Yo, it’s the heat of the street, back in the day
West Coast vibes, where the gangsters play
Compton’s fire, crack smoke in the air
Block by block, war zones everywhere
It’s the dope game reign, cash rules the block
Young homies posted up, eyes on the Glock
Blue and red flags, battle lines are drawn
Sun sets quick, but the beef stays on
Cop cars circlin’, choppers in the sky
Mama’s tears flood while her kids get high
OG’s preach peace, but they’re out of the race
Young blood’s got the strap, put respect on their face
West side life, survival ain’t a choice
** wars screamin’ in the cold night’s voice
Compton dreams built on a concrete stage
Gangland tales, turnin’ boys into rage
Step into the shadows, hear the echoes scream
Crack fiends hustle hard to fulfill their dream
Drive-bys lit the night, like a firework display
But those bullets take lives, no games we play
Young Lad on the mic, bring the truth to the page
Locked in a cycle, now it’s rage to the grave
Lost souls drift, caught in that deadly hustle
Dreams die quick in the *** shuffle
Homies bang for corners, turf wars erupt
A pound of flesh traded for a bag of the stuff
Feds watch close, but the game still thrives
‘Cause the ghetto’s got stories where the real survive
West side life, survival ain’t a choice
** wars screamin’ in the cold night’s voice
Compton dreams built on a concrete stage
Gangland tales, turnin’ boys into rage
Cycle of the struggle, how do we break free?
When the system’s rigged to bury you and me
From Watts to Long Beach, the story’s the same
Youth lost to the streets, caught in the deadly game
But still, we rise from the ashes of pain
Dreamin' of a day when the sun clears the rain
West Coast legends, tell the truth in the booth
Compton’s heartbeat—raw, real, and uncouth
West side life, survival ain’t a choice
** wars screamin’ in the cold night’s voice
Compton dreams built on a concrete stage
Gangland tales, turnin’ boys into rage
Yeah… Young Lad, reppin' the streets
80’s and 90’s pain over soulful beats
West Coast legacy, the truth in the verse
From the struggle to the mic, we break the curse.
