Lane
Ice-T Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[ CHORUS ]
The fast lane, half heart, half money
Ain't nobody smilin, ain't nothin funny
Raise the risk, raise the profit
And can't nobody stop it
Unless your game's weak
So baby, don't sleep
The fast lane, half heart, half money
Ain't nobody smilin, ain't nothin funny
Raise the risk, raise the profit
And can't nobody stop it
Unless your game's weak
So player, don't sleep

[ VERSE 1 ]
The streets crawl with ill niggas on the block
Goin hand in hand
Leanin in and out of sedans
Pumpin crack dreams to crack fiends for a fee
Their dream is to re-up to a ki
Cops watch the influx of dope
Through a telescope
Snitches in the game
Give the young g's names
Bitches on the jock
Of the hustlers on the block
Jump from gee to gee
Similar to a flea
Suck the blood out, or in this case the dough
Roll with the blow till considered a hoe
Babies are born and pawned off to grandmama
The bitch ain't done, she still lives for the drama
Lookin for another baller
To hit and never call her
All in vain
Life in the Lane
A new crew of hookers on the track from up north
Vice cops, they watch em stroll back and forth
They take a pay-off
Or a blow job just to lay off
The Lane's no joke
Yo, you players stay broke
A ghetto garage makes a nice laboratory
PCP and crystal meth, wars of glory
End of story, gotta watch my back myself
Or else they'll find my body layin on a coroner shelf
It's the Lane

[ CHORUS ]

[ VERSE 2 ]
Gees take the game on the road to Minnesota
Supermarket's all sold out on baking soda
Gangbangers start to understand the dope game fast
Kidnap the drug dealers for the ransom cash
Gotta represent, what you say you are, that's a star
Feds got a homing device on your car
That made you easy to follow to Denver, Colorado
Birds you had, 12 now you got a l
Crack babies born in the hospitals cryin
Drive-by shootings can't end, kids are dyin
The cream is the ultimate goal
Gots to roll
Till my cash flow's mega
Baller not a beggar
Bitches workin plastic with the fake ID's
Life in the Lane, stackin up g's
Chop shops taggin up Benzes and Beamers
Crack spots boilin full kilos in beakers
Damn, the game's quicker than shit, don't slip
Cause bet your life there'll be another hustler checkin yo grip
It's the Lane

[ CHORUS ]

[ VERSE 3 ]
Brother on parole need a quick lick to come up
The score went bad, now he's back stuck
Bitches settin niggas up jacked and waxed
Small-time workers movin weight in a g ride Lac
Don't talk on your cellular, your phone is tapped
Don't check the rear view, there's no turnin back
It's the Lane, now you're in it, hit the gas and mash
Through the land of the hardcore hoes and cash
Jackers and robbers, hustlers and clockers
Everybody'll squeal, take the l or the deal
Yo, spin the wheel, for the cops you're a meal
Tailor suits gator boots make the fly hoes kneel
But if you miss, my friend, guess what you win
A one-way ticket to the federal state pen
It's the Lane you chose, you fill your shit, ride Rolls
High-priced clothes, baddest fuckin hoes
Anything goes, there's no limit, just mash
The cops will be there when you crash





[ CHORUS ]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ice-T's song The Lane present a bleak picture of the reality of the drug game and the fast lane of life in the inner city. The chorus emphasizes the high stakes of the game with lines such as "raise the risk, raise the profit," and warns against naivety or weakness in this dangerous environment. The verses describe the daily life of drug dealers, prostitutes, and how they are caught up in the drug game cycle. The song portrays a harsh reality that is often overlooked and glamorized by mainstream society.


The fast tempo and heavy bass of the instrumental in this song align with the urgency and tension portrayed in the lyrics. Ice-T's raw and honest storytelling paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities of life in the inner city. The chorus repeating throughout the song highlights the message that the drug game is not one to be taken lightly and displays the cold and calculating nature of those involved in it.


Line by Line Meaning

The fast lane, half heart, half money
Living life fast and recklessly, with only half-hearted commitment and only half of the money needed for success.


Ain't nobody smilin, ain't nothin funny
The harsh reality of life in the fast lane leaves no room for happiness or humor.


Raise the risk, raise the profit
Taking bigger risks can lead to greater financial gains.


And can't nobody stop it
No one can prevent or impede the rapid pace and success in the fast lane.


Unless your game's weak
Unless you lack the necessary skills and strategies to thrive in this lifestyle.


So baby, don't sleep
Don't be ignorant or oblivious to the dangers and challenges of the fast lane.


So player, don't sleep
Don't be complacent or unaware of the risks and pitfalls of the fast lane.


The streets crawl with ill niggas on the block
The streets are filled with dangerous individuals involved in illegal activities.


Goin hand in hand
Working together in a coordinated manner.


Leanin in and out of sedans
Moving in and out of cars, possibly conducting illegal transactions.


Pumpin crack dreams to crack fiends for a fee
Selling the hope of a better life to drug addicts in exchange for money.


Their dream is to re-up to a ki
The ultimate goal for drug addicts is to obtain another kilogram of narcotics.


Cops watch the influx of dope
Law enforcement closely monitors the arrival of drugs in the area.


Through a telescope
Using surveillance methods to observe and gather evidence.


Snitches in the game
Informants within the illegal activities of the streets.


Give the young g's names
Expose the identities of young gangsters involved in criminal activities.


Bitches on the jock
Women who are attracted to and seek relationships with hustlers.


Of the hustlers on the block
They are attracted to the lifestyle and financial success of the hustlers in the area.


Jump from gee to gee
Moving from one gangster to another, seeking financial support or protection.


Similar to a flea
Like a parasite, taking advantage of different individuals for personal gain.


Suck the blood out, or in this case the dough
Exploiting others for their money or resources.


Roll with the blow till considered a hoe
Tolerate the mistreatment and abuse until being seen as an easily controlled and submissive woman.


Babies are born and pawned off to grandmama
Children are born and passed on to their grandmother to be taken care of.


The bitch ain't done, she still lives for the drama
The woman continues to seek and thrive on chaotic and problematic situations.


Lookin for another baller
Searching for another wealthy and successful man.


To hit and never call her
Engaging in a one-night stand without any intention of further contact.


All in vain
All efforts and actions are pointless and without any positive outcome.


Life in the Lane
The existence and experiences within the fast lane lifestyle.


A new crew of hookers on the track from up north
A fresh group of prostitutes have arrived from a different location.


Vice cops, they watch em stroll back and forth
Undercover police officers monitor the movements of the prostitutes.


They take a pay-off
Accepting bribes from the prostitutes or their clients.


Or a blow job just to lay off
Receiving sexual favors in exchange for overlooking their illegal activities.


The Lane's no joke
The fast lane lifestyle should not be taken lightly or underestimated.


Yo, you players stay broke
Hey, you individuals seeking wealth and success always end up financially struggling.


A ghetto garage makes a nice laboratory
A makeshift location in the low-income neighborhood serves as a suitable place for drug production.


PCP and crystal meth, wars of glory
Manufacturing drugs like PCP and crystal meth leads to violent territorial disputes and conflicts.


End of story, gotta watch my back myself
In conclusion, I must personally be cautious and vigilant about my safety.


Or else they'll find my body layin on a coroner shelf
Otherwise, I may become a victim and end up as a lifeless body in the custody of the coroner.


Gees take the game on the road to Minnesota
Gangsters transport their illegal activities to Minnesota.


Supermarket's all sold out on baking soda
The high demand for baking soda, a substance used in drug preparation, has completely depleted the supermarket's stock.


Gangbangers start to understand the dope game fast
Individuals involved in gang activities quickly grasp the dynamics of the drug trade.


Kidnap the drug dealers for the ransom cash
Taking drug dealers hostage in order to demand a significant sum of money as a ransom.


Gotta represent, what you say you are, that's a star
You must consistently uphold your public image and the persona you portray to be considered successful.


Feds got a homing device on your car
Law enforcement agencies have installed a tracking device on your vehicle to monitor your movements.


That made you easy to follow to Denver, Colorado
This easily allowed them to trace your location to Denver, Colorado.


Birds you had, 12 now you got a l
You once possessed a dozen kilograms of drugs, but now you only have one.


Crack babies born in the hospitals cryin
Newborns who are addicted to crack cocaine experience withdrawal symptoms and cry uncontrollably.


Drive-by shootings can't end, kids are dyin
Violent shootings from moving vehicles continue to occur, resulting in the deaths of innocent children.


The cream is the ultimate goal
Acquiring and accumulating wealth is the ultimate objective.


Gots to roll
There is a need to constantly move and stay active in pursuit of success.


Till my cash flow's mega
Continuing until my income reaches a massive and significant level.


Baller not a beggar
Being a successful and influential person, rather than someone who relies on others for assistance.


Bitches workin plastic with the fake ID's
Women engaging in fraudulent activities using counterfeit identification.


Life in the Lane, stackin up g's
Living in the fast lane, accumulating large sums of money.


Chop shops taggin up Benzes and Beamers
Illegal car modification and sales establishments marking luxury vehicles like Mercedes-Benz and BMW.


Crack spots boilin full kilos in beakers
Locations dedicated to producing crack cocaine, using laboratory equipment to process large quantities of drugs.


Damn, the game's quicker than shit, don't slip
The dynamics and pace of the illegal activities are incredibly fast, so don't make any mistakes.


Cause bet your life there'll be another hustler checkin yo grip
Be sure to always be vigilant because another hustler is always watching and assessing your success.


Brother on parole need a quick lick to come up
A recently released individual on parole needs to find a profitable opportunity to improve their financial situation.


The score went bad, now he's back stuck
The planned illegal activity turned sour, and now the person is in a difficult and risky situation.


Bitches settin niggas up jacked and waxed
Women deceiving and betraying men, robbing and potentially killing them.


Small-time workers movin weight in a g ride Lac
Less influential individuals involved in the drug trade, transporting drugs in a luxurious Cadillac vehicle.


Don't talk on your cellular, your phone is tapped
Avoid discussing sensitive matters on your cell phone since law enforcement is monitoring your communications.


Don't check the rear view, there's no turnin back
Don't look back or reconsider your actions since there is no possibility of reversing your decisions.


It's the Lane, now you're in it, hit the gas and mash
You are now fully immersed in the fast lane lifestyle, so accelerate and move forward with full force.


Through the land of the hardcore hoes and cash
Navigating through a realm filled with extremely promiscuous women and abundant money.


Jackers and robbers, hustlers and clockers
Encountering individuals involved in carjacking, robbery, drug dealing, and hustling.


Everybody'll squeal, take the l or the deal
When faced with legal consequences, everyone will cooperate with law enforcement, either accepting a loss or making a plea deal.


Yo, spin the wheel, for the cops you're a meal
Gambling with your freedom, as the police perceive you as an easy target for arrest and prosecution.


Tailor suits gator boots make the fly hoes kneel
Wearing expensive custom-made suits and alligator-skin boots, commanding the respect and submission of attractive women.


But if you miss, my friend, guess what you win
However, if you make a mistake or fail, you will face severe consequences.


A one-way ticket to the federal state pen
Ultimately, you will end up incarcerated in a federal prison, with no possibility of release or escape.


It's the Lane you chose, you fill your shit, ride Rolls
You willingly entered this fast lane lifestyle, experiencing material success and driving luxurious Rolls-Royce cars.


High-priced clothes, baddest fuckin hoes
Luxury fashion items and the most attractive and desirable women.


Anything goes, there's no limit, just mash
Anything is acceptable, there are no boundaries or restrictions, so continue to move forward with full force.


The cops will be there when you crash
The police will be waiting and ready to apprehend you when your criminal activities come to a halt.


The fast lane, half heart, half money
The reckless and fast-paced lifestyle characterized by insufficient dedication and incomplete financial success.


Ain't nobody smilin, ain't nothin funny
Nobody is genuinely happy or finding amusement in this harsh reality.


Raise the risk, raise the profit
Taking bigger risks in illegal activities can lead to greater financial gains.


And can't nobody stop it
No one can prevent or hinder the rapid pace and success of these illegal operations.


Unless your game's weak
Unless your skills and strategies in this lifestyle are lacking or ineffective.


So baby, don't sleep
So, do not be ignorant or unaware of the dangers and challenges of this fast lane lifestyle.


So player, don't sleep
So, do not be complacent or oblivious to the risks and pitfalls of this fast lane lifestyle.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRACY LAUREN MARROW, RICHARD ASCENCIO, STEFFON LESTER JOHNS, RICHARD J. ASCENCIO, STEFFON JOHNS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

yaron shaashua

Ice T is the real hard core mc ever for sure. This album is the best production I’ve heard from ice.

Gail Willis

One of the best rap albums ever.

Sewer

true, from France

Eric Johnston

Ice T is legit unlike all fakes out today

Daywalker

Without a doubt one of the greatest lyricists of all times !

I Capone

Ice-T’s best song to me !!!

G Beats

One of the best track's on this Album I think . Bless G Beats .

Adrian Smith

We Already no that Ice-T is one of best Storytellers in Hip Hop 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👑👑👑💯

Gaz Williamson

this shit got me thru life back in the day Enuf Respect 4 Life

Dr. Props

Not too many emcees/rappers are storytellers. His one of them for sure

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