Some How Some Way
Jay‐Z feat. Beanie Sigel & Scarface Lyrics

Please believe that, some how, some way
Have faith that, in one way or another, we will find a path to success

We gotta make it up out the hood some day
We need to escape the poverty and challenges of our neighborhood eventually

Some how, some way
In some manner or method

We gotta make it up out this life, c'mon
We need to leave behind this difficult lifestyle and move forward

Weather we dribble out this motherfucker
Whether we make money through basketball

Rap metaphors and riddle out this motherfucker
Or by expressing ourselves through rap with metaphors and intricate rhymes

Work second floors, hospital out this motherfucker
Or by taking jobs on the upper floors of a building or working in hospitals

Some how we gotta get up out this motherfucker
We must find a way to escape our current situation

Some day the cops'll kill a motherfucker
Eventually, the police may cause someone's death

I don't always want to be this drug dealing motherfucker, damn
I don't want to be involved in drug dealing forever

Wish I could take us all on this magic carpet ride
I wish I could provide a better life for everyone

Through the sky, I
In a metaphorical sense, taking us to a better place

Use to play the hall of fifth floor, me and my boys we
We used to hang out on the fifth floor hallway, me and my friends

All poor getting high, I
We were all poor and seeking an escape through drugs

Seen the worst of the worst, I deserve every blessing
I have witnessed the most terrible things, so I believe I deserve any good things that come my way

I received I'm from the dirt
I come from a challenging and impoverished background

I planted my seed on unfertile land
I started a family in a place where there weren't many opportunities

Myrtle Park, Marcy, Flushing and Nostrand, and
Specific locations in Brooklyn where I grew up

Still I grew, some how I knew that the sun'll shine through
Despite the challenges, I managed to grow and remain hopeful

And, touch my soul take hold of my hand
Provide comfort and guidance

Look man, a tree grows in Brooklyn
Despite the difficulties, there is still growth and resilience in Brooklyn

To old Nell, Sigel Street I ain't forget you
Acknowledging and remembering old friends and neighborhoods

Twenty niggas on the block tryna chase that buck
Many people on the block are trying to make money by any means necessary

Nosey neighbors and haters keep their face on stuck
Nosy neighbors and jealous individuals are constantly observing and criticizing

Cops roll up on the pavement, break the dice games up
Police officers interrupt and put a stop to gambling activities

Moms smoke, kids can't chase the ice cream truck
Mothers smoke cigarettes and children are unable to enjoy simple pleasures

Girls fighting over rope, the young boys hype things up
Young girls argue over trivial matters while boys escalate tensions

Niggas fighting over coke, the young boys light things up
Men engage in conflicts over drugs, and boys exacerbate the situation

All the petty ass wars fuck the night scene up
The constant conflicts ruin the peaceful atmosphere of the community at night

Remember Lil' Eddie draw, man how he light mean up
Recalling the late Lil' Eddie who had a formidable presence

Then they wonder why we light green up
People then question why we resort to drug dealing as a means to survive

Back to back steamers, trying to relax but I can't, I lean up
Using drugs one after another, attempting to unwind but remaining restless

Ain't the L or the refer that steam up (that steam up)
It's not just the joint or the smoke that clouds my mind with worry

It's my head and I'm stressed to the point I get a fever
It's the turmoil in my mind that leads to physical symptoms of anxiety

Thinking 'bout the block and all the mothers and kids
Reflecting on the neighborhood and the struggling families

That can't leave and how the Chinks gotta feed 'em
Those who are unable to leave the area rely on immigrant-owned businesses to provide for them

For the rest of their life
They will continue to endure these hardships indefinitely

The fucking wings, fried vegetable rice (gotta be kidding)
The only affordable food options are unhealthy fast food and cheap rice dishes

No breakfast Cap'n Crunch at night
There is a lack of basic necessities, such as breakfast cereal available in the evening

How kids eating lunch at night?
Children are forced to eat their midday meal during evening hours

In their beds all bunched in tight
Many people are crowded together in their beds due to limited space

No less than three or four, know how it go
There are at least three or four people sharing a bed, as it is a common occurrence

Two by the foot, two by the headboard
The sleeping arrangement involves two people at the foot of the bed and two at the headboard

Man, I'm getting scared for them (yeah I know)
I feel afraid for them and their future (yes, I understand)

That's how I feel for 'em
That is the depth of my concern for them

And we gotta grip the shorties on the block
We must guide the younger individuals in our community

All they do is smoke weed and drink forties
Their activities mainly revolve around smoking marijuana and consuming 40-ounce bottles of alcohol

Cop their quarties
Purchase their own bottles of liquor

Enough to get the latest Roc, newest Glock, and old Jordies
They have enough money to buy the latest Roc-A-Fella merchandise, a new handgun, and used Air Jordans

Right here another lil' story 'bout this clique I claimed
Here is another short anecdote about the group I belong to

Another chapter based on how I get that game
Another chapter that explains how I acquire success and money

Hanging round my neighborhood, bang my street
Spending time in my neighborhood, representing my street

Sit and watch the passer-bys play my sweep
Observing people passing by and playing in the area I claim as mine

South-side, Sunnyside
Referring to specific neighborhoods and areas in Houston

Is the blocks I run, South Acres, South Park
These are the neighborhoods where I have influence and control

Niggas all got guns
Many people in my community possess firearms

Over here we got this code Charlie, get that there
In this area, we adhere to a certain code, like Charlie

We know tomorrow ain't a promise so we get that now
We understand that the future is uncertain, so we seek immediate gain

Fuck sitting in the living room guarding the steps
We refuse to passively wait inside, guarding our territory

Working inside a smoke house starving to death
Struggling for survival while trapped in an environment where drugs are prevalent

Serving these nigga flippers, quarter-ounces and zippers
Selling drugs to individuals who divide them into smaller portions

Agents snapping your picture
Undercover law enforcement officers taking photographs of suspects

Neighbors plotting to get ya
People in the community scheming to betray one another

Situations is critic
The circumstances are dangerous and precarious

I was out here to get it
I was determined to succeed in this environment

Living it like a savage, 'cause nigga I gotta have it
Existing in a ruthless manner, because I am driven to acquire what I desire

And holding back on a motherfucker, I'm in it for the haul, dog
I am relentless and will not hold back from achieving my goals

Erase enough to walk it down and fuck it all y'all
I am willing to confront anyone who stands in my way

Lord be willing and the creek don't rise
If everything goes according to plan

I'ma be a nigga and these streets gon' rise
I will be a respected figure in these streets, and the neighborhood will thrive