[Chorus 1: Keon Bryce]

There's a war in the streets tonight

And nobody's really feeling alright

I got a blunt for my chronic, a juice for my tonic

I know now that I'm feeling right, if it goes down

'Cause my third eye sees the lowdown

And I know it's not my time to go now

'Cause God's got my back in this showdown

So I know we'll be alright

[Verse 1: Nas]

Yeah, Brooks Brothers overcoat, know the ropes, smooth as Hall & Oates

Briefcase, silk ties, slick as them older folks

Silver fo'-fo', cocked? No

My chauffeur driver just left, some of my colleagues smoking that Cali

Caught a glimpse of myself in the Barney's shop window

Kinda see my father's features creeping in a little

Got an office on Broadway, business in Jamaica

Tell my daughter "Try the hardest," so the best schools'll take her

And I'm late to a date with my wife, I realize

I stopped to shop, had to get her some type surprise

And I'm walking through it, chaos is all around me

But God got me, no fear, through the fire, try and stop me

[Chorus 2: Keon Bryce & Nas]

There's a war in the streets tonight

And all this drama's got me feeling uptight

I don't know what I'll do, if I don't see my boo

'Cause she's standing on the corner of Linden Boulevard (Uh)

Holding our baby, and her baby, in her arms (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

So hold on, your daddy's in sight

[Verse 2: Nas]

Yeah, '9-4, Destiny opens her eyes

For the first time, praise God, baby mom's crying

Planned to be a strong black family

But we both were too young, too strung, too much flashing

Newcomer called Verbal Assassin running with

Nothing but the worst type, worst fight

When we brought my baby home the first night

Cursed like sailors, burst out the crib, raging

In my new car, bought from entertainment

Champagne and gaining clout fast, whiplash

Did this bitch just pass in the club hugged up? Stupid ass

Grabbed her by the pony tail, "Never disrespect me"

I'm a street vet, regret the sex, but not Desi

Moved back to your grandma, I'm single, the Land's mine

She keeps the Benz, I'm all in the streets again

Squeezing the pen, released again, chart toppers

Hard-bottoms blessed the feet, now less baby moms problems

New woman, she's great, this a different world

Checking out my wife's chemistry with my little girl

It's so amazing, playing, life is so crazy

I'm grown up and thankful for lessons God gave me

[Chorus 1: Keon Bryce]

There's a war in the streets tonight

And nobody's really feeling alright

I got a blunt for my chronic, a juice for my tonic

I know now that I'm feeling right if it goes down

'Cause my third eye sees the lowdown

And I know it's not my time to go now

'Cause God's got my back in this showdown

So I know we'll be alright

[Instrumental Changes:]

[Outro: Olu Dara]

From the day you was born...

Your daughter Destiny, was one of your destinations...