Four pounds and pounds a verb from out of towners
Drug-related violence and crime are perpetrated by individuals from outside the community.

It's hard to stay grounded
It's challenging to maintain stability and a sense of connection to one's roots in such a chaotic environment.

We stay high, that's why old folks down us
We turn to drugs as a way to escape the harsh realities, which causes older generations to criticize and judge us.

Lost, nobody found us, the force that surrounds us
We feel abandoned and overlooked, constantly being influenced and controlled by negative forces.

Ain't with us, they get us on the ground and hit us
Those who are against us take advantage of our vulnerability and physically harm us.

We paint pictures of the chains under their names and scriptures
Through our artwork and expression, we highlight the oppressive systems and conditions that bind us.

Removed from earth, only to return through birth
Even though some of us are taken away from this world through death, we are constantly reincarnated through new births.

Knew this girl selling her body, wish she knew what it was worth
I am familiar with a girl who is engaged in prostitution, and I wish she understood her own value and self-worth.

Between God and trash, looking in every car that pass
She exists in a state of uncertainty, oscillating between seeking spirituality and engaging in dangerous activities to survive.

With a walk that suggests head, to milk niggaz she was breastfed
Her confident and seductive walk indicates her ability to manipulate and deceive men for financial gain.

She know dairy so she say cheese to get bread
She is well-versed in the art of exploiting men's desires for monetary gain, using her charm to obtain financial stability.

In the area where it's more weaves and less dreads
In her neighborhood, it is more common to see women with hair weaves rather than embracing their natural hair, which represents a cultural shift.

Kinda scary, amongst thieves and base-heads
Living in a community filled with criminals and drug addicts is intimidating and unsettling.

Said it was her toes, but I could tell her soul hurt
She might pretend that her physical appearance is what hurts, but I can sense that her soul is in pain and suffering.

She was cold turk, growing up she got to know hurt
Through traumatic experiences and a difficult upbringing, she has become emotionally distant and numb.

Very well in a world where self-hate is overt
In a society that promotes self-hatred among black individuals, she has learned to navigate and survive.

Her step-father that he was ike, so her mother he striked
Her stepfather believed he was powerful like Ike Turner, and he subjected her mother to physical abuse.

She got to like like-minded niggaz, who liked crimes and figures
She is drawn to men who share her mindset and engage in criminal activities.

Doing white lines and liquor, see hard times had kicked her
She copes with her difficult circumstances by indulging in drug use and alcohol, which only exacerbate her struggles.

In the ass, it used to be thicker
The challenges and hardships she faces have caused her life to deteriorate and become more challenging.

Life is fast, some choose to be quicker
Life moves at a rapid pace, and some individuals choose to adapt and navigate through it more quickly.

I remember in high school she had a passion to sing
During her high school years, she had dreams and aspirations of pursuing a singing career.

Now she see herself in a casket in dreams
However, her reality is filled with despair and the fear of dying prematurely, symbolized by her dreams of being in a casket.

These are the children of crack and rap, blacks done lack
We, the younger generation, are the product of the crack cocaine epidemic and the influence of rap music, which has perpetuated the lack of opportunities for black individuals.

Self-esteem, yo we forgot the dream
As a result, our self-esteem has been damaged, and we have lost sight of the dreams and aspirations that once fueled us.

On our Jefferson's y'all but we forgot the theme
We are focused on material wealth and living luxuriously, similar to the Jeffersons from the TV show, but we have forgotten the importance of social progress and equality.

In the Chi, we even rooting for a garbage team
Even in Chicago, we support a basketball team with little success or greatness, paralleling our own struggles and lack of achievement.

This queen never seen herself on this Corner
The young woman, who is referred to as a queen, never imagined herself being trapped and struggling in this specific neighborhood corner.

She still wanna see California
Despite her circumstances, she still holds onto the dream of exploring and experiencing California.

But this is her world
Nevertheless, she is confined to and shaped by the realities and challenges of her world.

'It's your world'
The repeated phrase serves as a reminder that each individual has the power and agency to shape their own world and destiny.

Be, be here, be there, be that, be this
Embrace and embody every aspect of yourself and your surroundings.

Be grateful for life, be grateful to life
Appreciate and show gratitude for the gift of life and all that it offers.

Be gleeful everyday, for being the best swimmer among 500,000
Find joy and take pride in being exceptional and standing out among a large number of people.

Be-nign, be you, be mom's mean pie, be little black sambo with bad hair
Embrace your true self, including the aspects that others may perceive as negative or imperfect.

Be aware of what a lynch is
Stay informed and conscious of the history and reality of lynching and racial violence.

Be, be boundless energy
Embody limitless and endless energy and enthusiasm.

Be a four star ghetto general
Take charge and be a leader in your community, utilizing your skills and intelligence to uplift others.

Be no one except I
Stay true to yourself and don't allow others to define or dictate your identity.

Be a strong academic student, be an A student in sociology
Excel academically and strive for excellence in specific subjects, such as sociology.

Be food for thought to the growing mind
Provide intellectual nourishment and inspiration to young and developing minds.

Be the author of your own horoscope
Take control of your destiny and shape your future, rather than relying on external predictions or fate.

Be invited, be long-living, be forgiving, be not forgetful
Maintain strong relationships by being open, forgiving, and never forgetting the importance of others in your life.

Be a proud run, only to return to fight another day
Take pride in your accomplishments, even if they are temporary, and always be prepared to face new challenges.

Be peaceful if possible, but justice in ways
Strive for peace, but also pursue justice and fairness in all your actions and interactions.

Be high when you low, be on time but knowing to go
Maintain a positive mindset, even in difficult times, and always be aware of when it's time to move on from a situation.

Be cautious of the road to college, taking a detour through Vietnam or the Middle East
Be mindful of the potential detours and obstacles along the path to higher education, which could include military service or conflicts abroad.

Be absent of wars at any past or present fought amongst themselves
As a community, strive to be free from internal conflicts and divisions that hinder progress.

Be visual of foreclosure over your shoulder while begging
Stay aware of the possibility of losing your home due to financial difficulties, even while asking for help.

A nation built on free labor for reparation
Recognize the historical injustice of a nation built on the labor of enslaved individuals, and advocate for reparations.

Be a cartographer, be a map maker
Develop the skill of accurately representing and navigating through the world, both literally and metaphorically.

Be able to find afro-American man
Recognize and value the importance of the contributions and experiences of African-American men.

Search thoroughly it may be close to black man
Explore and investigate thoroughly, as the answers and solutions may be found within the black community itself.

Be amended 5/5ths, be amended 5/5ths human
Demand and embody full recognition and equality as a person of African descent, not accepting a fraction of humanity.

Be the owner of more land than is set aside for wildlife
Acquire and hold onto more land than what is typically designated for preserving wildlife and nature.

Be cupid, to world government
Foster love and understanding among the nations and governments of the world, taking on the role of Cupid.

Be found among the truth, lost tribe
Seek and embody the truth, even if it means feeling like a lost and misunderstood individual.

Be at full strength when walking through the valley
Maintain inner strength and resilience when faced with challenging or difficult times.

Be not foolish as tender 18 of the mountain tops
Exercise caution and wisdom, not being reckless or naive like an inexperienced young person climbing dangerous mountain peaks.

Be a brilliant soul, sparkling in the galaxy while walking on earth
Embody a radiant and extraordinary spirit, shining brightly like a star in the vast universe while living on Earth.

Be loved by God as much as God loved Gandhi and Martin Luther King
Desire to be loved and valued by God, just as historical figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were.

Be that last one of 144,000, be the resident of that twelfth house
Strive to be unique and one of a kind, like the last individual in a group of 144,000, and live in a position of spiritual significance.

Be....eternal!
Endeavor to achieve immortality, whether through leaving a lasting legacy or transcending physical existence.