The Ghetto
MC Eiht Lyrics

Once upon a time in the ghetto you're stuck
Growing up in the ghetto can be restrictive and suffocating, making it hard to escape poverty and crime.

In the ghetto you're fucked
Being trapped in the ghetto often leads to a life of struggle, where poverty and violence are the norm.

Ah - press your luck
Taking chances in the ghetto can be dangerous and may lead to even more trouble, so one must be cautious.

I said once upon a time in the ghetto you're through
Once you're involved in the ghetto lifestyle, it's difficult to escape the violence and crime that comes with it.

Once upon a time in the ghetto
This phrase is used to signify the harsh realities of living in the ghetto and the danger that comes with it.

It's like you
If you live in the ghetto, you understand the struggles and hardships that come with it.

My life has been like gun blast every night
Growing up in the ghetto can be dangerous and unpredictable, with violence being an everyday occurrence.

Stop the car, searched down with a flashlight
Police often target individuals in the ghetto, regardless of whether or not they are guilty of a crime.

"Where's the gun? Where's the dope?"
Police often assume that individuals in the ghetto are involved in illegal activities and harass them over it.

The drive-by last week they try to pin, there's no hope
Police may try to place blame on individuals in the ghetto, regardless of whether or not they are involved in a crime, due to biased assumptions.

"Speak your mind one more time, you're through"
Individuals in the ghetto are often punished for questioning authority and standing up for themselves when faced with harassment.

Yellow tape, bodies outlined in the chalk
Violence and death are common in the ghetto, with murders being a regular occurrence.

Burn you bitch-ass niggas, you can't beat us
Violent retaliation is common in the ghetto, where individuals are willing to use guns to settle disputes.

Another life lost, you never will defeat us
Refusing to back down or show weakness is a common mentality in the ghetto, even in the face of violence and loss.

Funeral day, the sad songs to sing
Death is a common occurrence in the ghetto, and funerals are a regular reminder of the violence and danger of living there.

Step now or charriots will swing
Individuals in the ghetto must be willing to fight back against violence and police harassment, or they risk being targeted even more.

Hoo-Bangin' one time, check it out
Hoo-Bangin is a reference to the gang lifestyle found in many ghettos.

Compton one time, nigga
Compton is a notorious location for gang activity and violence in the United States, further emphasizing the danger and violence present in the ghetto.

Compton two times, bitch
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the level of danger present in Compton, where living in the ghetto is a constant fight to survive.

Geah
An exclamation of agreement or excitement.