X the Unknown Variable - Halfway Crooks lyrics

[Verse 1: X the Unknown Variable] Pressure is applied to the nerves of 9-to-5ers You better recognize the roots of 25-to-lifers The youth is empowered through the handling of business We're handed crack and coke and react with acquired quickness Once we see the P.L.O.W., Purple Lights on Walls All Hell breaks loose, and that's when downfalls begin The avalanche of lives that would prosper In a different area without a foreign roster We're forced by oppressors of forms that vary To "grow some balls and not act like "fairies" Only "f*ggots" cry and only "b**hes" back down from an Enemy, you better lay the smack down There's no such thing as men who are pitiful There's no such thing as part-time criminals We're told to react when given certain looks, homie (Ain't no such thing as halfway crooks!) [Hook] Ain't no such thing as halfway crooks! x4 Real Gs fear no man, real men fight Gangsters aren't afraid of crime You better learn to throw jabs and right hooks, (because) Ain't no such thing as halfway crooks! [Verse 2: X the Unknown Variable] Look into the souls of people seen as danger Don't judge a book by its cover, let alone a stranger Realize that there are certain rules that were applied Once the gangster era came and gore was glorified You don't have enough money? Stand in the welfare line And f** the system that f**s us with lies You still don't have the cash? Well I've got a list of windows that are easy to smash Now, not everyone will share the same sentiment But if he refuses, he'll be seen as feminine That's the effect of the culture that's viewed as Perfect and golden, tried and true The more of a threat that you are perceived as Gives you more respect on these streets Yeah, that's the code of honor That's gotten rid of so many brothers and fathers! [Hook] [Verse 3: X the Unknown Variable] Testosterone rules in the Bad Man's land With a fist of iron pounding down on those who choose to stand out Out of the circle, outside the chain Reaction's aim to keep us all the same Close-minded apes beat their chests Until they wear a black and purple vest It covers the red, human heart in their anatomy If I were gay, I'd lose all the trust that they had in me What is it about the life that they live That drives certain few to stab them with shivs? It drives many more to stare them down with daggers There's more than one way to be labeled an attacker You don't seem to have a problem with it When you see two girls macking after bottles and hits One more thing, if you would let me That's called a hypocrite if I remember correctly! [Hook]