Struggle
Ghostface Killah Lyrics


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All my life, it's been one big struggle
Born and raised... in the slums of trouble, I'm all...

Yo, I was born and raise in New York City
The home of the Yankees, the Jam Master Jay's and the Biggie's
Ralph Icey's, Jet mags, cops surveillance, it's high tech
Our appearance is we still in the grind, and direct
But on my side of town shit's gorilla, phone booths is broke
Behind the building niggaz on post
What up Doc? What up Lord? I'm chilling
These motherfuckers got my name and my face
Placed up in every building
You see what that do to the children, that ain't right
I've been raised in these projects, damn near, all my life
And these faggots wanna do this to me, I'ma lay low
And blow that cop, son, you watch, no lie, word to my momma, dunn
They don't want the drama, thunn, 'member me in '86?
Knocked out four cops, got knocked on the outer bridge
Bagged me with two clips, a fifth of Bacardi Dark
I spared them, cause all of them left with they body parts
I'm not crazy; I'm lulu, I will Larry Davis these spades
You spill a little blood on the NARC's Fubu
The Culture Pound'll go thru dude, and ricochet off his shoulder
Miss the teeth and hit his Lo Mein noodles
Fuck it..

All my life, it's been one big struggle
Born and raised... in the slums of trouble, I'm all...

I'ma tell ya motherfuckers something, my struggle is real
Threw ketchup on my rice, cause there was no meat with the meal
My dog was better off alone, he ate when I ate, if not days later
Two weeks old cold shit, straight out the refrigerator
Ran away a few times, then boom, went to Dee and fried them
Prior to that, burning rulers, we was getting high in the Hill
So many cracks we done crushed up in dollar bills
It's a shame, didn't smoke once plain; don't pass me that
I had escaped that, then dust took over
Hit bags of red devil, bundels leaking, had put the hood in a coma
Hustling backwards and off balance, turkey and cheese hero's
And nutriments, kept a nigga belly full
Fresh cut and fresh kicks, thinking it was cool, now I'm telling you
A grown man still in the struggle, vouch for my brothers too
And sisters, all across the globe, fuck the past
Fix the future, I'm sent here to spread the message, come on





All my life, it's been one big struggle
Born and raised... in the slums of trouble, I'm all...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ghostface Killah's "Struggle" depict the harsh realities of growing up in the slums of New York City. The lyrics talk about the constant struggle to survive, to find enough to eat, to avoid the cops, and to stay alive. The singer talks about how he was raised in the projects and how it's all he's ever known. He talks about the challenges of growing up in a place where gangs and violence are commonplace, and how he's had to fight every step of the way to survive.


The lyrics also touch on the issue of police harassment and brutality, and how it affects the youth growing up in these neighborhoods. The singer talks about how his face and name are plastered on every building and how this has a negative impact on the children.


Despite the hardships, the singer also talks about hope and the need to fix the future. He talks about how he's been sent here to spread a message of hope and to help others who are going through similar struggles. The song is a powerful message of resilience, perseverance, and hope.


Line by Line Meaning

Yo, I was born and raise in New York City
I grew up in a city known for its culture and achievements


The home of the Yankees, the Jam Master Jay's and the Biggie's
New York City is the birthplace of famous artists and athletes


Our appearance is we still in the grind, and direct
Despite its reputation, my neighborhood is full of people still struggling to survive


What up Doc? What up Lord? I'm chilling
I'm greeting my friends, but always on guard


These motherfuckers got my name and my face
I'm being targeted and watched by authorities


Placed up in every building
My image is posted all around my neighborhood


You see what that do to the children, that ain't right
This constant surveillance is harmful to the youth


I've been raised in these projects, damn near, all my life
I've spent most of my life growing up in these low-income housing developments


And these faggots wanna do this to me, I'ma lay low
I'm going to keep a low profile because of the threats against me


And blow that cop, son, you watch, no lie, word to my momma, dunn
I will retaliate against the police if necessary, and I'm not lying


They don't want the drama, thunn, 'member me in '86?
The police know to stay away from me because of my past actions


Knocked out four cops, got knocked on the outer bridge
I got into a violent altercation with police in the past


Bagged me with two clips, a fifth of Bacardi Dark
The police caught me with weapons and alcohol


I spared them, cause all of them left with they body parts
I didn't kill any of the police officers in the altercation


I'm not crazy; I'm lulu, I will Larry Davis these spades
I'm not insane, but I will use violence if necessary to protect myself


You spill a little blood on the NARC's Fubu
I'll attack a police officer and ruin their designer clothing


The Culture Pound'll go thru dude, and ricochet off his shoulder
My attack will be powerful and have an impact


Miss the teeth and hit his Lo Mein noodles
My attack will be precise and hit my target accurately


Fuck it..
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect myself and my community


Threw ketchup on my rice, cause there was no meat with the meal
I had to improvise to make a meal with what I had


My dog was better off alone, he ate when I ate, if not days later
My dog struggled alongside me and didn't eat regularly


Two weeks old cold shit, straight out the refrigerator
I had to eat expired food to survive


Ran away a few times, then boom, went to Dee and fried them
I had trouble at home and turned to drugs to cope


Burning rulers, we was getting high in the Hill
I smoked drugs with my peers in the low-income housing development


So many cracks we done crushed up in dollar bills
I spent my money on drugs instead of necessities


It's a shame, didn't smoke once plain; don't pass me that
I can't go back to smoking drugs without added substances


I had escaped that, then dust took over
I quit smoking drugs but still struggled with addiction


Hit bags of red devil, bundels leaking, had put the hood in a coma
Drug use had a negative impact on my community


Hustling backwards and off balance, turkey and cheese hero's
I was working hard but not making enough money to thrive


And nutriments, kept a nigga belly full
I had to rely on cheap snacks to keep myself fed


Fresh cut and fresh kicks, thinking it was cool, now I'm telling you
I used to prioritize fashion over necessities, but now see the error in that


A grown man still in the struggle, vouch for my brothers too
I'm still working hard to survive as an adult, just like many in my community


And sisters, all across the globe, fuck the past
I support anyone in a similar struggle, regardless of location or background


Fix the future, I'm sent here to spread the message, come on
I want to inspire change and create a better future for myself and others


All my life, it's been one big struggle
I've constantly faced challenges and adversity


Born and raised... in the slums of trouble, I'm all...
I grew up in a low-income housing development and continue to struggle to survive




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