Been so long
J.C. 61 Lyrics

Let me see them 3's, put 'em up
Show me the gang sign for our set, a gesture of loyalty and solidarity.

This for all my lil' soldiers out there stuck in the world
This song is dedicated to the young people who are living in tough circumstances and struggling to survive.

Or put in a situation (situation) where they didn't have a choice
Or placed in a situation where they had no other recourse.

(Fuck the world nigga you got a choice)
(Disregard what society says, you always have a choice.)

On whether they wanted to be there or not
On whether they wanted to be in their current situation or not.

In the ghetto it's kill or be killed, in a place called the street
In the tough neighborhoods, it's either defend yourself or become a victim, in a place known as the streets.

(Ya heard me?)
(You understand what I'm saying?)

It's been a long time since a nigga showed me love
It has been a while since someone has shown me genuine care and compassion.

I'ma make it even if I have to spill a nigga blood
I will succeed in life, even if it means resorting to violence and killing.

I'm trapped in crime, I'm pushin' nickels and dimes
I'm stuck in a life of crime, selling small amounts of drugs for a living.

And will I lose my mind, or am I wastin' my time?
I'm uncertain whether I will go insane, or if this life of crime is a waste of my time.

I'm breakin' bread, on the block, with them thugs no love
I'm making money on the streets, with my fellow criminals who don't have any true affection or loyalty towards me.

Fresh out of jail, hard to kill, took two shots and lived
I recently got released from prison, and miraculously survived getting shot twice.

It ain't my time, I asked the Lord, to put the reaper on hold
My life is not yet over, I prayed to God to spare my life for a little longer.

I know my soul is kinda cold, pops told me to be bold
I acknowledge that I have a hardened heart, but my father advised me to be courageous.

And I'm a grown man, protected by my set and my weapon
I'm an adult, and I rely on my gang and my firearm for protection.

Ain't no regrettin', earnin' stripes, from them niggaz I'm checkin'
I have no remorse for my actions, and I'm gaining respect from those individuals who I'm intimidating.

Them 15's, layin' laws like the man, callin' shots
My associates who are 15 years old, are enforcing the rules and making decisions like they're in charge.

Holdin' meetings on the block a young nigga at the top
Having meetings on the street corner, a young man in charge of the operation.

And will I make it, out the ghetto, fuck the future cause I'm usedta
Will I ever escape my impoverished neighborhood? I don't care about the future, because I'm accustomed to my current life.

Doin' what I'm doin' right now, and this shit will never stop
I'm content with my current lifestyle, and I don't plan on stopping my criminal activities.

Two years I'm locked up like a bitch I'm boxed up
I served two years in prison, feeling trapped and powerless.

Hard times got me trapped nigga, I shoulda been put them rocks up
I'm stuck living a hard life, I should have given up drug dealing.

But it's the code of the ghetto, hold your own take care of your moms
But it's the way of life in the impoverished neighborhoods, you have to be tough and take care of your family.

By any means stack yo' chips, if it's illegal nigga don't trip
Make money by any means necessary, even if it's not legal, don't worry about the consequences.

They're dead, ya heard me nigga serve me don't be like no busta
If anyone gets in your way, kill them, you heard me? Do not let others take advantage of you.

These streets don't love ya and uhh I really don't trust ya
The streets are unforgiving, and I don't trust anyone.

Make a move fool you choose, you gotta pay your own dues
Make your own decisions, but you must accept the consequences of your actions.

And all them gold teeth and tattoos, them ain't nuttin' but clues nigga
All of the flashy jewelry and tattoos are just a sign of my criminal lifestyle.

I'ma menace to society, I slang dope, in varieties
I'm a danger to society, I sell drugs in many different forms.

Be like A.J., come take a ride, what you see is what you get nigga
Be like me, come join me in my criminal activities, I'm transparent and upfront about my lifestyle.

You creep or you sleep, but me, I'm packin' my heat
You can either be cautious or vulnerable, but I will always carry a weapon to defend myself.

'Cause real life ain't on TV nigga, real life is on the street beotch
The reality of life is not what is shown on television, it's the harsh truth of the streets.

See-Murder, see-P-3-killer
See-Murder, aka C-Murder, a notorious rapper and known murderer.

Projects the cold hearted streets of New Orleans
The housing projects in the cruel and unforgiving streets of New Orleans.

The infamous ghetto, young niggaz, will age well
The notorious and impoverished neighborhood, where young people grow up quickly and have a good chance of surviving.

Streets got me crazy, will I die I don't know
The streets have driven me to insanity, I don't know if I will survive.

It's war crimes baby, takin' over the world
We are committing crimes on the streets, and attempting to become the dominant force in the world.

Put in a situation, forced to, handle your business
Put in a difficult circumstance, it's necessary to take care of your affairs.

Handle your own hold your own boy that's the code of the ghetto
Take care of your responsibilities, and don't rely on anyone else, that's the way of life in the impoverished neighborhoods.

It ain't up to me it's up to that man upstairs
My fate is not in my hands, it's up to God to decide when I will die.

So I just say to all the young niggaz out there
So I want to tell all the young people out there.

Goin' through what I went through, there's a way out
Experiencing the same struggles I have, there are options for a better life.

So keep your head high
Stay strong and keep a positive attitude.

And keep your heat low, ya heard me?
And keep your weapon hidden, you understand?