Three Strikes
Spice 1 Lyrics

One for possession, two for the cells
A first strike is given for possessing illegal substances, and a second is given for being incarcerated twice.

Three motherfuckin' strikes, twenty five with an L
After being convicted of three felonies, the offender is given a mandatory sentence of twenty-five years to life imprisonment.

What part of the game is this?
The situation of three-strike laws and harsh sentences for relatively minor offenses is unfair and inconsistent with the principles of justice.

What part of the game is that?
The legal system is rigged against Black people and other marginalized groups and serves mainly to perpetuate their oppression.

Twenty five with an L, three strikes and you can't post bail
Once a person is convicted of three felonies, they lose the right to post bail and must remain in custody during their trial.

How many niggas is you gonna catch without a strap
How many opponents can you defeat without a weapon?

And at least an ounce of yayo
It's necessary to have a large amount of cocaine to sell in order to make a profit, implying that drug dealing is a high-risk activity.

I know some niggas that want to smoke me G
I am aware of people who want to kill me or harm me.

But I ain't just rollin' up and catchin' no slugs
I am not going to walk into a dangerous situation without being prepared, such as having a weapon.

So these niggas can have their glory
I'm not interested in dying and allowing my opponents to claim victory or celebrate.

Gotta bust back fast, do the dirt ski-mask, are-15s' split that ass
I must react quickly and violently when attacked, using a ski-mask to conceal my identity and AR-15s to inflict damage.

Fuck the po-po, I'm the nigga with a gat that's quick to blast
I am hostile and distrustful of the police, and am more likely to use my own weapon aggressively than to give up without a fight.

I'm takin' a case, cause case is a nigga when I take my life
I'm willing to commit acts of violence or crime that may lead to my imprisonment or death rather than be passive or submissive.

Spendin' money on straps - but an A.K. is pretty nice
I am investing in purchasing weapons to protect myself, and would prefer to have an A.K. rifle due to its effectiveness and power.

Gotta watch my back, when it comes to my life it ain't no price
I must constantly be vigilant and aware of threats to my life, and am willing to take any necessary measures to protect myself.

Sippin' on this yak, peepin' out some niggas shootin' dice
I am drinking alcohol while observing others gambling, possibly as a way to pass the time or make connections with allies or customers.

Niggas roll by, niggas pull straps
Enemies or rivals are driving by or approaching while carrying weapons.

Niggas peel caps and niggas get slugs in they fuckin' back
Individuals are shooting at each other, and some are being hit or killed.

I'd rather be takin' a strike, me get my ass struck
I would prefer to go to jail rather than be physically harmed or killed.

Niggas load back and put one in your fuckin' gut
People attack or shoot at each other in close range, often resulting in serious or fatal injuries.

Motherfuck Ken Gillson and that three strike shit
The artist is angry and resentful of the politician who introduced the three-strikes law, and views it as an oppressive and unfair policy.

I'm rollin' with hollow tip hot ones and about three extra clips nigga
The artist is carrying many rounds of powerful ammunition in addition to his primary weapon.

5-0 fuckin' off my high, pullin' up under they glocks
The police are ruining the singer's good mood by aggressively approaching him and potentially threatening his safety with their guns.

Talkin' 'bout here's is his block, tellin' me I can't serve no notch
The police are harassing the artist, claiming that he cannot sell drugs or pursue illegal activities in their territory.

Yola, Coca-Cola, hustlin' for my fetty
I am selling different types of drugs (heroin and cocaine respectively) to make money.

Kickin' them candy for them fiends blockin' it up and then you're ready player
I am distributing drugs to potential customers who are in the way, or have blocked my path.

But keep your eyes peeled, don't swing at least of all
I must remain alert and watch out for any unexpected threats or attacks, and avoid making any unnecessary movements or provocative actions.

They give your ass a strike, have you lookin' at cell walls
The legal system is harsh and punitive, and a felony conviction can result in long-term imprisonment.

Niggas who slangin' them birds better watch out for your third
Drug dealers who are already at risk of being arrested or prosecuted must be especially careful to avoid committing any more crimes.

The judge'll trick a nigga and throw a fuckin' curve
Judges and other legal officials may use deceptive tactics or make unexpected decisions that harm the defendant.

That's when your ass is through, it ain't shit that you can do
Once you have received the maximum number of strikes and are facing a long prison sentence, there are no more legal options or appeals available.

Leavin' your ass stuck, out in your fifty two
Being stuck in prison for many years (presumably until old age), unable to experience life outside incarceration.

Sayin' it ain't no sunshine when you're stuck in a five by seven
Being confined to a small prison cell is a dark and depressing experience.

Twenty five years with a nigga that you don't know
Imprisonment means being forced to spend a long time with strangers, who may be violent, abusive, or hostile.

Better rap with some two-eleven shit
The singer advises being prepared and armed with weapons and other resources, similar to the code 211 which involves robbery.

They got you sharp in the shanks put 'em in a hole and take
If provoked or threatened in prison, the artist suggests using sharpened objects as weapons and attacking his opponents.

That niggas' crazy psychiatrists say his mind go blank
The singer claims that some inmates are mentally unstable or disturbed, possibly as a result of their incarceration.

But youse just trippin' up off the nigga that you left dead
Some inmates may be hallucinating or experiencing paranoia as a result of being isolated and confined to a small space.

Thinkin' they wasn't wet them motherfuckin' slugs to the head
Some inmates may be obsessing over their past acts of violence or aggression, imagining ways they could have killed or harmed their opponents.

Damn - but see you in here now
The artist expresses regret or disappointment that the listener is now imprisoned with him.

Should have got up on them po-po's, should have got off some rounds
The artist advises being more aggressive or proactive when confronting the police, possibly through acts of violence or intimidation.

Huh, should have got up on them po-po's, it goes
The singer repeats and emphasizes his previous advice.

I wonder who thought it for the shit that they leave to crow
The singer questions the motives or thinking of those who created and support the three-strikes law, implying that it serves no useful purpose.

Livin' it up in the city it ain't no motherfuckin' joke
Life in the city (presumably Oakland, California) is dangerous and difficult, with many risks and dangers.

Yo niggas smokin', some niggas they start to hop and get to flashin'
Some people are using drugs or getting high, possibly leading to erratic or aggressive behavior.

Creepin' on niggas and shit, make a nigga have to get to blastin'
Some people are sneaking up on others, creating a potentially violent or dangerous situation that may require the use of weapons to defend against.

See Mr. Officer I'm just tryin' to survive
The singer is trying to justify his actions or criminal behavior as a way of staying alive and meeting his basic needs.

Gotta keep my strap on my side or like a tick for my life
The artist must carry a weapon at all times to stay alive, viewing it as essential to his survival.

When they come to get me, shoot up my body and leave me numb
If the police come to arrest or attack the singer, he advises fighting back and potentially injuring or killing them in order to prevent being captured or killed himself.

With a boss nine millimeter at these niggas,
The singer is carrying a powerful and deadly weapon to defend himself, suggesting that he is prepared to use it aggressively to achieve his goals.

And let 'em know where a G is comin' from
The singer wants to establish his reputation as a bold and fearless criminal, willing to use violence to achieve his goals.

So don't try to put me in your concentration camp
The artist is resistant to being put in a situation where he has no control or agency, such as prison.

Cause on my third strike a nigga like me just gon' straight up vamp
The artist is highly dangerous and unpredictable, and doesn't want to be left vulnerable to punishment or imprisonment.

Three strike these motherfuckin' nuts, I ain't givin' a fuck
The singer is defiant and unrepentant, viewing himself as invincible and untouchable.

And you ain't takin' me out alive so you better be quick to duck
The singer is willing to fight to the death rather than surrender or be captured.

Fuck the system it's made for lockin' us niggas down
The artist is highly critical of the legal and social systems that are designed to oppress and imprison Black people.

In the year 2010, take it out, now look around
The artist is calling for systemic change and revolution, perhaps inspired by the activism and protests of the early 2010s.

See how many niggas is up in Tracy, Pelican Bay
The artist is noting the large number of Black people and other marginalized groups who are incarcerated in California prisons like Tracy and Pelican Bay.

Chillin' in San Quentin, no rock, Or chino where them killers and all the G's lay
The singer is describing the harsh and violent conditions of life inside famous California prisons like San Quentin and Chino, where dangerous gang members and violent criminals are incarcerated.