Pharoahe Monch — Queens

[Chorus] There's a place I know where the bitches go Where they rob you for your dough and chill on the low In Southside... Queens, Queens Where if you say, "The Ave" People automatically know the path You don't have to do the math In Southside... Queens, Queens [Verse] I knew this nigga named Donovan Astonishing, the way he used to handle the pill, God (Word) Let me speak about the way he used to dribble off his knees And in the middle, at the same time, guzzling a beer Like a puzzle or a riddle, discovering his path to the hoop Scoop, shot, tipped up the backboard, oops Son got hops, never knew he would've grew it Cool nigga, when it came to school, he blew it A scholar in acute nigga-risms and metropolitans Kids hollering, "Yo, Donovan, hey, come around the block" Youngest of three sons, fucking with coupons and refunds Food stamps; still, he was a champ Time to get loot for boots and kicks now Fuck hoops, gotta impress the chicks now His mama said, "Donovan, why are you On the corner of Linden and Guy R. Brewer?" He said, "Mama, listen close, I'mma tell you one time You're killing my high, plus, I got a nine" (What?) "All I be doing is putting in work So you can get a brand new dress for church I know the Devil lurks outside, man, it's cold But I don't wanna get paid slow and grow old like Papa Plus I'm on parole, I got-ta Get paid off the streets to make ends meet" With the back of her hand, she smacked him in the face Walked out of the crib-piece, pissed with no chase That night, rocking Nikes, eating Mike and Ikes Slapboxing with a dyke on a bike too small Thinking, "This time, next year, Mama be able to—Ohh, shit!" From across the streets, niggas approach (Slow) Well, get the metal out, too late, the guns flash In the melee, they wet him like Reggae Sunsplash Son dashed with the quickness, back into the ride With a smile on his face, the picture of pride Blood coming from his mouth; now, I'm at his side Kneeling over Donovan's body before he died Eyes fluttering up and down in his head And with his last breath, this is what he said He said, "Why? Why?" Then I closed his eyes [Chorus] There's a place I know where the people go Where you could catch dough and chill on the low In Southside... Haha Queens, Queens Where if you say, "The Ave" People automatically know the path You don't have to do the math In Southside... Queens, Queens And if you got a Glock, you could bust shots Like Todd Scott, when the block be hot In—In—In— (What we talking 'bout?) Queens, Queens [Outro] Ugh, c'mon, ugh C'mon, ugh, ugh It's New York, right? I know where people go Where you can cash dough and chill on the low