These Days
Daz Dillinger/Nate Dogg Lyrics

These days, you gotta be strapped
In today's world, one must always carry a firearm for protection

I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back
I am aware that no one will come to my aid or defend me

These days, you gotta be down
One must be tough and ready to fight at any moment

Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound?
It is not easy to be part of the Dogg Pound gang

I believe I got good skills
I have confidence in my abilities

We been makin' music since we were kids
We have been creating music together from a young age

That's all I wanna do for life
Creating music is my life-long goal and passion

Keepin' it real until the day I die
Being honest and true to myself is important to me, even until death

Obstacles get in my way
Challenges and difficulties present themselves in my life

Continue to mash and don't forget to pray
I must keep pushing through and remember to pray for guidance

I keep my hand on my steel
I always carry a gun for protection

Because I love my life and I always will
I cherish my life and will always protect it

Whatever people say to me
No matter what others say to me

I take it in stride, I'm thinkin', "Negro, please"
I remain calm and do not let their words get to me

If you really don't know me
If you do not truly know who I am

Then you best back up, I suggest strongly
It is best for you to step away from me

Yes sir, this is D-P-G
I am part of the Dogg Pound gang

'Til the day I D-I-E
Until the day that I die

For my L-I-F and E
For my entire life

No matter where I look, that's all I see
My gang affiliation is a big part of my identity and life

Many women cling to me
I have a lot of women interested in me

Is it 'cause they see me on BET?
Are they interested in me because they see me on BET (Black Entertainment Television)?

Everybody knows my name
I am well-known

All the police think I'm servin' 'caine
The police suspect me of selling cocaine

Jealous niggas call us out
Other gang members call us out of jealousy

But I don't worry long as I hear their mouths
Their insults do not bother me

If ever they decide to kill
If they choose to try and kill me

You better be prepared because I know I will
They should be aware that I am ready to defend myself and retaliate

One thing I can guarantee
I can promise one thing

You don't wanna be standin' next to me
You do not want to be near me in a dangerous situation

Before my final curtain call
Before I die

I feel safe sayin' it won't be long
I have a gut feeling that my death is fast approaching

So if we bump heads in the street
If we run into each other on the street

Or even at some party
Or at an event

You niggas really can't see me
You cannot compete with me or handle me in a fight

My request is that you stop tryin'
I ask that you stop attempting to harm or compete with me

Before I let go
Before I am killed or forced out of the gang

Every day, that four-five stays on deck for whoever
I always have my handgun with me for anyone who dares to confront me

I'm bustin', takin' down, bowin' down never
I am prepared to shoot and take down anyone who threatens me

Gotta watch my back for these coppers
I must be wary of the police

As well as these niggas that I kick it with
I must also be wary of other gang members

They stick you faster than these bitches will
They will betray you faster than women will

Since I'm pimpin', everybody wants my riches
Since I am a pimp, everyone is interested in my money

And I can't keep the don from buyin' weed, yackin' every time
I cannot stop indulging in drugs and getting high

I smoke constantly, it comforts me
I use smoking as a way to comfort myself

From committin' a murder, so I chill and puff the herb
Smoking weed helps me from committing a murder, so I relax and smoke instead

Who gots my back? Nobody (nobody)
No one is truly there to support or defend me

Little Jon Gotti's layin' niggas down at the homie's party
My fellow gang member Little Jon Gotti is killing people at our party

Are we goin' crazy? I guess we are bein' who we are
We might be losing our minds, but we are just acting like ourselves

And they say them niggas got to be a star
People say that we need to be successful and famous

I gots to get mine, if I blast then it's my destiny
I need to earn my money, and if I end up killing someone, it was meant to be

If I die then it was meant to be intentionally
If I am killed, it was on purpose and meant to happen

Worryin', stressin', I guess I need a confession
I am often worried and stressed, and maybe I need to confess my sins

When the murder take place, it was self protection (these days)
If I kill someone, it was in self-defense and necessary to protect myself in today's world