Ghostface Killah is critically acclaimed for his loud, fast-paced flow, and his stream-of-consciousness narratives containing cryptic slang and non-sequiturs.
Ghostface Killah was raised in the Stapleton housing projects in Staten Island, New York. In his autobiographical song "All That I Got Is You", Ghost tells the story of his childhood. He raps about how he grew up in a three bedroom apartment without his father, who left him at the age of six. Apparently, his mother had nine children.
His stage name was taken from one of the characters in the 1979 kung fu film Mystery of Chessboxing.
He was also a close friend of the three founding members of Wu-tang clan
Mean Streets Featuring Inspectah Deck & Ghostface Killah
Ghostface Killah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who could ya trust? Niggaz they do talk
Running from the feds and out of state troopers
Look up ahead, you know we got sharp shooters
For these mean streets from Cali to New York
Who could ya trust? Niggaz they do talk
Running from the feds and out of state troopers
Look up ahead, you know we got sharp shooters
The blocks is molded, step up ya sword piece
Moving through them housing with more ki's
Rembrandts is fresh from Scotland, crisp hats, Cristal bottles
Niggaz want the problems, we back
It's time to take over the game, it's nothing
I live on the line, from corner to castles with pawns and capsules
Scramble and find, my money's up, I'm praying for war
I do this all the time, all the time, all the time
Faces of Doom, sling in the lobby
Swinging cooked raw, if you played the field you was not leaving
Fast pace of a CREAM chasing team
Trying to come through the hood and lie, get left for dead naked in Queens
Let them other niggaz wear that, we take the credit
While we was shopping for more Nikes and off-whites
Heroin stirrers, the crib, cracked mirrors
Career thugs who serve only judges and jurors
Got to make my money this year, whether it's through rhyming or criming
I'll be on the line with my iron
Promised them llamas'll fly fast, quick at pirahnas
Trying to intervene, get caught dead, no head in pijamas
You live like a slouch from vouchers
Nobody mad, you was a fake, dead, die with no trousers
Cause you crossed the line like Miller's Crossing
Off with ya dome, I walked you through the woods, we both smoked a bone
For these mean streets from Cali to New York
Who could ya trust? Niggaz they do talk
Running from the feds and out of state troopers
Look up ahead, you know we got sharp shooters
For these mean streets from Cali to New York
Who could ya trust? Niggaz they do talk
Running from the feds and out of state troopers
Look up ahead, you know we got sharp shooters
The streets stay flooded with crack rocks and Mac shots
The scenery's money, guerrillas in the back drop
The livest'll pop, the weakest get chopped where they stand
Singing the judge's name, dropped in the stand
Drug money kills, blood on my bills, mud on my Nikes
Only buying with the couple that I trust with my life
Twenty four sev' ducking the feds, infrared wiyh lead
Gamble with off track betting instead
In my hood anybody can get it, and everybody want it
Cutthroat executives, the corners, the office
And the thought is to be boss of all bosses
The cost is ya life, swimming with sharks and orcas
So keep ya guards up, or get scarred up
It's a Cold World, I told you with Allah Just'
The bigger the funds, the bigger the guns that's blazing
It's sick in the slums and niggaz are stunting for nathin'
Ayo, my gun been in more niggaz mouths than a whore had dick
With creamy nuts on the side of her jaw
It's Rigatone, nigga, sliding through airports
Riding on niggaz like MJ, same day I rocked you, comprende?
Yeah, I'm kinda off cuz my guns was dirty
That last joint that hit you, kid, you made the top thirty
Early, walk with me and strap with a vengeance
More or less Ghostface Killah'll stretch you out like mad words in a sentence
Smell the gas burning (yeah) feel the fire (word)
Real talk, it's not that bullshit from The Wire
It's them disco kids that clap iron
Champion hoods, if ya coke don't freeze, my face is not worth frying
We crack eightballs with pool sticks
Bungee jump off a mountain of bricks
Fuck you up if you slinging those nicks
Toney Starks from the octagon, my ox is on
Snap Matt Hughes' neck with my boxers on
For these mean streets from Cali to New York
Who could ya trust? Niggaz they do talk
Running from the feds and out of state troopers
Look up ahead, you know we got sharp shooters
For these mean streets from Cali to New York
Who could ya trust? Niggaz they do talk
Running from the feds and out of state troopers
Look up ahead, you know we got sharp shooters
The lyrics of "Mean Streets" by Ghostface Killah featuring Inspectah Deck and Ghostface Killah gives us an insight into the harsh and dangerous realities of living in the inner cities of America. The song talks about the lack of trust among people in the streets of Cali and New York, where even friends are sometimes not reliable, and how people get caught up in running from the police and other legal authorities. Ghostface Killah's lyrics show us how people do what they have to do to survive, even if it means breaking the law, and how money and power rule the streets. The harsh realities of the streets are depicted with lines like "The blocks is molded, step up ya sword piece/Moving through them housing with more ki's."
The lyrics also touch on the violence and danger of the streets, where people can get shot anytime, especially by sharpshooters hired by rival gangs. In addition, it portrays the importance of being smart and sharp to survive in the streets, where people have to be aware of their surroundings and always be on guard. The overall message of the song is that the streets are a mean and dangerous place, and only the strongest survive.
Line by Line Meaning
For these mean streets from Cali to New York
These streets are harsh from California to New York
Who could ya trust? Niggaz they do talk
It's hard to find trustworthy people because they gossip and snitch
Running from the feds and out of state troopers
Trying to evade the law and authorities from different states
Look up ahead, you know we got sharp shooters
Keep an eye out for trained snipers in the area
The blocks is molded, step up ya sword piece
The neighborhood is tough, so be prepared to defend yourself with weaponry
Moving through them housing with more ki's
Selling drugs in public housing with larger quantities
Rembrandts is fresh from Scotland, crisp hats, Cristal bottles
Wearing stylish clothing and drinking expensive alcohol
Niggaz want the problems, we back
People are looking for trouble, but we're ready to handle it
It's time to take over the game, it's nothing
We're ready to dominate and succeed, it's no big deal
I live on the line, from corner to castles with pawns and capsules
I'm involved in criminal activities from street corners to large-scale drug operations
Scramble and find, my money's up, I'm praying for war
I'm hustling hard to make more money and ready for any confrontation
I do this all the time, all the time, all the time
I'm constantly involved in illegal activities
Faces of Doom, sling in the lobby
Dangerous drug dealers are selling their product in the lobby
Swinging cooked raw, if you played the field you was not leaving
Dealing with the high stakes of drug sales, where leaving alive isn't guaranteed
Fast pace of a CREAM chasing team
Moving quickly to chase profits like the Wu-Tang Clan's CREAM mantra
Trying to come through the hood and lie, get left for dead naked in Queens
If someone tries to deceive or betray us, they will face serious consequences
Let them other niggaz wear that, we take the credit
Let others take on the risks while we reap the benefits and attention
While we was shopping for more Nikes and off-whites
Spending money on expensive shoes and clothing
Heroin stirrers, the crib, cracked mirrors
Drug paraphernalia and damage in the home
Career thugs who serve only judges and jurors
Criminals who end up in prison and don't benefit from their illegal lifestyle
Got to make my money this year, whether it's through rhyming or criming
I need to make more money this year, whether it's through music or illegal activities
I'll be on the line with my iron
I'll be risking my life with my gun
Promised them llamas'll fly fast, quick at pirahnas
My gun will shoot quickly and accurately at anyone who threatens me
Trying to intervene, get caught dead, no head in pijamas
Anyone who interferes will be killed in their sleep without warning
You live like a slouch from vouchers
You're living poorly and relying on government assistance
Nobody mad, you was a fake, dead, die with no trousers
No one is upset when you die as a fraud without any success or possessions
Cause you crossed the line like Miller's Crossing
You've gone too far and crossed the line, like in the movie Miller's Crossing
Off with ya dome, I walked you through the woods, we both smoked a bone
I decapitated you and then enjoyed a relaxed smoking session
The streets stay flooded with crack rocks and Mac shots
The streets are filled with drugs and firearms
The scenery's money, guerrillas in the back drop
The environment is focused on financial success, with dangerous people in the background
The livest'll pop, the weakest get chopped where they stand
The most dangerous people will thrive, while the weakest are immediately eliminated
Singing the judge's name, dropped in the stand
Admitting guilt and being sent to jail by the judge
Drug money kills, blood on my bills, mud on my Nikes
Drug money leads to violence and dirtiness, with blood on the money and mud on the shoes
Only buying with the couple that I trust with my life
Only doing business with people I fully trust and rely on
Twenty four sev' ducking the feds, infrared wiyh lead
Constantly avoiding law enforcement, while carrying guns with laser sights
Gamble with off track betting instead
Finding alternative ways to gamble outside of casinos
In my hood anybody can get it, and everybody want it
Anyone can become a target in my neighborhood, and everyone is trying to succeed
Cutthroat executives, the corners, the office
People on the street and in the business world are all ruthless and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed
And the thought is to be boss of all bosses
The goal is to be the leader of all leaders and control everything
The cost is ya life, swimming with sharks and orcas
The price of success is risking your life and dealing with dangerous people
So keep ya guards up, or get scarred up
Stay vigilant and cautious, or face the consequences
It's a Cold World, I told you with Allah Just'
The world is harsh and unforgiving, as I warned you with the help of Allah
The bigger the funds, the bigger the guns that's blazing
The more money you have, the more powerful weapons you can acquire
It's sick in the slums and niggaz are stunting for nathin'
The conditions in poor neighborhoods are terrible and people are showing off for no good reason
Ayo, my gun been in more niggaz mouths than a whore had dick
I've threatened more people with my gun than a prostitute has had sexual partners
With creamy nuts on the side of her jaw
With semen on her face
It's Rigatone, nigga, sliding through airports
My name is Rigatone and I'm sneaking through airports with illegal items
Riding on niggaz like MJ, same day I rocked you, comprende?
I'm attacking you like Michael Jordan, after just having defeated you in a previous confrontation, understand?
Yeah, I'm kinda off cuz my guns was dirty
I'm acting strange because my guns were recently used in a crime
That last joint that hit you, kid, you made the top thirty
The last time I hurt you made the news as a top story
Early, walk with me and strap with a vengeance
Be prepared and armed when walking with me
More or less Ghostface Killah'll stretch you out like mad words in a sentence
I'll cause you serious physical harm, like I extend my rhymes in my lyrics
Smell the gas burning (yeah) feel the fire (word)
The danger is real and intense
Real talk, it's not that bullshit from The Wire
This is the real deal, not just some television show
It's them disco kids that clap iron
It's the young and inexperienced criminals who are using guns
Champion hoods, if ya coke don't freeze, my face is not worth frying
Only the best cocaine is acceptable, or else it's not worth the risk and danger
We crack eightballs with pool sticks
We use pool sticks to break up cocaine
Bungee jump off a mountain of bricks
Taking dangerous risks for the sake of financial success
Fuck you up if you slinging those nicks
If you're selling small amounts of drugs, we will harm you
Toney Starks from the octagon, my ox is on
My name is Toney Starks and I'm ready for any kind of fight
Snap Matt Hughes' neck with my boxers on
I'm so physically strong that I could defeat a professional fighter while wearing only boxers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: COREY WOODS, RONALD MAURICE BEAN, DENNIS DAVID COLES, JASON S. HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind