Reality
The Longshots Lyrics


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(Male voice)
Remember I told you when you started...
The guys who last in this business... are the guys who fly straight
But the guys who want it all, chicas, champagne, flash...
They don't last

(Intro)
Crayon: Yo Rock?
Rock: Yo what up son?
Crayon: You know we the last ones left right?
Rock: Yeah man, everybody falling off, mainstream, underground man
it's crazy
Crayon: So you ready to do this?
Rock: Yeah we got to man, know what I'm sayin, gotta show 'em how
real Hip-Hop is made man
Crayon: No doubt, no doubt
Rock: So let me get up on the mic real fast, show 'em how it's done man
Crayon: Uhn huh
Rock: Check it out

Woman voice: (Crayon and Rock are the Longshots)

(Rock Shabazz)
You portray
The loudest gunfire with great aim
Movie-like that snipes anybody on sight
I see, psychos and youngens that's bustin and pluggin
With no aim so children gets maimed and slain
Catch one in they brains
You talk about
Hardcore dons holding it down behind the walls
Runnin the yard, doin they bid
I see, brothers corrupted that's lost in the system
Forgotten, treated like pigs
Cryin cause they missin they kids
You talk about
Pimps and macks with chicks in packs
Going rawdog laying broads on they backs
I see,plenty STD's and HIV
An aids epidemic leads to R.I.P
You talk about
Niggaz who caught five or nine from forty-fives and nines
Survived to brag in their rhymes
I know, niggaz who caught one and died or lodged in they spine
Now they paralyzed with sores wishing they could walk

(Hook: Rock Shabazz)
So what's reality?
Truth distortion for a salary
Making the songs that revolve around the world
Spit reality raps, but in actual fact
A stereotypical trap
From which you never come back
So all my real niggaz (yeah!)
If you still with us (What!)
Don't feel you gotta front like you peel triggers
Can't believe it even if I see it under my eyes cause in reality
In this city the realest niggaz never survive

(Crayon)
While these rappers got they beef cooking
They'll never see bookings
They probably two-waying each other when nobody's looking
They probably laughing how these younger kids is dying
They probably fascinated by the products they be buying
Lying, on the radio
Money in an envelope
Saying you tired of that weak shit but you still play it though
Well I'm the antidote
Crayon's the cannibal
Bringing a sledge hammer to your muthafuckin cantalope
So called drug czars
Spit bars, switch cars
Use they rep to fuck video broads
Young ones wanna blow up just to show up
The same lifestyle B-E-T trying to show us
But this the hold up
Longtime coming
Big change, switch names
Longshots gunnin
Lift chains, take rings
All ya'll running
Spit game , new thang for all ya'll fronting

(Hook)

(Male voice)
And if you think we gon bury you with diamonds and shit on
you got another thing coming

(Crayon)
When the music stops all these fads go out of style
A bunch of single mothers play dads for fatherless childs
Crooked fingers throwing sets reppin blocks to be proud
But when it all go down what happens when nobody gets found
Who gives a "F" about a crown when nobody is left
The greatest is dead that's why they still bootlegging his best
Niggaz like Feds get gangstas and murderers glorified
But when they get indicted they the first to testify
Tell me why you only show respect to a criminal
When you hit 'em off with checks the only time he's feeling you
Behind bars all these thugs turn homosexual
But when they released to streets somehow they feel they better you
Why every rapper out got the same life story?
By now its more than obvious somebody's a phony
We the last one and only real Emcees
From the class sent before me, will it change we'll see

(Hook)

(Female sings)
No!
You won't believe the things I've seen
Life on the streets can be so cold
They lose their minds and sell their souls
It's still a mystery to me




You won't believe the things I've seen
This life ain't nothing but a dream

Overall Meaning

The song "Reality" by The Longshots speaks to the realities of life in the hip-hop music industry. The lyrics call out the industry for promoting a stereotypical image of what a rapper should be and for promoting negative behaviors. The song also portrays the struggles of living in a city that has lost its integrity and morals, turning people into criminals and making it nearly impossible for real rappers to survive. Throughout the song, the artists contrast the fake and negative aspects of the industry with the real issues facing individuals in these communities. The refrain of the song questions what is real and calls for a return to genuine and honest music.


One interesting fact about "Reality" is that it was not released as a single and did not receive mainstream success. However, the song has since become a cult classic within underground hip-hop communities. Additionally, rapper Rock Shabazz, who features on the track, passed away in 2011, adding a layer of poignancy to the lyrics. The Longshots were a short-lived hip-hop group who released only one studio album in 2001 titled "Life is Water for a Thirsty Mind." The Longshots are widely regarded as underground legends in the hip-hop community.


Line by Line Meaning

You portray The loudest gunfire with great aim Movie-like that snipes anybody on sight I see, psychos and youngens that's bustin and pluggin With no aim so children gets maimed and slain Catch one in they brains
You pretend to be tough and powerful, like shooting a gun with perfect accuracy, just like in a movie. But in reality, I see people who are mentally unstable and young individuals who are involved in senseless violence without any purpose. As a result, innocent children end up being hurt and killed.


You talk about Hardcore dons holding it down behind the walls Runnin the yard, doin they bid I see, brothers corrupted that's lost in the system Forgotten, treated like pigs Cryin cause they missin they kids
You glorify the image of powerful gangsters who control things from inside prison. But in reality, I see these men being corrupted by the system, forgotten and treated like animals. They cry because they miss their children and the life they've lost.


You talk about Pimps and macks with chicks in packs Going rawdog laying broads on they backs I see, plenty STD's and HIV An aids epidemic leads to R.I.P
You talk about pimps and men who exploit women, using them for sex without protection. But in reality, I see the consequences - the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. This leads to a deadly epidemic and people losing their lives.


You talk about Niggaz who caught five or nine from forty-fives and nines Survived to brag in their rhymes I know, niggaz who caught one and died or lodged in they spine Now they paralyzed with sores wishing they could walk
You talk about men who have survived multiple gunshots and boast about it in their music. But I personally know men who were shot once and died or became paralyzed. They are left with painful wounds, wishing they could regain their ability to walk.


So what's reality? Truth distortion for a salary Making the songs that revolve around the world Spit reality raps, but in actual fact A stereotypical trap From which you never come back So all my real niggaz If you still with us Don't feel you gotta front like you peel triggers Can't believe it even if I see it under my eyes cause in reality In this city the realest niggaz never survive
What is the true reality? It is the distortion of truth in exchange for money. Creating songs that revolve around stereotypical themes that trap artists in a cycle they can't escape from. So to all the genuine people out there, if you are still with us, don't feel pressured to pretend like you're involved in violence. Even if I witness it with my own eyes, I can't believe it because in this city, the most genuine people never survive.


While these rappers got they beef cooking They'll never see bookings They probably two-waying each other when nobody's looking They probably laughing how these younger kids is dying They probably fascinated by the products they be buying Lying, on the radio Money in an envelope Saying you tired of that weak shit but you still play it though Well I'm the antidote Crayon's the cannibal Bringing a sledge hammer to your muthafuckin cantalope
While these rappers are busy starting conflicts, they will never achieve success. They are probably secretly messaging each other when no one is watching. They are possibly amused by the deaths of young kids, and they are likely fascinated by the material possessions they acquire. They are lying on the radio, claiming to be tired of weak music, but they continue to play it. Well, I am the solution. Crayon is the one who will destroy the fakeness and bring realness, like smashing a cantaloupe with a sledgehammer.


So called drug czars Spit bars, switch cars Use they rep to fuck video broads Young ones wanna blow up just to show up The same lifestyle B-E-T trying to show us But this the hold up Longtime coming Big change, switch names Longshots gunnin Lift chains, take rings All ya'll running Spit game , new thang for all ya'll fronting
These self-proclaimed drug lords rap about their criminal activities, swapping luxurious cars, and using their reputation to exploit women in music videos. The younger generation wants to achieve fame just to make an appearance. This is the same lifestyle that television networks like BET are promoting. But this is where we step in, after a long time of waiting. We are making significant changes, switching our names as the Longshots. We are determined to rise above, leaving others in fear. We bring a fresh approach and expose those who are fronting.


And if you think we gon bury you with diamonds and shit on you got another thing coming
If you believe that we will shower you with wealth and luxury, you are mistaken. We are not interested in empty materialism.


When the music stops all these fads go out of style A bunch of single mothers play dads for fatherless childs Crooked fingers throwing sets reppin blocks to be proud But when it all go down what happens when nobody gets found Who gives a "F" about a crown when nobody is left The greatest is dead that's why they still bootlegging his best Niggaz like Feds get gangstas and murderers glorified But when they get indicted they the first to testify Tell me why you only show respect to a criminal When you hit 'em off with checks the only time he's feeling you Behind bars all these thugs turn homosexual But when they released to streets somehow they feel they better you Why every rapper out got the same life story? By now its more than obvious somebody's a phony We the last one and only real Emcees From the class sent before me, will it change we'll see
When the music stops, all these temporary trends and fads fade away. Single mothers are left to play the role of both parents for their fatherless children. Individuals show off their affiliation with certain neighborhoods by making hand gestures, trying to gain respect. But when things get tough, and nobody can be found, what happens then? Who cares about a title or crown when there is no one left to acknowledge it? The greatest artists are dead, so their music is still being illegally distributed. The system treats informants and criminals like heroes, but as soon as they face legal repercussions, they are quick to betray their colleagues. Why do you only show respect to someone when you pay them? That's the only time they value you. Behind bars, many tough guys turn to homosexuality, but when they are released, they suddenly feel superior to others. Why do all rappers have the same life story? It's evident that someone is being fake. We are the last remaining genuine MCs from the previous generation. Will things change? Only time will tell.


No! You won't believe the things I've seen Life on the streets can be so cold They lose their minds and sell their souls It's still a mystery to me You won't believe the things I've seen This life ain't nothing but a dream
No! You won't be able to comprehend the horrifying things I have witnessed. Life on the streets can be incredibly harsh and unforgiving. People become desperate and sacrifice their morals and integrity. It's still beyond my understanding how cruel reality can be. You won't believe the things I've seen, and it's a harsh awakening to realize that this life is nothing more than an illusion or a dream.




Contributed by Liliana V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@dougchristianson3341

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Jobber/heel action 🔥

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