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I once knew a nigga whose real name was William
– Ech wousst eemol En Nigger deem säi richtegen Numm William war
His primary concern was makin’ a million
– Seng Haaptsuerg war eng Millioun ze verdéngen
Bein’ the illest hustler that the world ever seen
– Sief dee béisste Stricher deen d ‘ Welt je gesinn huet
He used to fuck movie stars and sniff coke in his dreams
– Hien huet Filmstäre gefickt an De Cola a sengen Dreem geschnëppelt
A corrupted young mind at the age of 13
– E korrupte jonke Geescht Am alter vun 13
Nigga never had a father and his mom was a fiend
– Nigga hat ni E Papp a seng Mamm war En Däiwel
She put the pipe down, but for every year she was sober
– Si huet D ‘ Päif erofgesat, awer fir all Joer war se sober
Her son’s heart simultaneously grew colder
– Gläichzäiteg gouf d Häerz vun hirem Jong méi kal
He started hangin’ out, sellin’ bags in the projects
– Hien huet ugefaang ze hänken A Poschen an de Projeten ze verkafen
Checkin’ the young chicks, lookin’ for hit-and-run prospects
– Kontrolléiert déi jonk Poussins a sichen No Hit-A Run Perspektiven
He was fascinated by material objects
– Hie war faszinéiert vu materiellen Objeten
But he understood money never bought respect
– Awer hien huet verstanen Datt Suen ni Respekt verkafen
He built a reputation, ’cause he could hustle and steal
– Hien huet E Ruff Opgebaut well hie konnt presséieren a klauen
But got locked once and didn’t hesitate to squeal
– Awer eemol agespaart an zéckt net ze kräischen
So criminals he chilled with didn’t think he was real
– Also Krimineller mat deenen hie sech ofkillt hunn net geduecht datt hien echt wier
You see, me and niggas like this have never been equal
– Dir gesitt, ech an Esou Nigger waren nach ni gläich
I don’t project my insecurities on other people
– Ech projizéieren meng Onsécherheeten net op aner Leit
He fiended for props like addicts with pipes and needles
– Hie gär Requisiten wéi Ofhängeger mat Päifen an Nadelen
And so he felt he had to prove to everyone he was evil
– An esou huet hien gefillt datt hie jidderengem muss beweisen datt hien béis war
A feeble-minded young man with infinite potential
– E schwaache jonke mann mat onendleche Potenzial
The product of a ghetto-bred capitalistic mental
– De Produit vun enger kapitalistescher Mentalitéit am Ghetto
Coincidentally dropped out of school to sell weed
– Zoufälleg Aus Der Schoul gefall Fir Gras ze verkafen
Dancin’ with the Devil, smoked until his eyes would bleed
– Mam Däiwel danzen, fëmmen, bis seng Aen bludden
But he was sick of sellin’ trees and gave in to his greed
– Awer hien ass midd Vu Beem ze verkafen an huet Senger Gier opginn
Everyone tryin’ to be trife, never face the consequences
– Jiddereen dee probéiert Eng Klengegkeet ze sinn, muss sech ni De Konsequenze stellen
You probably only did a month for minor offenses
– Dir hutt wahrscheinlech nëmmen ee Mount fir kleng Violatioune gemaach
Ask a nigga doin’ life if he had another chance
– Frot en Nigger Deen D ‘ Liewe mécht wann hien nach eng Chance hätt
But then again, there’s always the wicked that knew in advance
– Awer dann erëm, et ginn ëmmer Déi Béis, déi Et am Viraus woussten
Dance forever with the Devil on a cold cell block
– Danz fir ëmmer mam Däiwel op engem kale Zellblock
But that’s what happens when you rape, murder, and sell rock
– Awer dëst geschitt wann dir vergewaltegt, ermuert a Rock verkaaft
Devils used to be God’s angels that fell from the top
– Däiwel ware Fréier Gottes Engelen, déi vun uewen gefall sinn
There’s no diversity because we’re burnin’ in the melting pot
– Et gëtt keng Varietéit well mir am Schmelzpot verbrennen
So Billy started robbin’ niggas, anything he could do
– Also Huet De Billy Ugefaang Niggas ze beréieren, alles wat hie konnt maachen
To get his respect back in the eyes of his crew
– Fir säi Respekt an den Ae vu senger Crew zréckzekréien
Startin’ fights over little shit up on the block
– Start Schluechte fir kleng Schäiss um Block
Stepped up to sellin’ mothers and brothers the crack rock
– Opgetrueden Fir Mammen a Bridder De Crack Rock ze verkafen
Workin’ overtime for makin’ money for the crack spot
– Iwwerstonnen ze maachen Fir Sue fir De Crack Spot ze verdéngen
Hit the jackpot and wanted to move up to cocaine
– De Jackpot huet geknackt a wollt Op Kokain eropgoen
Fulfillin’ the Scarface fantasy stuck in his brain
– Erfëllt Déi Narben Gesiichtsfantasie déi a sengem Gehir stécht
Tired of the block niggas treatin’ him the same
– Midd vun De Block Niggas déi hien gläich behandelen
He wanted to be major like the cut throats and the thugs
– Hie wollt Major sinn wéi déi duerchschnëttlech Hals A Veräiner
But when he tried to step to ’em, niggas showed him no love
– Awer wéi hie probéiert op si ze trëppelen, Hunn Niggas him Keng Léift gewisen
They told him any motherfuckin’ coward can sell drugs
– Si hunn him gesot all verdammt Feigling kéint Drogen verkafen
Any bitch nigga with a gun can bust slugs
– All Bitch mat Enger Waff ka Schleeken opblosen
Any nigga with a red shirt can front like a Blood
– All Roude Shirtnigger ka wéi E Blutt vir sinn
Even Puffy smoked a motherfucker up in the club
– Souguer Puffy huet e Mammefucker am Club gefëmmt
But only a real thug can stab someone ’til they die
– Awer nëmmen e richtege Rackett kann een stiechen bis e stierft
Standin’ in front of them, starin’ straight into their eyes
– Ech stinn virun hinnen a kucken direkt an hir Aen
Billy realized that these men were well-guarded
– Billy realiséiert datt dës Männer gutt bewaacht goufen
And they wanted to test him before business started
– A si wollten hien testen ier D ‘ Geschäft ugefaang huet
Suggested rapin’ a bitch to prove he was cold-hearted
– Virgeschloen eng Bitch ze vergewaltegt fir ze beweisen datt hie kalhäerzeg war
So now he had a choice between goin’ back to his life
– Elo hat hien D ‘ Wiel zréck a Säi Liewen ze kommen
Or makin’ money with made men up in the cyph’
– Oder mat erfonnten Männer Am Chiffer Geld verdéngen
His dreams about cars and ice made him agree
– Seng Dreem Vun Autoen An Äis hunn hien zougestëmmt
A hardcore nigga is all he ever wanted to be
– En Hardcore Nigger ass alles wat hie jeemools wollt sinn
And so he met them Friday night at a quarter to three
– An esou Begéint hien Hatt Freideg Nuecht Um Véierel virun dräi
Everyone tryin’ to be trife, never face the consequences
– Jiddereen dee probéiert Eng Klengegkeet ze sinn, muss sech ni De Konsequenze stellen
You probably only did a month for minor offenses
– Dir hutt wahrscheinlech nëmmen ee Mount fir kleng Violatioune gemaach
Ask a nigga doin’ life if he had another chance
– Frot en Nigger Deen D ‘ Liewe mécht wann hien nach eng Chance hätt
But then again, there’s always the wicked that knew in advance
– Awer dann erëm, et ginn ëmmer Déi Béis, déi Et am Viraus woussten
Dance forever with the Devil on a cold cell block
– Danz fir ëmmer mam Däiwel op engem kale Zellblock
But that’s what happens when you rape, murder, and sell rock
– Awer dëst geschitt wann dir vergewaltegt, ermuert a Rock verkaaft
Devils used to be God’s angels that fell from the top
– Däiwel ware Fréier Gottes Engelen, déi vun uewen gefall sinn
There’s no diversity because we’re burnin’ in the melting pot
– Et gëtt keng Varietéit well mir am Schmelzpot verbrennen
They drove around the projects slow while it was rainin’
– Si si lues duerch D ‘ Projete gefuer wéi et gereent huet
Smokin’ blunts, drinkin’ and jokin’ for entertainment
– Fëmmen, Drénken A Witz fir Ënnerhalung
Until they saw a woman on the street, walkin’ alone
– Bis se eng Fra op Der Strooss gesinn hunn, déi eleng gaang ass
Three in the mornin’, comin’ back from work, on her way home
– Dräi auer moies, kënnt zréck vun Der Aarbecht, Um Heemwee
And so they quietly got out the car and followed her
– An esou si si roueg Aus Dem Auto geklommen an hir gefollegt
Walkin’ through the projects, the darkness swallowed her
– Wéi ech duerch D ‘Projete gaange Sinn, huet D’ Däischtert Se verschléckt
They wrapped her shirt around her head and knocked her onto the floor
– Si hunn Hiert Hiem ëm de Kapp gewéckelt an op De Buedem geheit
“This is it, kid, now you got your chance to be raw”
– “Dat Ass Et, Jong, elo hutt dir är Chance réi ze sinn “
So Billy yoked her up and grabbed the chick by the hair
– De Billy huet Se zesumme gespannt an Huet de Chick Un D Hoer gegraff
And dragged her into a lobby that had nobody there
– An hatt an eng Lobby gezunn an där keen war
She struggled hard, but they forced her to go up the stairs
– Si huet haart gekämpft awer si gezwongen hatt op D ‘ Trap eropzegoen
They got to the roof and then held her down on the ground
– Si sinn Op Den Daach geklommen an hunn se dunn um Buedem gehalen
Screamin’, “Shut the fuck up, and stop movin’ around!”
– “Neen!” wier do ganz onhéiflech.”
The shirt covered her face, but she screamed and clawed
– Den Hiem huet hiert Gesiicht ofgedeckt, awer si huet gejaut a geklaut
So Billy stomped on the bitch until he’d broken her jaw
– De Billy huet Op D ‘ Bitch gestampt bis hien de Kiefer gebrach hat
The dirty bastards knew exactly what they were doin’
– Déi dreckeg Baaschterte woussten genee wat se maachen
They kicked her until they cracked her ribs and she stopped movin’
– Si hunn hatt getrëppelt bis se Hir Rippen knacken a si sech net méi beweegt
Blood leakin’ through the cloth, she cried silently
– Blutt leckt duerch De Stoff, si kräischt roueg
And then they all proceeded to rape her violently
– An dunn hunn se se all zwangsleefeg vergewaltegt
Billy was made to go first, but each of them took a turn
– De Billy huet missen als éischt goen, awer jidderee vun hinnen huet En Twist geholl
Rippin’ her up and chokin’ her until her throat burned
– Et gëtt ebe versicht op allen niveaue suen ze spueren.
Her broken jaw mumbled for God, but they weren’t concerned
– Hire gebrachene Kiefer mummelt No Gott, awer si ware net besuergt
When they were done and she was layin’
– Wéi se fäerdeg waren a si louch
Bloody, broken and bruised
– Bluddeg, gebrach a blesséiert
One of them niggas pulled out a brand new .22
– Ee vun dësen Niggas huet e fuschneie erausgeholl .22
They told him that she was a witness of what she’d gone through
– Si hunn him gesot datt si Eng Zeie war vun deem wat hatt duerchgaang ass
And if he killed her, he was guaranteed a spot in the crew
– A wann hien hatt ëmbruecht huet, war him eng Plaz an Der Crew garantéiert
He thought about it for a minute, she was practically dead
– Hien huet eng Minutt driwwer nogeduecht, si war praktesch dout
And so he leaned over and put the gun right to her head
– An esou huet hie sech no vir gebéit an d Waff direkt op De Kapp gehalen
I’m fallin’ and I can’t turn back
– Ech falen an ech kann net réckgängeg maachen
I’m fallin’ and I can’t turn back
– Ech falen an ech kann net réckgängeg maachen
Right before he pulled the trigger and ended her life
– Kuerz ier hien ofgedréckt huet an hiert Liewen opgehalen huet
He thought about the cocaine with the platinum and ice
– Hien huet un De Kokain mat Der Platin an Äis geduecht
And he felt strong standin’ along with his new brothers
– An hie fillt sech staark mat sengen neie Bridder ze stoen
Cocked the gat to her head and pulled back the shirt cover
– Setzt D ‘ Paart op de Kapp an huet Den Hiemdeckel zréckgezunn
But what he saw made him start to cringe and stutter
– Awer wat hie gesinn huet, huet hie gekrasch a gestëppelt
‘Cause he was starin’ into the eyes of his own mother
– Well hien an Seng Ae vu senger Eegener Mamm gekuckt huet
She looked back at him and cried ’cause he had forsaken her
– Si huet hien ugekuckt a gekrasch well hien hatt verlooss huet
She cried more painfully than when they were rapin’ her
– Dat gëtt an Israel och Kaum kritesch begleet.
His whole world stopped, he couldn’t even contemplate
– Seng ganz Welt huet opgehalen, hie konnt net emol driwwer nodenken
His corruption had successfully changed his fate
– Seng Korruptioun huet säi Schicksal erfollegräich geännert
And he remembered how his mom used to come home late
– An hien huet sech drun erënnert wéi seng Mamm fréier spéit heem koum
Workin’ hard for nothin’, because now what was he worth?
– Schwéier fir näischt geschafft, well wat war hien elo wäert?
He turned away from the woman that had once given him birth
– Hien huet sech vun Der Fra ofgedréit, déi hien eemol gebuer huet
And cryin’ out to the sky, ’cause he was lonely and scared
– Et gëtt Him E bessert kierperbewosstsein.
But only the Devil responded, ’cause God wasn’t there
– Awer nëmmen Den Däiwel huet geäntwert well Gott net do war
And right then he knew what it was to be empty and cold
– An zu deem Moment wousst hie wat et heescht eidel a kal ze sinn
And so he jumped off the roof and died with no soul
– An esou sprang hien vum Daach a stierft ouni Séil
They say death takes you to a better place, but I doubt it
– Si soen Den Doud hëlt iech op eng besser Plaz, awer ech bezweifelen et
After that, they killed his mother, and never spoke about it
– Duerno hunn se seng Mamm ëmbruecht an ni driwwer geschwat
And listen, ’cause the story that I’m tellin’ is true
– A lauschtert, well D ‘ Geschicht déi ech erzielen ass wouer
‘Cause I was there with Billy Jacobs, and I raped his mom too
– Well ech war do Mam Billy Jacobs an ech hunn och Seng Mamm vergewaltegt
And now the Devil follows me everywhere that I go
– An elo follegt Den Däiwel mech iwwerall wou ech ginn
In fact, I’m sure he’s standin’ among one of you at my shows
– Tatsächlech sinn ech sécher datt hien ënner iech op meng Shows ass
And every street cypher, listenin’ to little thugs flow
– An all Stroossenzypherie lauschtert op kleng Veräiner fléissen
He could be standin’ right next to you, and you wouldn’t know
– Hie kéint direkt nieft iech stoen an dir wësst et net
The Devil grows inside the hearts of the selfish and wicked
– Den Däiwel wiisst an Den Häerzer vun De Egoisteschen a Béisen
White, brown, yellow and black — color is not restricted
– Wäiss, brong, giel a schwaarz-Faarf ass net limitéiert
You have a self-destructive destiny when you’re inflicted
– Dir hutt e selbstdestruktivt Schicksal wann dir ugedoen sidd
And you’ll be one of God’s children that fell from the top
– An dir wäert Ee Vu Gottes Kanner sinn, déi vun uewe gefall sinn
There’s no diversity because we’re burnin’ in the melting pot
– Et gëtt keng Varietéit well mir am Schmelzpot verbrennen
So when the Devil wants to dance with you, you better say never
– Also wann Den Däiwel mat iech danze wëll, besser sot dir ni
Because a dance with the Devil might last you forever
– Well En Danz mam Däiwel kéint iech fir ëmmer daueren
Oh, y’all motherfuckers thought it was over, huh?
– Oh, dir Hutt geduecht et wier eriwwer, oder?
Well, it’s not, you didn’t count on a fallen angel gettin’ back
– Elo ass et net, dir hutt net erwaart datt e gefallenen Engel zréckkënnt
Into the grace of God and comin’ after you
– Et Gëtt Kee Gott ausser dir, de staarken, den treien.
Y’all niggas ain’t shit, your producers ain’t shit
– Dir Nigger Sidd net Schäiss, är Produzente Si kee Schäiss
Your fuckin’ A & R ain’t shit
– Däin a & R Ass kee Schäiss
I’ll fuckin’ wipe my ass with your demo deal
– Wife fucks my ass
Yo, Diabolic, take this motherfucker’s head off
– Yo, Diabolic, huelt de Kapp vun dësem Wicker of
Go ‘head and grip Glocks
– Go ‘ Kapp A Grëff Glocks
I’ll snap your trigger finger in six spots
– Ech wäert ären Ausléiserfanger op sechs Plazen knipsen
You’ll have to lip lock with hypodermic needles to lick shots
– Dir musst D ‘ Lëpsen mat Injektiounsnadelen spären fir Schëss ze lecken
I’ll watch you topple flat
– Ech kucken wéi dir flaach fällt
Put away your rings and holla back
– Stiech är Réng ewech an holla zréck
Can’t freestyle; you’re screwed off the top, like bottle caps
– Kann Net Freestyle; du bass Vun Der Spëtzt ofgeschrauft, wéi Flaschenkappen
Beneath the surface
– Ënnert Der Uewerfläch
I’m overheatin’ your receiving circuits
– Ech iwwerhëtzen är Empfangskreesser
By unleashin’ deeper verses than priests speak in churches
– Andeems dir Méi déif Verse lassloosst wéi Paschtéier a Kierchen schwätzen
What you preach is worthless
– Wat dir priedegt ass wäertlos
Your worship defeat the purpose
– Deng Veréierung besiegt Den Zweck
Like President Bush takin’ bullets for the secret service
– Wéi De President Bush Bäll fir Intelligenz hëlt
Beyond what y’all fathom, I shit on cats and jaw tap ’em
– Doriwwer eraus wat dir maache kënnt, schäissen Ech Op Kazen a tippen op Se
Show no compassion, like havin’ a straight-faced orgasm
– Weist kee Matgefill wéi wann dir En Orgasmus mat Engem Richtege Gesiicht hätt
Tour jack ’em, have his half-a-10 bitch suck my friend’s dick
– Tour jack ‘ em, looss seng hallef 10er Bitch de Schwanz vu mengem Frënd saugen
In the meantime, you can french kiss this clenched fist
– Mëttlerweil kënnt dir dës gebakene Faust Zongkuss
Diabolic: a one-man brigade spreadin’ cancer plague
– Diabolesch: Eng One-Man-Brigade verbreet D ‘ Kriibspest
Fist-fuckin’ a pussy’s face, holdin’ a hand grenade
– Eng Muschi mat Enger Fauscht an D ‘ Gesiicht ficken, eng Handgranat halen
So if I catch you bluffin’, faggot, you’re less than nothin’
– Also wann ech Dech Bluffen, Fagot, sidd dir manner wéi näischt
I just had to get that stress off my chest like breast reduction
– Ech hu just dëse Stress vu menger Broscht missen huelen wéi Broschtreduktioun
You motherfuckers are nothin’, you cannot harm me
– Dir Wickelt sidd näischt, dir kënnt mir näischt maachen
I’ll resurrect every aborted baby and start an army
– Ech wäert all ofgebaute Puppelchen erëmbeliewen an Eng Arméi grënnen
Storm the planet, huntin’ you down, ’cause I’m on a mission
– Stuerm De Planéit a verfollegt dech well Ech Op Enger Missioun sinn
To split your body into a billion one-celled organisms
– Deelt äre Kierper an Eng Milliard Eenzellularer
Immortal Technique’ll destroy your religion, you stupid bitch
– Onstierflech Technik wäert är Relioun zerstéieren, dir domm Bitch
You’re faker than blue-eyed crackers nailed to a crucifix
– Dir sidd Méi Gefälscht wéi blo-eyed Cracker déi un e Kräizkräiz nagelt sinn
I’m ’bout to blow up, like NASA Challenger computer chips
– Ech wäert explodéieren wéi NASA Challenger Computerchips
Arsenic language transmitted revolutionarily
– Industrie-revolutioun preparéieren
I’m like time itself: I’m gonna kill you inevitably
– Ech si wéi D ‘ Zäit selwer: ech wäert dech zwangsleefeg ëmbréngen
Chemically bomb you, fuck usin’ a chrome piece
– Chemesch bombardéiert iech, féck mat Engem Chrom Stéck
I’m Illmatic, you won’t make it home, like Jerome’s niece
– Ech sinn morbid, dir maacht Et net heem, wéi Dem Jerome Seng Niess
I’ll sever your head diagonally for thinkin’ of dissin’ me
– Ech wäert äre Kapp an engem wénkel ofschneiden well dir geduecht hutt mech ze enttäuschen
And then use your dead body to write my name in calligraphy
– An da benotzt ären doudege Kierper fir mäin Numm A Kalligraphie ze schreiwen
This puppet democracy brain-washed your psychology
– Dës Marionettendemokratie huet Hir Psychologie Gehirwäsch ënnerworf
So you’re nothin’, like diversity without equality
– Also dir sidd näischt, wéi Diversitéit ouni Gläichheet
And your crew is full of more faggots than Greek mythology
– An är Crew ass voller Fagots wéi griichesch Mythologie
Usin’ numerology to count the people I sent to Heaven
– Benotzt Numerologie fir D ‘ Leit ze zielen déi Ech An Den Himmel geschéckt hunn
Produces more digits than 22 divided by seven
– Generéiert Méi Zifferen wéi 22 gedeelt duerch siwen
You’re like Kevin Spacey: your style is usually suspect
– Dir sidd wéi Kevin Spacey: äre Stil ass normalerweis verdächteg
You never killed a cop, you, not a motherfuckin’ thug yet
– Dir hutt nach ni E Polizist ëmbruecht, dir, nach kee verdammte Rackett
Your mind is empty and spacious
– Äre Geescht ass eidel a grouss
Like the part of the brain that appreciates culture in a racist
– Wéi Deen Deel Vum Gehir Deen D ‘ Kultur an engem Rassist schätzt
Face it, you’re too basic, you’re never gonna make it
– Sief éierlech, dir sidd ze einfach, dir wäert et ni maachen
Like children walkin’ through Antarctica, butt-naked
– Wéi Kanner déi plakeg duerch Antarktis lafen
