Temperature
Zion I Lyrics

The cityscape where I stay is gettin hot now
The environment where I live is heating up with increasing violence and joblessness.

Unemployment is high and buildings is gettin chopped down
Many people are losing their jobs due to the deteriorating economy and buildings are being demolished.

Gold teeth populating the block
People on the streets are displaying their wealth through showy accessories like gold teeth.

Slurring slang they ignite on the lookout for cops
People are speaking in slang, and they are always cautious of every move they make because of the presence of law enforcers.

Make the shots ring out like the liberty bell
Gunshots are ringing in the air like how the Liberty Bell rings.

No escape from the heat that's getting hotter than hell
There is no escape from the escalating violence and danger of the environment.

Like the oven's on broil, with blood stains in the soil
The violence is intense and blood stains the ground.

Pimped on in the colors of crown royal
They are dressed lavishly like royalty.

And little sister's got a baby on hip
Young girls are taking care of children at a young age.

And her momma never home so the cycle is sick
Their caretakers are always away, leaving them to fend for themselves and perpetuating the cycle of neglect.

Young ballers on the court wanna play in the league
The young people aspire to play professional basketball.

But got knocked in the spot for a quarter of weed
Despite their aspirations, many of them are arrested and jailed for petty drug offenses.

Much more to living life than emulating them hoes
There is much more to life than trying to be like the people on the streets.

I try to speak truth in the form of my flows
I attempt to convey the truth through the words in my music.

But the temperature is rising it's harder to grow, fo' sho'
Despite my efforts, the environment is becoming increasingly difficult to thrive in.

Gotta keep my head up (yeah)
I need to maintain a positive attitude.

Even though I'm fed up (survival every day)
Even though I am weary due to the constant struggle for survival.

Gettin' hard to eat (right)
It is becoming increasingly difficult to access basic needs such as food.

And all the drama in the street (it's gettin hot in every way)
The violence and chaos on the streets are escalating.

Heads up, eyes open, rest in peace had quarters
Stay alert and vigilant, people are dying every day.

Tunnel vision, most of us is rushing [Russian?] like a special order
Many of us are moving through life with tunnel vision, always in a hurry like a 'special order.'

Of stolen NIA [?]
Possibly a reference to the New Black Panther Party, an organization that fights police violence against black communities.

The block is hot the ghetto on fire, with more narcs sales than ave
The neighborhood is dangerous and hot with police constantly raiding and arresting citizens.

And barksdale from adshow to wire
A reference to the HBO show 'The Wire' that deals with the drug-infested life of Baltimore streets. The Barksdale organization was a central part of the plot.

We keep growing like hair when you die
We continue to grow and live on despite the constant death around us.

Black butterfly on the rose that's preparing to fly
People from low-income households can grow and achieve great things.

I paint a picture with the color of the orquid, it's vivid
I describe the harsh reality of the streets through the artistic imagery in my music.

Whatever kid I talk it, I spit it, I walk it, I live it
I practice what I preach in my music.

God bless every step and need to go through a reverend
Every step in life is a blessing and we should be thankful.

Your boy used to gouge an eye out just to get into heaven
I used to do whatever it took to be 'holy' and enter heaven.

We live between heaven and hell like John Constantine
We live in a grey area between good and evil, much like the character John Constantine.

Doing crimes they confessing like a teenage drama queen
People are confessing to crimes like they are confessing to a high school love affair.

We were leaning now we're falling down like Michael Douglas
We were once stable but now we are headed towards self-destruction.

I spit it fast, I gotta get it out, they might unplug it
I rap quickly so that I can get everything out before someone interrupts me.

And try to drug us, so I stay aware and watch out for the set up
I am always cautious of being set up or drugged.

Never scared to go head up, got a plan to get my bread up, and
I am not afraid to stand my ground and I have a plan to make money.