Dead Homiez - Ice Cube

Up early in the morning, dressed in black

Don’t ask why, 'cause I’m down in a suit and tie

They killed a homie that I went to school with

I tell ya life ain’t shit to fool with

I still hear the screams of his mother

While my nigga laid dead in the gutter

And it’s getting to my temple

Why is that the only time Black folks get to ride in a limo?

It makes me so mad I want to get my sawed-off

And have some bodies hauled off

But no, I pay my respects and I’m through

Hug my crew, and maybe shed a tear or two

And I wanna get blitz

Grab my 40 ounce and then I reminisce

About a brother who had to be the one and only

So I dedicate this to my dead homiez

Another homie got murdered on a shakedown

His mother is at the funeral, havin' a nervous breakdown

Two shots hit him in the face when they blasted

A framed picture, closed casket

A single file line about 50 cars long

All drivin' slow with their lights on

He got a lot of flowers and a big wreath

What good is that when you’re six feet deep?

I look at this shit and gotta think to myself

And thank God for my health

No one really ever know

When it’s gonna be they family on the front row

So I take everything slow, go with the flow

And shut my motherfuckin' mouth if I don’t know

'Cause that’s what Pops told me

But I wish he could have said it… to my dead homiez

I remember we painted our names on the wall for fun

Now it’s «Rest in Peace» after every one

Except me, but I ain’t the one to front

Seems like I’m viewin' a body after every month

Plus, I knew him when he was yay big

Pour beer on the curb before I take a swig

But somethin' ain’t right

When it’s a tragedy, that’s the only time that the family’s tight

Lovin' each other in a caring mood

There’s lots of people and lots of food

They say «Be strong» and you’re tryin'

But how strong can you be when you see your pops cryin'?

So that’s why I’m so dressed up

Because the city is so fuckin' messed up

And everyone is so phony

Take a little time… to think about your dead homie