In the streets of Harlem
Where one man is robbed for his money
Every child inside before streetlights is on
A drive by shooting everything in its place
Raggedy buildings with broken windows
I grew up here

Opened windows during the summer
Foil on the glass to keep out the sun
Fans hanging out windows blowing warm air
Fire hydrants exploding outside
Children playing in the water
Young men gathered in the corner
Shooting dice and yelling
No police, no ambulance
I grew up here

You’ll find every kind of hood
Different populated areas
Blacks on the South side
Latino’s on the West side
Whites on the North side
And mixed on the East side

Classes arrange us
Do something with your life
Before it does something with you

This is where I grew up
I grew up here
I survived living in the hood
I will die in the hood
In the streets of Harlem
Where I grew up