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Fort Minor/Fort Minor/Fort Minor Lyrics

Back home
Returning home to a place of familiarity and comfort.

Everybody's searching for somethin'
Everyone is trying to find meaning in their lives.

But all they can find is a whole lot of nothin'
Despite the search, they can't find anything to give them a sense of purpose.

Ain't nobody hoping and praying
People have lost faith and don't believe that their prayers will be answered.

'Cause they feel like nothing can save 'em
People are hopeless and feel like there's no way out of their situation.

And they try to hold out but they can't fight the fact that
People try to stay strong, but they can't ignore the truth.

Life goes black when those lights go out
When there's no hope left, everything feels dark and meaningless.

But I guess you gotta just watch out for your own
You have to take care of yourself because nobody else will.

'Cause ain't a damn thing free
You have to work hard to get what you want in life.

Back home they holler "disciple" and "blackstone"
In the artist's hometown, people talk about gangs (such as the Gangster Disciples or Black Stones).

Some black they freebase yo we trapped on
Drug addiction is a problem in the community.

Where our grandmothers marched the guns clap on
The neighborhood has a history of violence and gang activity.

There's liquor stores, beauty supplies, and rap songs
The neighborhood is filled with businesses that profit off the community's struggles, and rap music is a popular genre.

I travel the world just to come back to it
The singer has traveled to different places, but feels a strong pull to return home.

The crib got a lot of soul like black music
The singer's home has a lot of character and feels authentic.

I'm attached to it
The artist has an emotional connection to his hometown.

In many ways this city raised me and gave me
The artist's experiences in the city have shaped him into the person he is today.

The drama, honor, and bravery
The neighborhood is full of both good and bad experiences, but has taught the singer important values.

The streets seem hollow when I go to Chicago
Another city feels empty and unfamiliar to the singer compared to his hometown.

It's cheap wine and sorrow
The other city is filled with cheap vices and sadness.

Times hard to swallow
The harsh realities of life can be difficult to accept.

In search of God's tomorrow I borrow words from the
The artist turns to religion for guidance and inspiration.

Bible and use them for survival gangs rival
The singer uses the Bible to stay strong and avoid getting involved in gang activity.

Signs painted on the walls like hieroglyphics
Graffiti and murals are a form of expression in the neighborhood.

I tell 'em that this is all tribal
The singer sees the neighborhood as a tight-knit community.

Used to do dirt shorty's goin' through the same cycle
Young people in the neighborhood are susceptible to making the same mistakes and getting involved in crime.

And trials like Michael tryin' not to stay idle
People in the neighborhood face challenges and have to work hard to avoid getting caught up in negative behaviors.

Back home it's not Compton but close
The neighborhood may not be as infamous as Compton, but still has similar problems and challenges.

The same problems exist and the pain throbbin'
The struggles of the neighborhood are palpable and ever-present.

And folks are so common
The people in the neighborhood are ordinary and unremarkable.

It don't really bother us much we just swallow it uh
The difficulties of life are accepted as a part of everyday existence.

Crack the bottle and smoke hope tomorrow something
People turn to alcohol and drugs to cope with their problems and find a glimmer of hope for the future.

Magical happens that'll put me back in the biz
People hope for a lucky break that will lift them out of poverty and into success.

But the chances of it actually happening's kinda slim
The artist knows that the odds of success are stacked against him.

Back home we get the good life at glimpse
Occasionally, people in the neighborhood get a taste of what it's like to live well.

In the form of a rap start, drug dealers, and pimps
Success in the neighborhood comes in the form of rappers, drug dealers, and pimps, all of whom often exploit the community's struggles.

Back home I try my best to keep it together it's cold
The singer struggles to stay strong in a tough and unforgiving environment.

Like the Windy City streets of December
The cold and bitter weather of Chicago serves as a metaphor for the harsh realities of life in the neighborhood.

I pace back and forth looking for the courage to shine
The singer wants to succeed and make something of himself, but struggles with fear and self-doubt.

But can't tap the source need something to nourish my mind
The artist needs something inspiring to help him stay strong and focused.

I know we all lose quite a bit in life
Everyone faces hardship and loss in their lives.

Only to gain some
But these experiences can also be opportunities for growth and learning.

Life or the dark winding roads we came from
Life is a journey, and the path is often unclear and fraught with challenges.

But I move with the night so I'm used to the shade
The artist is accustomed to navigating difficult situations and making the best of them.

And never lose sight bringing truth back to the game
The artist remains true to himself and his values, even in the face of adversity.

Back home we've got a lot of shit on our minds
People in the neighborhood are burdened with worries and problems.

We're always behind on something 'cause there's not enough time
Life in the neighborhood is fast-paced and filled with obstacles that make it hard to keep up.

And we're non-stop bottom line doing what we gotta do
Despite the challenges, people have to work hard just to survive.

To get some food in the fridge and stay out of the hospital
Basic necessities like food and healthcare can be difficult to come by in the neighborhood.

Back home there's people calling us hopeless
Society often views people in the neighborhood as being without hope.

People trying to tell us all we need is some focus
Some believe that success can be achieved if people just work harder and stay focused.

But focus
The artist believes that there's more to the equation than just hard work and focus.

Focus is overrated
The artist believes that success requires more than just focus and hard work.

Cause you see very blemish and mistake and can't change it
Even if people work hard and stay focused, they may still be held back by past mistakes and problems.

Back home is Alvarado K-Town and J-Town
The singer's neighborhood has different sections with unique identities.

Or Little Tokyo for those that don't know
One of the neighborhood's sections has a strong Japanese community.

Where figures shiver living right in the litter
Despite the community's different sections, there's still poverty and hardship throughout the neighborhood.

Where kids write nigga right inside the L.A River
The neighborhood's youth express themselves through graffiti and other forms of art.

On the concrete a symbol of out everyday way
The graffiti is a reflection of the neighborhood's identity and way of life.

It's that color and concentration over heavy gray
The graffiti adds color and vibrancy to a neighborhood that can otherwise feel dull and lifeless.

And by the time the ink dries on this page
The singer is still searching for a way to succeed and help his community.

I'll be half a day away from the place where I stay
Despite being physically away from his hometown, the singer is always connected to it and the struggles that continue to exist there.