Cut My Teeth

The strong prey upon the weak
 This is where I learned to stand on my own feet
 So much I see
 On the streets of Venice Beach is where I
 Cut my teeth
 So much I see
 On the streets of Venice Beach is where I
 Cut my teeth
 So much I see
 Cut my teeth
 I remember how it all began
 I used to switch graffiti tips on cans with both hands
 No chance
 I knew they couldn't stop this rush
 Our bus bench was a stop, and they ain't stopping the bus
 I caught the fever
 At sixteen I copped a beater
 Now it's me against the world
 Sit in my own two-seater
 I drove slow on roads that lead freedom
 What I believe in
 Known that I'd be leaving
 Let me in jump up the timeline to currents events
 I went around the world twice on award tours
 It never ends
 Mike Will did, but others didn't make it
 Others still hungry, so the others gonna take it
 Shit is basic when you put it the pot and let it simmer
 Like the sun been setting later in the Summer than the Winter shit
 Where I'm from I keep the oven sizzling
 I cut my teeth at Venice Beach
 Then hit my peoples with some of the wisdom
 The strong prey upon the weak
 This is where I learned to stand on my own feet
 So much I see
 On the streets of Venice Beach is where I
 Cut my teeth
 So much I see
 On the streets of Venice Beach is where I
 Cut my teeth
 So much I see
 Cut my teeth
 I learned a nickel cost more than a dime
 Before I learned to rhyme
 Crenshaw and Venice
 St. Charles is more specific
 Then Pico and Fairfax the Ethiopian district
 Everything changes
 Noticing both of them look different
 I can think back
 Though life goes on so keep living
 Didn't step to OGs on the block to seek wisdom
 Or I'd be crippin'
 But they teach the street systems
 Street soldiers and street politicians
 I'd keep listening
 Smoking in the homey's rental
 Blazing instrumentals
 Something like a steel elephant trunk came through the window
 Eyes traced the barrel to a friendly face
 "Caught you slipping!"
 Broke the blunt
 Gave us back the lit half and kept dipping
 Had that beach cruiser whipping
 Then stopped
 He turned around, came back and told me
 "It's a war zone, go home!
 Draw something
 Matter of fact, write something raw for me
 Call you tomorrow."
 That was the last time that I saw him
 But I took it as a sign
 Standing at the crossroads
 I saw a different world was mine
 It was with me all the time
 Appreciative, never satisfied
 Inspired to climb
 Eyes wide
 Mid city lit that fire inside
 The strong prey upon the weak
 This is where I learned to stand on my own feet
 So much I see
 On the streets of Venice Beach is where I
 Cut my teeth
 So much I see
 On the streets of Venice Beach is where I
 Cut my teeth
 So much I see
 Cut my teeth