It Takes A Thief

5:30 in the morning and i haven't been to sleep
A pair of raggedly ass prowings on my feet
Ten dollars in my pocket and now i'm on the creep
To the double-up spot cos the shit is comin cheap
It's 1984 and the rocks is all fat
Southern california, la is where it's at
I'm smokin like a motherfuckin choo-choo train
Big cocaine inside my brain, aah
But nobody knows that i'm on the hype
Use to be in cream, well now i hit the pipe
Face sucked in, yellow tooth grin
No bitches, no friends, no ends to spend
I'm stuck like a rat in a sticky ass trap
And i sold everything but my motherfuckin gat
I got a habit like a rabbit and i wanna stop it
But i can't cos i'm locked 'n da closet
Bridge:

Oh make me wanna holler, right into my life
Oh make me wanna holler, right into my life
Oh make me wanna holler, right into my life
Listen homey

No rehabilitation, no wantin to talk to...
Doin crimes on every fuckin place i can walk to
I still get props in the hood when i stroll by
Cos niggas don't know that i'm smokin like popeye
Mama's in the kitchen cookin rice
Daddy's in the pen doin life
Sister gotta husband, she's a wife
And i'm in the backyard hittin the pipe
It's been three or four months since i started usin
It's a uphill battle and now i know i'm losin
I go to the spots where my face ain't familiar
And i cook here jack cos i don't know these niggas
I'm livin like a peasant and it ain't pleasant
I think i need to change my direction
I got the five dollar piece now i'm all in the carpet
In the dark cos i'm locked 'n da closet

Chorus:

Someone's knockin at the door, somebody's ringin a bell
Somebody's locked n da closet, somebody's goin to hell
Do me a favour, open the door and let em have it
Ooh yeah yeah yeah yeah

One year done passed and now i'm lookin dusty
Disgusted because my own mama don't trust me
My sister's on the trip cos she knows i'm on the hit
And i can't take this shit
There's a rumour goin round that i'm puffin heavily
And my neighbours is lookin at me crazy, g
I guess they figured out that i broke in they house
And stole all they shit while they was out
My sister told my aunt and my aunt told pam
And pam let it slip to that bitch roxanne
Roxanne told bill and bill told duke
Now the whole hood knows that i play the flute
But before i lost my respect
I didda lick your dumb ass on a jet, shit!
Now i'm back to life, yeah i'm back to reality
Ain't no side effects or technicalities
There's one thing about it when your life is fucked
At the bottom the only way to go is up, aah
No more cocaine bitches
I kick the door off the motherfuckin hinges
I'm out the closet *screaming*

Chorus:

Someone's knockin at the door, somebody's ringin a bell
Somebody's locked n da closet, somebody's goin to hell
Do me a favour, open the door and let em have it
Let em have it

Someone's knockin at the door, somebody's ringin a bell
Somebody's locked n da closet, somebody's goin to hell
Do me a favour, open the door and let em have it
Ooh yeah yeah yeah yeah

Brainiac, with a zany act, cleptomaniac
Before i go to work i smoke me a fat sack
Of indo, then climb through the window
And eye the vcr, and load it in the pinto, huh!
Yes i'm on my way to the bait
Or should i say the pawn shop, but i don't smoke rocks
Some people say i'm crazy and they think i'm on crack
Cause i hock all the shit and i never get it back
Coolio loco, you better call bronco
Stole a link from my auntie, and sold it to my uncle
Took the flowers from a hearse, romanced a nurse
Put the girl to sleep then i went through her purse
Bandit, underhanded, yes i'm skanless
Snake in the grass fool, i'm taking chances
If the price is right, you can call me a killer
Before i was a rap singer, they called me sticky finger
("but he's stickin you, and takin all of you money" -- guru)
("i ain't never got gaffled like that" - jd)
("don't, you blink, or i'ma rob your ass blind" - sticky fingers)
("what you doin stickin in that people's window?" - richard pryor)
("gimme that...") big fat dope sack
("gimme that...") ca-di-llac
("gimme that...") big gold chain
("that's the life, a-that i lead" -- run-d.m.c.)

Coolio call me shady, janky, slick right
You and your crew better duck from my gunshots
I takes no shit, carryin no drama
If i can't get you i bust a cap on your momma
I never had a grip, so i learn how to shoplift
My trenchcoat is long and now i got some fresh shit
Yeah, buddy, sht's lookin good
Gets much props and respect from the hood
Caps from my raps and a trunk full of hubcaps
Step to the crew, and you're bound to catch a pimp slap
But i don't pimp no bitch for my dough
They got somethin i want, i just rob the hoe
Early birds catch the worm so i crow like a rooster
They follow me round the store because they know that i'm a booster
Tell me what you want and i'll be the stealer
Call me coolio, or call me sticky fingers

("coolio...")
("first they do' ring, now they mob ring")
("told you before, you shouldn'ta never fell asleep" - big daddy kane)
("give it up, give it up, give it up")

I don't wanna go to jail cause i don't like the lockup
Turn out the lights and get ready for the sock up
One plus three equals four for the knockout
Got circles on that ass like a mike tyson punchout
You better hide your shit if you wanna keep it
I'm driving down the street in your 'llac while you're sleepin
I was born with a sickness, that they call brokeness
Never said i was the best, but i'm damn sure the loc'est
Up, up, and away, like a rocket
Some fool got shot, now i'm goin through his pockets
He won't be needin no dollars where he's goin
And when i get to hell i'ma act like i don't know him
I'm takin everything that ain't bolted to the floor
And before i go i steal the knocker of your front door
Let me be free for i'm a thief and a gangster
Before i was a rap singer, they called me sticky fingers

("yeah we want everything... do you have any dreams, we want them too")

Come on y'all let's take a ride
Don't you say shit just get inside
It's time to take your ass on another kind of trip
Coz you can't have the hop if you don't have the hip
Grab your gat with the extra clip and,
Close your eyes and hit the switch
We're going to a place where everybody kick it
Kick it, kick it, yeah... that's the ticket
Ain't no bloodin', ain't no cripin'
Ain't no punk-ass nigga's set trippin'
Everybody's got a stack and it ain't no crack
And it really don't matter if you're white or black, i
Wanna take you there like the staple singers
Put something in the tank and i know that i can bring ya
If you can't take the heat get yo' ass out the kitchen
We're on a mission
Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
Slide slide slippity-slide
With switches on the block in a '65
Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
Slide slide who-ride
Ain't no valley low enough for mountain high

I'm tryin' to find a place where i can live my life and
Maybe eat some steak with my beans and rice, a
Place where my kids can play outside
Without livin' in fear of a drive-by
And even if i get away from them drive-by killers
I still got to worry about those snitch-ass niggas
I keep on searchingcand i keep on looking
But niggas are the same from watts to brooklyn
I try to keep my faith in my people
But sometimes my people be acting like they evil
You don't understand about runnin' with a gang
Coz you don't gang bang, and
You don't have to stand on the corner and slang
Coz you got your own thang
You can't help me if you can't help yourself
You better make a left

Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
Slide slide slippity-slide
I do what i do just to survive
Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
Slide slide who-ride
That's why i pack my .45

Life is a bitch and then you die
Still tryin' to get a peace of the apple pie
Every game ain't the same, coz the game still remains
Don't it seem kinda strange, ain't a damn thing change
If you don't work then you don't eat
And only down-ass niggas can ride with me
Hop-hop-hop your five quickly down the block
Stay sucka-free and keep the busters off your jock
You gotta have hart son, if you wanna go,
Watch this sweet chariot swing low
Ain

Verse one: coolio
When i was a kid i rode crates on a skate
And i ate everything momma put on my plate
Niggaz walked around packin b-b guns
Knock on yo' door and run, just for fun
We went to the sto' and sold bottles fo' a nickel
To feast upon a big bag of cheetos and a pickle
You could get a soda foe less than quarter, and
People used to speak even if they didn't know ya
We fought in the streets like little black soldiers
Shake hands, and still be friends when it was over
We used to play tag and, hide and go seek, or
Hide and go get it if we had a few freaks, but
Now thangs changed, kids ain't the same
They bang, and slang, and blow out brains
I wish i could go back but, wishin is for suckers
Life was so simple then

Chorus one: ?

I remember (i remember) ohhhhhhh
When we used to hang
On the porch, drinkin brew
And now they drive-by (bay-bee)
I remember (i remember) ohhhhhhh
When we used to play
Shoot-em-up, up and down
But now they gang-bang (bay-bee)

Verse two: billy boy

Well i remember yesteryear like it was yesterday
Runnin through the streets of onessa p-a
I take you through my childhood step by step
Daddy always told me to maintain my rep though
Daddy was a dawg he ain't raise no punks
In the midst of the trees we learned how to thump
At the tender age of nine momma put us on a plane
Next stop -- the land of the insane
Compton california where the killers grow
Forced to live a life that i didn't know
Wore the wrong colors cause i didn't know the facts
Call her bitch, caught a case, caught a slug in my back
But i adapted quickly, suckers tried to get me
Now the fools better run cause this just driveby billy
Little black boy from the east
Forced to be a killer, but i can still remember

Chorus two: ?

I remember (i remember) ohhhhhhh
When we used to play
Domino, on the porch
But now they drive-by (bay-bee)

I remember (i remember) ohhhhhhh
When we used to have
Army fights, in the smog
But now they gang-bang (bay-bee)

[coolio] back when i was a kid nigga
We used to have this game called paperball
(paperball? what the fuck is that?)
Get a piece of paper, ball that motherfucker up
And play with it! hahahaha

Verse three: j-ro

I got tha alkaholik juice to wake ya up like a rooster
Back when i was young, i used to be a booster
Stealin candy from the sto', go to school, come up
I had the whole playground, chewin all my gum up
You know what i'm sayin? playin still to the chest
And i was the best, playin kickball at recess
I play pop warner, golden pairs for the losers
We used to hop corners on the fresh deuce cruisers
Playin galaga, space invaders, eatin reese's
I had all the women cause my tough skins had creases
And it's been that way since day one
Girls of the world ain't nothin but fun
I used to watch dr. j, come through in the clutch
Remember new zoo review, and starsky and hutch
I remember lunchtime, we used to rhyme out loud
Peace to the wop and the hip-hop crowd, i remember

Chorus one

Outro: ?

Ohhh, my life, no no
I do remember ohhhhhhhh
I know you do
I remember yesterday
I remember when we played
I remember yesterday, aoowwwwwww!
I remember, hell, when we used to play
In ghetto blocks through the dark
I rememmmmmberrrrrr
Yeahhh yeahhh yeahh
We used to play dominoes all night long
Dominoes all night long
Yesterday, yesterday
Do you remember yesterday? i remember yesterday
You remember remember remember remember...

[wc]
Aiyo coolio, what's up with all these fools always poppin' off at the lip
Talkin' about the last sucka to fuck up, and stuff like that, loc, what's up?
[coolio]
Yeah, don't beleive everything you read, fool

[wc]
Nah, they know what time it is
But, you know, for those who don't know
I think it's time that we step to the mic and set the record straight
Aiyo, g
We're gon' do it like this
Why don't you tell 'em who you're down with loc

[coolio]
Right
All you niggas run and tell a friend, um
Bad mutha fuckas is bad again
Maad circle's in the house for the ninety fo' and
If i tell i got a fo'ty four and
I shoot they ass up like rifleman
'cause i never wore a suit made by dapper dan
Them punk mutha fuckas be hittin' me up
And i hit 'em right back 'cause i don't give a fuck
So throw your mutha fucking m in the sky
If the nigga next to you ain't down, bust him in the eye
If you leaped up your seat you met your doom
Big g could start a fight in an empty room
You fuck with me, you gotta fuck with crazy tunes
Wino, billy boy, p.s. and spoon
I don't give a fuck about you or your crew
(i'm down with the maad ass you know who)

{chorus}
Brothers of the mother maad circle
I'm down with the maad ass you know who

[wc]
Nigga clear the lane, get the kids off the street
It's the one nine nine fo' and *sniffing* i smell booty
Stank ass skag mutha fucka wanna basket
Getting paid by you niggas from the nigga dub' c
The quicker to sticker, sucka nigga killa, bust it
Yo coolio, what's up with these punk mutha fuckas
(i don't know)
Don't they know, um
I gets busy like illegal
Flow like water
Drop bomb shit like a seagull
A janky ass nigga known to sag
And like old english, i'm setting mutha fuckas on they ass
Diggin' graves for the braves, that's a trade when i flow
Decapitating rappers and pissin' down they throats
Cause i'm the, rusty mac pistol macking
And like mike tyson, baby, my style is (causing static)
And jabbin' stabbin' mutha fucka you don't want static
Nineteen ninety fo' and you cowards all done had it
These ol' whack ass niggas getting popped for record deals
I'm broke 'cause it take no skills to pay the bills
But that's alright because i gotta kill a crew
(i'm down with the maad ass you know who)

{chorus}

[coolio]
Another day, another dollar, i'll be there when ya holla
It's the skanded ass, sticky face, alleway scholar
I dip two sticks off a ten dollar, fold it
Turn it to the hook and kick in the door
May all the traytons be forgot
But if you're steppin' to the circle we'll connect your dots
I, always feel like somebody's watchin' me
And, even though you're watchin, you can't stop a g
Cause i been where you're goin' and i know what you see
You might build a rep, but not on the c, double o to the l to the i to the o
With the mutha fucking god damn flow
So, fuck it, fuck it, fo' niggas in a bucket
Wit an old ass janky thirty eight causing ruckus
Yo be a fool tryin' to step to the crew
(i'm down with the maad ass you know who)

{chorus}

[coolio]
Un huh
All you punk ass mutha fuckas
The real steel is in the heel for year feel
Brand new, we're nowhere a year ago, yeah
We're not cooking ya crew, beeyotch

One dark night i need some ends
I got a spot cased out i'm breakin in
I gotta cutter that'll cut thru ya window like butter
Suction cup, window up
Now i'm on the inside lookin for some loot
38 special i don't wanna have to shoot
I ain't no young, raw fresh recruit, uhh
Steel tote boots, black khaki suit
A real quick search and nobody's home
Just like i planned, now i'm home alone
I hope ya don't mind if i use tha phone
And fix me sometin to eat before i'm gone
I got the servant and the china, deuce-five and the 9
Rolex off the desk so i can tell the time
No one knows where the flow goes when the 'dults crow
You better take some no doughs
Now i'm out tha back with a sack fulla goods
Throw it in the truck, take it back to the hood
Let me be brief, i'm on the creep
I stole the sounds out'cha jeep, it takes a thief

Chorus:

Oh yeah! it takes a thief
Yeah yeah! it takes a thief
It takes a motherfuckin thief! it takes a thief
Keep both eyes open when you go to sleep
Oh yeah! it takes a thief
Yeah, yeah! it takes a thief
It takes a motherfuckin thief! it takes a thief
Keep ya hand on your gun when i'm on the creep

I need a lick real quick-like
My mind ain't wrapped tight
I scale like mike tys so call this fright night
You don't wanna see me comin down the street when i'm broke and it's dark
So run your motherfuckin pockets 'fore they find your ass dead in the park
Put your hands behind your head and interlock your fingers
No i ain't the cops, i just want your rings
And your wallet and your watch and your fat gold chain
Don't try nuttin strange or i'm blowin out'cha brains
I rob from the rich so i can get rich
I ain't got shit so i take what i can get
I need my mail, my snaps, my dollars, my ends
My grip ain't high enough so i'm robbin on my friends
Somebody out there's out to get me
The smaller the nigga, the bigger the gat be
I don't give a fuck about your pain and your grief
You shouldn't of fell asleep, it takes a thief

Chorus x 1/2

There's a buster on the west side, i heard he gotta grip
And he's outta town on business so i'm schemin on his shit
I heard he got kis and gs and deeds
And guns and big trash bags full o' weed
I stole a brand new fresh shaft telephone van
So now i guess i'm the telephone man
The bathroom window ain't got no alarm
I gotta skelton brick that works like a charm
It didn't take long to find what i was lookin for
I was damned near finished when i heard a key in the door
I jumped in the closet and checked my clip
Pulled my ski mask down, i can't believe this shit
I counted to five and the front door opened up
I counted three more and the front door was shut
I counted five more to give me some space
Then i jumped out the closet and bucked him in the face
I loaded up the van in broad daylight
Cos looky lou's have their high beams on at night
I take the backstreets to avoid the heat
And never let em see me sweat, it takes a thief

Chorus

Outro:

Oh yeah!
Yeah yeah!
Hey yeah!
Just a reminder to let you know
There's motherfuckers out there that want your shit
So you better watch out, better watch your back
Can't be goin to sleep, protect your shit
Know what i'm sayin?

Intro:(coolio talking)
This record goes out to all you fake ass, gangsta baller bueschwa-minded ass house niggas who forget their colour. put on a suit and tie and escape from the ghetto and don't never come back. yea
Herfucker, you can run but you sure can't hide!
Deep down in the jungle with a crack to the throat
Niggas kill niggas for steppin on their toe
A girl is a bitch and a lady is a ho
When anything goes for a little bit o'docey
Shit get cooked by thugs and crooks
With the knowledge of a scholar but they don't read books
Everyday is a chance that ya life might go
So today is a day that ya gotta get paid
Slang them ki's,make them g's
Do what'cha want but ya sell what'cha please
But don't fuck ??? where you come from
Cos when you do that you're done
Remember your niggas and bitches and your trojans
And take it to your pockets for some fitness
When ya get it goin and ya got it goin good
Ya better bring back somethin for da hood

Hook 1
Bring back somethin fo da hood motherfucker!
Bring back somethin fo da hood!
Repeat

La county what's goin on?
1993 modern day babylon
Peace to the niggas from the street
And rest in peace to the others that's six feet deep
Welcome to the fool and he strikes when he's back
And the snake come around,go around and get ape
Top down,slipped on co-run they none
Every (?cisscrack?)-caine ain't no fun
Black cop white cop *gun shot*
Fuck the colour of skin make sure he shot *gun shot*
Escape from a jail cell,split away from hell
And all i want for christmas is a glock and some shells
Billy boy takes the pictures,(?rak watch the room?)
Five-i-seven on my switch,we got out early
Taddle-tails get dropped an' they get got good
So get this stoob nigga for the hood

Hook 2
Get that nigga fo da hood motherfucker!
Get that nigga fo da hood!
Repeat

Interlude
Them niggas ain't playin!(x 3)
(what'cha gonna do when you get out of jail?)
Get that nigga fo da hood

Verse 3
You must remember dis if you're black and you're rich
One push come to shove they'll take your shit
Martin luther king didn't wear a diamond ring
But he had a dream to let freedom reign
My homie red foxx got played like blocks
Pick em up sticks,jacks and hop-scotch
???,aggravation,there's no end to the situation
Cos niggas need a place to meet,a place to sleep
A place to eat and rest they feet
But nobody really even gives a fuck
That's why so many niggas is maggot'd up,huh
You claimin the hood but you don't back it up
Fool!and when they catch ya ass,they gonna fuck you up
So when you get it goin and ya got it goin good
You better bring back somethin fo da hood

Repeat hook 1(x 2)

Outro
Bring back somethin fo da hood motherfucker
(haa-aah!haa-aah!haa-aah!)