I'm From
Merkules Lyrics


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Yeah

Yo, everyday I'd watch the older dudes pitch on the corner
And smoked blunts, I'd walk by and catch a whiff from the odor
Empty Henny bottles broken, they don't mix it with soda
'Cause where I'm from we went to war and every kid was a soldier
Grew up with the wrong crowd, box-cutters in our pockets
Fuck around and we make sure you get it first like a deposit
It wasn't worth it, we was stompin' with a thirst for gainin' profit
Every person on my block was either servin' or were on it
We then go by our own rules that we made up ourselves
And heaven never existed 'cause we came up in hell
Those rap videos taught me that we still had a chance to make it
2Pac, Biggie Smalls and Mac Dre on every playlist
School was a distraction from the reality around us
It was actually astounding that it had to be the outcome
If you are white then you are shady, if you black then you are Malcolm
The young dudes could get you weed, the OGs were sellin' powder

See where I'm from you can wind up dead, with
(Hollow hasp to your dog grass)
That's right and that's why all I'm tryna say is
You should get your Smith & Wesson, 'cause
(I was raised in the ill drug section)
Out where the money always dirty and the needles never sterile, we were
(We be stackin' the ammo, we cockin' the double barrel)
On the bad side of town, the other side had it better, that was
(Police trap, we get away too clever)

See, that's the thing about these streets you could get caught up quick
You get hit with a stray bullet when that shotgun spit
Yo, I've seen kids at sixteen doin' some bye-bye shit
The pop-pop and they get got inside that hot box whip
That life style could consume you
The money you get used to is always dirty
So you're searchin' for a purpose like a fool
Yeah, your pockets kinda thick and them girls been fuckin' with you
But it's only 'cause they drawn toward the money, that's an issue
The people that you thought were your homies will start to diss you
So you think you better to walk around packin' pistol
Cats befriend you just to get a small taste of how you livin'
But they weren't when you were cookin' base inside the kitchen
It's a fucked up world, but it's the one that we live in
You can get caught and go to jail and get out on condition
That's the system, though
They want to believe you the man
So if you smart then I suggest that you just leave while you can
It's real shit

See where I'm from you can wind up dead, with
(Hollow hasp to your dog grass)
That's right and that's why all I'm tryna say is
You should get your Smith & Wesson, 'cause
(I was raised in the ill drug section)
Out where the money always dirty and the needles never sterile, we were
(We be stackin' the ammo, we cockin' the double barrel)




On the bad side of town, the other side had it better, that was
(Police trap, we get away too clever)

Overall Meaning

Merkules's song "I'm From" addresses the harsh realities of growing up in a violent and impoverished inner-city neighborhood. The lyricist describes his surroundings as a place where kids are forced to be soldiers and where empty Henny bottles and box-cutters are common sights. He notes the allure of the rap videos that showed them a better life, but school was a mere distraction from the danger around them, and every person on his block was either selling or using drugs, making their pockets thick and the girls drawn toward them for a quick fix. Still, the people they thought were their friends would eventually turn on them, and a stray bullet or slip-up could end up costing someone's life.


The song emphasizes that street life is consuming and dangerous, that it can lead one down into a path of poverty and hopelessness, with gaining profits and seeking revenge as the only priorities. Merkules highlights the disillusionment with the system and the fact that many young people were failed by it, with the option being either to leave while they still can or risk getting killed or getting arrested, merely systems meant to keep people out of town.


Overall, "I'm From" is a cautionary tale about growing up poor in the inner city, where danger is around every corner and one wrong move can end up costing one's life.


Line by Line Meaning

Everyday I'd watch the older dudes pitch on the corner
I grew up in a neighborhood where I saw drug dealers on every block


And smoked blunts, I'd walk by and catch a whiff from the odor
Marijuana was a common presence in our environment


Empty Henny bottles broken, they don't mix it with soda
People in my community drank Hennessy straight, no chaser


'Cause where I'm from we went to war and every kid was a soldier
The streets were tough and we all had to be tough to survive


Grew up with the wrong crowd, box-cutters in our pockets
I hung around with the wrong crowd, who carried weapons


Fuck around and we make sure you get it first like a deposit
If anyone messed with us, we would retaliate quickly and without mercy


It wasn't worth it, we was stompin' with a thirst for gainin' profit
We did illegal things to make money, but it wasn't worth the risk


Every person on my block was either servin' or were on it
Everyone on my block either sold drugs or used them


We then go by our own rules that we made up ourselves
We didn't follow society's rules or norms, we made up our own


And heaven never existed 'cause we came up in hell
We grew up in a tough environment with little hope


Those rap videos taught me that we still had a chance to make it
I found hope and inspiration in rap music


2Pac, Biggie Smalls and Mac Dre on every playlist
We listened to rap legends who spoke to our struggles and experiences


School was a distraction from the reality around us
We felt that school didn't prepare us for the real world


It was actually astounding that it had to be the outcome
We were surprised that we had to deal with such a tough reality


If you are white then you are shady, if you black then you are Malcolm
Race was a factor in our community's perception of people


The young dudes could get you weed, the OGs were sellin' powder
Younger people sold marijuana, while older people sold harder drugs


See where I'm from you can wind up dead, with
Living in my neighborhood meant that death was a possibility


(Hollow hasp to your dog grass)
A violent end was a reality we faced


That's right and that's why all I'm tryna say is
I'm trying to warn people about the dangers of my neighborhood


You should get your Smith & Wesson, 'cause
It's important to have a gun for self-defense where I'm from


(I was raised in the ill drug section)
I grew up in a neighborhood where drugs were prevalent and dangerous


(We be stackin' the ammo, we cockin' the double barrel)
We are prepared for violence and have weapons at our disposal


(Police trap, we get away too clever)
We learned to outsmart the police to avoid getting caught


See, that's the thing about these streets you could get caught up quick
The streets can be dangerous and unpredictable


You get hit with a stray bullet when that shotgun spit
Violence can happen at any time, even if you're not the target


Yo, I've seen kids at sixteen doin' some bye-bye shit
I've witnessed young people taking part in life-threatening activities


The pop-pop and they get got inside that hot box whip
People get killed in cars when gunfire erupts


That life style could consume you
Living in this environment can take over your life


The money you get used to is always dirty
We made money from illegal sources, which had consequences


So you're searchin' for a purpose like a fool
You try to find meaning in life but it's hard in this environment


Yeah, your pockets kinda thick and them girls been fuckin' with you
Having money attracts attention but not necessarily for the right reasons


But it's only 'cause they drawn toward the money, that's an issue
People are only interested in you because of your money, which is problematic


The people that you thought were your homies will start to diss you
Friends can turn on you when things get tough


So you think you better to walk around packin' pistol
You start to carry a gun for protection and start to feel invincible


Cats befriend you just to get a small taste of how you livin'
People pretend to be your friend to benefit from your lifestyle


But they weren't when you were cookin' base inside the kitchen
People weren't there to be your friends when you were at your lowest


It's a fucked up world, but it's the one that we live in
The world can be cruel and unfair, but it's the only one we have


You can get caught and go to jail and get out on condition
Getting caught and going to jail is a real possibility


That's the system, though
The justice system is flawed and often unfair


They want to believe you the man
Society values masculinity and toughness, even if it's harmful


So if you smart then I suggest that you just leave while you can
It's best to get out of this environment if you can


It's real shit
These experiences are real and tough




Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Cole Corbett Stevenson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Marc Milhomme

Merk and Vinnie Paz lets make it happen..shit be sick.

Kenan burger

No he wouldn't ^^^

bauklo666

pls dont, He would make vinnie look bad

Mike C

check JoJo Pelligrino y'all... from Staten Island home of Wu Tang

aseone seco

check vanderslice beats merkules feat celph titled and apathy, so sick

Dominnis Burocrzounmpo

Byłoby jebniecie w chujj

2 More Replies...

Lewis Buffalo-Oakes

Saskatchewan repping 306! #SDK Merk always kills a beat

9tigotv

absolutely amazing brother! peace love and light from germany! <3

Hackingmason17

this song and entire album therefore needs to get more out there seriously im surprised it hasn't already taken off! everyone should share and get his name out there, he's as real as it gets. the views will be in the millions one day keep going man, to everyone who loves it show your appreciation and help him get there faster.

Porky Orcy

This beat is so cool <3

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