Catalina
Raekwon Feat. Lyfe Jennings (Prod. By Dr. Dre) Lyrics

I grew up on the foul side
I come from a neighborhood that is associated with crime and poverty.

Nickel-bag valcyte
I used to buy Valacyclovir, an antiviral medication, in small quantities for $5 from drug dealers.

Purple tops, two for fives
I used to buy crack cocaine, which was sold in small purple plastic bags, for $5 each.

I had seven grams
I used to sell drugs and carry seven grams of drugs for distribution.

Outside with my eleven mans
I used to hang out with a group of eleven friends on the streets, outside.

On the corners with a pocket full of contrabands
I used to stand on the street corners with illegal items in my pocket.

Running up and down fire-escapes, narcs coming
I used to run up and down fire-escapes while avoiding law enforcement officers, who were patrolling the area.

Jump in the window let your Nikes fly, hide the flakes
When the police arrived, we used to jump through windows and leave our shoes behind while hiding the drugs elsewhere.

Guess up in the hill it was real to me
I came from a lower-class neighborhood, so the prospect of wealth and status seemed like a far-off reality.

What a nigga woulda did if you steal from me
Growing up in a dangerous neighborhood made me aware of the dangers of theft and betrayal, and I knew that I had to be careful.

All my life around drug niggas villains who want millions
I grew up surrounded by people who were involved in drug dealing and other illegal activities, all of whom were seeking greater wealth and status.

Niggas with them hoodies on with teks in the building
Some of the people I knew wore hooded sweatshirts and carried guns, which made me feel uneasy and fearful at times.

Mad fiends, bags and green, Gillette razors, fly neighbors
My neighborhood was filled with drug addicts, drug dealers, razor-wielding criminals, and people who dressed well but engaged in criminal activity.

All our blazers designer jeans
Despite the prevalence of poverty and crime in our neighborhood, some people still managed to dress well and wear expensive clothing.

That's why we live (yup)
Despite the dangers and difficulties of life in our neighborhood, we still found ways to survive and make ends meet.

Niggas need shit in their crib
People in our neighborhood wanted to have nice things in their homes, even if they could not afford them legally.

Go broke, you go and rope you a Vick
When people in our neighborhood ran out of money, they often turned to illegal activities like dogfighting to make money.

It's just full-time stragglers
People in our neighborhood were always struggling to make ends meet and find a way to survive.

Niggas try to take your place
Some people in our neighborhood were willing to betray others and engage in criminal activity in order to gain more money or status.

And smile in your face
Some people in our neighborhood were two-faced and would act friendly to others while secretly planning their downfall.

But still in all backstabbers
Despite the prevalence of betrayal and deception in our neighborhood, many people still managed to survive and build a life for themselves.

I'm just trying to get on
I am trying to succeed in life and make a better future for myself and my family.

Leave a couple mil to my kids when I'm gone
I want to become wealthy and leave a large inheritance to my children when I die.

And nigga that ain't cologne
The smell of money is not just a metaphor or an illusion; it is a real, tangible thing.

I'm just trying to get home
I am trying to make it in life without getting arrested or killed by law enforcement or rival criminals.

'Cause I don't know when my karma gonna catch up
I am aware that my past actions may have negative consequences in the future, including bad karma and retribution.

I don't know when the toilet gonna back up
I am aware that unexpected problems and mishaps can happen at any time, without warning or preparation.

And put me in some shit that I can't get out of
I am afraid of getting trapped or stuck in a difficult, inescapable situation that I cannot resolve on my own.

Bags of money
I have a lot of cash and assets that I am trying to protect and expand.

Trying to stay rich and fly
I am trying to maintain my wealth and status while also living a luxurious and extravagant lifestyle.

Keep it cool, silks and dungarees
I dress in luxurious and comfortable fabrics like silk and denim, while also trying to maintain a calm and collected demeanor.

Krug glasses and food
I enjoy expensive and high-quality champagne like Krug, as well as gourmet cuisine and other fine dining experiences.

Grilled salmon, trying to make a move
I enjoy eating healthy and delicious foods like grilled salmon, while also trying to make strategic business moves and expand my wealth.

Those who knowing they be dapping they dudes
I interact with people who are aware of the shady and illegal activities of their friends and associates, but who still engage with them anyway.

How it do blow a lot of crews stay in the cut
I am aware of the tactics and strategies used by criminals to stay hidden and evade law enforcement, while still expanding their criminal operations.

Pacing from here to LA and Hawaii and Cuba
I travel widely and have business interests and connections in cities like Los Angeles, Hawaii, and Cuba.

Blue new oozie too serial numbers is braille
I own a new, blue Uzi submachine gun, which has serial numbers that can be felt and read like Braille.

So when you rub against it feel on (?)
The serial numbers on my Uzi can be felt and identified simply by rubbing your fingers against them.

Now I'm with some special niggas, next level niggas
I am now part of a group of extremely wealthy and powerful criminals, who operate on a higher level than most other people in our world.

With rubber bezels who drive Exeleros with jewels
My associates wear watches with rubber bezels and drive luxurious cars like the Mercedes-Benz Exelero, which are decorated with expensive jewels and metals.

(?) boots on, olive goose, calamari soups
I wear expensive boots of an unknown brand, a jacket made from goose feathers in an olive color, and enjoy eating gourmet soups with ingredients like calamari.

And noodles that spell out "Y'all niggas the truth"
I enjoy eating noodles that are shaped like letters and spell out positive affirmations like "You guys are amazing", "You are the best", etc.

What it is baby boy, reclining in a big Benz lazy boy
I am relaxing in a comfortable and luxurious car, like a Mercedes-Benz, that has reclining seats and is designed for comfort.

Ends up, lenses on, Chips Ahoy
I am counting and organizing large quantities of cash, while also wearing designer sunglasses and snacking on an American brand of cookies called Chips Ahoy.

Shipping triple, niggas try to stop the issue
I am distributing massive quantities of drugs or other illegal items, while also facing challenges and obstacles from rival gangs or law enforcement.

And cock-block but can't stop the official
My competitors and rivals try to interfere with my business or profits, but they cannot stop the overall success and power of my criminal enterprise.