Ina Di Ghetto
Wretch 32 Lyrics

Where straps are seen more than dads
In this area, one is more likely to see guns (straps) than fathers.

Cos they clap at these boring actors
People in this area resort to violence to entertain themselves because they are not interested in typical entertainment.

Cos everyone's big with hard weight
Everyone in the area wants to appear tough and intimidating.

Now everyone thinks they're Scarface
The violent culture in this area has led people to aspire to become like the notorious Scarface character.

It gets fizzy when their plans evolve
Things become chaotic when plans in this area escalate or evolve.

And they end up in the can for coke
People who get caught trafficking cocaine end up in prison.

I hope you're 7-Up (I-I-Ina Di Ghetto)
This phrase is a reference to the soft drink brand 7-Up, which has a slogan 'up yours'. The artist hopes that the listener can resist the tough things they may face in the ghetto.

Where we wish for better luck (huh)
People in the area hope to have better luck in life, but are constantly met with misfortune.

But we still see black cats
Despite hoping for good luck, people in the area continue to encounter bad luck and obstacles.

We get cheese cos we're lab rats (woah)
People are forced to participate in criminal activities (get cheese) and are trapped (like lab rats) in the cycle of poverty and crime in the ghetto.

So then we reproduce
People in the area continue to have children, despite the difficulties they face.

And we grind just to feed our yutes
People work hard (grind) just to provide for their children (yutes).

Gettin' by's like squeezin' through
Survival in the area is difficult and requires extreme effort, similar to squeezing through a tight space.

That's the cycle of me and you
The cycle of poverty and crime in the ghetto affects everyone in the area, including the artist and the listener.

We're designed to lose (I-I-Ina Di Ghetto)
The artist believes that society is set up in a way that ensures those in the ghetto will fail in life.

Where the yutes get high off an 8th
Young people in the area use drugs (an 8th) to get high.

Ride for their name
People in the area are fiercely loyal to their reputation or 'name'.

And love to die for their chain
People in the area are willing to die to protect their jewelry or 'chain'.

Just cos he swore on his cross
Some people in the area will take a vow or oath (swear on their cross) to engage in violence or seek revenge.

That if he gets popped then the war's kickin' off
If someone is hurt or killed (gets popped), their friends or family will start a war or seek revenge.

And we'll take it to them
People in the area will react with violence if they believe they have been wronged or disrespected.

Now that's what I call the chain of events
This sequence of events, in which violence leads to more violence, is a common occurrence in the area.

You break out the chain they're takin' your breath (I-I-Ina Di Ghetto)
If someone tries to steal your jewelry ('chain'), they might also try to hurt or kill you ('take your breath').

Where there's no congestion charge
Driving through this area does not require a congestion charge.

But to roll through my hood there's a section pass
However, traveling through this specific neighborhood requires permission or a 'section pass'.

I.e to travel these ends
This means to navigate through this specific area.

There must be family, friends
To travel through this area freely, one must have connections or know people in the area ('family, friends').

Or you're an outlaw
If you do not have connections in the area, you are considered an 'outlaw' and may face trouble.

My hoodz a tight space itz hard to get out of
This neighborhood is small and difficult to escape from.

Get lost or found gone
People in the area may disappear or be killed without a trace.

Cos the kids wid da metal are (I-I-Ina Di Ghetto)
The artist references the prevalence of guns and other weapons in the area ('kids wid da metal').

(Huh) and I've come dis far
The artist reflects on how far they have come while living in the ghetto.

I'm in da ghetto like Justinz yard
The artist compares their neighborhood to Justin's yard, which is also known for being rough.

Matter of fact Justinz heart
The artist believes that Justin, like many people who grow up in rough neighborhoods, has a tough exterior but a kind heart.

Life is more than rough, see you,
Life in the ghetto is extremely difficult and challenging.

You have to be bold and tough, yoooo
To survive in the ghetto, people have to be brave and resilient.

You have to can hold it up? woaaa
The challenges of the ghetto are so intense that it is difficult to endure them.

Uh, I be up from the crack of dawn
The artist wakes up early in the morning.

I aint aalyiah but I'm back & forth
The artist is frequently on the move, like the late singer Aaliyah's song 'Back and Forth'.

It's cold but my jacket's warm
Even in the cold weather, the artist has a warm jacket to wear.

And even with the heat on my side
Despite having a gun for protection ('the heat'), the artist still faces danger and cold weather.

Some how I still manage to catch cold,
The artist still gets sick, despite their efforts to stay warm and healthy.

My hats low
The artist wears their hat low to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

So my eyes aint seen
The artist is not paying close attention to their surroundings.

Bandana on da neck
The artist wears a bandana on their neck, possibly to represent their affiliation with a certain gang or group.

Cos I might bang a hammer on a threat
The artist keeps a hammer ('bang a hammer') on them for protection, in case someone threatens them.

My nine aint clean
The artist's gun ('my nine') is not in perfect condition, which could make it less reliable in a dangerous situation.

My name speaks for itself
The artist is known and respected in the area for their reputation or 'name'.

If I come to a fight
If the artist gets into a physical altercation with someone, they are confident they will win.

I'ma leave with a belt or chain
If the artist wins a fight, they may take their opponent's jewelry ('belt or chain') as a prize.

But I guarantee u wont leave with your health or name
The artist is so confident in their fighting abilities that they are sure their opponent will be severely injured or lose their reputation if they fight them.

Everyday I see more pain
The artist witnesses a lot of suffering and hardship in the ghetto on a day-to-day basis.

I be tryna get doe four ways
The artist tries to make money ('get doe') through various means.

In stacks so I couldnt be broke for four days (I-I-Ina Di Ghetto)
The artist wants to make enough money to support themselves for several days without going broke.

And I scream greengate all day
The artist represents for their hometown of Greengate and mentions it frequently ('scream greengate all day').

Cos I'ma greengate gunhappy goon
The artist identifies as a 'gunhappy goon' from Greengate, indicating they are dangerous and not afraid to use violence.

And before 2007 ask anyone I never had one happy tune
Before 2007, the artist was known for making music with dark themes and not upbeat, happy music.

Cos there aint nothing nice round ere
The area the artist is from has a reputation for being rough and unpleasant ('nothing nice round ere').

Nuttin but rats n mice round ere
The only animals that thrive in this neighborhood are pests, such as rats and mice.

G-H I'm in an unhappy mood (I-I-Ina Di Ghetto)
The artist is unhappy living in the ghetto in G-H (Grimsby and the Humber), and feels trapped ('Ina Di Ghetto').

Niggaz are wylin out
People in the area are acting crazy or irrational ('wylin out').

Cos there aint nutin 2 smile about
The conditions and situations in the area are so bleak that there is nothing to be happy or optimistic about.

Enemies be tellin me watch when they find me house
The artist has enemies in the area who threaten their safety, even in their own home.

I be like mind your mouth
The artist responds to these threats by telling their enemies to be quiet and mind their own business.

From now everyting on my mind is foul
The artist is feeling negative and angry in response to these threats ('mind is foul').

Fuck a nine to five I'm like gimme a nine
The artist does not want a traditional job ('nine to five') and instead prefers to have a gun ('gimme a nine').

A crack a 9 of brown n lemme provide the sound (I-I-Ina Di Ghetto)
The artist sells cocaine ('crack') and prefers to make money that way, rather than traditional employment ('provide the sound').