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Raised in Compton
Compton's Most Wanted Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I opened my eyes to realise I was dark brown.
And right there in the ghetto that color costs.
Brothers smothered by the streets meaning we're lost.
I grew up in a place where it was go for your own.
Don't get caught after dark roaming the danger zone.
Cause it was hell at the age of 12
as my Compton black brothers were in and out of jail.
Made it half way, it didn't pay, so I said fuck that.
Cause right then it was the cash I was after.
The street had a beat so I was caught up in the rapture.
It said sell, sell, sell.
And after that it was jail, jail, jail.
I also kept a nine as my toy.
I was only 15, so boys will be boys.
So by 16 I was hip to the groove
and fucking any stupid black bitch that move.
And on top of that I was down for the hood.
If you from Compton you know that the hood is where its good.
So load up the gatts and its down the avenue.
I'm kinda fucked up so I guess I'll kill a few
punk niggas trying to scheme on my tip.
Geah I'm selling the cavi and I'm checkin a grip.
But now the high rolling days been cancelled.
Damn, they kidnapped my homie for ransom.
But that's an everyday thing that's what the news play.
One times can't do shit so why the fuck do you pay.
And this goes out to all those niggas that know what's popping.
fool that's when your raised in Compton.
Scratching:
[he would grow up to be nothing but a hoodlum..
Either in jail, or someone would shoot him.]X2
Drug wars, you got the pushers and the pimps
and to make things worse you got the bustas and the wimps.
Gank bitches trying to scheme on my money.
Sucker punks jack, now ain't that funny.
But I'm a young nigga, with a respectable rep.
But my brothers gangbanging, I guess I'll follow in his footsteps.
Claiming a set, jacking a brother,
beating a bitch, you diss the hood I'll put you 6 feet under.
Who gives a fuck if its wrong, no time for thinking.
Just think of the bud and the 8-ball drinking.
So now its time to show my loyalty.
Shoot up my enemy territory.
And my brothers got my back they won't trip.
And I'm in it to win it so I won't slip.
It was like we had a gangbang rally.
A thousand mutherfucking thuggish niggas in the alley.
So while we waited to peel a cap
the suckers crept, damn, shot me in the back.
so now I bail in a wheelchair, no more stomping.
Raised in Compton.
geah, why'knowutumsayin?
MC Eiht and Compton's Most Wanted putting niggas to rest.
Side by each, why'knowutumsaying? Putting em down.
Cause Compton is the place with the base
and if you don't like it take 2 to the face.
MC Eiht, and I'm outta here.
Scratching:
[he would grow up to be nothing but a hoodlum..
Either in jail, or someone would shoot him.]X2
The song "Raised in Compton" by Compton's Most Wanted is a gritty and real portrayal of growing up in the tough streets of Compton, California. The song's narrator talks about how he grew up in a place where he had to fend for himself, where the color of his skin meant that he was always under suspicion, and where the lure of money and violence was always present. He talks about how he got caught up in the street life, selling drugs, carrying a gun, and battling other gangs. The song ends with a poignant statement about the toll that this lifestyle takes, as the singer ends up shot and paralyzed, "no more stomping."
The song uses a mix of street slang and vivid imagery to paint a picture of a world that is dark, dangerous, and unforgiving. It touches on themes of poverty, crime, and racism, and suggests that these issues are systemic and impossible to escape. At the same time, the song also celebrates the sense of brotherhood and community that exists in Compton, and the loyalty that these young men share with one another, even in the face of extreme danger.
Line by Line Meaning
Compton is the place that I touched down.
I arrived in Compton as a child.
I opened my eyes to realise I was dark brown.
I recognized my race as a Black person growing up in Compton.
And right there in the ghetto that color costs.
In Compton, being Black comes at a cost due to the oppressive environment.
Brothers smothered by the streets meaning we're lost.
Young people in Compton are often overwhelmed and negatively affected by the violent streets.
I grew up in a place where it was go for your own.
Compton taught me to fend for myself.
Don't get caught after dark roaming the danger zone.
It was dangerous to be outside in Compton at night.
Cause it was hell at the age of 12
as my Compton black brothers were in and out of jail.
The reality of jail affected me and my peers at a young age growing up in Compton.
Years went on, I played with the school crap.
I went to school for a while, but didn't take it seriously.
Made it half way, it didn't pay, so I said fuck that.
I dropped out of school because I didn't see the value in it.
Cause right then it was the cash I was after.
I was motivated by money rather than education or success.
The street had a beat so I was caught up in the rapture.
I was attracted to the lifestyle of the street and became immersed in it.
It said sell, sell, sell.
And after that it was jail, jail, jail.
My focus on selling drugs led to a cycle of being in and out of jail.
I also kept a nine as my toy.
I carried a gun for protection and also as a symbol of power.
I was only 15, so boys will be boys.
I saw myself as a typical teenager who made reckless decisions.
So by 16 I was hip to the groove
and fucking any stupid black bitch that move.
I began having sexual relationships with females and didn't have respect for them.
And on top of that I was down for the hood.
I was loyal to Compton and the lifestyle that came with it.
If you from Compton you know that the hood is where its good.
For those who grew up in Compton, the lifestyle and environment felt good and familiar.
So load up the gatts and its down the avenue.
I'm kinda fucked up so I guess I'll kill a few
punk niggas trying to scheme on my tip.
I was ready to use guns to protect my territory and retaliate against those who threatened my lifestyle.
But now the high rolling days been cancelled.
My life of selling drugs and making money came to an end.
Damn, they kidnapped my homie for ransom.
My friend was kidnapped and held for ransom, which showed the dangerous reality of Compton.
But that's an everyday thing that's what the news play.
Kidnappings and violence were common occurrences in Compton and were often reported on the news.
One times can't do shit so why the fuck do you pay.
The police were ineffective in stopping the violence and crime, so paying attention to them didn't matter.
fool that's when you're raised in Compton.
This lifestyle and reality is what happens when you grow up in Compton.
Drug wars, you got the pushers and the pimps
and to make things worse you got the bustas and the wimps.
The drug trade in Compton caused a lot of violence and those involved had to navigate different levels of power and oppression.
Gank bitches trying to scheme on my money.
There were women who would try to manipulate and use me for my money and status.
Sucker punks jack, now ain't that funny.
There were people who would try to rob me or engage in other harmful acts, which I found almost humorous.
But I'm a young nigga, with a respectable rep.
Despite my dangerous lifestyle, I still had a reputation for being someone to respect.
But my brothers gangbanging, I guess I'll follow in his footsteps.
Growing up around gang activity made me feel like it was my inevitable path to follow.
Claiming a set, jacking a brother,
beating a bitch, you diss the hood I'll put you 6 feet under.
I felt protective of my gang and territory, and was willing to be violent towards those who went against it.
Who gives a fuck if its wrong, no time for thinking.
In the moment, right and wrong didn't matter, only survival and success did.
Just think of the bud and the 8-ball drinking.
Drugs and alcohol were a way of coping and feeling good in the midst of a violent environment.
So now its time to show my loyalty.
Being loyal to my gang and Compton was important to me.
Shoot up my enemy territory.
I was willing to use violence to gain power and control over the environment.
And my brothers got my back they won't trip.
I had a sense of brotherhood and loyalty to those who were a part of my gang.
It was like we had a gangbang rally.
There was a sense of unity and strength when my gang came together for a common purpose.
the suckers crept, damn, shot me in the back.
Despite my tough exterior, I was ultimately vulnerable to the violence of the environment and was shot unexpectedly.
Raised in Compton.
My life and experiences were shaped by growing up in Compton.
MC Eiht and Compton's Most Wanted putting niggas to rest.
The group (including MC Eiht) is known for their violent and confrontational lyrics and actions towards others.
Cause Compton is the place with the base
and if you don't like it take 2 to the face.
Compton's culture is based on violence and aggression, and those who don't like it can leave or face the consequences.
MC Eiht, and I'm outta here.
MC Eiht is finished with this song and signifying the end of his expression of Compton's culture.
[he would grow up to be nothing but a hoodlum..
Either in jail, or someone would shoot him.]X2
This is a repeating sample suggesting that the violent and oppressive environment of Compton often has negative outcomes for those who live there.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AARON B. TYLER, ANDRE P. MANUEL, TERRY KEITH ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind