ENDANGERED INNOCENCE Lyrics – Lloyd Banks ft Ghostface Killah

ENDANGERED INNOCENCE Lyrics by Lloyd Banks is a new english song by Lloyd Banks, featuring Ghostface Killah. The song is released on Nicholas Craven’s official YouTube channel, written by Lloyd Banks, Ghostface Killah & Nicholas Craven, produced by Nicholas Craven, and is not currently attached to a specific album. This track offers listeners a deeply reflective and gritty experience, driven by nostalgic storytelling and raw lyricism from two veteran emcees.

Rooted in themes of survival, memory, and growth, ENDANGERED INNOCENCE explores the trials of youth in hostile environments and the emotional baggage carried into adulthood. Lloyd Banks and Ghostface Killah recount personal stories from their formative years, blending vulnerability with street wisdom. Through vivid imagery and introspective commentary, the song paints a portrait of lost innocence, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between past and present. Each verse is laced with gratitude for hard-earned lessons and a determination to succeed despite the weight of history.

ENDANGERED INNOCENCE Details

Song	ENDANGERED INNOCENCE
Artists	Lloyd Banks
Featuring Artists	Ghostface Killah
Written By	Lloyd Banks, Ghostface Killah & Nicholas Craven
Produced By	Nicholas Craven
Label	Nicholas Craven
Language	English
Released Date	Apr 30, 2025

ENDANGERED INNOCENCE Lyrics

[Verse 1: Lloyd Banks]
Uh
Sometimes I laugh and cry when thinkin’ ’bout my days as a kid
Highlights was watchin’ TV shows and music played in the crib
It shook my mind up; morning Soul Train, we did the lineup
Used to look forward to game from my cousin, when I could find him
Grew up in my grandma house, was the kind with the open door
Birthdays, had to appreciate, still hopin’ for more
Cortez Nikes and Adidas, Reeboks held up my sneakers
Bought our bombers with the collar furred up; watch how I freak this
Gotta make it out the bottom, ’cause shit, with all these speeches
Got me questionin’ if change is gon’ come, could it even reach us?
Hold up, shout out my teachers that actually taught me some’n
All the influential artists that had my Walkman bumpin’? Uh
Nigga, that Havoc and Prodigy CD changed my life
Frank White and Escobar, they made me nice
That Snoop Doggystyle was worth the price
Now I feel like I gotta study, shit, I’ma begin tonight

[Chorus: Lloyd Banks]
I wouldn’t change shit
Everything we went through made me who I am now
One in the same, kid
Every day’s a struggle while the bullshit piles, I got to make it
People dependin’ on me, gotta make ’em all proud
Put me in any ghetto, I’ll blend in with the crowd
Money’s callin’ my name right now

[Verse 2: Ghostface Killah]
Yo
Ayo, younger days, gun clickin’
Burner ruins in staircases
Bloody robberies with the bare faces
Carnation milk over Corn Flakes
Mama strugglin’, plastic bowls, [?] on a hotplate
Wore-down mattresses, Thelma on Good Times
I was younger than Penny when I thought of these hood lines
We was hyper-thug swattin’, smashin’ all lightning bugs
Most left the concrete green, we never seen they blood (Nah)
Chip on my shoulder, I could use a hug (Hug)
My PCP days, all I seen was blood
Staten Island [?]; shootouts, my arrivals
Avenged my man’s death, murdered in red Wallos (Damn!)
My Rubik’s Cube got stuck, never cracked the code
At the age of 25, I done matched the gold
Big bangles and bracelets, four-fingers, ferocious
Chain so heavy, it cause osteos-perosis

[Chorus]
I wouldn’t change shit
Everything we went through made me who I am now
One in the same, kid
Every day’s a struggle while the bullshit piles, I got to make it
People dependin’ on me, gotta make ’em all proud
Put me in any ghetto, I’ll blend in with the crowd
Money’s callin’ my name right now

[Verse 3: Lloyd Banks]
Yo
One in a million get to make it out and still get shot
Tryin’ to keep it real and come back, show some love to the block
I got my first sniff of some weed up out my mom’s purse, used it
They tappin’ tables in the lunchroom, wrote my first verse to it
Became a man the perfect summer day, right there around the way
To say that I was nervous would be an understatement, I prayed
Don’t leave me hangin’; as quarters went by, my voice is changin’
Walk around here with my chest out now, temperature’s raisin’
Took a swig of Grandpa bottle ’cause he filled it with gin
I got some new outfits for school, I’m ’bout to kill ’em again
My pop was fuckin’ up, no tellin’ where the crook might been
Got my ass whooped couple times just ’cause I look like him
Next time I would see his face was on the visiting floor
Correctional facilities here and there, I’m back and forth
In our pursuit to happiness, we end up ’round DC
I’m just happy to be there wit’ him, hard times ain’t shit to me

[Chorus]
I wouldn’t change shit
Everything we went through made me who I am now
One in the same, kid
Every day’s a struggle while the bullshit piles, I got to make it
People dependin’ on me, gotta make ’em all proud
Put me in any ghetto, I’ll blend in with the crowd
Money’s callin’ my name right now

ENDANGERED INNOCENCE Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1: Lloyd Banks]
Lloyd Banks opens with a reflective look at his childhood, highlighting the emotional complexity of growing up in a challenging environment. While nostalgic for moments of joy—like watching “Soul Train” or receiving hand-me-downs—he also conveys the instability of his early life. The verse intertwines themes of aspiration and survival, emphasizing the impact of music as both escape and influence. He gives credit to teachers and iconic artists for shaping his mindset, presenting hip-hop not just as entertainment but as a formative force. This verse sets the tone for the song’s emotional depth, grounding Banks’ identity in both struggle and appreciation.

[Chorus: Lloyd Banks]
The chorus reflects on personal evolution shaped by adversity. Banks declares he wouldn’t change his past, recognizing that hardships forged his present self. The struggle is ongoing, but he remains focused, driven by the need to support others and fulfill his potential. The lyrics underscore a resilient mindset: whether immersed in chaos or fighting for progress, he remains rooted and determined, seamlessly adapting to his environment while keeping his eyes on prosperity.

[Verse 2: Ghostface Killah]
Ghostface Killah delivers a visceral recounting of his early life, filled with gritty realism and raw imagery. From food scarcity and broken homes to violent encounters and emotional detachment, he sketches a bleak but honest portrayal of inner-city youth. The verse captures the trauma of navigating street life, layered with cultural references and haunting memories. Yet amid the chaos, there’s a thread of poetic reflection—his pain is processed through vivid metaphors and streetwise observations, offering insight into the psychological toll of growing up too fast.

[Chorus]
Reiterated with equal weight, the chorus returns as a reinforcement of the message. The repetition strengthens the song’s core statement: that every hardship is a building block in the foundation of identity. It serves as both a mantra and a mission statement, emphasizing purpose, perseverance, and pride in personal growth.

[Verse 3: Lloyd Banks]
In the final verse, Lloyd Banks continues his personal narrative with a coming-of-age lens. He touches on moments of rebellion, self-discovery, and familial strain. From experimenting with weed to his first serious attempts at songwriting, these early experiences mark turning points in his development. He also reflects on his father’s absence and the emotional scars that linger, yet chooses connection over resentment during prison visits. Despite instability, Banks remains grounded, viewing hardship as a catalyst rather than a curse. This closing verse ties together the themes of pain, purpose, and transformation with heartfelt clarity.

ENDANGERED INNOCENCE Official Video

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