Same Time
Joell Ortiz Lyrics

Just when I think I'm gettin' tired of you
In the midst of feeling weary and worn out from the situation

Damn
Expressing frustration and disappointment

Knew I shoulda stayed off that fuckin' stupid-ass block
Realizing the regret of being in a dangerous and troublesome neighborhood

Just when I think I'm gettin' tired of you again
Cycling back to a state of weariness and exhaustion from the situation

Fuck
Expressing frustration and annoyance

Oh well
Accepting the current circumstances with resignation

I heard so many stories, guess I'm here now
Being exposed to numerous tales and tales but ending up in the same place

Everyday's a fishbowl, I'm gettin' staredowns
Feeling constantly watched and scrutinized by others

So this is three hots and a cot?
Questioning the reality of experiencing only basic necessities in prison

A bunkie I don't know in some funky cell block?
Being assigned to share a cell with a stranger in an unpleasant cell block

Guess I'll stay to myself and if they try me, I'll pop
Deciding to keep to oneself but being prepared to defend oneself if provoked

Since I was tiny I could box, but I ain't tryna get shot
Having boxing skills from a young age but having no intention of getting shot

And everybody lookin' grimy, I gotta find me a ox
Observing the untrustworthiness and deceitfulness of others, needing to find protection

They askin' if I'm homie or I'm cuz, but I'm not
People questioning his affiliation with certain groups, but he doesn't belong to any

I'm NFL, guess it's time I find me a slot
Identifying as a talented player in the game of life and searching for opportunities

Yo, who controllin' these phones? I gotta dial back home
Curiously questioning who has control over the prison phones and longing to call home

How you write a letter? Where you get the paper?
Seeking guidance on the process of writing a letter and acquiring writing materials

How much is a stamp? How you mail it out, playa?
Inquiring about the cost of a stamp and the method of sending mail

Damn, this shit fucked up, really fucked up
Expressing deep dissatisfaction and acknowledging the unfairness of the situation

I'm super hungry, but this shit for lunch, yuck
Feeling intense hunger while being dissatisfied with the quality of the prison meal

And one CO got it in for me, I got tough luck
Facing the unfortunate circumstance of having a correctional officer targeted against him

Think I used to rough his nephew up on that yellow bus
Believing that his actions towards the correctional officer's relative in the past led to the animosity

I wonder if my girl livin' right
Having concerns about the faithfulness and behavior of his partner

An OG told me never call in the mornin' or night
Receiving guidance from a wise individual to avoid calling during peak times to maintain discretion

He said the afternoon's safe, that's when she'll speak clear
Being advised that the afternoon is the best time to communicate when the partner is more likely to be truthful

'Cause if a nigga spent the night, he probably still there
Expressing suspicion that if someone spent the night with his partner, they probably haven't left

I play chess with my homie in the wheelchair
Engaging in strategic conversations and interactions with a friend who is in a wheelchair

Never once asked him how he got in there
Never inquiring about the circumstances that led his friend to be in a wheelchair

I never beat 'em either, but, shit, I don't care
Not defeating his friend in chess games, but not being bothered by it

Them stories that he sell make me feel like I gotta pull outta here
The compelling narratives his friend shares motivate him to escape the current situation

Every morning I'm out there on the count
Being present for the daily prisoner count each morning

Every evening I'm in here thinkin' 'bout
Spending the evenings contemplating and reflecting on the circumstances

How the judge really gave me that amount
Reflecting on the severity of the sentence imposed by the judge

And how old I'ma be when I get out
Contemplating how much time will pass before being released

Why the fuck I'm here?
Questioning the reason and purpose of being in prison

I'm in and out this place every couple years
Experiencing a pattern of going in and out of prison every few years

Face tatted with a couple tears
Having visible tattoos on the face, symbolizing the pain and hardships endured

Yellin' at some faggot up on the upper tier
Engaging in verbal confrontations with an individual on a higher level of the cell block

He keep cryin' through the night, like, 'Why the fuck I'm here?
Witnessing someone else's emotional turmoil and frustration within the prison

Nigga, deal with it, I keep my gun close
Advising the person to handle their situation while emphasizing personal protection

And anybody face appeal with it, it's real, Richard
Asserting the seriousness and authenticity of one's intentions to use their weapon

Commissary never a problem, my locker packed, and
Having no difficulties in accessing and filling up the locker with items from the commissary

If I ain't got it, then you got a snack, holla back
If he doesn't possess a particular item, he can rely on someone else to provide a snack

I'm finna hit the yard, lift the entire rack
Preparing to go to the prison yard and lift weights, targeting the complete set of weights

Today, I'm doin' chest and back
Planning to focus on exercising chest and back muscles

Extra pack of sticks on the juggle from a Redskin fumble
Securing an additional pack of cigarettes through a clever manipulation during a football game

How wild is that? When it come to the playoffs, the Giants— nah
Reflecting on the irony that the outcome of a football game impacts his cigarette supply rather than his favorite team, the Giants

Got a kite and a pic from this Guyanese bitch
Receiving a letter and a picture from a woman of Guyanese descent

I used to fuck with dreads, shit gettin' fucked in my head
Alluding to past experiences with women who had dreadlocks causing confusion and turmoil in his mind

New fresh batch of hooch on the way have nigga twisted
Anticipating the arrival of a fresh homemade alcoholic drink that will intoxicate him

Extra toothpaste my next visit, keep my breath hidden
Planning to acquire additional toothpaste during the next visit to maintain fresh breath and hygiene

My brother saw my problem in the other house
Referring to a fellow inmate as his brother who noticed the conflict he was involved in a different cell block

Some newcomer runnin' his mouth, so he ran in his
His 'brother' took action against a new inmate who was speaking disrespectfully

And if he wanna take it further, them hammers is out
Indicating that if the situation escalates, weapons will be employed

You know my name and what my handle about, wassup?
Asserting his reputation and displaying a confrontational attitude

But we don't do the same time
Highlighting the fact that even though they both experience prison, their situations and experiences are different