I tend to not post about “gangsta shit” unless it’s a song that shows the negative repercussion of living that life. That’s not to say I don’t like more rough-around-the-edges hip-hop. I mean, I grew up in the 90s and early 2000s in Baltimore; hood shit’s in my blood in a lot of ways. But, I don’t like glamourizing it on SOTB because it’s not really my MO. Plus, there’re a lot of other sites who post raps along those lines.

That said, when I got Paollo13’s “Gangsta Shii” in my submissions, I was instantly hooked. That’s because it discusses street life while also showing the negative side of things. It doesn’t shy away from realities, nor does it glamourize things. In other words, it was the perfect song for the site.

The track clocks in at about 2:20, but throughout that time, Paollo13 talks about street life and why it’s not for everyone. He even makes it a point to say there’s a better way for anyone who’s in it to get their coins. With that in mind, he also doesn’t shy away from the realities of street life. The song is equally conscious and gritty at the same time, using a bit of the juxtaposition of those two mindsets to fully discuss what it’s like. I like this one because of that, but the beat’s also pretty solid. This appears on Paollo’s Stunted Growth album, which, from what I can tell, also dives deep into the life of the rich and famous–and the poor and dangerous, to paraphrase Big L. If you like “Gangsta Shii,” I recommend the album as well.

Check it out below and support dope music in all its forms.