Brutalism

[Verse 1]
Where I'm from, the streets are cold. You better wear a Parker
1 in 5 of my partners didn't know his father
Young marauders swimming, couldn't see the harbour
We would get in beef needing more than a plaster
I would hold a knife and say it was protection
But I wanted more than anything to use it as a weapon
Didn't go to school, 50 Cent taught me lessons
Excluded a hundred times before I started year seven
Bredrin. Growing up was cold
Seeing all my people locked up took it's toll
I watched Angel Heart and wanted to sell my soul
And fell into a well of melancholy full of coal
The Road to Redemption is a perilous one
Summer threats made you wonder if September would come
Never had Christmas dinner. No December's were fun
When I visited hell, I met the devil with guns and told him

[Hook]
In the streets it's cold. Colder than you know
When the heat is on, you better not fold
Growing up ain't nice 'round here
Always running for your life 'round here

[Verse 2]
I've been jacked once. The second time was better, trust
I was showing off my new era the bus
These boys were asking me questions
Wanting to know where I'm from
When I name my estate, people usually run
But they didn't get the hint and followed me onto the street
I didn't know until I felt a fist connect above my cheek
There were 8 of them and I was on my Js
Fight or flight didn't say to run away
So I started scrapping out. Put a few of em down
Grabbed my cap off the ground and ran into Camden Town
The next day I see my friend and he asked what happened
He saw my black eye and plotted a plan of action
Told the olders from my area and staked out the square
Knowing that the boys who tried to rob me cotched there
We took their phones and they took a beating
They were lucky to even leave breathing

[Hook]
In the streets it's cold. Colder than you know
When the heat is on, you better not fold
Growing up ain't nice 'round here
Always running for your life 'round here
In the streets it's cold. Colder than you know
When the heat is on, you better not fold
Growing up ain't nice 'round here
Always running for your life 'round here
Better learn how to fight 'round here. Either that or hold a knife 'round here