Ghetto Afterlife
Talib Kweli Lyrics

These niggas ain't thugs, the real thugs is the government
The government is more thuggish than the people in the streets.

Don't matter if you independent, democrat or republican
Political affiliations do not exempt anyone from participating in street politics.

Niggas politickin the street, get into beef
People in the streets engage in political discussions with the likelihood of clashes.

Start blastin, now a new cat is executive chief
Gun violence can subsequently lead to a new person being in power.

With a, passion for heat you get, blast in yo' seat
If you have a passion for guns, you might end up getting shot while sitting in your car.

Die before you crash in yo' Jeep, never passion in your sleep
You might die before you get into a car accident if you lack a sense of purpose in life.

Like an old man, you ain't a fool you got a whole plan
Older people are not foolish and, in fact, have set plans for their lives.

To conquer territories like Europeans who stole land
People in the streets aim to conquer territories like how Europeans have taken over lands.

The future of your whole fam' hang in the balance
The future of your entire family is at risk because of the violence in the streets.

You the king, and your block is the palace
You are the ruler of your neighborhood or block.

Y'all niggas is the parliament, untouchable, spot unrushable
The people in the streets are the lawmaking body and cannot be moved or touched.

Keep your weight wet, call in collect to save a buck or two
Keep your gun loaded and call someone collect to save money.

Get mad, who the fuck are you? What you gonna do?
Do not get angry if you are not willing to take action.

Exactly what I thought, NOTHIN, in the sport of frontin
People who talk a lot cannot do much beyond that.

You the undisputed champion, I'm in a class you can't be in
You are the clear winner while I am in a different class altogether.

My words is flesh like Jesus, the aquarian
My words have power and significance, much like that of Jesus, associated with the Age of Aquarius.

It's just a chapter of the night, in the ghetto afterlife
The violence and turmoil in the streets is a regular chapter at night.

Where you just seen or heard about or gonna have to fight
You have either witnessed, heard about, or will have to fight to survive in the streets.

Where they sacrifice the life and niggas see flashes of light
People in the streets sacrifice lives, and witnesses see the flashes of gunfire.

When you trapped up in the heights but clappers aimin at the wife
Gun violence puts everyone at risk, even women who may be in high spots.

Yeah, dudes gettin money is still thuggin
Having money does not mean that you will not engage in street politics and violence.

Chicks gettin money is still ghetto
Women with money can still be associated with the struggles and realities of the ghettos.

Still livin the whole thuggish stilleto
People are still living in violence and insecurity, even with stylish and expensive clothing.

Your team let the metal burst before you take an L
People in your squad will use guns to attack others to avoid losing or taking a loss.

You raised in hell, let the dust settle first
If you come from a life of hardship and survival, give yourself time to recover and rest.

Then you ask the question, snatchin the life of the innocent
You may seek to know who was responsible for killing someone who was not involved in street politics.

Shit happens huh, a man's respected by his actions
Overlooking instances of violence and death is common, but respect comes from taking honorable actions.

It's the karma of the street, you try to meet the karma
Street karma involves getting back what you put out, and you need to be aware of the repercussions of your actions.

While the karma sleep, yo it's deep, but the karma can't be beat
Even if the consequences of your actions do not appear immediately, they will come eventually.

You don't know your enemy, so you fightin with yourself
You may engage in a battle that ends up hurting you, as you do not know who your real enemies are.

Relate to rap niggas cause they writin what you felt
You may relate to rappers because their lyrics are describing what you are going through.

You got top shelf connects you gettin seasoned like a veteran
You have connections to people at the top and are becoming knowledgeable about street politics gradually.

We suck the venom out the snake bite, without the medicine
People in the streets help others by removing negativity, without relying on the mainstream sources of help.

We benefit from niggas in tenements, dyin for benjamins
People in the streets gain from others' suffering, dying for money.

So bad that they know they own coffin measurements
The violence is so pervasive that people are aware of their own funeral arrangements.

Ghetto eloquence, in the moment of truth, don't be hesistant
People in the streets show eloquence in talking about the struggles and realities of their lives, and you need to act immediately in the right moments.

Or fall victim to the element, word is bond
Otherwise, you risk falling victim to the harsh realities of the streets, as word is to be trusted.

Niggas get caught up in the struggle
People in the streets face challenges and difficulties.

End up in court in trouble, sportin a bubble
Being caught up in the street politics can lead to legal troubles and prison time, wearing a bulletproof vest.

Ford azure bubble, importer smuggle, forcin a rumble
People in the streets import illegal goods, leading to more violence and conflict.

Hit the blocks with a portion to double
People in the streets stake out their territory and aim to profit from it.

Flip and get tossed in the huddle
Getting caught up in conflicts can lead to a violent ending.

Police with one piece short of the puzzle
The police may be one step behind in fully understanding the violence and conflicts happening in the streets.

It's a hustle, peep the street life, they movin muscle
People in the streets are moving with force and aggression, as they try to survive the challenges of the lifestyle.

And the G's'll make your knees buckle
People in the streets are so tough that coming into contact with them can be intimidating.

Tussle with heat until your feet stand in a pee puddle
Dealing with the violence in the streets is difficult and can be humiliating.

Cheese double but all the speedy niggas bleed puddles
Money may be abundant, but when it comes to violence, everyone is vulnerable.

Make the headlines; some try to escape the fed time
Violence and conflict in the streets make the news, and some attempt to avoid getting in trouble with the law.

Phone taps on direct lines - tec-9's with the red shine
The police are investigating and monitoring the streets, where guns with laser sights are being used.

Jake climbin through the bedroom blinds
The police are coming to arrest someone, climbing through the window of their house.

Tryin to bring you to your deadline, it's slippery when wet signs
The police are trying to bring someone to their ultimate end, as clues or evidence can be difficult to find.

Red time, wipe the sweat around your neck time
The stakes are high and someone is sweating under the pressure.

One shot spill out your red wine, rock shots to deafen your prime
One bullet can end someone's life, and gunfire can lead to hearing loss.

Pieces of hot lead left in your mind
The memory of violence and conflict can stick with you for a long time, like pieces of hot metal left in your brain.

One slug to the left of your spine
One bullet to the spine can paralyze someone for life.

Forever late to rest on the shrine
The violence and conflict of the streets can lead to someone's early death, and they will be remembered forever.