[Intro: Inspectah Deck (sample)]

(Everybody on the grind, son) 8 million stories in the naked city

(Everybody trying to eat) (It's always gonna be a struggle, in this hustle)

This is just one (Trying to bubble, trying to live this) Realize..



[Inspectah Deck]

We dance with the wolves, wrestle with the pitbulls

For fistfuls of dollars and cents, we empty pistols

Plotting out elaborate scams to get our hands on some

Lofts of land or maybe, thoughts of plans and they be

Forcing my hand to make me, off this man

I never claimed killer, I came iller stayed realer

Our chance grows, traveled the globe, fans applauded

But my heart still roaming the streets, they still calling

Boat names with cocaine dreams screaming "I own the game!"

I'm so stained Novacaine doesn't slow the pain

Lost so many I don't fear death, no tears left

Numbers of my years left, blessed to be here left

When they said "At fifteen he'll be already dead"

I'm here heavy head steady sipping Rémy Red

Wild fellow trying to keep my mind settled

Child of the ghetto, survived where nines echo



[Chorus: Inspectah Deck]

I'm just a city guy living fly getting high

Live it till I die getting by, whipping by

Stand solidified big times to different sides

Here's your ticket right, follow if you feel my vibe... (My vibe)



[Inspectah Deck]

Yo, we caped up, ten in the lab, weapons to blast

One with the city, fight for sections of land

Can't sleep till the check's in my hand

It's still a hustle, bare knuckle grind knee deep inside the struggle

I don't give a fuck about much but my beloved and such

'Cause nobody to trust but us

It's New York life, walk like what you talk like

Or you might get tossed right off the ninth floor

Every day is war, rhoaming through the wasteland

Focused, trying to make grands

Hammers poaking out the waistband

In this cash race, they can't stand the pace

I plan to make millions and marinate

Across town my Fam is straight

Cash rules, so naturally it had me

The temptress teasing me, I lust badly

She said "You want professional and records sold? Let it go"

And I replied "This is the only life I'll ever know..."



[Hook: Inspectah Deck]

(It's the only life I'll ever know... You know?)

I trust, in no one but us

Trust, in no one but us

Trust, in no one but us



[Inspectah Deck]

Yeah, years later, hey I made it, no explaining how

Walking forward through the fire while it rain down

We claim Sex & Slang and aim weapons

But still trying to live the +Good Times+ like James Evans

And, we'll stick you for your shine

(Hustle) Nickel for a dime

(Trouble) This you're gonna find

(Muscle) If you wanna grind

(Struggle) Digits on the mind

(Couple) Figures for the crime

(Scuffle) Fists or with the nine

(Bubble) Living on the line (The line, the line...)



[Chorus]