Hard Times (Hard Rhymes)

[Verse One: El Da Sensei] In my lifetime I write the rhyme bent at most times Walk the street with iron cleats relying on beats to keep me signed Some ghetto fab' label Where thugs tell their fables and their drug warfare Guerrilla combat affair Truth or dare share similar tales That compare to street poetry They armed to do harm, slowly Keep a watchful eye for stick up Tri's guys you thought was fly Plot your downfall to reach the sky No trust in this game, only lust jealousy plus shame How many cats you know by their first name? Address change, weekly fiends on arrival Raise your right hand Swear that you do it just for survival Undeniable ends become vital, idle chat Potential weaponry No doubt, you gotta cop a gat I've never been a player But I never warmed the bench Street wise resident Never hesitant to represent [Hook: El Da Sensei] {x2} Hard times, hard crimes I roam through the city that's star evidence Street smart from the start (How's that?) Through my rap (Who ya be?) Sensei (Where ya at?) In The Bricks, home of the car jack [Verse Two: El Da Sensei] I walk the path of the wise Ever corner's downsized The price of shit get's high And to all is no surprise Make the scrabble B.I. gets handle All on board, baller supreme Fuck a dollar and a dream Entourage is large Boss hog in charge Bling bling, neck and wrist plus the pinky ring god What I've just explained is your average cat Who never lasts Check the jail rate, peep the facts I can go on for days, you know how the shit ends On the run till you're caught trying to hide out with your friends Mad niggas involved till your case gets solved You know the game ain't the same, justice system has evolved Three strikes no if's or mights No court fight for spite Three hots and a cot, same food every night I preach my words with the force for all many souls lost Willing to sacrifice honorable at any cost [Hook] [Verse Three: El Da Sensei] Hey young world Grimy cats, rats, boy and girls Hard life, trife times and just one swirl It's hard in these streets, we hear the struggle everyday Trying to eat, make ends meet, legal or the other way Brothers say I'm down for mine Purchase the shine But don't own no homes or have some kind of piece of mind In a long line of success brothers settle for less Trying to impress the same cat who warned you just to wear a vest [Hook] {x2}