Listen up as I tell a little story
No bragging all pain
All struggle no glory
Foos dying off a thing called respect
Brown Pride is what they scream
But they hate when they rep
Blood shed, tear drops and closed caskets
Shaking my head daily tripping off the madness
Another family broken hearted
Filled with that sadness
Another youngster straight dipping with banana clips
It's a trip how a kid could switch so quick
From getting good grades, smoking chronic at picnics
Just a little ghetto boy
As he leaves his house
He tells his abuelita "Ya me voy"
But he won't, just another victim lost from gun smoke
Now he's just another name on the wall, no hope
Rest in peace to the streets
Now a thang of the past
Homies blasted his name
Rest In Peace under his hood tats
Outside they never understood that
Now that I have a different mind state
I feel how can I give back?
These youngsters dying, getting hooked on drugs
Even worse than their clients, tell me am I lying?
Raised just like them, grew up to be defiant
But I see things different now why can't I keep quiet
Raised just like them, grew up to be defiant
But I see things different now why can't I keep quiet
Time to speak up
Living that street life, street life, woah
(This is that street life)
(My life at times in that street life)
Living that street life, street life
Street life, street life (yeah)
Living that street life, street life, woah
(This is that street life)
(My life at times in that street life)
Living that street life, street life
Street life, street life (that's right)
Now that I made it, been hated yeah the same ol' story
Foos think I owe 'em something
But they doing nothing for me, why?
Because we rep the same side
I don't really understand
Had to ask the lord why
But I stay focused, trying to set a new example
Things been getting heavy
But these tests in life
I know I'll handle different chapters, different episodes
A whole different channel
Not thinking I'm better than you
I used pack straps in my flannel
But I try to make a change
Got out of the gang life
Just raising my three kids
Just doing my thang right
Still seeing my enemies creepIng the daylight
Stay focused on my paper
Just keeping my game tight
But now honestly, I feel I have a new vision
A whole new mission with this music that I'm giving you
Used to feel solid bragging bout the homies sent to prison
Now I'm feeling sorry for 'em
Knowing that their kids miss 'em
And they can't provide
Can't even be in their lives
Nowadays your third strike
Got you facing 25
So think about that
Cause you can't get your life back
Rather give a youngster a job
Than a knife, strap and that's the truth
Trying to spit this game to the youth
Kept it real from the start
The difference between me and you
A hundred percent uncut
Never no substitute
All the youngsters trying to make a difference
So you I salute, wassup
Living that street life, street life, woah
(This is that street life)
(My life at times in that street life)
Living that street life, street life
Street life, street life (yeah)
Living that street life, street life, woah
(This is that street life)
(My life at times in that street life)
Living that street life, street life
Street life, street life (that's right)
My OG hit me up, told me Criminal you got this
Let these youngsters know, while these others spitting nonsense
Monotonous repetitive, all saying the same thang
Yeah I made some money from glorifying gang bang
But now I see my son turning sixteen, thangs changing
Glad to see my homies out
Doing their thang, maintaining
I keep the grass cut, gotta watch the snakes
Even in your own circle
There's bound to be some fakes
Betrayed by one of my day ones
Trying to see my downfall
All because he turned in to a dope fiend
I seen his flaws
Went from helping him out
To rejecting all his calls
Even bought diapers for his babies
When he was behind
But I learned you'll get burned
Even by your own family
Blood thicker than water huh?
That must've passed me
Trying to send a message to these kids about reality
Evolution of a G, this is a Criminals's diary
I spit my heart and soul in these lines
Don't like to shed a tear so I let the song cry
Ain't trying to be a preacher
Just have a strong message
You could love it or hate it
But you gotta respect it
Wished I could take it back to the days
Of busting these Smith and Wesson's
Was a .357 that sent cats straight to heaven or hell
I feel this is the only way to prevail
All the radio fans that travel the world [?]
Living that street life, street life, woah
(This is that street life)
(My life at times in that street life)
Living that street life, street life
Street life, street life (yeah)
Living that street life, street life, woah
(This is that street life)
(My life at times in that street life)
Living that street life, street life
Street life, street life (that's right)
The street life ain't no joke man
This dedicated to the youth
From your homie Mr. Criminal
Evolution of a G
It's time for a change
Time to come up