As i walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize theres not much left
Cuz ive been blastin and laughin so long
That even my mama thinks that my mind is gone
But i aint never crossed a man that didnt deserve it
He be treated like a punk, you know that son heard up
You better watch how you talkin and where you walkin
Or you and your homiez might be lined in chalk
I really hate to trip, but i gotta, loc
As they cope, i see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
Im the kinda g the little homiez wannabe like
On my knees in the night
Saying prayers in the street light

We've been spending most our lives
Living in the gangstas paradise

They got the situation
They got me facin
I cant live with no more rights
I was raised by the stripes
So i gotta be down with the hood team
Too much television watchin got me chasin dreams
Im an educated fool with money on my mind
Got my 10 in my hand and the green in my eye
Im a loced-out gangsta set-trippin banger
And my homiez is, so dont arouse my anger, fool
Death aint nuthin but a heartbeat away
Im livin life doin time, what can i say?
Im 23, now how will i live to see 24
The way things is goin, i dunno

Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me

We've been spending most our lives
Living in the gangstas paradise

Power and the money, money and the power
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Everybodys runnin, but half of them aint lookin
At whats goin on in the kitchen
But i dont know whats kickin
They say i gotta learn, but nobodys here to teach me
If they cant understand it, how can they reach me?
I guess they cant
I guess they wont
I guess they front
Thats why i know my life is outta luck, fool

We've been spending most our lives
Living in the gangstas paradise

Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me

Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me