Released on January 1, 1994

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[Verse 1: Prodigy]

I open my eyes to the streets where I was raised as a man

And learned to use my hands for protection

In scuffles, throw all my blows in doubles

I'm coming from Queens motherfucker carrying guns in couples

And wilding, a Q-U soldier

From Lefrak to Rockaway back to Queensbridge

Black it's only crack sales makin niggas act like that

Back in the days we could scrap, now you lay on your back

As things changed with time I traded in my knuckles for a Mac-10

And rather live the life of crime

With my Bed-Stuy connection connected in two

It's live Boo start shit too wild for you

Peace to, Baisley, Forty-P get down

And when you outta town represent your ground

Them niggas bleed just like us so show em where we come from

Queens; leavin niggas done Son

[Chorus: Prodigy & AZ sample]

To all my peoples locked up from Queens doin' time, we still (Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

Playin' the street game, the only way to get by is

(Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

To all my peoples locked up from Queens doin' time, we still (Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

Playin' the street game, the only way to get by is

(Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

[Verse 2: Havoc, Prodigy & AZ sample]

As we sling on the corners like we always do

Son get that loot quick, spending dough like I never had shit

I'm living large pushin luxury cars

Though that shit is outta reach, anybody in my wake gets scarred

Permanently bed-ridden

And if you're pussy, then motherfucker get in where you fit in

As I walk around the streets

Son I got mad beef, I'mma blast you before you blast me

That's my philosophy cause nowadays you gotta be relentless

Grab my Mac and slap a nigga senseless

Don't try to play me if you do you better D.O.A. me

Son I got em shook grab a little baby for shields

You got drama run for shelter for real

Pour some beer for the ill ain't no time to chill

Hit em up cause I'm quick to erupt like this

Wet 'em up with the MAC scratch em off my list

Show em, the real meaning of drama you never had it

Til you bumped heads with the Havoc

Ain't nuttin' soft or sweet, I lift you off your feet

When I cock back the heat, whole crews retreat

Ain't nuttin' soft or sweet, I lift you off your feet

When I cock back the heat, whole crews retreat

Foundation

(Packin' steel, gettin' high)

The Queens Nation

(Packin' steel, gettin' high)

[Chorus: Prodigy & AZ sample]

To all my peoples locked up from Queens doin' time, we still (Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

Playin' the street game, the only way to get by is

(Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

To all my peoples locked up from Queens doin' time, we still (Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

Playin' the street game, the only way to get by is

(Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)


[Verse 3: Prodigy]

Everything is real inside my mind; these days

You can't make it if you ain't affiliated with crime

A lifetime of street living

Throughout the beef I've accumulated many slugs have been given

But wilding ain't the way to be livin'

You're only gonna end up bloody on a floor shivering

Or locked up, caught inside the beast

Meanwhile on the street saying no more peace

My man, Sto-Bo, kid hold your own

In a cell locked down not far from home

And at the same time on the outside I'm representin'

Still packin' heat make you cowards keep steppin'

Getting high, it's cause of the lye, I can't lie

I could move the crowd poppin' slugs in the sky

Why come around if you afraid of what's over here

My man Havoc put the bug in my ear

On the real, for real, but wait, it gets realer

Real like an innocent child that turned killer

It's things like that that only makes things iller

Makin' cream doin' sticks if you ain't a drug dealer

It's only facts coming out of my mouth piece

As far as I can see these streets is getting sour

Q, U, too much drama to get into

And niggas regret when they begin to

Regardless of your name or what you been through

Pause for a second, open your eyes and think dude

Life ain't the game that it seems to be

Fuck a fantasy I'm leaving in reality

Caught up in this untouchable mentality

Hit you up bad, make you loose a few calories

I need to slow down, movin' through life at a high speed

Watchin all the slow runners pass by me

I can see through you, due to, my Queens education

Speakin' in behalf of this drug-game nation

The Foundation

The Queens nation

[Chorus: Prodigy & AZ sample]

To all my peoples locked up from Queens doin' time, we still (Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

Playin' the street game, the only way to get by is

(Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

To all my peoples locked up from Queens doin' time, we still (Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

Playin' the street game, the only way to get by is

(Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)

[Verse 4: Havoc & AZ sample]

Living in this hell hole, a place that I call home

But check my dough and nine, ain’t nobody taking mine

It’s a high price trying to live a full life

Yo it’s a struggle invite, living through these trife nights

Drama everywhere I turn, kid watch your back

It’s the liquor talking to him making him act like that

In this year of the 9-4, it’s more real than ever

Ain’t nobody safe in the land of terror

Niggas catching strays, you’ll be lucky if you get grazed

I’m out to get paid, making loot in quick ways

Access the sex, pushing Acs across state

And Buddha make it on time to my court date

My destiny’ll be the death of me, to walk the light

To a slug that moves niggas, so put that in your pipe

Don’t ever get caught dozing in the mist of the action

Stuck without hoes and broken down to a fraction

Cause times a change, got to endure the pain

So I’m

(Keepin' it real, packin' steel, gettin' high)