Oh yeah... 963 on the clock, feel the pulse in the street
Streetlights bleedin' red on the concrete, bitter and sweet
Used to be us, four deep in the whip, windows down low
Now I'm up, lookin' down from the penthouse, watchin' myself
Top floor view, city lights blurrin' low, yeah
Used to be down, now I'm watchin' them reap what they sow
What they planted in the dark, yeah the reaper don't lie
Karma's a cold truth, lookin' you dead in the eye
From the ashes, from the danger, I learned how to move
Saw the signs and the shadows, had to break from the groove
Now they stuck in the mud, while the diamonds still shine
Funny how the universe keeps track of the time
Back in the day, young guns, no fear in our hearts, we were wild
Posted on corners, tearin' the city apart, misguided child
Loyalty thick, thought we'd either die for the cause, swore on a block
Breakin' them bread, breakin' them motherfuckin' laws, round the clock
Hit that lick, the one with the safe in the back, the adrenaline rush
Split the pie, thought we were on the right track, movin' with the hush
Flipped them packs, watchin' the paper pie high
Quick and supreme, ignorant bliss, livin' under a cursed sky
Chasin' a dream, funny thing, I saw the rock from the jump
The cracks in the facade, tried to tell them chill
This ain't no endless pump, played the wild card
They just laughed, said, nah, we gon' ride till we crash
Ain't no pretend, blinded by glitter, chasin' the fools
Gold stashed to the bitter end, had to choose my path
Before the chains got too tight, the grip grew strong
Left the dark, stepped in the morning light
Where I truly belong, they call me soft
Said I lost my street cred, left a concrete trail
But I chose my brain, instead of ending up dead or locked in a jail
Lots of cold city lights, blurrin' low, yeah, used to be down
Now I'm watchin' them reap what they sow
What they planted in the dark, yeah, the reaper don't lie
Karma's a cold truth, lookin' you dead in the eye
From the ashes, from the danger, I learned how to move
Saw the signs and the shadows, had to break from the groove
Now they stuck in the mud, while the diamonds still shine
Funny how the universe keeps track of the time
Fast forward years, now the picture is grim, a stark, harsh reality
One locked away, another lost to the sin, buried in futility
Heard about Ray, caught a 30th bid, for that same old game
For the secrets he hid, forever etched in a hall of shame
And little Kev still hustlin' crumbs on the block, lookin' haggard and worn
Lookin' older than his years, punchin' the clock of the streets
Since he was born, not a 9 to 5, but the clock of the grave
Relentless and slow, trapped in a cycle, can't find his own
Two feet, nowhere to go, meanwhile I'm here
Bored room, bespoke attire, my empire stands tall
Built an empire, fueled by a different fire, answered a different call
From them dark alleyways, to a skyline so grand, a testament to might
Got the world in my pocket, new cards in my hand, step into the light
Every dollar they chased, cost them more than it gave us, so crushing fee
Dug their own graves, what they built, couldn't save
For the world to see, the universe balances
Don't matter how long, it finds its own way
Hear that echo, oh friends, this is Karma's song, at the end of the day
I saw you, city lights, blurring low, yeah
Used to be down, now I'm watching them reap
What they sow, what they planted in the dark
Yeah, the reaper don't lie, Karma's a cold truth
Looking you dead in the eye
From the ashes, from the danger, I learned how to move
Saw the signs and the shadows, had to break from the groove
Now they stuck in the mud, while the diamonds still shine
Funny how the universe keeps track of the time
It ain't joy I feel, watching my brothers fall deep, a hollow victory
There's a sadness and triumph, secrets that spirits keep
A shared history, but the lesson is vital
Etched into my very soul, for all to discern
You sow what you reap, lose what you can't control
A harsh lesson to learn
I ain't forget where I came from
The struggle, the grime, the hunger and pain
Just learn to discern, read the hands of time
Through sun and through rain, that street wisdom I gained
Use it to transcend, not just to survive
Escape the quicksand, find my own new wind
Make sure I stayed alive
Yeah, 963, the heartbeat of the street
Still echo in my mind
Some made it out, some got stuck beneath
Left their past behind, karma's real
Ain't no debating that fact, it always comes around
Young kings, choose your path
Once you're on it, ain't no turning back
