Ghetto Burbs
Joe Budden Lyrics

Always had big dreams
Despite my surroundings, I have always had aspirations to make something of myself.

Everybody had big dreams though
However, I understand that many people around me also have goals and dreams.

I never wanna stay here, I had no intentions
I have no desire to remain in this environment, and I came into this situation without any specific plan.

And I have had no plans
I did not come into this situation with a clear plan of action.

Live my life
I must live my life according to the circumstances that surround me.

Gotta know how to survive
I must be able to navigate through difficult situations and rely on my survival instincts.

Just can't hide
I cannot ignore or hide from the harsh realities of my environment.

These streets eat you alive
The streets can be unforgiving and dangerous, and can easily consume and destroy individuals.

Ghetto burbs
I come from a neighborhood that is a mixture of both urban and suburban neighborhoods.

Cause I'm from two different worlds
My neighborhood is unique because it combines the characteristics of both urban and suburban neighborhoods.

Yo yo, ghetto burbs I'm from the ghetto with Jerz
I come from a neighborhood in New Jersey that is considered to be both urban and suburban in nature.

From where the pedal is served
In my neighborhood, illegal drugs are sold openly and are easily accessible.

Use hand, justice for words
In my neighborhood, individuals often resort to violence as a means of resolving conflicts.

Big up to LA, they was ahead of the curb
Los Angeles was ahead of the curve in terms of urbanization and development, which my neighborhood aims to replicate.

My hood we gang bang
My neighborhood is notorious for gang activity.

You could get left on the curb
Individuals who get caught up in dangerous circumstances in my neighborhood often get left behind and forgotten.

Yea I was raised here, but I'm tryna export
Although I grew up in this neighborhood, I aspire to leave and make something of myself elsewhere.

Police is crook yea, the strippers is escorts
The law enforcement in my neighborhood is corrupt, and many women resort to stripping as a means of making a living.

Like my homey Layla, really I can't knock her
I cannot judge or criticize my friend Layla for her choices and actions.

'Cause she getting paper, month ago she was knocked up
Because she is able to make a significant amount of money, I do not judge my friend Layla for being pregnant.

Baby daddy a dope boy, fresh homey was locked up
Layla's baby's father is involved in selling illegal drugs, and he was recently released from prison.

But he on the same shit, fucked around and got shot up
Despite his recent release from prison, Layla's baby was father was still involved in selling drugs and ended up getting shot.

In my same mind, I'm like why he even bother?
I question why Layla's baby father even bothers to continue selling drugs despite the potential consequences.

At the same time don't know what he was a part of
Although Layla's baby father was involved in selling drugs, I do not know the specifics of his involvement and motives.

And Layla over the casket, tears coming harder
Layla is overcome with grief as she mourns the loss of her baby's father.

The hood wins again, another son with no father
Unfortunately, this situation is all too common in my neighborhood, where fathers are often killed, leaving behind their children.

Gotta take it in stride, 'round here that's the usual
I must learn to accept and deal with these tragedies, as they are common and routine in my neighborhood.

But I ain't accustomed, that shit I can't get used to
Although this is a common occurrence in my neighborhood, I refuse to become desensitized to it and accept it as normal.

I'm trying to survive
My main goal is to navigate through the dangers and harsh realities of my neighborhood and come out alive.

Ghetto burbs, I'm from the ghetto of Jerz'
My neighborhood is located in the state of New Jersey and still retains characteristics of both urban and suburban neighborhoods.

From where the ghetto's disturbed, you can be dead in a hearse
My neighborhood is a place where violence and death are common and individuals can easily end up in a coffin.

Say a prayer daily and end it with 'better or worse'
In order to cope with the harsh realities of my neighborhood, individuals often pray for protection and safety, regardless of the situation.

I lost faith, but grandma still keep her head up in church
Although I have lost faith and hope in my neighborhood, my grandmother still finds solace and comfort in her religious beliefs and practices.

Murder rate sky-high, employment is real low
In my neighborhood, the rate of violent murders is incredibly high, and many individuals struggle to find employment and make a living.

Little kid try to rap, but will he get a deal? No
Despite having aspirations in the music industry, many children in my neighborhood will not be given a fair shot to make it big.

'Cause poverty kills slow, belief is beyond you
The effects of poverty can be fatal and long-lasting, and many individuals feel as though they are helpless and powerless in their situation.

7 out of ever 10 bitches here got the monster
Many women in my neighborhood have contracted sexually transmitted infections due to their risky behavior.

Like my little homie Tanya, I met her at Freaknik
Tanya is a young girl from my neighborhood whom I met at a popular event called Freaknik.

Freak shit, the same bitch them niggas be all out in the street with
At Freaknik, Tanya engages in sexually explicit activities with multiple men, some of whom she sees routinely in public.

Open, in love with the service
Tanya is very open with her sexuality and enjoys engaging in sexual activity for pleasure and attention.

But she got resentments you won't see from the surface
Despite her carefree and open demeanor, Tanya likely carries deep-seated feelings of resentment and hurt that are not obvious to others.

Feel like so many women look great, so she worship
Because of her insecurities and self-esteem issues, Tanya idolizes and admires other women who she perceives as being beautiful.

Caught AIDS from rape, thought her whole life was worthless
Tanya's risky behavior eventually leads to her contracting HIV through rape, causing her to doubt her self-worth and purpose in life.

Ho couldn't know how gorgeous her curves is
Despite her physical beauty, Tanya likely does not realize or appreciate her own beauty and worth as a person.

She fucking 'em raw and hope to catch it on purpose
Tanya continues to engage in risky sexual behavior and hopes to contract sexually transmitted infections intentionally as a form of escape or coping mechanism.

You better survive
Given the dangerous and harsh nature of my neighborhood, survival is of utmost importance.

Ghetto burbs, I'm from the ghetto of Jerz'
My neighborhood is a combination of both urban and suburban neighborhoods and is located in New Jersey.

I ain't tryin' to act like my part of the ghetto's the worst
Although my neighborhood has its share of problems and dangers, I do not want to exaggerate or overstate the severity of the situation.

Niggas is tricks here, they'll buy stilettos for birds
Many men in my neighborhood use their money to purchase expensive gifts for women in order to gain their affection and loyalty.

How did I get here? They act like the metal don't hurt
I question how I ended up in this dangerous and hostile environment, where violence and danger are commonplace, and others seem oblivious to the pain and suffering it causes.

You just getting high, guess they trying to escape it
Many individuals in my neighborhood turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of escaping the harsh reality of their environment.

Or commit suicide assuming they couldn't take it
Some individuals in my neighborhood resort to suicide as a means of escaping their situation and the hopelessness and despair it may bring.

The streets is cold, still we run around naked
Despite the dangerous and unforgiving nature of my neighborhood, some individuals still roam around openly and freely without regard for their safety.

Success is a void and we replace it with hatred
Success and achievement are often overlooked or dismissed in my neighborhood in favor of envy and bitterness towards others who are successful.

That's your homie from way back, from so many years old
Your childhood friend, who you have known for many years, can be a source of support and camaraderie.

But friends turn green, even that acted weird old
However, even close and loyal friends can become jealous and envious of your success and act in a strange and uncharacteristic manner.

You think he cared? No, y'all used to share clothes
Your friend likely has no concern for your well-being or success, despite sharing clothes and other things in the past.

Now you struggle for rent and he got ice in his earlobes
Your friend is now financially secure and enjoys the luxuries of life, while you continue to struggle and barely make ends meet.

Your man won't even extend a hand, meeting all his career goals
Your friend is not willing to help you out, even though he has achieved all of his career and financial goals.

You need a whole 'nother plan, your career's froze
In order to succeed and better your situation, you need to come up with a completely new and innovative plan, as your current career opportunities are limited.

Valuables are more valuable
In my neighborhood, material possessions and financial wealth hold more significance and importance than other things like education and personal growth.

Than everything even value to dude
In my neighborhood, the value of material possessions is held in higher esteem than other personal qualities, such as integrity and kindness.