Black and Brown
Xzibit Lyrics

Wassup? We need to talk
Initiating a conversation that needs to be had

Let me light my backport
Lighting up a joint to relax and open up

That's why we need to sit down And talk about the black and the brown
The conversation is about the racial tensions between black and Hispanic communities

Yo, I love Los Angeles, you can hear it in my music Plus I got the scars to prove it And man.. you don't understand what I understand
Xzibit is proud of his connection to Los Angeles, but it comes with the pain of gang violence

I'm feelin like a piece to a bigger plan 'Cause all I'm sayin is the God honest truth of it all, we fightin the wrong enemy That's why I'm gettin invovled
Xzibit believes that black and Hispanic communities are fighting each other instead of working together against systemic racism and oppression

Remember that? That's why we have to sit down And speak about the black and the brown Now I didn't come here to point no fingers
Referencing a movie to illustrate the need for cooperation and communication between black and Hispanic communities

I know over the years that the pain still lingers over past confrontations Shit we all on parole and probation and fucked up situations And everybody lose.. from the pen, to the neighborhoods, now it's even the high schools
The pain and consequences of past conflicts continue to affect both black and Hispanic communities, including the criminal justice system and education

Tck, that's when the fists start flyin These kids ain't learnin shit about math and science Man..
Violence among youth escalates due to lack of educational opportunities and resources

Tension is so thick, some are comin around I don't wanna see no more of us up under the ground So now.. that's why we need to sit down And talk about the black and the brown
The tension between the two communities is causing loss of life and needs to be addressed through dialogue

Eighty percent of inmates are black and Hispanic They tryna wipe us all off the face of this planet Dammit.. that's why we need to sit down And talk about the black and the brown
The disproportionate amount of black and Hispanic people in prisons evidences systemic racism and oppression, emphasizing the need for unity

He don't really fuck with nobody outside of the set It's tatted big on his neck Y'know? So over the years, built respect and trust Some black and brown issues we both discussed
Xzibit's Hispanic friend has loyalty to his gang, but they have built trust and discussed issues between their communities

"They killed my cousin over eighty eight bricks So word came down, we gotta handle that shit" "Kill all mayatas in white tee shirts Can I tell the truth homes? The truth starts hurtin"
The gang violence is fueled by revenge and racism, with Xzibit's friend seeking retribution for his cousin's murder and targeting Hispanic people who dress a certain way

At first, I remind him of what vengeance do What vengeance is and who vengeance belongs to He wasn't tryna hear that shit He just turned up the volume, bangin 50 Cent
Xzibit tries to discourage his friend from resorting to violence and reminds him of the consequences of vengeance, but his friend refuses to listen

I got soldiers from both sides who really don't care Who identify themselves by the colors they wear
Xzibit knows people from both black and Hispanic communities who participate in gang violence and identify with their gang colors, willing to fight and kill for their side

The homey came through to put one in the air I can tell somethin was wrong the way he sat in his chair He said, "X, man I'm just gettin out from doin eighty eight months, tryna figure things out"
An ex-convict friend of Xzibit's seeks his counsel about how to navigate life outside of prison after serving an 88-month sentence

He told me in the pen you get down to get done 'Cause the brown and black ratio is five to one He showed me the scar on his gut and his neck They got him good, said he damn near bled to death
The prison system perpetuates racism and violence between black and Hispanic inmates, with Xzibit's friend being a victim of a stabbing because of his ethnicity

The hate was do deep, I can see in his eyes When he described what it feels like to almost die All I could do was just sit back and listen 'Bout how he 'bout to send soldiers on missions
Xzibit sees the depth of hatred and pain in his friend's eyes and listens to him about plans of violent retribution

I got hit with a bottle but I'm not dead I said, "Think with your heart homey, not your head"
Xzibit shares that he too has been a victim of violence, but encourages his friend to think beyond anger and violence

Oooooh you must defend yourself (Yeah!) If you don't, then no one else (Nobody!) Your homies got to ride (Let's go!) You're fighting for your life (Yeah!) They want both of us dead You ain't heard a word I said You're fighting for your life (Come on) Your homies got to riiide
Jelly Roll's chorus emphasizes the need for self-defense and loyalty among those facing violence and oppression, but Xzibit emphasizes the need for unity and dialogue instead of violence