Ghetto
Jermaine Dupri Lyrics

I know some people might not understand me
I’m aware that my message may not be clear to everyone

And might not go number 1 or wit a Grammy but uh
My message is more important than awards or popularity

I done done the lovin', I done done the touchin'
I’ve been there, done that when it comes to romantic pursuits

All the kissin' and huggin' baby you know it's nothin'
Those things don’t compare to the bigger issues at hand

Everybody know that I can oh ho
People know I have a way with words and rhythm

Ladies love it when I go oh ho
Women are fond of my style

You tryna stop all that, no
Are you trying to silence me?

Well brother please, can you make me understand what chu sayin'
Can you explain your perspective to me?

The war is over but the troops ain't home
The war is officially over, yet some soldiers are still away from home

I see the bullets flyin', I see the people dyin'
I witness the violence and destruction happening in the world

See the babies cryin' what's the reason
Innocent children are suffering, what is the cause?

So who you posed to be, public enemy number one now
Are you trying to make me the enemy for speaking out?

Next thing I know you gon' be tryna tell me to put my guns down
Are you going to try to disarm me next?

You wanna talk well where the weed at, cause homie I don't need that
If you want to have a real conversation, let’s put aside distractions like drugs

Stuff you talkin' what I'm doin' ain't never gon' stop
Nothing you say can stop me from doing what I believe in

You must been watchin' too much C-N-N, it's about them dividends
You’re too focused on money and what the media tells you

The hood ain't changed, I don't know where you been
The problems in the neighborhood persist and you seem oblivious to it

Everybody sufferin' and it's way mo' tougher than it was
People are struggling more than ever before

And we don't never see nobody helpin' us
No one is stepping in to help the community

OK that's so true, I can feel ya pain
I understand and relate to your perspective

I'm not here to argue, just put you up on game
I’m not trying to start a fight, just inform you of the situation

But I guess you the type I can't tell a damn thing
I doubt you’re willing to listen

Couple of dollars in yo pocket, and you start losin' ya brain
Money has clouded your judgment

It's a trap got you hustlin' all through the night
The system has tricked you into working around the clock just to survive

It's a trap takin' pictures in broad daylight
Even everyday activities can result in being caught in a dangerous cycle

Don't let the system trick you into nothin' else, please
Don’t let the system manipulate you

Be a man and stand for yourself
Assert yourself and make your own decisions

If you're not rich by now, you'll probably never get it (uh uh)
If you haven’t accumulated wealth by this point, it seems unlikely you ever will

How can I get this nigga to listen to what I'm sayin' to him
How can I make this person hear me out?

Don't be a fool, with that I don't give a damn attitude
You can’t afford to have a careless mindset

Cause I know you got someone at home who truly loves you
There are people who care deeply about you and your well-being

Please listen, hear me when I say don't let the system knock you
Hear me when I say that the system can’t beat you down

Lock yo ass away, cause you got things to live for
Don’t let incarceration be the end of your aspirations and hope

Your family and your children
Think of your loved ones and the next generation

Don't wanna lose, the life that you've been given
You don’t want to waste the life you’ve been given