"Right now we'd like to bring on a young man who 
believes in doing things his own way
And based on the way he kinda get next to all of the 
folks who've seen him work
His way has gotta be pretty hip, so let's lay some 
noise"

"They send our people to fight for this so-called 
democracy
But when they get back down to the South et cetera, et 
cetera
Shit is worse than ever
There is something very sick about that
Power to the people! "

2000 and beyond
2000 and beyond
2000 and beyond

Tricks and hoes, bitches and stripper poles
Shake it for dollar signs, let me see from behind
The ghetto's a fairy tale, pimps and jezebels
Dealers with chrome rims with product for you to sell
Chemistry in the kitchen, alleys with rubbers in it
Tires go round and round, windows heavy tinted
Kush is scented inside
Pull me over, now they talking bout a canine ("Code 6")
Black man face down, damn
Charge it to the game
Bums warm they weary souls over open flames
Junkie can't find God, watch him find his vein
Preacher walk right by like he ain't seen a thang
Pass the collection plate
Niggas thought shit was gon' change on election day
Healthcare, H1N1 nasal spray
Got me scared to hit the block
Wear my flag as a mask, tote a Glock

In 2000 and beyond
In 2000 and beyond
In 2000 and beyond

"To tell you the truth, I'm not sure I even want any of 
this dirty money"
"Well, I'll tell you what Reverend
We'll find something to do with your share"
"No, no-no-no-no, I'll take the money
I'm sure the Lord will find another way for me to do my 
penance"

Poor folk scrape dollars, spend the last
Of they income tax on Impalas with the SS
Church give awards, who the best dressed?
Pastor drive a Bentley, got me thinking I was less 
blessed
Cause I let a middle man
He was capping what I'm asking, I don't understand
How you fit that many rings on a helping hand?
Tired of deception
But I pay his kid's tuition cause I'm tryna get to 
Heaven
Ain't it crazy? Scared to have a baby
How can I protect it from the same streets that made 
me?
Concrete gladiator, bloodshed overflow
Real life, some places Russell Crowe would never go
Pimp tight flossing, look at what it cost me
Peace of mind, no sleep, late night tossing and turning
Waiting on the end, pray to God, forgive me for my sins

In 2000 and beyond
In 2000 and beyond
In 2000 and beyond

"You know how I survive?
Cause I don't think about the world, that shit don't 
exist to me
I don't give a fuck about anything or anyone in it
Because the minute I do, I'm a dead man out here
And you remember that shit"

As a child I was cold with a chip on my shoulders
Grandma told me be careful cause there's sharks in the 
water
They will kill you, let the Good Lord steer you
Don't worry bout the government, cause baby they don't 
feel you
Martin Luther King had a dream, we was right there
I wonder what he saw when he up and had nightmares
Quite scared, all the work he had done
Couldn't stop what we've become

In 2000 and beyond
In 2000 and beyond

"Ain't nothing I say gon' get me out of this
But things were getting bad for me, and
I had to do what I had to do to s-, to survive"