Artist: Dilated Peoples
Album:  Directors of Photography
Song:   Cut My Teeth
Typed by: kirenamloh@msn.com (w/ help form liner notes)

[Chorus]
The strong prey upon the weak
This is where I learned to stand on my own feet
...So much I see
On the streets of Venice Beach is where I cut my teeth
("Cut-cut-cut-cut-cut-cut!") So much I see
On the streets of Venice Beach is where I cut my teeth
("Cut-cut-cut-cut-cut-cut!") So much I see
("Cut-cut-cut-cut-cut-cut!") Cut my teeth

[Evidence]
I remember, how it all be-gan
I used to switch graffiti tips on cans with both hands
No chance, I knew they couldn't stop this rush
Our bus bench was a stop and they ain't stopping the bus
I caught the fever, at sixteen I copped a beater
Now it's me against the world, sit in my own 2-seater
I drove slow on roads that lead freedom
What I believe in known that I'd be leaving
Let me in jump up the timeline to current events
I went around the world twice on award tours, it never ends
Mike Will did, but others didn't +Make-It+ (Go!)
Others still hungry, so the others gonna take it
Shit is basic when you put it the pot and let it simmer
Like the sun been setting later in the summer than the winter
Shit, where I'm from I keep the oven sizzling
I cut my teeth at Venice Beach then hit my peoples with some of the wisdom

[Chorus]
The strong prey upon the weak
This is where I learned to stand on my own feet
...So much I see
On these Mid City streets is where I cut my teeth
("Cut-cut-cut-cut-cut-cut!") So much I see
On these Mid City streets is where I cut my teeth
("Cut-cut-cut-cut-cut-cut!") So much I see
("Cut-cut-cut-cut-cut-cut!") Cut my teeth

[Rakaa Iriscience]
I learned a nickel cost more than a dime before I learned to rhyme
Crenshaw and Venice, St. Charles is more specific
Then Pico and Fairfax -- the Ethiopian District
Everything changes, noticing both of them look different
I can think back though life goes on so keep living
Didn't step to OG's on the block to seek wisdom
or I'd be Crippin, but they teach the street systems
Street soldiers and street politicians, I'd keep listening
Smoking in the homey's rental, blazing instrumentals
Something like a steel elephant trunk came through the window
Eyes traced the barrel to a friendly face ("Caught you slippin!")
Broke the blunt, gave us back the lit half and kept dipping
Had that beach cruiser whipping, then stopped
He turned around, came back and told me, "It's a war zone -- go home!
 Draw something, matter of fact, write something raw for me
 Call you tomorrow", that was the last time that I saw him (Damn!)
But I took it as a sign standing at the crossroads
Saw a different world was mine, it was with me all the time
Appreciative, never satisfied, inspired to climb
Eyes wide, Mid City lit that fire inside (Let's go~!)

[Chorus]
The strong prey upon the weak
This is where I learned to stand on my own feet
...So much I see
On the streets of Venice Beach is where I cut my teeth
("Cut-cut-cut-cut-cut-cut!") So much I see
On these Mid City streets is where I cut my teeth
("Cut-cut-cut-cut-cut-cut!") So much I see
("Cut-cut-cut-cut-cut-cut!") Cut my teeth