Survive

Here are four rap verses about growing up in the hood: # Verse 1 Listen up y'all, I got a story to tell 'Bout growin' up in the hood, where the struggle's real Ain't no opportunities, just poverty and pain Tryna make a dollar, but it's all in vain Yay everyday, that's the life I chose Tryna escape the struggles, but they always propose A life of crime and violence, that's the only way To survive in the hood, where the system's in disarray # Verse 2 I'm a product of the ghetto, where the strong survive Where the weak get eaten, and the system thrives On keepin' us down, on keepin' us poor On makin' sure we never leave the hood for more I'm tryna break the cycle, but it's hard to resist The temptation of the streets, the yay, the twist Of fate that got me here, in this place I don't belong But it's home, it's where my heart is, where my song is strong # Verse 3 Nowhere to go, nothin' to do Just tryna make it through, another day or two The system's designed to keep me down To keep me in the hood, where I'm wearin' the frown I'm tryna find a way out, but it's hard to find A job, a career, a life that's mine Not just a life of survival, but a life of thrive Where I can live my dreams, and not just stay alive # Verse 4 I see the world outside, through the eyes of the streets A world that don't want me, unless I'm on my knees Beggin' for scraps, beggin' for change But I won't beg, I won't plead, I won't rearrange My life to fit their mold, their expectations, their rules I'll make my own way, I'll make my own moves I'll rise above the struggle, I'll shine above the pain And I'll make sure my voice is heard, my story's told in vain