Shadow of Death
ScHoolboy Q Lyrics

Yeah, Los Angeles, "Welcome to the Terrordome"
This is a chaotic and dangerous city, where even angels struggle to coexist.

City of Satan, angels can't even get along
The city is corrupt, with evil having a seemingly dominant presence.

No lie, my town covered in darkness
The atmosphere of the city is grim and despairing.

Hoping that the sun just shine on us
Residents feel helpless and are longing for hope.

Rolling up the kush, now I'm letting my mind wander
The artist is trying to escape reality and the negativity of the environment.

Into another place, I ain't tryna go down under
The singer is searching for a better reality than the one they are currently living.

Life is like a race and we all tryna finish it
Everyone is trying to make the most of their lives despite difficult circumstances.

Shit never fair, strays hitting the innocent
Life isn't fair and even innocent people can experience tragedy.

The good die young where I'm from and it's sad to say
Tragedy seems to happen to good people more often than not.

That somebody gotta die today
Death is a common occurrence in the artist's environment.

Tomorrow's never promised, but we living for the moment
People are just trying to enjoy their lives and not think too much about the future.

Nigga, time never stops, it just keeps on going
Life keeps moving forward, whether you want it to or not.

Crackers just gave my young nigga four life sentences
The criminal justice system unfairly punishes people in the singer's community.

Twenty-five times four, nigga, do the math
The singer is expressing anger at the excessive and unjust punishment given to their friend.

And the hood never have witnesses
People in the singer's community are afraid to come forward and testify in court.

Cause if we did, then them shots gon' blast
Witnesses are at risk of being shot or harmed by the criminals.

As I reflect, I start realizing I wanna
The artist is contemplating their future and what they want to accomplish.

Make a way one day for me and my momma, family and friends
The singer wants to provide for their loved ones and create a better life for them.

This ain't the way my life bout to end
The singer is determined not to let their environment dictate the course of their life.

So I'm quick to grab on my pen and
The artist uses writing as a means of self-expression and creativity.

Give 'em something my people sure to feel
The artist wants to create music that resonates with their community.

Give 'em something that I know is all the way real
The artist is committed to staying true to their own experiences and struggles.

Just wakin' up, mind playing tricks on me
The singer wakes up with a sense of unease and uncertainty.

Got the fifth on me, gotta take a risk homie
The artist is carrying a gun and knows that it puts them in danger.

Was a ball player till the coach pissed on me
The singer's athletic dreams were dashed by someone in authority.

Keep it real, I could take you down the list homie
The singer has a long list of grievances and struggles.

Be a tradition, see these Chucks be a mission
Wearing certain shoes has become a symbol of their community and tradition.

Burner be the fuel to the flame, the key to the ignition
The gun is seen as a tool for self-defense and retaliation.

If you banging, be serious, boys run up in your pad
If you're involved in gangs, you need to be prepared to defend yourself and your home.

Point-blank, period, moms ain't hearing it
Mothers don't want their children involved in dangerous activities.

Niggas said 'cuz lil nigga got blasted
People justify violence and revenge by pointing to past violence.

Oh well, give a shit, shouldn't half-assed it
The loss of another young person is seen as unfortunate but somewhat expected.

Only time you with it, when your niggas all tripping
People are only willing to fight when their friends are involved.

Caught your ass slipping
Someone was caught off guard and vulnerable.

Now I'm stepping up my crip and steady dipping
The singer is becoming more involved in gang activity as a means of protection.

Riding through the city in lights, living it trife
The artist is enjoying the city at night despite the danger.

Wrong intersection, ready to fight
The wrong place at the wrong time can lead to conflict.

Hopping out with my own agenda, who the contender?
The singer is ready for whatever comes their way.

Better hope this motherfucker jam (BLAHH!)
The singer is ready to use their gun if they need to.

Uh, as I'm hearing the first and second verse
The artist is reflecting on the content of the song thus far.

I try to analyse the feeling that's felt in the song
The artist is trying to understand the emotions and themes conveyed in the music.

I want to tell Rock and Q to go to church
The singer thinks the artists should seek spiritual guidance and find a different path.

But that's a hypocrite because I ain't been in so long
The singer is acknowledging their own faults and inconsistencies.

I stare at the world from a righteous point of view
The artist believes they have a moral and ethical perspective.

And realize a crisis coming
The artist sees trouble and danger ahead.

Novocain couldn't numb it, the pain is unbearable times two
The pain of their environment is intense and overwhelming.

Let's rally a team, summon, and school the youth
The singer wants to bring people together and educate young people about better paths in life.

Man, I feel the same way as you
The other person agrees with the artist's sentiments.

It hurts my soul, like a needle piercing
The struggles and pain of their community are deeply affecting.

Through the bottom of my shoe and if you behind bars
The singer is empathizing with those who are in prison.

Hold your head, pause
The singer is offering words of encouragement and support.

And if you in close range with a nigga with a gun in his waist
The artist knows that many people in their community are dangerous.

I pray the intervention is divine
The artist is hopeful that a higher power can help in dangerous situations.

I got a cousin in jail and handful of homies in heaven
The singer's loved ones have encountered struggles and tragedy.

But earlier than expected, what the hell?
Some deaths have come unexpectedly and have been difficult to process.