Cold World
Genius feat. D'Angelo Inspectah Deck & Streetlife Lyrics

I had a bad dream
The singer had a scary dream.

Don't be afraid, bad dreams are only dreams
The singer is reassuring someone who is scared of a bad dream.

What a time you chose to be born in
The singer comments on how difficult the current time period is.

Babies crying, brothers dying, and brothers getting knocked
The artist lists the harsh realities of life in their community.

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down
The artist feels trapped and overwhelmed by the dangers of their neighborhood.

In this cold, cold world
The singer emphasizes the harshness of their environment.

It was the night before New Year's, and all through the fucking projects
The singer sets the scene for a violent night in their low-income housing development.

Not a handgun was silent, not even a Tec
Gun violence was rampant and constant that night.

Outside as I'm stuck, by enemies who put fear
The artist is trapped outside with people who want to cause them harm.

And blasted on the spot before the pigs were there
The artist and their friends were attacked before the police could arrive on the scene.

You know hoods, robbers, snipers new in sight, fuck blue and white
The singer describes the various criminals who are a threat to them and expresses mistrust of the police.

They escape before them flash the fucking lights
The criminals get away before the police can catch them.

Gunshots, shatter first-floor window panes
The violence is so intense that it damages people's homes.

Shells hit the ground and blood stained the dice game
People were gambling when the violence broke out and some were hurt or killed in the crossfire.

Whether pro-calisthenic, any style you set it
The singer is boasting about their physical strength and fighting abilities.

Beat niggas toothless, physically cut up like gooses
The artist is describing how they fight and hurt their opponents.

But with iron on the sides, thugs took no excuses
Criminals carry weapons and don't hesitate to use them.

Therefore, your fifty-two handblocks was useless
Someone who thought they were tough got beaten easily.

Links was snatched off necks, scars on throats
People were robbed and hurt during the violence.

Jackets took, after bullet rips through coats
People's clothes were damaged during the violence.

Against those who felt the cold from the steel made em fold
The people who were shot or threatened with guns were scared and intimidated.

And squeal, once the metal hit the temple of his grill
Someone was hurt so badly that they cried out in pain.

Construction worker, who was caught for his bomber
A person who worked in construction was arrested for a crime.

No time to swing the hammer that was hanging from his farmer's
The man didn't even have time to use the tool he was carrying.

And it's bugged how some niggas catch slugs
The singer is frustrated and confused by how some people get shot.

And pockets dug from everything except check stubs
People are stealing and robbing to survive.

And it does, sound ill like wars in Brownsville
The singer compares the violence to a warzone in a different neighborhood.

Or fatal robberies in Red Hook where feds look
The artist references a location where the police are actively trying to solve crimes.

For fugitives to shoot cops, niggas laying on roof tops
Violent criminals are hiding and shooting at the police, while people are also getting hurt.

For his cream he stashed in a shoebox
The singer talks about a drug dealer hiding their money.

But he was hot, and the strip was filled with young killers
The criminal was in danger because many people wanted to hurt him.

You don't suspect, so cops creep like caterpillars
The police are trying to catch criminals who blend in with the community.

And born thieves stay hooded with extra bullets
Criminals wear clothes that hide their identities and carry extra weapons.

Those who try to flee they hit the vertebrae, increase the murder rate
If anyone tries to run away, they will be shot and killed.

Similar to hit men who pull out Tecs and then
This line is cut off in the song but likely refers to hit men using guns to kill people.

Drop those who crack like tacos from Mexican
This line is cut off in the song but likely refers to people who easily give in to interrogation and confess.

Rapid, like recipients cashing checks again
Criminals are quick to act and commit crimes again and again.

Back to the motherfucking spot on Lexington
The singer is returning to a location they have been before.

We be running from the cops, busting off shots
The singer and their friends are frequently in danger and need to fight back.

Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down
The artist feels trapped and overwhelmed by the violence and danger in their neighborhood.

In this cold, cold world
The artist emphasizes how harsh and dangerous the world is for them.

Yo, no time to freeze, undercovers ease up in Grand Prixs
The singer is always on guard because the police could be hiding nearby.

And seize packages and pocket the currency
The police are corrupt and stealing money and drugs during arrests.

Cliques control strips full clips are sprayed
Violent groups are in control and using guns to hurt each other.

Yellow tape barricades sidewalks where bodies lay
Crime scenes are closed off with yellow tape, indicating someone has died or been hurt.

Madness strikes at twelve o'clock midnight
Violence can happen at any time, including the middle of the night.

Stick-up kids on the ground broke the staircase light
People are committing crimes, and as a result, things in public spaces (like lights) are damaged or broken.

And I stays harassed, scrambling for petty cash
The artist is constantly being bothered and is struggling financially.

Jakes on my ass young bucks is learning fast
The police are targeting the singer and young people are quickly learning to avoid the authorities.

357's and 44's bought inside corner stores, their fire sparks the wars
Guns are easily accessible and are used to start violence.

Hospital floors surrounded by the law
The hospitals are busy with victims of violence and the police are investigating.

Homicide questioning while the Jakes guard the door
The police are questioning potential witnesses while also keeping the area safe from further harm.

My hood stay tense, loyalty puts strength in my team
The artist's community is close-knit and has each other's backs.

Cause niggas' main concern is CREAM
People are focused on making money, often through illegal means.

Some niggas in the jet black Gallant
Some people are driving a nice car.

Shot up the Chinese restaurant, for this kid named Lamont
Someone got hurt or killed during a violent incident at a restaurant.

I thought he was dead but instead he missed the kid
The artist thought someone was killed but they actually survived.

And hit a twelve-year-old girl in the head, and then fled
An innocent child was hurt during the violence and the perpetrator got away.

Tactical narcotic task force, back off fast
The police specialized team is withdrawing from a situation.

Cause the crime boss is passing off cash
The leader of a criminal organization is giving money to someone.

Extortions for portions of streets, causes beef
Criminals are taking over certain streets and asserting their dominance through violence and threats.

Having followers of Indians trying to play Chief
People who are not leaders are trying to act like they are in charge.

You witness the saga, casualties and drama
The violence and crime in the singer's community is ongoing and they witness it frequently.

Life is a script, I'm not an actor but the author
The artist believes that their life is predetermined or controlled by outside forces.

Of a modern-day opera, where the main character
The artist is the artist in a real-life, dramatic story.

Is presidential papers, the dominant factor
Politics and government are a major influence in the singer's life, even if they don't realize it.