I wrote and thought about this song for more than 20 hours. The important and hardest decissionin my work was the decission between a realistic-rap-song and-a-summary-of the book-song. I had several ideas to express what Steve might think and write in such a song after the trial. At first I wanted to write a party track about Steve being so happy to be out of jail(Chorus:Niggas Iīm back on the streets…). But it wasnīt the right idea. In the end I chose the depressive song about his brothers who are still in jail and who will be there for more than just eleven days. I didnīt agree with Steve writing a rap song about the trial because he had allready done that in his film script. The question of Steve beeing innocent or not is also not mentioned in this song because he wouldnīt and couldnīt write about that in precised way if he wants to publish it. Of course if the jury hears this track with him saying that he was in the drugstore he would get some problems. Also if he tells the audience that he wasn`t clear about if he is guilty or not some blacks in his hood would laugh at him.
The song is a bit like Nas` song “One Love” on his first Album “Illmatic” realesed in 1994. In this song Nas talks to his imprisoned friends or like they say in the ghetto homies like he was writing them a letter.
I would say that Steve dedicates this song also to his homies in jail to give them the strengh that he had not to go through this hard time. Additionally he wants to give himself a reason for his bad experience in prison : “the evil white man”

1)

The best time to cry is in the dark at night (page 9 ; l.1-5)
When in jail all the lights are out and the sun don`t shine
When you donīt feel allright about your fucked up life
With all the drugs and crimes with all street nī gun fights
Thatīs how I felt in prison and on trial in the court
I felt that my life is really much to short
To do nothing in the times I feel bad and lost
So I wrote a filmscript as my bad times report (page 18; l.6)
I wrote and wrote because I had to do this thing
No matter if anyone thinks that Iīm foolishing
I didnīt want to be one of those stupid men
Who fight each other in jail without do a thing
I had luck that I came out after some days
So that I had not to play strange and wrong games
But still my brothers are in this fucked up place
But Iīm with them to get with them out of jail

Chorus)2

This is for my niggas who are locked up in jail
This is for my niggas who feel fucked up jail
Just keep your head up just before giving up (page 66; l.9)
We will be out soon to the streets to live it up

2)

In a courtroom you are not a hustler
And no real person who has to be covered
If you are black the jury thinks you are a monster
And just a guilty stupid ass motherfucker
You can talk what you want the jury donīt listen
You are just a victim for their good white system
They think they do you a big favour by giving (page 54; l.16-20)
You life in prison without a real reason
It doesnīt matter if you are innocent or guilty
If you are young black and on trial itīs for the jury easy
To convict you without any evidence really quickly
It counts on how you act in court so donīt act there silly
You have to show them that you`re a human beeing (page 18; l.2)
Thatīs what my deffense attorney was teaching
Itīs not about the truth or your honest feelings
It`s about play a game like in the streets dealing

Chorus)2

Bridge) 2

In this white world conquered of the white system
The blacks are the victims to be locked up in prison
In this white world of no truth and wisdom
We won`t be their victims so fuck their white system

3)

I had luck that I was acquited in this case
That I came out of jail out of this sick place
Where you are punished with all kinds of different ways
I just can say that I really hate this sick place (p. 34)
This place where you see your father the first time crying (p73; l.4-5; p.75; l.1)
Where living is a form of painfull dying (p. 43; l.4-5)
Where the sun and itīs energy is not shining
Where you have real killers next up to you lying
Where it also donīt matter if youīre guilty or not
If you just standing there or praying to god
Itīs like beeing on trial for your whole life
With no answer if that what you did was wrong or wright (Mainquestion of Steve)
We are guilty cause of the white man`s prejudices
But we will come back with our brand new shit
To make money get hoes and dope so lets do it
While our brothers get of

Chorus)2

End