Released: 2002
“On My Block” is a classic song by Scarface that speaks volumes about community, camaraderie, and the harsh realities of life in the hood. It dives into the struggles and the everyday hustle that’s part and parcel of the hood culture, while also showcasing the deep sense of togetherness that keeps the community afloat.
The track begins with the element of daily grind and struggle, “Every day, it’s been the same old thang on my block/ You either working or you slanging cocaine on my block.” The protagonist explains that hustling is part of the upbringing in the hood – a survival mechanism. The reference to “you stayed on your hop until you made you a knot” implies persistence in your hustle until you’ve earned your money.
Scarface shows us the picture of camaraderie and community in lines like “On my block, to hang out was the thing back then/ And even when you left out, you came back in.” The mention of streets “from Holloway, Bellfort, to Scott” brings a sense of the real – these are actual locations in Houston, including Reed Road, a hotbed for the drug trade. The hood encapsulates different realities of life — whether it’s a figure like 2Pac, who emerged from the block to become a worldwide icon, or simpler individuals still hanging out, come rain or shine.
The lines “My block, where everything is everything, for sheezy/ My block, we probably done it all, homie, believe me/ My block, we made the impossible look easy, for sheezy” echo the idea that the block symbolizes a whole universe. The term “for sheezy” is street slang for “for sure,” further highlighting the speaker’s deep immersion in and connection to the culture of the block.
As the song progresses, Scarface touches on how everyone’s business should be respected and how word of mouth can have serious repercussions. The blocks are also home to forgotten Vietnam veterans whose struggles remain unaddressed. Despite the trials and tribulations, Scarface proclaims he wouldn’t trade his block for the world: an eloquent homage to the eternal bond with the chaotic, complex, but deeply loved community he was born and raised in.
In conclusion, “On My Block” is an extraordinary hip-hop narrative offering a brutally honest perspective on the hood life while celebrating the spirit of community. Despite the numerous challenges, the block remains central to the identity and survival of its denizens, and Scarface masterfully captures it all in his lyrics.
