Cold World
DJ MUGGS Lyrics

I had a bad dream
Don't be afraid, bad dreams are only dreams

What a time you chose to be born in
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked. Shit is deep on the block

And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
I am stuck in this dangerous world where violence and crime is the norm

It was the night before New Year's and all through the fuckin' projects
I found myself in a dangerous neighborhood on a particularly dangerous night

Not a handgun was silent, not even a Tec
Guns were being fired constantly, with no break or pause

Outside as I'm stuck by enemies who put fear
I was surrounded by threatening figures who made me feel afraid

Blasted on the spot before the pigs were dead
I was shot by my assailants before the police even arrived

You know hoods, robbers, snipers new in sight, fuck blue and white
The neighborhood was filled with dangerous criminals who wanted to harm me and had no respect for the police

They escape before them flash the fuckin' lights
Criminals were able to run away before the police could catch them

Gunshots, shatter first floor window panes
Gunfire was so intense that it caused windows to break

Shells hit the ground and blood stained the dice game
Bullets were flying everywhere and even innocent bystanders were getting hurt

Whether broke callisthetic, any style you set it
Whether you're poor or rich, you can still be involved in violence and crime

Beat niggaz toothless, physically cut up like gooses
Violence often leads to permanent physical harm and disfigurement

But with iron on the sides thugs took no excuses
Criminals were armed and ready for anything, and they didn't care about excuses or explanations

Therefore, your fifty-two handblocks was useless
No amount of fighting skills or strength could protect you in this dangerous neighborhood

Links was snatched off necks, scars on throats
Even jewelry and personal belongings were not safe, and people were often physically attacked

Jackets took, after bullet rips through coats
Clothing items, like jackets, were often destroyed by gunfire

Against those who felt the cold from the steel made 'em fold
The fear of death or injury from gun violence made people give up

And squeal, once the metal hit the temple of his grill
People would cry out in pain when they were shot in the head

Destruction worker, who was caught for his bomber
Even blue-collar workers could end up involved in crime or violence

No time to swing the hammer that was hangin' from his Farmer's
There wasn't even enough time to use tools, as violence and danger could strike at any moment

And it's bugged how some niggaz catch slugs
It's crazy how some people end up getting shot or killed

And pockets dug from everything except check stubs
Even though some people were involved in crime, it wasn't always lucrative and they often struggled financially

And it does sound ill like wars in Brownsville
The violence and danger in this neighborhood is reminiscent of a war zone

Or fatal robberies in Red Hook where feds look
The police are always trying to catch criminals in this dangerous neighborhood

For fugitives to shoot cops, niggaz layin' on roof tops
People would go to any length to avoid arrest, including shooting at the police or hiding on rooftops

For his cream he stashed in a shoe box
People would hide their money in hidden places like shoe boxes to keep it safe from other criminals

But he was hot, and the strip was filled with young killers
Even if you were able to hide your money, there were always threats around every corner

You don't suspect, so cops creep like caterpillars
Police would often hide and try to catch criminals off-guard

And born thieves stay hooded with extra bullets
Criminals were always prepared for violence and wore clothing that concealed their identities and weapons

Those who try to flee they hit the vertebrae, increase the murder rate
Criminals would not hesitate to shoot someone who tried to run away, and this only made the problem of violence and death worse

Similar to hit men who pull out Tecs and then
The violence in this neighborhood was reminiscent of a hit man-style attack

Drop those who crack like tacos from Mexican
People who were not able to handle the violence often suffered and died

Rapid, like recipients cashin' checks again
The violence was fast-paced and frenzied, like people cashing their paychecks

Back to the motherfuckin' spot on Lexington
Return to the dangerous neighborhood where violence and crime is the norm

We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
In this world, it's either fight or flight, and we often choose to fight back and protect ourselves

No time to freeze, undercovers ease up in Grand Prixs
We can't afford to freeze or hesitate, as even the police can be a threat to us

And seize packages and pocket the currency
The police can often be corrupt and take advantage of their power

Clicks control strips full clips are sprayed
The violence is often organized and carried out by gangs and other groups

Yellow tape, barricades, sidewalks, where bodies lay
Violence and death were a common occurrence and often left physical evidence on the streets

Madness strikes at twelve o'clock, midnight
Danger and violence can happen at any time, day or night

Stick up kids on the ground, broke the staircase light
Even small acts of violence, like breaking a lightbulb, were commonplace

And I stays harassed, scramblin' for petty cash
Even though I try to avoid violence, I still struggle to make ends meet and am constantly harassed

Jakes on my ass young bucks is learnin' fast
I am always being followed by the police, and younger people are becoming involved in crime at a faster rate

357's and 44's bought inside corner stores
Guns were easy to come by and were sold in everyday stores

Their fire sparks the wars
Guns were often the source of violence and conflict

Hospital floors surrounded by the law
Even hospitals were not safe from violence and often had police guarding them

Homicide questioning while the Jakes guard the door
Even in hospital rooms, the police would question people and make sure they weren't trying to escape

My hood stay tense, loyalty puts strength in my team
This dangerous neighborhood makes me feel tense and wary, but I rely on my community and friends for strength and support

'Cause niggaz main concerns scream
The main concern in this dangerous world is survival and self-protection

Some niggaz in the jet black Gallant
Even people who seem to be rich and successful can be involved in violence and crime

Shot up the Chinese restaurant, for this kid named Lamont
Even small disputes could lead to violent attacks and destruction

I thought he was dead but instead he missed a kid
Violence often causes collateral damage, with innocent bystanders getting hurt instead of the intended target

And hit a twelve year old girl in the head and then fled
People who commit violent acts often try to run away and avoid facing the consequences

Tactical narcotic, task force, back off fast
The police often had specialized teams to deal with the prevalence of drugs and narcotics in the neighborhood

'Cause the crime boss is passin' off cash
There were criminal bosses who controlled the neighborhood and profited from the violence and crime

Extortions for portions of streets causes beef
Even something as simple as controlling a street corner could lead to violent disputes and conflicts

Havin' followers of Indians trying to play Chief
People would often try to rise up the ranks of criminal organizations and become more powerful

You witness the saga, casualties and drama
Living in this dangerous world means witnessing violence and death almost every day

Life is a script, I'm not an actor but the author
Even though I am not directly involved in violence, I am still a part of this dangerous world and am affected by it

Of a modern day opera, where the main character
This world is a never-ending story of violence and crime, with the same people and themes repeated again and again

Is presidential papers, the dominant factor
Money and power are the main drivers behind the violence and crime in this neighborhood

But you look so alarmed
Even though I am used to this world of violence, others who are not familiar with it are often shocked and scared

As I walked on by
Even though I am always surrounded by violence and danger, I am still able to walk through it and survive

We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
In this world, sometimes the only option is to run or fight back

And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world, yo
This dangerous world has trapped me and there seems to be no escape

Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Violence affects everyone in this neighborhood, from the youngest to the oldest

Shit is deep on the block
The neighborhood is in deep despair and suffering

And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
I am trapped in this violent and dangerous world, with no hope of escape

We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
Sometimes we have to fight back against the police, as they are just as dangerous as the criminals in this neighborhood

And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
This world of violence and danger has trapped me and there seems to be no way out

Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
The violence and danger in this neighborhood affects everyone, with no one being spared from its reach

Shit is deep on the block
The despair and suffering in this neighborhood is profound and seems insurmountable

And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
I am trapped and hopeless in this world of violence and crime

We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
In this world, violence is the only way to protect yourself and survive

Shit is deep on the block
The suffering and violence in this neighborhood is intense and all-consuming

And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
I am trapped in this dangerous world and there seems to be no hope of escape