Released: August 6, 2002

Featuring: Tanya Herron Nas

Songwriter: MIKE DEAN Nas Scarface

Producer: Lofey MIKE DEAN Scarface

[Verse 1: Nas]
Circumstances are like my first fight I lost
It was swinging, my arms bugging, adrenaline pumping
Oh shit, this little nigga's thugging
I mean, I was thirteen, I was nursing a knot on my face
But chose another time and a place
That I would avenge my last fight cuz the same shit
Ain't gonna happen that just happened last night
Knuckle game changed quicker than lightning
Hit 'em or slice 'em
Either stick 'em or blast pipes, it's the fastlife
I try to give another nigga advice, shoot dice
Do plenty of shit cause this life, how many you get?
How many niggas do you know get two?
Besides a nigga who snitch to skip a life-bid, be one a' your crew
I don't respect killers, I respect O.G. knowledge
Codes of the streets got new rules, but no guidance
Lessons, detrimental to a young disciple
Focus, take care of your brothers, niggas do as I do
Keep your enemies close, where they can see you
It's not your enemy who get you
It's always your own people

[Bridge: Nas]
It's always your own people
It's always your own people
It's always your own people
It's always your own people

[Hook: Tanya Herron]
Mass confusion, in my head
Killing me, driving me mad
Got me wondering, can I trust my friends?
Cuz they stick me in my back every chance they get
Am I paranoid? and if that's the case
Is it curable? Can you help me find my place?
I can't handle this, I'm losing it
With a loose grip I'm hanging on to emptiness
Help your brother, save him from the
Evil demons in between us, came between us

[Verse 2: Scarface]
I know you hate me, don't you
I bet you sit and wish my time never came
You probably rather see me die in the game
You probably rather see me die in a plane
Well ya'll see me up on top of my dough
I get my money shit changed
And niggas start looking at me different than this
And downplay the real nigga shit to get with a bitch
But I'mma tell a motherfucker like this
You only good as what you come up against
Nigga you get what you get
Sure the grass is greener on the other side of the fence
But any attempts and you gonna need the guy in the trench
I'ma starter while you riding the bench
You saying you a player, well I'm the one designing your prints
Something to go by, to let these niggas know I
Don't believe in letting shit slide, nigga gonna die
Best friends since high school seniors
With a homeboys demeanor
But let the bullshit come between us

[Hook: Tanya Herron]
Mass confusion, in my head
Killing me, driving me mad
Got me wondering, can I trust my friends?
Cuz they stick me in my back every chance they get
Am I paranoid? and if that's the case
Is it curable? Can you help me find my place?
I can't handle this, I'm losing it
With a loose grip I'm hanging on to emptiness
Help your brother, save him from the
Evil demons in between us, came between us

[Outro: Scarface]
Ay this um...
This song right here dedicated to the homie Curtis Davis
We love you home, Big Mello, RIP
Facemob for life

Scarface

Brad Terrence Jordan is better known as the legendary rapper/producer Scarface. Hailing from the South Acres neighborhood of Houston, Texas, Scarface entered the rap game as DJ Akshun before he joined the rap group Geto Boys on Rap-A-Lot Records for the group’s 1989 sophomore album Grip It! On That Other Level. In 1991, the Geto Boys released their biggest single “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” and Scarface released his debut solo album Mr. Scarface is Back, which achieved gold status.

Scarface went on to release several critically acclaimed albums, including The Diary (1994), The Untouchable (1997), My Homies (1998), and The Fix (2002), which received a rating of 5 Mics from The Source magazine. In 2000, he was named the president of Def Jam South, and one of his first signings was Ludacris. In 2001, Scarface was named Lyricist of the Year at The Source Awards and he was honored with the I Am Hip Hop lifetime achievement award at the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2015.

He also is a published author, releasing his memoir Diary of a Madman in 2015.