C.R.E.A.M.
GZA/Genius Lyrics

What that nigga want God?
A rhetorical question, perhaps directed towards a higher power, expressing caution amidst the danger of police presence.

(Cash Rules) Word up, two for fives over here baby
Street slang for buying drugs, emphasizing the constant need for money in a harsh environment.

Know what I'm sayin'?
A common phrase to check if others understand the language or message.

(Cash Rules Everything Around Me C.R.E.A.M. get)
The chorus highlights the central theme of money and its pervasiveness in all aspects of life.

I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side
The artist's upbringing in a rough, criminal environment in New York City.

Staying alive was no jive
Survival was difficult and serious.

Had second hands, moms bounced on old men
The artist's mother had to rely on second-hand clothing and was in an unstable, abusive relationship.

So then we moved to Shaolin land
The artist and his family moved to the Shaolin neighborhood of Staten Island, home to the Wu-Tang Clan.

A young youth, yo rockin' the gold tooth, 'Lo goose
A young child, wearing a gold tooth and a Polo goose jacket to try and look wealthy.

Only way, I begin to G off was drug loot
The only way for the artist to make money was through selling drugs.

But it was just a dream for the teen, who was a fiend
Selling drugs was a hopeless attempt to achieve the American Dream, which had turned him into an addict.

Started smokin' woolas at sixteen
The artist started smoking marijuana at 16 years old.

And running up in gates, and doing hits for high stakes
Breaking into residences and committing robberies for high amounts of money.

Making my way on fire escapes
Escaping from dangerous situations via fire escapes, a common feature in New York City's apartment buildings.

No question I would speed, for cracks and weed
The artist was addicted to crack and marijuana and would do dangerous things to obtain them quickly.

No question I would flow off, and try to get the dough all Sticking up white boys in ball courts
The artist would rob white people playing basketball, implying that he felt both racial resentment and desperation.

My life got no better, same damn 'Lo sweater
Despite his illegal activities, the artist's quality of life did not improve; he could only afford to wear the same Polo sweater.

Figured out I went the wrong route
The artist realized he made the wrong choice by getting involved in drug-related crimes.

So I got with a sick ass click and went all out
He joined a gang or group of criminals to intensify his crimes and income.

Catchin' keys from across seas
The artist acquired drugs from international sources.

Rollin in MPV's, every week we made forty G's
The group made a lot of money from drug trafficking, buying luxury cars with their earnings.

Yo nigga respect mine, or here go the TEC-9 Ch-chick-POW! Move from the gate now
The artist is demanding respect and threatens others with a firearm.

It's been twenty-two long hard years, I'm still strugglin'
The artist reflects on how difficult life has been for him since his youth.

Survival got me buggin', but I'm alive on arrival
He is barely surviving and seems paranoid but is still alive.

I peep at the shape of the streets
He is aware of the danger surrounding him and pays attention to the environment.

And stay awake to the ways of the world 'cause shit is deep
He is alert and aware of the complexities of life.

A man with a dream with plans to make C.R.E.A.M.
The artist had ambitions of making money but did not have a legal means of doing so.

Which failed I went to jail at the age of 15
His attempts to make money led to imprisonment at a very young age.

A young buck sellin' drugs and such who never had much
The artist had little to nothing growing up and resorted to selling drugs to obtain material possessions.

Trying to get a clutch at what I could not
He was attempting to gain what he could not afford legally.

The court played me short, now I face incarceration
He was given an unjust punishment by the court and faces imprisonment once again.

Pacin' going upstate's my destination
He is preparing to go to a state prison.

Handcuffed in back of a bus, forty of us
He is being transported to prison with many other inmates.

Life as a shorty shouldn't be so rough
Life should not be as difficult for children as it is for him.

But as the world turns I learned life is hell
As he grows older, he realizes how difficult and unfair life can be.

Living in the world no different from a cell
He compares society to a prison cell.

Everyday I escape from Jakes givin' chase, sellin' base
Every day he evades the police who are chasing him while he is selling drugs.

Smokin' bones in the staircase
He smokes marijuana in a staircase to avoid detection.

Though I don't know why I chose to smoke sess
He does not know why he smokes marijuana despite its associated risks.

I guess that's the time when I'm not depressed
Smoking marijuana is the only time he feels some relief from his depression.

But I'm still depressed, and I ask what's it worth?
Despite his drug use and illegal activities, he questions whether it is worth continuing down this path.

Ready to give up so I seek the Old Earth
He seeks guidance from his mother or a wise elder.

Who explained working hard may help you maintain
His mother or elder taught him that hard work can lead to stability.

To learn to overcome the heartaches and pain
He is learning how to cope with emotional struggles.

We got stickup kids, corrupt cops, and crack rocks
The community struggles with robbery, police corruption, and drug addiction.

And stray shots, all on the block that stays hot
He frequently hears gunshots in his neighborhood that serves as a constant reminder of the dangerous environment.

Leave it up to me while I be living proof
He is determined to be a positive example to the younger generation.

To kick the truth to the young black youth
He wants to share the reality of living in a low-income, high-crime environment with black youth specifically.

But shorty's running wild smokin' sess drinkin' beer
The young children in the community are engaging in high-risk activities instead of listening to him.

And ain't trying to hear what I'm kickin' in his ear
They are not interested in his advice or message.

Neglected, for now, but yo, it gots to be accepted
He has been overlooked but acknowledges that it is part of life.

That what? That life is hectic
Life is fast-paced, chaotic, and challenging.