[Chorus] Once upon a time in that Ghetto yo I used to make the chetta When I was lounging with the playa and the hustlers yo And rydin on 'em haters Just pimpin with them playas from the 415 Hustling everyday just to stay alive Huh, once upon a time in the ghetto yo-o I used to make that cheddar
[Verse 1] Used to be a slave to sin Smoking indo smoke like the homie Mista Grimm Now who a thought that years ago I'd be the one reachin him Prayin in the late night hour crying Askin' that lord to come on in Of a broken heart filled with all this hurt and pain Askin that lord to clear that overcast and all the rain Cuz there ain't no sunshine in the ghetto Unless ya got Christ in ya life not the devil That's what I had though Demons in my system dogg Now I'm intoxicated wit the Holy Spirit yall No more chronic, bionic and gin and tonic Chocolate tye, or sticky icky, icky Cuz the Holy Goly gets me high
[Verse 2] See I was, thugged out West Cali livin Straight sinnin in boss hog Cali Pimpin Straight sippin Gin & Juice, Tangarae and Rum Steady spittin pimp game from this play tongue Brim tilted to the left Leaning in my ride "Wit that" rims glistering While I'm whistling Picture me and chicks kissin in the back of a 64 Devil had me trippin like a wineo' in a liquor store Thank God bro Jesus broke the Devils chains Now I'm addicted, shooting this gospel all up in my veins Can't get enough of the way that he makes me feel I wanna holla, holla Ready to die in ya honor I'm a changed man from the feet up But stay G'd up From the street up So I can reach rydas smoking the weed up
[Bridge] I just don't know why These rydas wanna ryde When they know that They very well could die From the bullets of a gage or nine When ya living in the fast lane commitin 'em crimes I said I... just don't know why These plays wanna play When they know that the world is filled wit AIDS and disease Baby mamma wit dads who be flossing while they Kids are broke & dressin in rags