However this combo will always be remembered for their dramatic fall out during the Unfinished business tour where R Kelly stormed out half way through a scheduled tour.
Apparently R Kelly was maced by one of Jay-z body guards.
Streets
R. Kelly & Jay-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh God bless me indeed
When I'm so confused
Enlarge my territory
Place your love and protection over me at all times
Help me!
Keep me away from evil
Somebody answer me! {*echoes*}
Police in the background, screamin put the thing down
That's how hard I was trying to put my thing down
Si-rens ringin out, old ladies screamin out
All this attention for me and I'm barely sixteen now
It's feelin like a dream now
Handcuffed, roughed up, I'm tossed in the bing now
I'm lyin next to fiends now, that's the end of the story
Let me bring why'all niggaz back to the very first scene now
December 4th, a child is born
Before I knew it, had my pops trousers on
That's how we do it when the man of the house is gone
You either, stand or fall, I chose to stand
The hawk outside, so I blow my hand
It's a cold cold world but I overstand
Tryin to stay focused but I feel hopeless damn
Can't cope with bein broke, I'm a man - see'mon
[Chorus]
Son don't let these streets, get the best of you
I will be right by your side, when you goin through
Son just don't let it (just don't let it)
Just don't let it (just don't let it)
Just don't let it (just don't let it)
Get the best of you
Late one night I was, rollin the streets
Just, thinkin about what's goin on with me and
Trapped in this thug life, tryin to break free but
This thug life just keeps callin me
I'm livin life way too dangerously
I'm drownin in my misery
Looked in the mirror, there's my enemy
Cause poppa never was a part of me
Take one step at a time, mama said
Sweet memories still remain in my head
All of my life been lied to, misled
Voices be like, "Don't you wish you was dead?"
No ground to place my feet
I feel the fire under me
A way out is all I need
Somebody, answer me!
[Chorus]
Now the only thing left is more spirit to roam free
Cause ain't no goin home for me
It's a cold cold world but I blew my hand
A true first cause I knew that man
I knew what he would do if I didn't draw first
And I couldn't stand the thought of my momma steppin foot inside a church
All I try to do is try to get up out the dirt
Guess he's tryin to do the same, told me get up out his turf
I wanted to talk to him, but that shit'd never work
We was cut from the same cloth and what was under his shirt was his
Momma's rent, his young brother's clothes
My nephew's food, and with that I suppose
And with that I froze
Now my life is frozen in time behind these iron folds
And this story is told, for young soldiers
Who never choose the life we chose
[Chorus]
Tears in my eyes as I look up, I'm tryin to
Hold back my pride but reality is screamin
Gotta get a job cause mo-mma also screamin
Streets are just like drugs, and it's like I'm out here fiendin
Forget all the hits in the industry, cause
Ain't no exceptions in this game for me, look
Neither God or my enemies, I
Choose God cause he understands, this
Young man with a thuggish heart
Whole world in his hands but still torn apart
Like I'm so close, but it's still so far
Nightmares of me in a swervin car, ohhh
No ground to place my feet (my feet)
I feel the fire under me (heyyy)
A way out is all I need (all I need)
Somebody, answer me!
[Chorus]
The lyrics of R. Kelly & Jay-Z's "The Streets" revolve around the theme of struggle and overcoming obstacles. The song is a conversation with God, as the lyrics begin with the singer asking God for guidance and protection throughout his journey. The lyrics also describe the harsh realities of street life and the temptation of living a thug life, all while trying to break free from it.
The first verse starts with the singer pleading to God for clarity and direction to enlarge his territory and protect him from evil. The lyrics then describe police sirens in the background and the attention that he receives as a young and troubled teenager. The second verse takes the listener back to the singer's childhood, where he describes how he grew up without his father's guidance and had to stand on his own feet. He then paints a picture of the violence and danger that he faced daily while trying to escape the streets.
The chorus serves as a reminder to the singer to hold on and not let the streets consume him. The singer's mother speaks to him, encouraging him to take it one step at a time, and not get overwhelmed. The lyrics also mention the enemy within, referring to how the singer's reflection in the mirror haunts him, as there's a part of him that wants to break free, but he's also addicted to the lifestyle. The final verse reiterates the same themes of struggle, but the singer expresses his hope and willingness to fight through it with God's help.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear God, how can I explain myself?
Asking for guidance and blessings from God in a time of confusion and uncertainty
Oh God bless me indeed
Asking for God's blessings and protection
When I'm so confused
Expressing confusion and uncertainty
Enlarge my territory
Asking for expansion and growth in life
Place your love and protection over me at all times
Asking for God's love and protection at all times
Help me!
Asking for help and support
Keep me away from evil
Asking to be kept away from harmful and negative influences
Somebody answer me! {*echoes*}
Desperately seeking answers and solutions
Allow me not to cause pain
Asking to not hurt others or cause harm
Police in the background, screamin put the thing down
Being confronted by police while trying to put away a weapon
That's how hard I was trying to put my thing down
Struggling to put away a weapon in a tense situation
Si-rens ringin out, old ladies screamin out
Creating a chaotic and alarming environment
All this attention for me and I'm barely sixteen now
Feeling overwhelmed and exposed at a young age
It's feelin like a dream now
Feeling surreal and unreal
Handcuffed, roughed up, I'm tossed in the bing now
Being arrested and taken to prison
I'm lyin next to fiends now, that's the end of the story
Ending up in prison with drug addicts and criminals
Let me bring why'all niggaz back to the very first scene now
Taking the story back to the beginning
December 4th, a child is born
Referring to one's own birthdate
Before I knew it, had my pops trousers on
Growing up too fast and taking on adult responsibilities
That's how we do it when the man of the house is gone
Taking on a role when the father figure is absent
You either, stand or fall, I chose to stand
Facing a difficult decision and choosing to stand strong
The hawk outside, so I blow my hand
Protecting oneself from danger
It's a cold cold world but I overstand
Acknowledging the harsh realities of life
Tryin to stay focused but I feel hopeless damn
Struggling to stay optimistic despite challenges
Can't cope with bein broke, I'm a man - see'mon
Feeling overwhelmed by financial struggles
[Chorus]
Beginning of the chorus
Son don't let these streets, get the best of you
Giving advice to a loved one to avoid negative influences
I will be right by your side, when you goin through
Promising support and guidance
Son just don't let it (just don't let it)
Repeating the advice to stay strong
Get the best of you
End of the chorus
Late one night I was, rollin the streets
Describing a dangerous situation
Just, thinkin about what's goin on with me and
Reflecting on personal struggles
Trapped in this thug life, tryin to break free but
Feeling stuck in a lifestyle of violence and crime
This thug life just keeps callin me
Feeling trapped and unable to escape a dangerous lifestyle
I'm livin life way too dangerously
Recognizing the risks and dangers of one's lifestyle
I'm drownin in my misery
Feeling overwhelmed by emotional pain
Looked in the mirror, there's my enemy
Realizing that one's biggest enemy is oneself
Cause poppa never was a part of me
Acknowledging the emotional impact of an absent father figure
Take one step at a time, mama said
Recalling words of advice from mother figure
Sweet memories still remain in my head
Reflecting on happier times from the past
All of my life been lied to, misled
Feeling betrayed by those who were supposed to guide and protect
Voices be like, "Don't you wish you was dead?"
Hearing negative thoughts and voices
No ground to place my feet
Feeling lost and without direction
I feel the fire under me
Feeling intense pressure and urgency
A way out is all I need
Desperately seeking a way to escape a difficult situation
Now the only thing left is more spirit to roam free
Feeling liberated and free despite difficult circumstances
Cause ain't no goin home for me
Feeling trapped and unable to return to a normal life
It's a cold cold world but I blew my hand
Taking risks and making bold decisions
A true first cause I knew that man
Acting with knowledge and awareness of the situation
I knew what he would do if I didn't draw first
Anticipating violence and taking action to defend oneself
And I couldn't stand the thought of my momma steppin foot inside a church
Feeling a responsibility to protect loved ones
All I try to do is try to get up out the dirt
Seeking to improve one's situation and escape poverty
Guess he's tryin to do the same, told me get up out his turf
Facing competition and hostility from others in a similar situation
I wanted to talk to him, but that shit'd never work
Feeling unable to communicate with others due to differences and conflicts
We was cut from the same cloth and what was under his shirt was his
Identifying with and recognizing similarities with others in difficult situations
Momma's rent, his young brother's clothes
Feeling a responsibility to provide for loved ones
My nephew's food, and with that I suppose
Acknowledging the challenges and responsibilities of providing for others
And with that I froze
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to act
Now my life is frozen in time behind these iron folds
Feeling trapped and imprisoned
And this story is told, for young soldiers
Telling one's story to others in similar situations
Who never choose the life we chose
Acknowledging the lack of choice and options in difficult circumstances
Tears in my eyes as I look up, I'm tryin to
Feeling emotional and vulnerable
Hold back my pride but reality is screamin
Feeling a conflict between pride and vulnerability
Gotta get a job cause mo-mma also screamin
Feeling pressured by loved ones to improve one's situation
Streets are just like drugs, and it's like I'm out here fiendin
Feeling addicted to and trapped by the dangerous lifestyle of the streets
Forget all the hits in the industry, cause
Dismissing the importance of fame and success in the music industry
Ain't no exceptions in this game for me, look
Feeling excluded and disadvantaged in a competitive industry
Neither God or my enemies, I
Feeling unsupported by both God and enemies
Choose God cause he understands, this
Turning to God for comfort and support
Young man with a thuggish heart
Describing oneself as a young man with a tough exterior
Whole world in his hands but still torn apart
Feeling conflicted and lost despite appearing to have control over one's life
Like I'm so close, but it's still so far
Feeling like success and happiness are just out of reach
Nightmares of me in a swervin car, ohhh
Experiencing vivid and frightening dreams
No ground to place my feet (my feet)
Feeling lost and unsure of one's direction
I feel the fire under me (heyyy)
Feeling pressure and urgency to act
A way out is all I need (all I need)
Desperately seeking a way to escape the difficult situation
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL J BARNES, SHAWN CARTER, SHAWN C CARTER, ROBERT S KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Jibrinahmed9
This is one of the easiest songs to put on repeat that I've ever listened to. Very powerful.
@prof3ssor178
FACTS π―
@taye9180
R. KELLY is a genius. Produced and written by him. Of course, Jay wrote his verses.
@UptownKash
The songs that were π₯ on this album were absolute bangers!!
@MR.E.PLATT1016
Can u tell me where's the rest of the album can't find it on here.
@diddsterchy196
The relevance of this song towards todays youth is crazy...still hits hard agter all these years!
@aprilpowell4683
2023 and still listening..
@humphreymwaba4485
Still a motherfucking banger,no disrespect meant, Godspeed to the king of rnb R Kelly
@edah.6201
β€β€qππππ
@wakeup3113
Facts