Be This Way
Ghostface Killah Lyrics


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Hey yo, hey yo, what up, yo
What up, y'all, this that Pretty Toney shit
Hey yo, I know there's a lot of hoods and shit out there
A lot of niggas done got bodied
A lot of niggas done got robbed and shit
You know what I mean? We love a lot of things in the hood
But time goes on, and if we don't change a lot of shit
Shit always gonna be this way, and that's a motherfucker fact!
True gangsta shit, y'all, yo, yo, yo
When y'all turn my mic up in here, bareback shit
Know what I mean? Tired of y'all motherfuckers and shit
One-two, fuck around and clob on one of y'all motherfuckers
Yo Spidey, put that reverb shit, on
Come on "Can you feel it? Can you feel it?" Yeah
"Can you feel it" Let's go, fuck it"

Live from Staten Island, where the gangstas kill
Only place on the map, that got the 30 dollar bill
And we front like we got millions
Our specialty is how we willie, niggas
That's how Buck brought the building
And the police is pussy, they protect and serve
They connect, with baseheads then they frisk our birds
Smack DVDs, blowin' herb, I'm in the room
Bonin' these two white bitches, Ice baggin' up work
That's how we get down, fuck Vegas
The black Carlo Gambino, rockin' the wallo's
Blow his diamonds in Z-No's, spicey, verses is jalapeno
Best to leave, when I'm in the big Escalade, I'm sittin' on Dino
Tone Stark, a poet's art, kiss the girls
And bake them pies, clean up, some are old darts
This that real live don' shit, you heard!

Yo, they lick forty rounds, today
Okay, plus the shit is mad hot around the way
Niggas don't give a fuck on any time or day
Or if he dyin' today, or could he find a way
Blow niggas over 'turt, bitches, dimes and trays
Blow a nigga a jewel and watch him slide away
It's like that, in the hood, he in the grimy say
But what we try'nna say is gonna "be this way"
It don't have to, it don't have to, "My God!"

With big carrots and static, with that leaves the bad habits
Drugs layin' in buildings with great big automatics
Anonimos' in the hood, it's a fact, we could do magic
Splatter fagots in lobbies, the heat burn off his eyelashes
Don't try to pass this, back up or you'll receive something
Real tragic, them hollows'll race through your jacket
Semi gangstas with weak tactics
Forensic scientists called in to display graphics
For square inch to his back winds
They brain is spleen, it's left all over a fiend's mattress
Bastard, we cock and squeeze after we leave our ratchets
We keep the hood cryin' for massive havoc
No Trix we take from silly rabbits, yo feed them lead carrots
The little mans'll connect and they touch that fabric
The only thing that can stop 'em is that tephlon phat shit
Maybe artillery's heavy like a bunch of fat chicks
Baow! Ain't no comin' back bitch!

Yo, they lick forty rounds, today
Okay, plus the shit is mad hot around the way
Niggas don't give a fuck on any time or day
Or if he dyin' today, or could he find a way
Blow niggas over 'turt, bitches, dimes and trays
Blow a nigga a jewel and watch him slide away
It's like that, in the hood, he in the grimy say
But what we try'nna say is gonna "be this way"
It don't have to, it don't have to, "My God!"





"Ways, be this way!"

Overall Meaning

In "Be This Way," Ghostface Killah discusses street life in Staten Island and how it can be difficult to escape a cycle of violence and crime. The song opens with an acknowledgment of the dangers of living in the hood and how things may never change if people don't actively work to make a difference. Throughout the song, Ghostface raps about drugs, guns, and murder as a part of daily life in the neighborhood. His lyrics discuss the corrupt police who are more interested in frisking citizens rather than protecting them, and how gangs run rampant in the community. Ghostface also speaks on the harsh reality that violence is a constant threat and that nobody is safe, especially not those who are involved in illegal activities.


At the core of "Be This Way" lies a message of hopelessness in the face of a seemingly never-ending cycle of crime, poverty and violence within the inner city. Ghostface highlights the problems that inner-city neighbourhoods face in terms of police brutality, gang activity and drug addiction. He often uses graphic imagery to paint a picture of the reality of what he sees happening in his community. However, through his lyrics, he also makes it clear that things don't have to be this way, and that change can occur if the community becomes aware enough and takes action to create it.


Overall, "Be This Way" is a powerful commentary on the harsh realities of street life, and it is a call to action for those within those communities to take a stand and break the cycle of violence and poverty that holds people back.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey yo, hey yo, what up, yo
Ghostface Killah greets his audience and sets the tone for the song.


What up, y'all, this that Pretty Toney shit
Ghostface Killah proudly announces that he is performing under his alter-ego, Pretty Toney.


Hey yo, I know there's a lot of hoods and shit out there
Ghostface Killah acknowledges the presence of the street life.


A lot of niggas done got bodied
Ghostface Killah refers to the various murders that took place on the streets.


A lot of niggas done got robbed and shit
Ghostface Killah refers to the thefts and robberies that occurred on the streets.


You know what I mean? We love a lot of things in the hood
Ghostface Killah points out that the people who live in the hood cherish many aspects of their lifestyle.


But time goes on, and if we don't change a lot of shit
Ghostface Killah states the importance of change in a person's life.


Shit always gonna be this way, and that's a motherfucker fact!
Ghostface Killah emphasizes that if things don't change, then nothing will.


True gangsta shit, y'all, yo, yo, yo
Ghostface Killah emphasizes that he will be talking about true gangster activities.


When y'all turn my mic up in here, bareback shit
Ghostface Killah demands more volume and emphasizes that he will perform without backup music.


Know what I mean? Tired of y'all motherfuckers and shit
Ghostface Killah expresses his frustration with his audience.


One-two, fuck around and clob on one of y'all motherfuckers
Ghostface Killah threatens his audience with physical violence if they don't behave.


Yo Spidey, put that reverb shit, on
Ghostface Killah orders Spidey to add reverb to his mic.


Come on "Can you feel it? Can you feel it?" Yeah
Ghostface Killah raps part of Michael Jackson's "Can you feel it" song to start his performance.


"Can you feel it" Let's go, fuck it"
Ghostface Killah says the same thing again and starts rapping.


Live from Staten Island, where the gangstas kill
Ghostface Killah introduces himself and the location where he is from to his audience.


Only place on the map, that got the 30 dollar bill
Ghostface Killah mentions a unique aspect of the economic situation in Staten Island.


And we front like we got millions
Ghostface Killah refers to the façade of wealth projected by the people who live in the hood.


Our specialty is how we willie, niggas
Ghostface Killah points out that acting tough and gangster is a way of life in the hood.


That's how Buck brought the building
Ghostface Killah refers to the influence of the Wu-Tang Clan on the development of the hood's culture.


And the police is pussy, they protect and serve
Ghostface Killah references his contempt for the police and their inability to keep the streets safe.


They connect, with baseheads then they frisk our birds
Ghostface Killah accuses the police of drug dealing and being intrusive with the community.


Smack DVDs, blowin' herb, I'm in the room
Ghostface Killah talks about his recreational activities while watching Smack DVDs and smoking weed.


Bonin' these two white bitches, Ice baggin' up work
Ghostface Killah brags about having sex with two white women while one of his associates packs drugs into ice cubes.


That's how we get down, fuck Vegas
Ghostface Killah points out that the hood is more exciting than Las Vegas.


The black Carlo Gambino, rockin' the wallo's
Ghostface Killah likens himself to a powerful Italian mafia boss, Carlo Gambino and mentions the brand name of his shoes.


Blow his diamonds in Z-No's, spicey, verses is jalapeno
Ghostface Killah mentions a club and a spice while showing off his expensive diamond jewelry and rapping in a spicy style.


Best to leave, when I'm in the big Escalade, I'm sittin' on Dino
Ghostface Killah warns his enemies to stay away when he is driving his big Escalade with the special seat covers.


Tone Stark, a poet's art, kiss the girls
Ghostface Killah refers to himself as Tony Stark, a poet, and mentions his popularity with women.


And bake them pies, clean up, some are old darts
Ghostface Killah boasts about cooking delicious food, having sex with women, and cleaning up his mess.


This that real live don' shit, you heard!
Ghostface Killah reminds his audience that his music is authentic and true to his gangster lifestyle.


Yo, they lick forty rounds, today
Ghostface Killah refers to a recent shooting where forty rounds were fired.


Okay, plus the shit is mad hot around the way
Ghostface Killah acknowledges that the streets are boiling with gangster activity.


Niggas don't give a fuck on any time or day
Ghostface Killah points out the reckless attitude of the people living in the hood.


Or if he dyin' today, or could he find a way
Ghostface Killah points out that the people in the hood don't care if they live or die.


Blow niggas over 'turt, bitches, dimes and trays
Ghostface Killah brags about killing people and stealing their money, women, and drugs.


Blow a nigga a jewel and watch him slide away
Ghostface Killah implies that he can bribe someone with expensive jewelry, and they will stay away from him.


It's like that, in the hood, he in the grimy say
Ghostface Killah reminds his audience that this is how things are in the hood.


But what we try'nna say is gonna "be this way"
Ghostface Killah implies that the hood will always be like this.


It don't have to, it don't have to, "My God!"
Ghostface Killah admits that change is possible and emphasizes his frustration that things haven't improved yet.


With big carrots and static, with that leaves the bad habits
Ghostface Killah refers to his expensive diamond jewelry and violent tendencies.


Drugs layin' in buildings with great big automatics
Ghostface Killah refers to the proliferation of drugs and weapons in the hood.


Anonimos' in the hood, it's a fact, we could do magic
Ghostface Killah refers to anonymous individuals in the hood who are capable of doing great things.


Splatter fagots in lobbies, the heat burn off his eyelashes
Ghostface Killah brags about killing homosexuals and burning their eyelashes while they're on fire.


Don't try to pass this, back up or you'll receive something
Ghostface Killah threatens anyone who tries to cross him.


Real tragic, them hollows'll race through your jacket
Ghostface Killah mentions the devastating effects of hollow-point bullets on a person's clothing.


Semi gangstas with weak tactics
Ghostface Killah accuses his enemies of being only partially committed to the gangster lifestyle.


Forensic scientists called in to display graphics
Ghostface Killah brags that his crimes are so complex that even forensic scientists have trouble solving them.


For square inch to his back winds
Ghostface Killah implies that police investigators will find evidence of his crimes even in the smallest of details.


They brain is spleen, it's left all over a fiend's mattress
Ghostface Killah implies that his crimes include killing people and leaving their brains or spleens on a drug addict's bed.


Bastard, we cock and squeeze after we leave our ratchets
Ghostface Killah brags about using guns to kill people.


We keep the hood cryin' for massive havoc
Ghostface Killah brags about how he and his gang keep the hood on edge by committing constant acts of violence.


No Trix we take from silly rabbits, yo feed them lead carrots
Ghostface Killah implies that they take drugs and money from foolish people, and punish them with bullets.


The little mans'll connect and they touch that fabric
Ghostface Killah implies that his network of small-time criminals work together to carry out big-time crimes.


The only thing that can stop 'em is that tephlon phat shit
Ghostface Killah implies that the only thing that can stop him is a bulletproof vest made from advanced material.


Maybe artillery's heavy like a bunch of fat chicks
Ghostface Killah implies that his weapons are powerful and strong, like overweight women.


Baow! Ain't no comin' back bitch!
Ghostface Killah threatens to kill anyone who tries to cross him.


"Ways... be this way!" [Repeat: x3]
Ghostface Killah repeats his belief that the streets will always be the way they are.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Dennis D. Coles, Dominick Lamb, Maurice Dollison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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