Mean Streets
Raekwon Feat. Inspectah Deck Ghostface Killah and Suga Bang Lyrics

For these mean streets from Cali to New York
In these harsh environments from the West to East Coast

Who could ya trust? Niggaz they do talk
It's hard to find trust in others, as people often betray and gossip

Running from the feds and out of state troopers
Trying to evade law enforcement and escape from authorities

Look up ahead, you know we got sharp shooters
Be cautious, as there are skilled gunmen ahead

The blocks is molded, step up ya sword piece
The streets are shaped by violence, it's time to arm yourself

Moving through them housing with more ki's
Navigating through buildings with more drugs to sell

Rembrandts is fresh from Scotland, crisp hats, Cristal bottles
Recent haul includes expensive Scottish art, designer hats, and champagne

Niggaz want the problems, we back
People are seeking trouble, and we are prepared for it

It's time to take over the game, it's nothing
It's time to become the top players, it's an easy feat

I live on the line, from corner to castles with pawns and capsules
I operate in the gray area, from street corners to high places with low-level accomplices and drugs

Scramble and find, my money's up, I'm praying for war
Trying to get more money and preparing for violent confrontations

I do this all the time, all the time, all the time
This is a regular occurrence for me

Faces of Doom, sling in the lobby
Dangerous individuals sell drugs in the building's entrance

Swinging cooked raw, if you played the field you was not leaving
Selling drugs in their purest form, and if you're not a part of the business, you're not allowed to escape

Fast pace of a CREAM chasing team
Speedy efforts to accumulate wealth like the Wu-Tang Clan's cash rule everything around me motto

Trying to come through the hood and lie, get left for dead naked in Queens
Lying when visiting the neighborhood can result in being killed and disposed of in Queens

Let them other niggaz wear that, we take the credit
Let others deal with the consequences while we take the glory

While we was shopping for more Nikes and off-whites
While others were handling danger, we focused on fashion

Heroin stirrers, the crib, cracked mirrors
Drug paraphernalia and damaged possessions in the house

Career thugs who serve only judges and jurors
Experienced criminals who only work for the court system

Got to make my money this year, whether it's through rhyming or criming
This year, I need to get rich, whether it's from rapping or committing crimes

I'll be on the line with my iron
I'll be ready to use my gun at any moment

Promised them llamas'll fly fast, quick at pirahnas
Promised that the guns will shoot quickly, even at fast-moving targets

Trying to intervene, get caught dead, no head in pijamas
Anyone who tries to interrupt will be killed and left in their sleeping clothes

You live like a slouch from vouchers
You live poorly and can only afford basic necessities

Nobody mad, you was a fake, dead, die with no trousers
No one will care, you were a fraud and will die with a shameful legacy

Cause you crossed the line like Miller's Crossing
You broke the rules and now will face punishment

Off with ya dome, I walked you through the woods, we both smoked a bone
I killed you by shooting you in the head, then casually smoked marijuana with you before hiding your body in the woods

The streets stay flooded with crack rocks and Mac shots
Drug use and gun violence remains highly prevalent

The scenery's money, guerrillas in the back drop
Money is the most important thing, and there are dangerous individuals lingering in the background

The livest'll pop, the weakest get chopped where they stand
The most active and strong individuals will stand out, while the weakest will be killed

Singing the judge's name, dropped in the stand
Admitting to crimes in court and being arrested and convicted

Drug money kills, blood on my bills, mud on my Nikes
Drug profits are dangerous and leave a trail of violence and poverty

Only buying with the couple that I trust with my life
Only conducting business with a select few who are completely reliable

Twenty four sev' ducking the feds, infrared wiyh lead
Constantly evading law enforcement, equipped with night vision and firearms

Gamble with off track betting instead
Taking risks in other ways outside of criminal activities

In my hood anybody can get it, and everybody want it
Anyone can be targeted for violence and everybody is trying to get rich

Cutthroat executives, the corners, the office
Violent individuals hold power in various settings, from street corners to corporate offices

And the thought is to be boss of all bosses
The goal is to be the top leader of all criminal organizations

The cost is ya life, swimming with sharks and orcas
The price of leadership is your life as you deal with dangerous adversaries

So keep ya guards up, or get scarred up
Stay alert and prepared or else you will get hurt

It's a Cold World, I told you with Allah Just'
The world is harsh and unforgiving, and I warned you with religious references

The bigger the funds, the bigger the guns that's blazing
The more money, the bigger the firearms used in violence

It's sick in the slums and niggaz are stunting for nathin'
Life in the poor areas is miserable, and people are competing for nothing valuable

Ayo, my gun been in more niggaz mouths than a whore had dick
My gun has been used to intimidate and threaten more people than a prostitute has had sexual partners

With creamy nuts on the side of her jaw
With semen on the side of her face

It's Rigatone, nigga, sliding through airports
I, Rigatone, am moving through airports unnoticed

Riding on niggaz like MJ, same day I rocked you, comprende?
Attacking others swiftly and easily, just like Michael Jordan scoring points in basketball

Yeah, I'm kinda off cuz my guns was dirty
I'm a little crazy because I've handled contaminated guns

That last joint that hit you, kid, you made the top thirty
Your recent death was a significant one in terms of violence in the area

Early, walk with me and strap with a vengeance
Let's get moving with weapons and a desire for revenge

More or less Ghostface Killah'll stretch you out like mad words in a sentence
Ghostface Killah will easily kill you, just like adding numerous words to a sentence

Smell the gas burning (yeah) feel the fire (word)
Sense the violence and danger in the air

Real talk, it's not that bullshit from The Wire
This is not a dramatization, this is real-life violence

It's them disco kids that clap iron
It's the young and inexperienced individuals who carry guns and fire them recklessly

Champion hoods, if ya coke don't freeze, my face is not worth frying
We are the best and most successful group, and if your drugs aren't high quality, it's not worth risking your life

We crack eightballs with pool sticks
We break open bags of cocaine with pool cues

Bungee jump off a mountain of bricks
Take dangerous risks like jumping off a high pile of building materials

Fuck you up if you slinging those nicks
Beat up anyone who is selling drugs in small quantities

Toney Starks from the octagon, my ox is on
Toney Starks (another name for Ghostface Killah) is in charge and his weapon is by his side

Snap Matt Hughes' neck with my boxers on
I could defeat a professional fighter even while wearing underwear

For these mean streets from Cali to New York
Summarizing the theme of the song once again

Who could ya trust? Niggaz they do talk
Reiterating the lack of trust and constant gossip in these harsh environments

Running from the feds and out of state troopers
Emphasizing the need to evade law enforcement at all times

Look up ahead, you know we got sharp shooters
Reminding listeners about the skilled gunmen waiting up ahead