Victim
Njeri Lyrics
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Just another victim of the...victim of the ghetto
Just another victim, that's how it goes, ooh
Heavy foot traffic jam the hallway all day
Adolescence workin' for small pay
World so little, he could never leave his block
His home full of riddle, so he always need his glock
Young wasted minds, fiendin' on dimes, cokin'
Forgot kids quick to break rules, and known to make fools
Out of many, down the streets be more safe than school
There's no diploma, that can break him from the coma
A bloody war in the country, the youth hungry
On the corner, hyenas amongst me
Yabbin' 'bout the stories, they be hearin', always swearin'
Can't even spell the shit that he be wearin'
Caught up in the silk web of material
Superficial stains ya brain tissue, that's the issue
The young is lost at their own cost, dreamin'
Screamin' how we never hold positions, that's the meanin'
Brothers of murder victims share the same grief
The elderly shake their head in disbelief
And no relief came till I aimed
And blast one shot and left my name
The GZA...
[Chorus:]
My residence is a city where army veterans smoke rocks
On torn down blocks, drug spots set out their shops
And cops watch, innocent niggaz roam in flocks
Romanism in tops, papers and knots
Churches and liquor stores on every corner, plot to get money not
Some funny niggaz act like they could pop glocks and those who can't cop
Sisters givin' up ass a lot, brothers givin' up cash a lot
They be strugglin' to become someone because their parents not
Just another victim of the ghetto, where lost minds settle
When the devil uncivils society and die free
With double 'W' followed by J-D around the necks
And wrists the God is now a dog, the earth is called a bitch
And all my people wish to get rich in this wilderness
To push a Lexus, ice on everythin' from rings and bracelets to the necklaces
Children molested within these pest infested buildings
Thieves uneducated in these schools, paint on the ceilings
Peelin' off, but all I see is lost black babies callin'
"Please somebody save me, please somebody save me"
[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
Just another...just another...victim of the ghetto
The song "Victim" by Njeri is a powerful commentary on life in the ghetto, specifically the challenges faced by young people growing up in impoverished neighborhoods. The chorus repeats the title of the song, "Just another victim of the ghetto," emphasizing the all-too-common experience of youth caught up in a cycle of poverty, crime, and violence. The verses provide vivid descriptions of the harsh realities of life in the ghetto, such as heavy foot traffic, tiny living spaces, and the constant threat of danger. The lyrics also detail the ways in which materialism and superficiality can capture the minds of young people, leading them astray from their true potential.
The first verse delves into the perspective of a young man who feels trapped by his surroundings. He can't leave his block, and his home is full of uncertainty and danger. He relies on his gun for protection, but also runs the risk of being consumed by the violent tendencies that surround him. The second verse expands the scope of the song to the wider society, highlighting the ways in which systemic issues like poverty, drug addiction, and poor education keep young people from achieving their dreams. The singer describes a world in which people are pushed to the margins and forced to struggle for survival, while others accumulate wealth and privilege at their expense.
Overall, "Victim" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that raises important questions about poverty, inequality, and social injustice in inner-city neighborhoods. It reminds us that the cycle of violence and despair is not inevitable and that we must work together to create opportunities and hope for all young people, no matter their circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Heavy foot traffic jam the hallway all day
The hallway is always crowded with people and there's no room to move around.
Adolescence workin' for small pay
Young people work hard jobs for very little money.
World so little, he could never leave his block
His entire world consists of just one city block and he never has the opportunity to see anything else.
His home full of riddle, so he always need his glock
His home is full of problems and he feels he needs a gun for protection from the violence that surrounds him.
He coast with his eye open, keep his metal smokin'
He is constantly on guard and ready to use his gun to protect himself.
Young wasted minds, fiendin' on dimes, cokin'
Young people are wasting their minds on drugs and getting high on a small amount of money.
Forgot kids quick to break rules, and known to make fools
Young people forget the rules and often make bad decisions and mistakes.
Out of many, down the streets be more safe than school
The streets can be safer than school because of the violence that exists in some schools.
There's no diploma, that can break him from the coma
Education cannot save him from the desperation and hopelessness he feels.
A bloody war in the country, the youth hungry
There is a war going on in the country and young people are suffering from hunger and poverty.
On the corner, hyenas amongst me
Dangerous and aggressive people hang out on the street corner.
Caught up in the silk web of material
People are too focused on material possessions, such as expensive clothing and jewelry.
Superficial stains ya brain tissue, that's the issue
This obsession with material things is causing damage to people's minds.
The young is lost at their own cost, dreamin'
Young people are lost and desperate and their dreams are unfulfilled.
Screamin' how we never hold positions, that's the meanin'
They feel that they will never have any power or control over their lives.
Brothers of murder victims share the same grief
Families of murder victims all feel the same intense pain and suffering.
The elderly shake their head in disbelief
The older generation is shocked and saddened by the violence and hopelessness of the younger generation.
My residence is a city where army veterans smoke rocks
The city is filled with drug addiction, even among those who served in the military.
On torn down blocks, drug spots set out their shops
Drug dealers operate their businesses on run-down and abandoned city blocks.
And cops watch, innocent niggaz roam in flocks
The police watch everyone, even innocent people.
Peelin' off, but all I see is lost black babies callin'
He's trying to leave, but all he can see are helpless and desperate young black children.
Children molested within these pest infested buildings
Children are being sexually abused in buildings that are also infested with vermin.
Thieves uneducated in these schools, paint on the ceilings
People who don't value education are stealing things and defacing school property.
They be strugglin' to become someone because their parents not
Young people are struggling to succeed because their parents didn't have opportunities for success.
Just another victim of the ghetto, where lost minds settle
He is just another person trapped in the despair and hopelessness of the ghetto.
When the devil uncivils society and die free
The devil has taken over and society is uncivilized and chaotic.
With double 'W' followed by J-D around the necks
People are wearing expensive jewelry to show off their wealth, including chains with initials.
And wrists the God is now a dog, the earth is called a bitch
People are using derogatory terms to talk about God and the earth.
And all my people wish to get rich in this wilderness
Everyone wants to become wealthy in this difficult and dangerous environment.
To push a Lexus, ice on everythin' from rings and bracelets to the necklaces
They want expensive cars and jewelry to show off their wealth.
Please somebody save me, please somebody save me
Young children are begging for someone to help them and save them from their desperate situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLTON MCLEOD, MICHAEL JOHNSON, RAYMOND MCLEOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DFE97
Peace!!!! Much appreciated.
@JRebel206
GZA the Genius, does it again. But I guess he's a victim of ignorance and the watered down mainstream. People just don't know about the real. Only 700 views, insane. It should be 7 million. If only people knew.
@mommamogel2628
Whatever happened to njeri she killed that last verse