Back in the Day

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Malik] Back in the day I stayed paid I slayed and slanged Them thangs never had shit, no I never had a fuckin' thing I didn't have mines to spend time or curl back I needed that fast money so I had to react Got go handle my hood 'cause my sea mileage is all that I hustle when I had to so my pockets could stay kinda fat Never was a crab - I never was a bummer Just do what I gotta do and break a nigga off some Correct, correct go even so a brother- I just make em holla until he feels pain Gimme your sneakers, money, clothes, rings, and your fuckin' chains Cuz I-I I never could have shit Who'd ever think I'd have this? I wasn't sure i had a window to throw out my pot of piss Now-Now-Now this verse is to show whose life was worse That's why I'm a bad boy ghetto bastard and always have to curse [Chorus: Malik and Jamal] Back in the day when I was a teenager Back in the day when I was a teenager Back in the day when I was a teenager Back in the day when I was a teenager [Verse 2: Jamal] For Christmas I wish for a tip, my daddy never played catch My mommy was addicted to crack because she had no self-respect I used to walk the streets sometimes and never ate Until my grandma took me away but still I wasn't safe But something changed, I had someone to care for me But still I never had a male influence around me My momma, grandmama, auntie and uncle were strung out The only time I got love is when I had money or some drugs I found all the ones I got left like a beaver Until I start stealin that's when my people starts to wonder "Where you got it? How you got it? Can I have it? Will you give it to me so I can make some ends by sellin it?" Most of the time i used to give it to 'em That's when my Uncle Ed crossed over and made ducats by the minute get it? I'm never packin pop tarts for lunch I'm packin .38 Specials that's why they call me Mr. Hotshot [Chorus: Malik and Jamal] Back in the day when I was a teenager Back in the day when I was a teenager Back in the day when I was a teenager Back in the day when I was a teenager [Verse 3: Malik] In Holly Hill they hate to see you smile, love to see you frown Can't get yourself up out the ghetto Tryna keep the next family down But you know, that's how it ever was If you can't have it you got it from the one who does My mother did what she had to do to satisfy Guess what they gotta do? Dude, my first packages went by More sales and we was making money we couldn't stay in the 'jects, had to get up and go Niggas couldn't stand to see that - started snitchin to 5-0 In other words, rattin' like a mouse They listened and listened, then they ran up in the fuckin' house Trashed the crib, the whole thing was a mess They was takin everybody down puttin them in the DSS Josetta shed tears, it was a cryin' shame - right? That's when I met Naughty By Nature and they told me that everything is gonna be alright [Chorus: Malik and Jamal] Back in the day when I was a teenager Back in the day when I was a teenager Back in the day when I was a teenager Back in the day when I was a teenager [Verse 4: Jamal] 13 on April 26 of 1992 But to my family it's just another day another week Jamal, fuck you It's the same shit different day so I just leave and go get sensimillia from the neighbors If I can, I shoot some hoop with my niggas on the corner And ask them who they think the next goner's gonna be Me or some markhead niggas around the way? Cuz they front they shit like they shit don't stink I knew much better when I was a kid I stayed on the DL But still I always heard people scream Jamal when shit went down It's like when shit went down I was the number one suspect It wasn't because of me it was because of my uncle Trevor Never lived a normal everyday kid life Instead of after school activities I'm on the corner shootin dice at night If you ain't from around don't come around Because you won't leave with a smile you'll leave with a frown On your face as you hear the words of a nine millimeter Back in the days when I was a teenager