Cold World
GZA/Inspectah Deck Lyrics

Babies cryin' brothers dyin' and brothers getting knocked
The world is full of suffering - babies are crying and people are dying, being arrested and sent to jail.

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down
The neighborhood is a dangerous place and he feels trapped by his surroundings.

In this cold, cold world
The world is cold and unfeeling, causing people to suffer.

It was the night before New Year's, and all through the fuckin' projects
It was a chaotic and dangerous night in the projects, the night before the New Year's Day.

Not a handgun was silent, not even a Tec
Gun violence was rampant and gunfire could be heard all night.

Outside as I'm stuck, by enemies who put fear
He is trapped outside, fearing for his life because of the presence of enemies.

And blasted on the spot before the pigs were dere
He was shot by his enemies before the police arrived.

You know hoods robbers snipers new in sight, fuck blue and white
He knows that there are dangerous people all around, including those who rob and kill, and he doesn't trust the police.

They escape before them flash the fuckin' lights
The criminals escape before the police arrive with their flashing lights.

Gunshots, shatter first floor window panes
Gunshots were so frequent that the windows were being broken.

Shells hit the ground and blood stained the dice game
The dice game was interrupted by the sound of gunshots, and blood was spilled.

Whether broke callisthetic, any style you set it
No matter how much money you have or how fit you are, anyone can be a victim of violence.

Beat niggas toothless, physically cut up like gooses
People are often beaten up so badly that they lose teeth and are physically mutilated.

But with iron on the sides thugs took no excuses
Violent criminals were not swayed by excuses, but were armed and dangerous.

Therefore, your fifty-two handblocks was useless
No matter how familiar you are with the area, you can still be caught off guard and victimized.

Links was snatched off necks, scars on throats
People's chains were stolen, and they were left with scars on their throats.

Jackets took, after bullet rips through coats
Bullets pierced through people's coats and they were robbed of their jackets.

Against those who felt the cold from the steel made em fold
The violence was used against those who were scared and weak, making them fold.

And squeal, once the metal hit the temple of his grill
People would scream in pain once they were shot in the head.

Destruction worker, who was caught for his bomber
A construction worker was caught for the bombs he made.

No time to swing the hammer that was hangin' from his Farmer's
He didn't have time to defend himself with the hammer he had.

And it's bugged how some niggas catch slugs
It's troubling how some people are killed by bullets.

And pockets dug from everything except check stubs
People's pockets were emptied during the violence, except for their check stubs.

And it does, sound ill like wars in Brownsville
The violence is reminiscent of wars that are fought in Brownsville.

Or fatal robberies in Red Hook where feds look
The authorities are always looking for people who committed fatal robberies in Red Hook.

For fugitives to shoot cops, niggas layin' on roof tops
Fugitives are looking to harm or kill cops, while others are killed and left on rooftops.

For his CREAM he stashed in a shoebox
People are killed for the cash they hid in shoeboxes.

But he was hot, and the strip was filled with young killers
The fugitive was on the run and the area was filled with young murderers.

You don't suspect, so cops creep like caterpillars
The authorities move quietly to catch criminals who they don't suspect.

And born thieves stay hooded with extra bullets
Criminals often have their faces covered and carry extra ammunition.

Those who try to flee they hit the vertebrae, increase the murder rate
People who try to run away are shot in the spine, leading to more murders.

Similar to hit men who pull out Tecs and then
This violence is similar to what hit men do when they pull out guns.

Drop those who crack like tacos from Mexican
They kill those who are easy targets and have no protection, like tacos from a fast food chain.

Rapid, like recipients cashin' checks again
Violence happens quickly and suddenly, like when people cash their paychecks.

Back to the motherfuckin' spot on Lexington
He returns to the same place where all this violence is happening.

We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
He and his friends are always running from the police and shooting guns.

Yo, no time to freeze, undercovers ease up in Grand Prixs
He has no time to hesitate because undercover officers are approaching in fast cars.

And seize packages and pocket the currency
The officers steal packages and take the money for themselves.

Clicks control strips full clips are sprayed
Gangs control the streets and are quick to shoot full clips of bullets.

Yellow tape barricades sidewalks where bodies lay
The area is often blocked off with yellow tape where dead bodies lie.

Madness strikes at twelve o'clock midnight
The violence often happens suddenly, at midnight.

Stick up kids on the ground broke the staircase light
Criminals would break lights to the staircases, making it dark and unsafe.

And I stays harassed, scramblin' for petty cash
He is constantly harassed by the police and trying to scrape by with small amounts of money.

Jakes on my ass young bucks is learnin' fast
The authorities are always after him and young criminals are rising up quickly.

357's and 44's bought inside corner stores
Deadly weapons can easily be found and bought at corner stores.

Their fire sparks the wars
The violence and shootings are sparked by people using guns.

Hospital floors surrounded by the law
The police are always present at the hospitals, where victims are being treated.

Homicide questioning while the Jakes guard the door
The police question people about shootings while other officers guard the entrance.

My hood stay tense, loyalty puts strength in my team
The neighborhood is always tense, but loyalty among his friends makes them strong.

'Cause niggas main concern is CREAM
The primary concern for many is getting money.

Some niggas in the jet black Gallant
Some people drive jet black cars.

Shot up the Chinese restaurant, for this kid named Lamont
They shot up a Chinese restaurant over a guy named Lamont.

I thought he was dead but instead he missed a kid
He assumed Lamont was dead, but he only missed and shot a child instead.

And hit a twelve year old girl in the head and then fled
After shooting the girl, they ran away.

Tactical narcotic, task force, back off fast
The police task force for narcotics is quick to back off.

'Cause the crime boss is passin' off cash
The boss of the criminal gang is passing off money.

Extortions, for portions of streets, causes beef
Criminals fight and extort each other over control of certain streets.

Havin' followers of Indians trying to play Chief
Native American gang members are vying for leadership positions.

You witness the saga, casualties and drama
People are witnessing the violent and dramatic events unfolding.

Life is a script, I'm not an actor but the author
Life is unpredictable, but he still has some control over his own story.

Of a modern day opera, where the main character
His life is like an opera, with himself as the leading role.

Is presidential paper, the dominant, factor
Money is the most important factor in his life, just like the power it holds in politics.