[Verse 1 – Big Renz]
Death around the block, I can feel it in the air
Every step that I take, man, I know they out there
Keep my back to the wall, watchin’ every damn move
One slip-up, that’s your life on the 10 o’clock news
See, these streets don’t love, and they never gon’ care
They just waitin’ on a moment just to put you in a chair
I done seen n***as beg, I done seen n***as cry
But once that hammer cock back, all that shit don’t fly

[Hook – Scratched by DJ Premier]
"One wrong move, now he dead on the spot!"
"Ain't no love in these streets, just another body drop!"
"Watch your back, watch your friends, ‘cause they all could be thugs!"

[Verse 2 – Big Renz]
They say keep your circle tight, but that shit don’t work
Same n***a call you brother be the one doin’ dirt
I done seen homies fold, I done seen ‘em go snake
Caught him slippin’ in the whip, now his name on the tape
It’s a war zone, n***a, better stay with the steel
Ain’t no mercy in the jungle, you get killed or you kill
So I ride with the strap, and I sleep with one eye
‘Cause I know one mistake, and it’s my time to die

[Hook – Scratched by DJ Premier]
"One wrong move, now he dead on the spot!"
"Ain't no love in these streets, just another body drop!"
"Watch your back, watch your friends, ‘cause they all could be thugs!"
[Verse 3 – Big Renz]
Another funeral, another mama screamin’ pain
Another young n***a gone, just a pawn in the game
Police don’t care, they just chalk up the name
Another black boy dead, and they treat it the same
Man, I’m tired of this life, but I’m stuck in the trap
Got this .40 on my hip, and I ain’t never goin’ back
So if they want me, tell ‘em come, I ain’t duckin’ no fade
But best believe if I go, then I’m takin’ ‘em graves

[Outro – Scratched by DJ Premier]
"Death is around the block… stay ready, stay strapped…"
"No love… no peace… just pain… just grief…"