{*Jon B. harmonizing*} [WC] Nineteen-ninety-eight Damn, I can't believe it Whoever thought, throughout the drama, we'd live to see it So many of us done lost lives to the streets As we reminisce, I'm pourin' liquor for the deceased Think about the times that I spent with many of 'em Hopin' that the Lord let me see the millenium Trapped in this ghetto main, seekin' better days Fightin' for my conscience, tryin' to shake these wicked ways I know it's wrong, but it's hard to change All my life, all I ever knew was hustle and game Lookin' for answers ever since I was a adolescent Faced with rejection, early age stressin' But now, ten years later, with doodoo respect I'm bustin' million dollar raps and six digit checks Showin' love to my peeps and my love don't change Here's a toast to you fakes Huh Here's to better days [Chorus: Jon B.] It might sound strange But I Just, can't, run away I just can't run I never can't run (Run away) It might sound strange But I Just, can't, run away I never can run away Yeah Yeah, yeah [Verse 2][WC] Touch a meal ticket, shake a spot for good Never I still got love for the neighborhood And even though now it's infested with gunplay On most days, like Bootsy, I can't stay away Cause if I shook like y'all shook on me Then whose gon' stay and guide the way for the lil' homies? I can't turn my head on my folks So I stay visible in these streets and try to give hope Born in the ghetto Raised in the ghetto Got love for the ghetto I can't forget the ghetto How come everytime we get some change in our can We run away and try to move out as far as we can? I know that jealousy's the devil's greed, but you worse Than a devil when you turn your back on these young G's Now feel every word that I say
Hear my cry As I struggle out of thirst and search for better days [Repeat Chorus] [Jon B.] It might sound strange But I Just, can't, run away I just can't run I never can't run (Run away) It might sound strange [Verse 3][WC] Another day another dollar It feels good To look around and see I'm surrounded by real riders Childhood comrades I ran with for years Shared the same beer and tears over the same peers Player haters swearin' that all we all G's Off each others strength with these Regulates the same cheese No jealousy, we all family like Sister Sledge Lace each other with game So I can spin beer cans Watch our kids grow together As we get old together Loc, I mean this, let no one come in between this Keep our business among us, behind doors And eyes closed, on those we consider as foes Outsiders never exposed to your hustle Plus I'm Never been one likely to trust 'em No negative a**ociation, just dedication To watch our paper sprout like this bud mutation [Repeat Chorus] [Jon B.] + {WC in background} I, can't (I don't wanna run) {I can't run} I never can't run (I wanna sleep right here) {I can't run} I, can't (I don't wanna run) {I can't run} I never can't run (I wanna stay right here) {Jon B.} I, can't (I don't wanna run) {WC} I never can't run (Wanna live the good life) {Johnny J.} I, can't (I don't wanna run) I never can't run (Don't wanna run) I, can't {k**in' in the streets} I never can't run {The streets made me} I, can't {Hoo-rider stay true to the streets} I never can't run I, can't {Money can't buy that} I never can't run (I never can't run) I, can't I never can't run (No) I, can't I never can't run (No, no) {I can't run} I, can't I never can't run I never can't run