Where It Started At
Raekwon Lyrics

Where do I Start? Let's see what they wanna hear?
Raekwon is contemplating where to begin his story and wants to know what his audience is interested in hearing.

Let me see where I started at (Uh)
Raekwon wants to reflect on his origins and is ready to share his story with his listeners.

Hood cats are part of where it started at (No doubt)
Raekwon's upbringing in the inner city of New York had a significant impact on his life journey and hustling career.

We hustle hard to keep the sharks fear (Yeah)
Raekwon and his peers have to be tough and resourceful in order to stay afloat in a dangerous environment.

For the score go to war like a jarhead (Hi-Tek!)
Raekwon and his crew have to fight fiercely to achieve their goals and protect their territory.

New York, New York, New York, New York, New York! (Woo!)
Raekwon emphasizes his deep connection and pride for his hometown, New York City.

With a first hello! Uh!
Raekwon greets his audience and prepares to tell his story.

Got a lot of heart, best part is I'm clever too
Raekwon is confident in his abilities and intelligence, both of which have helped him to navigate his environment and make a living.

Hand skills, hard work, gun play whatever duke
Raekwon has had to rely on a combination of physical, mental, and violent skills to survive and thrive in his hood.

Ecstacy, oxy, vicodin, powder
Raekwon is listing the different types of drugs that are prevalent in his community.

Ari, haze, diesel, sour
Raekwon continues to describe the different types of marijuana strains available in his area.

Dust Juice, Lucy's, turbans, kufi's
Raekwon mentions other drugs that are popular, as well as traditional headwear styles in his community.

Hand guns is petite the shotties is doofy
Raekwon draws attention to the varying sizes of firearms and emphasizes the danger associated with the larger weapons.

Talkin in is not nice, lot of niggaz got life
Raekwon warns against revealing too much information, as many people have gone to jail due to incriminating conversations.

Everything is good in my bank except cop dice
Raekwon suggests that gambling with the police is never a good idea and could lead to serious consequences.

Harlems, Jordans, the hood can't afford them
Raekwon points out the economic disparity between himself and other residents of his neighborhood who can't afford luxury brands.

So they bootleg them now everyday sport them
Raekwon observes that people resort to buying counterfeits in order to keep up with fashion trends.

Dorms, cells, packages, mail
Raekwon is referring to the various ways that contraband is smuggled into jails and prisons.

Warrants, bails, everything's real now
Raekwon acknowledges the harsh reality of life in his community where people are frequently targeted by law enforcement and often face legal repercussions.

All I got is my word and my nuts, man I got Brooklyn in my balls
Raekwon emphasizes the importance of his reputation and the unwavering loyalty he has to his hometown, Brooklyn.

So you could see Bed-Stuy if you lookin in my draws
Raekwon is so dedicated to his neighborhood that he even has it tattooed on his body.

Always talkin bout you ballin, look you wanna ball
Raekwon is calling out people who brag about their success but can't even afford basic necessities.

Word on the streets, niggaz ready to put you on the wall
Raekwon warns that those who falsely claim wealth and status are at risk of being exposed and targeted by others.

You just a leg shooter, you aim your gun low
Raekwon suggests that some people are incapable of using guns effectively and aren't truly dangerous despite their posturing.

I shoot my tek high I keep a Hi-Tek like the producer
Raekwon boasts that he is skilled with firearms and references producer Hi-Tek, who is known for his beats and gun sound effects.

Pap ripped the Desi, till that clip is empty
Raekwon's collaborator Papoose is skilled at using a type of handgun known as a Desert Eagle and will keep firing until there are no bullets left.

Man I'll have black buried in the cemetery
Raekwon threatens to harm someone so aggressively that they may end up dead and buried.

Go 'head get your fetti, but you better tell holmes
Raekwon warns that someone who acquires wealth through dishonest means should be wary of getting caught and snitching.

Messin with me will get black buried like a cell phone
Raekwon reiterates the danger of crossing him and expresses his willingness to use violence to retaliate.

Punks pay dues not me I pay attention
Raekwon suggests that he does not need to prove himself or gain acceptance through acts of violence, but rather he focuses on observing his environment and making calculated moves.

Call it New York cause we keep reinventin'
Raekwon highlights the dynamic and constantly evolving nature of his hometown.

Who flipped the vocabulary? Shadow
Raekwon is impressed by the clever wordplay of a fellow rapper, Shadow.

my adversary buss 'em like vocabulary
Raekwon suggests that his enemy is able to use gun violence as masterfully as Shadow uses words.

Roaches and rats in every corner when it's warmer
Raekwon paints a picture of the unsanitary conditions that are prevalent during the summer months in New York.

but New York is used to that already
Raekwon acknowledges that people have become accustomed to living in challenging conditions in New York.

Manhattan built the cemeteries where the blacks is buried
Raekwon references the troubling history of institutionalized racism in New York, where black people were often buried in designated cemeteries.

I take the Staten Ferry I walk to Broadway
Raekwon describes his journey and commute throughout the city.

I talk to chicks along the way with John Forte
Raekwon mentions socializing with female acquaintances while walking and references musician John Forte.

Used to do this all day burnin' in the project hallway
Raekwon reflects on the days when he spent hours hanging out in the hallway of his apartment building.

Discussin' strategies in the court case
Raekwon remembers discussing legal issues with his friends in the hallway.

I rock the Northface cold like winter
Raekwon is wearing winter clothing brand The North Face as protection against the cold New York weather.

I'm from Brooklyn like the D-Cep and low life niggaz word
Raekwon identifies with his hometown and associates it with the negative stereotypes surrounding the people who live there.

Fuck the talkin' it's a New York thing
Raekwon emphasizes the unique culture and experiences that are specific to New York City.

We aboard but, all things considered we all kings, what
Raekwon recognizes that despite the difficulties of life in New York, he and his fellow residents are resilient and strong.

Aiyyo yo, I rhyme for the streets broke niggaz rap when they feast
Raekwon is dedicated to representing the struggles and experiences of those who live in low-income urban neighborhoods.

Who angry as hell, we yell from the beast
Raekwon and others in his community are angry about the challenges they face and express this frustration through their music and art.

Wise killers up in New York, who lay for peace
Raekwon knows that lethal violence is a reality in his community, but recognizes that some are strategic in their actions and are working towards ending the cycle of violence.

Crime action get you trapped by the chief, no PC
Raekwon acknowledges the risk of law enforcement targeting those who engage in criminal activity and warns that they may not receive favorable treatment in court.

Proud and have the hood stylin' good talent most of us tellin'
Raekwon is proud of his neighborhood and the style and talent that is unique to it despite the majority of residents being involved in illegal activities.

Drug wars, try to re-up, the law whylin'
Raekwon is referencing the violence and competition between those involved in drug trade and the police attempting to bust them.

Can't get no rest, the vest is on stress pound it
Raekwon is constantly on edge and under pressure while wearing a bulletproof vest for protection.

Schemin on somethin' green, we eagles on the chef found it
Raekwon and others in his community are always looking for new ways to obtain wealth, even if it means breaking the law.

While I take a trip back my first little pack
Raekwon is reminiscing about his first experience with selling drugs.

Had to open doors no time for broads I was scopin' crack
Raekwon had to prioritize his drug dealing over spending time with women or establishing relationships.

Baggin like a newborn, barely profit beef pop off
Raekwon was not making much money from selling drugs and was constantly in danger of conflict.

We carry Tommy guns and smoke trees and grab pockets
Raekwon and his peers carry large firearms and engage in theft and drug use as part of their daily routine.

Pilgrimage life, real like with no money and no white
Raekwon is living a life of poverty and illegal activity, with no prospects of escaping the cycle.

I had this white girl who work for me wipin pipe
Raekwon had a white female employee who would clean his drug paraphernalia.

Livin' by the sword, a hundred niggaz daily
Raekwon recognizes the risk of violent retribution in his community and is prepared to defend himself against anyone who would harm him.

Who get on board and kill for some proper live on them acres board
Raekwon acknowledges that some people in his community are willing to kill others for a chance at financial success and stability.