Hard Times
Trae/Z-Ro Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus]
Hard times, look over your peoples cause everybody dying
Osama Bin Loden is dropping bombs man, in a situation like this
How can I reach calm man, calm man, my nigga
This is hard times, like its so much gun smoke and see the stars
Shine
We living on dreams but is they coming true, what I'm gonna do
Make a million and pull a stunt or two, a stunt or two

Step into the world of a mob nigga, live in so much pain
The rain steady pumping me up, locked down on hard times
But I'm knowing that I gotta make it, running on my deadline
Giving out flat lines, cause if you think that I'm feeling
Fucking up by mine man, I gotta maintain
Its like everything that I had, it won't ever be the same
I feel I'm sicking home the cemetery
'Cause that's where all of my people rest
I can't take the stress, I'm fin to send it through somebody chest
That's why I walk around pissed off, strapped with a vest
I done been through a lot, ready to release the glock
Vicinities South, a brother on my Dickie, I be ready to ride
And I'm sick of this shit, I ain't fin to be hiding out, lately
Street life's got a nigga lost, will I wind up in a coffin
I don't know, I'm about to blow, I don't wanna take no mo'
But when I bust in a rush, you better hit the flow
Reality is a motherf**ker, that's what they was telling a nigga
That's just the truth, I lost my nigga Screw
And Relay too and Andrew, now what about Danny Boo
That's fucked up, growing up in a childhood all alone with nobody
No mama no daddy, Z-Ro I see why these niggas can't relate to us
'Cause we them thugs of another kind
Making these niggas feel us two rhymes
'Cause if they lived the life that we live
They'd probably be broke down, crying and dying

[Chorus]

Living in the ghetto, everyday is a motherfucking test
And I just can't rest, gotta keep a vest around my chest
Seem like everybody wanna start a little plex
Nigga but not me though, I'm trying to focus
On bigger and brighter thangs
Steady trying to come out the storm
From hurricanes, to heaven and lighter rain
Running away from the police

Nigga fuck peace, its all about war
Nothing but a A-K and a H-K and a Tommy Gun
Sitting in the back of the car, I just can't cope
Everybody is a suspect, even if you don't bust I'ma bust back
We down to ride and, all you little
Bitches and niggas get off my nut sack
Been eighteen lonely years, since I buried my T Dogs
When I be shooting the breeze
But I'm still conversating like she ain't gone
You can take a look at this light of mine
Never did glimmer, never did shine
'Cause I resort to a life of crime
And I know I'm wrong, but I gotta get mine
Fools don't understand me, a nigga be nervous 24/7
Puffing on sticky, eyes redder than period candy
Look at my pockets, I might as well stop it
Because them hoes on flat, look in the freezer
And a sive, ain't nothing but a stomach, these are hard times

[Chorus]

Ro pass me the AK, one of these niggas
Fin to pay for everything that I'm feeling, ain't no more healing
To the head with lead, is the only thing I'ma be drilling
My nigga this hard times, and the way that it look
I don't think that it's gonna get better, the only thing that's here
Is to suck it up, inside I know that's why we not giving a fuck
Ready to bust, on anything this life feeling, like we on our last breath
I'm quiet as kept, my nigga don't start
Or else somebody gon see they death
Or hate us like that, but this side of Trae it be like that all times
The only thing that I know more than pain, is pain and me never dying

Poverty stricken and headed to prison
Running because of the life, you looking for codeine
Or amphetamines, I got em at the cheapest price
Living by the rules of the street life, fin to get niggas
Better beat the street light home, after dark I par-park
Everybody be tripping, attempting to get rich
Dig a bigger ditch bitch bleed, I'm a motherfucking man
Trying to do all that I can, I always held my ground
And I never ran, got shot for taking a stand
I need a plexing, because I'm stressing, losing my mind
Smoking Wesson, my head I'm pressing, hard times





[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

In “Hard Times,” Trae and Z-Ro rap about their experiences living in the ghettos of Texas. The chorus reflects on the harsh reality that the duo face every day, including the threat of death not only from gang violence and police brutality but also from global terrorism, represented by the reference to Osama Bin Laden. The first verse focuses on Trae's feeling of hopelessness and desperation, as he navigates through the tragedies of losing his loved ones, including his friend DJ Screw, to death. Trae's lines, "That's just the truth, I lost my nigga Screw and Relay too and Andrew, now what about Danny Boo, That's fucked up, growing up in a childhood all alone with nobody," speaks to the loneliness and pain he has experienced in his life. The second verse belongs to Z-Ro, and in it he reflects on his mindset as someone who has grown up in a constantly threatened environment. He talks about the necessity of being armed at all times and the volatility of the ghetto streets. Both verses convey a tone of frustration, fear, and desperation, but at the same time reflect the rappers' bravery in confronting their struggle.


Line by Line Meaning

Hard times, look over your peoples cause everybody dying
It is a difficult time, so take care of your loved ones because everyone is dying.


Osama Bin Loden is dropping bombs man, in a situation like this
Osama Bin Laden is bombing us in this time of crisis.


How can I reach calm man, calm man, my nigga
How can I find peace in this difficult time?


This is hard times, like its so much gun smoke and see the stars/Shine
This is a difficult and violent time, where gun smoke fills the air and blocks out the stars.


We living on dreams but is they coming true, what I'm gonna do/Make a million and pull a stunt or two, a stunt or two
We are living on hope, but wondering if our dreams will ever come true. We might make money and do something bold to achieve success.


Step into the world of a mob nigga, live in so much pain/The rain steady pumping me up, locked down on hard times/But I'm knowing that I gotta make it, running on my deadline
Living like a mobster is filled with pain. Hard times have trapped me and the pressure is on to succeed before my time runs out.


Giving out flat lines, cause if you think that I'm feeling/Fucking up by mine man, I gotta maintain
I have to stay strong, even if it means being ruthless and giving someone a flat line.


Its like everything that I had, it won't ever be the same/I feel I'm sicking home the cemetery/'Cause that's where all of my people rest
Everything has changed and I feel like I am surrounded by death, with all of my loved ones buried in the cemetery.


I can't take the stress, I'm fin to send it through somebody chest/That's why I walk around pissed off, strapped with a vest
I am so stressed that I am ready to harm someone. I am always angry and prepared for violence with my bullet-proof vest.


Vicinities South, a brother on my Dickie, I be ready to ride/And I'm sick of this shit, I ain't fin to be hiding out, lately
I am from the South and I am always ready for action. I am exhausted and refuse to hide anymore.


Street life's got a nigga lost, will I wind up in a coffin/I don't know, I'm about to blow, I don't wanna take no mo'/But when I bust in a rush, you better hit the flow
The street life has me feeling lost and unsure if I will survive. I am about to snap and if I do, everyone better hit the ground.


Reality is a motherf**ker, that's what they was telling a nigga/That's just the truth, I lost my nigga Screw/And Relay too and Andrew, now what about Danny Boo
Reality is harsh, and I have lost many loved ones. Screw, Relay, Andrew, and Danny Boo are gone.


That's fucked up, growing up in a childhood all alone with nobody/No mama no daddy, Z-Ro I see why these niggas can't relate to us/'Cause we them thugs of another kind/Making these niggas feel us two rhymes
Growing up without parents is traumatic and I see why others can't relate to us. We are a different kind of gangster and we show ourselves through our music.


Living in the ghetto, everyday is a motherfucking test/And I just can't rest, gotta keep a vest around my chest/Seem like everybody wanna start a little plex
Living in the ghetto is a constant test. I can never relax and I must always have a bullet-proof vest. It seems like everyone wants to start a fight.


Nigga but not me though, I'm trying to focus/On bigger and brighter thangs/Steady trying to come out the storm/From hurricanes, to heaven and lighter rain
I am not interested in fighting, I want to focus on bigger and better things. I am trying to overcome the difficulties of life.


Running away from the police/Nigga fuck peace, its all about war/Nothing but a A-K and a H-K and a Tommy Gun/Sitting in the back of the car, I just can't cope
I am running from the police and I don't want peace, I want war. I have guns in the back of my car and I am struggling to cope.


Everybody is a suspect, even if you don't bust I'ma bust back/We down to ride and, all you little/Bitches and niggas get off my nut sack
I don't trust anyone, and if anyone attacks me, I will attack back. My crew is ready to ride and I don't want anyone dragging me down.


Been eighteen lonely years, since I buried my T Dogs/When I be shooting the breeze/But I'm still conversating like she ain't gone
It has been eighteen years since I buried my loved ones. I talk to them as if they are still here.


You can take a look at this light of mine/Never did glimmer, never did shine/'Cause I resort to a life of crime/And I know I'm wrong, but I gotta get mine
I am not shining and my light is dull because I am involved in a life of crime. I know it is wrong, but I feel I must do it to get what I want.


Fools don't understand me, a nigga be nervous 24/7/Puffing on sticky, eyes redder than period candy
Fools don't understand me, and I am always nervous. I smoke marijuana and my eyes get red.


Look at my pockets, I might as well stop it/Because them hoes on flat, look in the freezer/And a sive, ain't nothing but a stomach, these are hard times
I'm broke, so I should just give up. I have nothing in my pockets and only see an empty fridge and an empty stomach. These are hard times.


Ro pass me the AK, one of these niggas/Fin to pay for everything that I'm feeling, ain't no more healing/To the head with lead, is the only thing I'ma be drilling
Give me the AK, I am going to make those who have hurt me pay. There is no more healing and I will only be causing harm.


My nigga this hard times, and the way that it look/I don't think that it's gonna get better, the only thing that's here/Is to suck it up, inside I know that's why we not giving a fuck/Ready to bust, on anything this life feeling, like we on our last breath
My friend, these are hard times and I don't see the situation improving. The only solution is to accept it and move forward. We don't care anymore and are ready to explode. Life feels like it is our last breath.


I'm quiet as kept, my nigga don't start/Or else somebody gon see they death/Or hate us like that, but this side of Trae it be like that all times/The only thing that I know more than pain, is pain and me never dying
I am keeping quiet, but if someone pushes me, they will see death. People may hate us for our actions, but this is how it is with me all the time. The only thing I know more than pain is the idea of never dying.


Poverty stricken and headed to prison/Running because of the life, you looking for codeine/Or amphetamines, I got em at the cheapest price/Living by the rules of the street life, fin to get niggas
I am impoverished and on the way to prison because of the life I lead. If you need drugs, I can provide them at a low cost. I live by the code of the streets and I am ready to harm anyone who opposes me.


Better beat the street light home, after dark I par-park/Everybody be tripping, attempting to get rich/Dig a bigger ditch bitch bleed, I'm a motherfucking man/Trying to do all that I can, I always held my ground/And I never ran, got shot for taking a stand
You better get home before the street lights come on, because everyone is trying to get rich through crime. Dig a bigger grave because I am a man who always fights back. I stand my ground and never run, even if I get shot.


I need a plexing, because I'm stressing, losing my mind/Smoking Wesson, my head I'm pressing, hard times
I need a break from the stress that is making me lose my mind. I am smoking Wesson and pressing my head, these are hard times.


[Chorus: x2]
These are hard times, and the chorus repeats this message twice throughout the song.




Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARTER STANLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Instinct-lyricist7

z ro is easily one of the best rappers ever to exist up at the top

@hawakanu101

U check ro new music quarantin 4/2020

@isaiahrogers8369

I’m from Brooklyn and I agree I was bumping Zro in the early 2000’s when I was living in Texas

@oscarhuerta8756

Man this the Zro I remember listening to when I first started listening to him. Shit Zro killed it right here and so did Trae wish Trae could still rap like this again now he sounds all deep and weird sorta like he mumbling or something (no disrespect) I remember this and all his old and golden songs before he did the Cocaine, Crack, Heroin . .. Etc .. Shit even before there first ABN album which that one was a good one too tho where you can jam to it without skipping one.If you been jaming to him for a while you'll know what I'm talm bout.

@oscarhuerta8756

Leonard Jumtumski
Hell yea

@fydoescobedo7302

That n** Z-Ro way too real..💯.. one of the realest to ever do it out of Houston Texas !!! much love and respect.... the Mo City Don ...King of the ghetto.💪

@TheMarijuanaTV

The definition of Life is Pain. No matter where you from , everyone experience hard times. but theres some people like Ro that had it worse..he's not afraid to talk about it. thats why he's real.

@theunusuallife2456

It's some ppl like me that's had it worse than ro

@sellamastupida

this track is real.. let lil wayne try and relate to this and see what he comes out with the stupid fool.. man shout out to everybody supporting the REAL MUSIC SCENE i got mad respect for you as an artist.. stay blessed Artwizz The underground TV

@timtexasranger15

I love dis song. This is real hip hop and this is what you call music cause it never gets old. This was the first time i heard Trae and I could tell both these niggas is real and they would continue to make real hip hop music. And if radio stations played dis song it would have been a chart topper fo real.

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