Street Smart

[Tarik] I been strugglin and strugglin for oh so long So I can be successful in life and stay strong I was raised to respect my elders And if I didn't, I would wind up as a failure So we're sippin some brew On the corner with my so-called crew My pop told me the streets wasn't games and fun He says be wise and listen up, son I would never tell you nothin that wasn't true Only right from wrong and things you shouldn't do In the ghetto you gotta watch over the shoulder And just remember that I was the one that told ya Me and your mother will be in through thick and thin Cause when it comes to it, we're like your best friends I took his advice, and it did me some good Now I'm not a product of the hood When I walk the ave now I keep my head high As soon when I'm older I'll have a piece of the pie See, where I'm from you had to have heart I guess that's why I'm street smart [Taji] Nine months of labour, I make my arrival I'm just a Youngsta playin the game of survival My mom told me patience is a virtue Sticks, stones break bones but -- never hurt you Negativity I don't indulge in But that don't mean that my pockets ain't buldgin Especially in this day and time I rather get props, hops, from just sayin rhymes Cause the streets mislead ya If you was starvin tell me who would ever feed ya Chillin with your boys smokin jays Sittin back, talkin about the old days Fiends sellin radio clocks Lookin on the ground for rocks Youngsta's in school and cats Flippin packs like flapjacks Rollin, rollin dice like a casino Look at that-- Nino Brown or Al Pacino You can't beat this with a head start You know why? Because I'm street smart [Qur'an] Growin up in the ghetto is worse than skid row So I decided to let the kids know How it really is even though I'm in showbiz One thing that I know is The streets will leave you with a dumb look An old lady cryin cause a bum took her pocket book Five-o stay right at the corner Stand there too long and you're a goner Thinkin back when my pockets was empty I couldn't let negativity tempt me I was down to get mines I was lost and now it's time to catch up like Heinz I used to stay out late, be a street dweller Not a drug seller but a smooth young fella I just about seen it all Streets is no joke, that's right, how many y'all Brothers been fightin for no reason So all the girls, I ain't the one to be skeezin That's right, baby, you can't play me, sweetheart Because I'm street smart