I Gotch Back
Genius & GZA Lyrics

I gotcha back, but you best to watch your front
I'll support you from behind, but be wary of those who approach you from the front

Cause it's the niggas that front, they be pulling stunts
Those who try to appear tough often cause trouble and play dirty

I was always taught my do's and don'ts
My upbringing included clear guidelines of acceptable and unacceptable behavior

For do's I did, and for don'ts, I said I won't
I followed the rules I was taught and avoided breaking them

I'm from Brooklyn, a place where stars are born
I come from Brooklyn, which has produced many successful and famous individuals

Streets are shot up, apartment buildings are torn
The neighborhood is dangerous with frequent gunfire and widespread destruction

And ripped up, stripped up, shacked up and backed up
The area is run down, derelict, and overcrowded with poor living conditions

From fiends, cause the bosses on the scene, they got it cracked up
Drug addicts are abundant and the drug bosses in charge have a tight grip on the illegal drug trade

Kids are slinging in my lobby
Children are selling drugs in my building's entranceway

Little Steve and Bobby
Two specific children involved in drug dealing

Getting paid but it's a life-threatening hobby
Although they make money, their drug dealing activities are extremely dangerous

Yeah, they still play hide-and-seek
Despite the dangers they face, the children still try to have some fun and be kids

The fiends seek for the crack, and they hide and let the cops peep
Drug addicts look for drugs and the children hiding the drugs are careful not to be caught by the police

Grown folks say they should be out on their own
Adults think it's time for the children to become independent and leave the drug dealing behind

Before the gangs come and blow up their mom's home
The threat of gang violence and retaliation is very real and puts innocent family members at risk

Because their lifestyle is hectic, so fucking hectic
The children are caught up in a lifestyle filled with chaos and danger

Blaow! Blaow! Blaow! Bullets are ejected
Gunfire erupts frequently, putting everyone in the area in danger

My lifestyle was so far from well
My own life was also full of struggles and hardships

Could've wrote a book with a title 'Age 12 and Going Through Hell'
My experiences were so difficult that they could fill a book with that title

Then I realized the plan
I became aware of the bigger picture

I'm trapped in a deadly video game, with just one man
My life feels like a dangerous and never-ending game with myself as the sole player

So I don't only watch my back, I watch my front
I am cautious and pay attention to potential dangers from all directions

Back on the Ave of Lavonia and Bristol with a pistol
I find myself back on the streets of Lavonia and Bristol, armed with a gun

Sticking up Pamela and Crystal
I am robbing two women named Pamela and Crystal

You know your town is dangerous when you see the strangest
When even the most unusual and concerning individuals look normal in comparison, you know your town is dangerous

Kid come home from doing the bid and nothing changes
Even after serving time in prison, some individuals continue to engage in criminal activity

What is the meaning of CRIME (what?)
What is the true definition of criminal behavior?

Is it Criminals Robbing Innocent Motherfuckers Everytime?
Is crime really just about criminals taking advantage of innocent victims?

Little shorties take walks to the schoolyard
Kids go to school every day, despite the dangers they face

Trying to solve the puzzles to why is life so hard
Children try to understand why life is so difficult and filled with challenges

Then as soon as they reached the playground, blaow!
Tragically, they can be caught in the crossfire of gunfire as soon as they arrive at school

Shots ring off and now one of them lay down
Gunshots are heard and one of the children is now lying on the ground, injured or dead

It's so hard to escape the gunfire
The constant threat of gun violence makes it difficult to feel safe and escape the danger

I wish I could rule it out like an umpire
I wish I had the power to eliminate gun violence and make the area safe, like an umpire making a definitive call

But it's an everlasting game, and it never cease to exist
Unfortunately, the cycle of violence and crime seems endless and never goes away

Only the players change, so
While the individuals involved may change, the overall situation remains constant