I did not grow up with rampant gun violence
did not wear orange to symbolize enmity
if in Chicago, I hear gunshots, no surprise
do politicians want it to end, no offense
not that I can see, but who am I to take sides
outsiders like me lack face in society
to speak out against violence is no disguise
given I was born on the islands of Bombay
ride the west coast waves to California, the tides
ordered me to sail on wings through the air, airplanes
windows to new worlds, I traveled the winds as waves
until we settled down in HB with eight lanes
passing the freeway, suburban kid only craves
women on the beach, making music and reggae
in the 80s sets for Sunsplash shown on TV
to imagine guns in Orange County, not the same
how Chicago runs rampant with crime called Thug Life
really, who's to blame, Al Capone in the grave, let's see
ask politicians, who can't imagine the cause
made up excuses with no solution, a game
played to keep their jobs, effect no change, offer strife
as ways to distract from issues present at hand
no one likes the guns except the gangstas, flaut laws
that keep us in line, those willing to do the time
gain access quickly through initiation rites
until they get caught, car jackings, stop on a dime
no one shows the way, no fun, reality bites
vulnerable kids, hear a suggestion, demand
innocence is lost growing up with violence
often to ignore the cries for help, we succeed
letting others bleed and die from wounds on the streets
ever watchful eyes, ignore the drug trade, no sense
nibbling on a line, the tables turned, cops concede
corners cut, wages lost to defunding their beats
even in L.A., Thug Life held time in suspense
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