In The Ghetto
Eric B. & Rakim Lyrics


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Planet Earth was my place of birth
Born to be the soul controller of the universe
Besides the part of the map I hit first
Any a rhyme that I can adapt when it gets worst

The rough gets going, the going gets rough
When I start flowing, the mic might bust
The next state, I shake from the power I generate
People in Cali used to think it was earthquakes

'Cause times was hard on the Boulevard
So I vote God and never get scarred and gauled
But it seems like I'm locked in hell
Looking over the edge but the are never fell

A trip to slip 'cause my Nikes got grip
Stand on my own two feet and come equip
Any stage I'm seen on, a mic I fiend on
I stand alone and need nothing to lean on

Going for self wit a long way to go
So much to say but I still flow slow
I come correct and I won't look back
'Cause it ain't where you're from, it's where you're at

Even the (ghetto)

I learn to relax in my room and escape from New York
And return through the womb of the world as a thought
Thinking how hard it was to be born
Me being queen wit no physical form

Millions have settled wit one destination
To reach the best part, it's life creation
9 months later, a job well done
Make way, 'cause here I come

Since I made it this far, I can't stop now
There's a will and a way and I got to know how
To be all I can be and more
And see all there is to see before

Called and go back to the essence
It's a lot to learn so I study my lessons
I thought the ghetto was the worst that could happen to me
I'm glad I listen when my father was rapping to me

'Cause back in the days, they lived in caves
Exile from the original man, a straight way
Now that's what I call hard times
I rather be here to exercise the mind

Then I take a thought around the world twice
From knowledge to born back to knowledge precise
Across the desert, that's how to store a radiant
But they couldn't cave me in 'cause I'm the Asiant

Reaching for the city, a Mecca, visit medina
Visions of Neffertiti then I seen a
Mind keeps traveling, I'll be back after I
Stop and think about the brothers and sisters in Africa

Return the thought through the eye of a needle
For miles I thought and I just fought the people
Under the dark skies on a dark side
Not only there but right here's an apartheid

So now is the time for us to react
Take a trip through the mind and when you get back
Understand you're third eye seen all of that
It ain't where you're from, it's where you're at

Even the (ghetto)
Even the (ghetto)

No more props, I want property
In every borough, nobody's stopping me
Because I'm thorough, rhymes are making real estate for me to own
Wherever I bless a microphone

007 is back and relaxing
On poignant reacting and ready for action
I'm so low key that you might not see me
Incognito and taking it easy

Quiet, it's kept on a hush hush
In front of a crowd, I get loud, there's a bumrush
Be calm, keep a low pro, and play the background
Over the wack rapper, put the mic back down

So rip it, break it in half, go head and slam it
'Cause when it's time to build, I'm a mechanic
I'm bonding and mending, attaching and blending
So many solos, there is no ending

People in my neighborhood, they know I'm good
From London to Hollywood, wherever I stood
Footprints remain on stage ever since
As I walk the street, I leave fossils and dents

When I had sex, I left my name on necks
My trademark was left throughout the projects
I used to get rich when I played celo
When I rolled 4, 5, 6, they go we know

So I collect my cash then slide
I got my back, my gun's on my side
It shouldn't have to be like that
I guess it ain't where you're from, it's where you're at

Even the (ghetto)




I'm from the (ghetto)
Word up, peace

Overall Meaning

In the song "In the Ghetto" by Eric B. & Rakim, the lyrics describe the journey of a soul controller born on planet Earth, tasked with adapting intricate rhymes to overcome hardship. The rapper's rough condition is showcased by "The Boulevard" and its surroundings, which encompasses the essence of the ghetto. Even though he discovers the false reality he was entangled in, where it seemed like he was locked in hell, he learns to explore his mind and appreciate the world around him. The ghetto seemed like the worst thing that could happen to him until he realizes that his ancestors were exiled from the original man, and their struggle was worse than his. The rapper aspires to reach new heights of knowledge and awareness and invokes vision-like descriptions of cities and countries worldwide. In conclusion, the lyrics urge people to understand that where they're from is not as important as where they're at, and that knowledge and experience can humble and elevate anyone.


Line by Line Meaning

Planet Earth was my place of birth
I was born on Earth


Born to be the soul controller of the universe
I have the purpose of controlling the universe's soul


Besides the part of the map I hit first
Apart from where I was born


Any a rhyme that I can adapt when it gets worst
I can change my rhyme when times get tough


The rough gets going, the going gets rough
When things get hard, I don't give up


When I start flowing, the mic might bust
My rhymes are so powerful it might break the mic


The next state, I shake from the power I generate
My power is so great it even shakes the state I'm in


People in Cali used to think it was earthquakes
People used to think that my rhymes caused earthquakes in California


'Cause times was hard on the Boulevard
Times were tough on the street


So I vote God and never get scarred and gauled
I believe in God and never let hardships bring me down


But it seems like I'm locked in hell
It feels like I'm in a tough situation


Looking over the edge but the are never fell
Although I'm in a difficult situation, I never give up or fall down


A trip to slip 'cause my Nikes got grip
I won't trip because my Nikes have good grip


Stand on my own two feet and come equip
I stand alone and I'm capable


Any stage I'm seen on, a mic I fiend on
I love being on stage and have a passion for the mic


I stand alone and need nothing to lean on
I don't need anyone's help, I stand alone


Going for self wit a long way to go
I'm working on myself but still have a long way to go


So much to say but I still flow slow
I have a lot to say but I express it slowly and thoughtfully


I come correct and I won't look back
I always do things properly and never regret them


'Cause it ain't where you're from, it's where you're at
Your current situation is more important than where you come from


Even the (ghetto)
Even in a tough neighborhood


I learn to relax in my room and escape from New York
I relax in my room to escape from the stress of New York


And return through the womb of the world as a thought
I return to the world with new ideas


Thinking how hard it was to be born
Reflecting on how difficult it is to come into existence


Me being queen wit no physical form
I am powerful even though I am not physically present


Millions have settled wit one destination
Many people have settled for just one goal in life


To reach the best part, it's life creation
The ultimate goal is to create a fulfilling life


9 months later, a job well done
After 9 months, a new life is created


Make way, 'cause here I come
I'm here and ready to make an impact


Since I made it this far, I can't stop now
I've come too far to give up


There's a will and a way and I got to know how
There's always a way to achieve something and I have to figure it out


To be all I can be and more
To reach my full potential and exceed it


And see all there is to see before
To experience everything life has to offer


Called and go back to the essence
When my time comes, I will return to the universe


It's a lot to learn so I study my lessons
There's a lot to learn in life so I constantly educate myself


I thought the ghetto was the worst that could happen to me
I used to believe that living in the ghetto was the worst thing that could happen to me


I'm glad I listen when my father was rapping to me
I'm grateful that I listened to my father's advice


'Cause back in the days, they lived in caves
In the past, people lived in caves


Exile from the original man, a straight way
People were exiled from the original man's teachings


Now that's what I call hard times
That was a difficult situation


I rather be here to exercise the mind
I prefer to be here to challenge myself mentally


Then I take a thought around the world twice
I think deeply about the world's issues


From knowledge to born back to knowledge precise
From learning, to being born, to learning again precisely


Across the desert, that's how to store a radiant
To preserve something radiant, one must travel across a desert


But they couldn't cave me in 'cause I'm the Asiant
They couldn't hold me back because I am strong and unbreakable


Reaching for the city, a Mecca, visit medina
Striving to reach an important city and visit places of significance


Visions of Neffertiti then I seen a
I have visions of important historical figures


Mind keeps traveling, I'll be back after I
My mind continues to explore and I'll return later


Stop and think about the brothers and sisters in Africa
I pause to reflect on the struggles of people in Africa


Return the thought through the eye of a needle
I reflect on these struggles from a new angle


For miles I thought and I just fought the people
I thought for a long time and fought for important causes


Under the dark skies on a dark side
In dark times and difficult situations


Not only there but right here's an apartheid
There is discrimination and segregation happening here too


So now is the time for us to react
It's time for us to take action


Take a trip through the mind and when you get back
Reflect on your thoughts and emotions and return with newfound clarity


Understand you're third eye seen all of that
Realize that your mind's eye has observed everything


No more props, I want property
I don't want praise, I want ownership


In every borough, nobody's stopping me
I aim to own property in every neighborhood and won't let anyone stop me


Because I'm thorough, rhymes are making real estate for me to own
Due to my lyrical talent, I'm able to make money to invest in real estate


Wherever I bless a microphone
Wherever I perform on stage


007 is back and relaxing
I'm back and taking it easy


On poignant reacting and ready for action
I'm ready to react and take action when necessary


I'm so low key that you might not see me
I don't draw much attention to myself


Incognito and taking it easy
Hiding my identity and taking it easy


Quiet, it's kept on a hush hush
I keep quiet and don't share much information


In front of a crowd, I get loud, there's a bumrush
When I perform for a crowd, they get excited and rush the stage


Be calm, keep a low pro, and play the background
Remain composed, stay out of the spotlight, and blend in


Over the wack rapper, put the mic back down
I'm better than other rappers and they should just stop performing


So rip it, break it in half, go head and slam it
Destroy the weak music and slam it to the ground


'Cause when it's time to build, I'm a mechanic
When it's time to build, I'm able to make things happen


I'm bonding and mending, attaching and blending
I'm creating strong bonds and partnerships


So many solos, there is no ending
I have many successful projects and it never ends


People in my neighborhood, they know I'm good
People in my neighborhood know I'm talented


From London to Hollywood, wherever I stood
My talent is recognized internationally


Footprints remain on stage ever since
My impact on the stage is still felt to this day


As I walk the street, I leave fossils and dents
My presence leaves a lasting impact


When I had sex, I left my name on necks
My sexual conquests are memorable to others


My trademark was left throughout the projects
My signature style is recognized in the community


I used to get rich when I played celo
I used to earn a lot of money playing dice games


When I rolled 4, 5, 6, they go we know
When I roll the dice and get certain numbers, everyone knows it's a success


So I collect my cash then slide
I collect my winnings and get out quickly


I got my back, my gun's on my side
I have my own back and am prepared to defend myself


It shouldn't have to be like that
It's unfortunate that we have to protect ourselves in this way


I guess it ain't where you're from, it's where you're at
Your current situation is more important than where you come from


I'm from the (ghetto)
I come from a tough neighborhood


Word up, peace
Agreement and peace to all listening




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HERMAN DAVIS, ALVIN RANGLIN, HERMAN E DAVIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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