Streiht Up Menace
MC Eiht Lyrics

Wake your punk ass up for the 93 shot
Time to wake up and pay attention to the reality of life on the streets

MC Eiht's in the motherfuckin' house... yeah
I am taking over and representing the struggles of the Compton community

And it ain't nothin' but a Compton thang y'all
My experiences are unique to my community in Compton

And we ain't nuttin' but niggaz on the run
We are young Black men trying to survive in a system that is stacked against us

And this goes out to my niggaz... gyeah
This song is dedicated to my fellow young Black men who are struggling with similar circumstances

A fucked up childhood, is why the way I am
My traumatic childhood experiences have shaped the person I have become

It's got me in the state where I don't give a damn, hmm
I have become desensitized to the violence and dysfunction around me

Somebody help me, but nah they don't hear me though
Despite my cries for help, no one is willing or able to assist me

I guess I'll be another victim of the ghetto
I am likely to fall prey to the same circumstances that have claimed others in my community

Ain't no escapin', cause I'm way too young
I am too young and lacking in resources to escape my current situation

Pops is dealin', and on top of that got moms sprung
My father is involved in drug dealing and my mother is addicted to drugs

Scheamin' off the top, pops never figured
My father never anticipated the risk of being killed by someone in his own community

That he'd go down by the hands of another nigga
My father was murdered by another young Black man

Now my pops is gone and that ain't no good
My father's death is a significant loss and creates further instability for me and my family

Got to follow in the foot steps of the homies from the hood
I am now expected to join the ranks of my peers who are involved in crime and violence in our neighborhood

And where's the role model?
I have no positive figures to look up to for guidance or mentorship

Niggaz putting brew in my fuckin' baby bottle!
Even from a very young age, I was exposed to negative influences and substances

Damn, and through all the motherfuckin' pain
Despite my struggles and hardships, I am still standing and persevering

They done drove my moms insane
The trauma of our situation has had a severe impact on my mother's mental health

So I guess I gotta do work so I ain't finished
I must engage in criminal activity to protect and provide for myself and my family

I grow up to be a straight up menace, yeah
My experiences have made me a dangerous and threatening individual

Now I'm of age, and livin' in the projects
I am now a young adult living in public housing

Gettin' paid off the clucks and the county checks
I receive income from selling drugs and government assistance programs

I'm Fil-ia fresh outta high school, never did I wonder
I recently graduated from high school and did not anticipate the challenges and dangers that come with adulthood in my community

That the motherfuckin' hood would take me under
I have become entrenched in the dangerous and criminal lifestyle of my neighborhood

Gyeah, I'm kickin' it with the homies and they got the straps
I am spending time with my fellow young Black men, who are armed with guns

Off to the corner store, owned by the fuckin' Japs
We are heading to a convenience store owned by Asian Americans

See a bitch in the right lane so I comes with the mack
I see a woman and approach her with my gun

Astro Bam pulls a motherfuckin' jack from the back
My friend Astro Bam reveals a gun he had hidden from sight

Now he's got the strap to my homie's head
Astro Bam is pointing a gun at my friend's head

See him play that shit cool, and don't be a fool!
My friend is trying to remain calm and not provoke the situation further

He shot my nigga in the fuckin' head
Astro Bam kills my friend with his gun

I caught one in the shoulder, if I didn't run I was dead
I am shot in the shoulder and must flee the scene to save my own life

Now I'm layin' in the hospital bed
I am hospitalized for the gunshot wound

Thinkin' about them punk motherfuckers and my eyes is bloodshot red
I am consumed with thoughts of my friend's murder and my anger is overwhelming

I ain't got time for the fuckin' bitch's story
I am not willing to listen to excuses or explanations from a woman I have wronged

Niggaz want me gotta come to my territory
Anyone who wants to confront me must come to my neighborhood, where I have the upper hand

Niggaz come, and they get done on they own risk
Anyone who tries to challenge me is doing so at their own peril

Should I leave or should I stay cause I don't want to punk out
I am torn between wanting to escape the violence and not wanting to appear weak or cowardly

Oh what should I do? The homies say
My friends advise me to stay in the neighborhood

"The hood's where it's good, homeboy, I thought you knew"
My friends remind me that our neighborhood is where we feel safest and most powerful

So in the process to show the hood my best
I am determined to prove my worth and loyalty to my neighborhood

No time to react, caught two in the chest
I am caught off guard and shot twice in the chest

I guess I'm finished
I am dying and feel that my life has been wasted

I go out like a straight up menace, yeah
My violent lifestyle has ultimately led to my death