Lyrics

Yeah, a lot of people think they know the streets, think they know what it’s like to grow up here. But they don’t see the shadows, don’t hear the cries at night. They don’t feel that pain — bein' left alone, tossed out, just a kid tryin' to survive.

My mom… my pops… they gave up on me for this life. Gambling, drugs, doin' whatever it took to numb themselves. Left me to fend for myself in this mess, where every day is a fight just to see the next.

So, this song — it’s not for pity. Nah, this is just me tellin' it like it is. Just a kid from the gutter, just a shadow tryna make it through. Listen up

Yeah, I grew up where the lights don't shine,
On streets where the dreams turn to crime, one dime at a time,
Mama left for the thrill, Daddy lost in the spin,
Left a youngin' in the cold, feelin' broken within.

The dice rolled, streets told my fate,
Watched ‘em hustle for pennies, saw the love turn to hate,
Corner boys flashin' heat, fear in every greet,
A kid just tryin' to sleep to the sound of sirens in the beat.

I’m a shadow in the hood, yeah, lost in the night,
Lookin' for a way out, but I’m too tired to fight,
Got the weight of the world, but no one to lean on,
Tryin' to survive in a place that feels so wrong.

Saw my brother on the block, eyes bloodshot red,
Sold his soul to the rocks, yeah, he's half past dead,
Got my sister on the strip, heels clickin' down the lane,
Said she do it for the bread, but I feel her pain.

Cops rollin’ by, like vultures in flight,
Gunshots in the distance, just a typical night,
Loyalty’s a word, trust fades like smoke,
Here a friend turns foe for a dollar that's broke.

I’m a shadow in the hood, yeah, lost in the night,
Lookin' for a way out, but I’m too tired to fight,
Got the weight of the world, but no one to lean on,
Tryin' to survive in a place that feels so wrong.

Every door’s locked, every hand's closed tight,
They left me with my demons, only shadows in sight,
In a world where hope's just a fairy tale song,
I’m chasin' peace, but it’s been gone for so long.

Mama’s gone, Papa’s ghost in the wind,
Raised by the streets, by the sins of my kin,
They told me to hustle, to trust no soul,
Said love’s for the weak, only strong men roll.

I keep my head down, hands up in the fight,
Walkin' through hell but I still see the light,
'Cause maybe someday, I'll make my escape,
Till then I’m just a shadow, a kid holdin' faith.

I’m a shadow in the hood, yeah, lost in the night,
Lookin' for a way out, but I’m too tired to fight,
Got the weight of the world, but no one to lean on,
Tryin' to survive in a place that feels so wrong.

So here’s to the kids lost in the streets,
Fightin' for a future that they barely meet,
I’m a shadow in the ghetto, but I’m holdin' strong,
Hopin' one day I can prove them wrong.