[00:00.75] Step by step, heart to heart [00:03.05] Left right left, we all fall down [00:08.65] Step by step, heart to heart, left right left [00:13.15] We all fall down like toy soldiers [00:20.38] Bit by bit, torn apart, we never win [00:24.62] But the battle wages on for toy soldiers [00:31.92] I'm supposed to be the soldier who never blows his composure [00:35.23] Even though I hold the weight of the whole world on my shoulders [00:38.08] I am never supposed to show it, my crew ain't supposed to know it [00:41.03] Even if it means goin' toe to toe with a Benzino it don't matter [00:44.20] I'd never drag them in battles that I can handle unless [00:47.02] I absolutely have to I'm supposed to set an example [00:49.63] I need to be the leader, my crew looks for me to guide 'em [00:52.88] If some shit ever just pop off, I'm supposed to be beside 'em [00:55.67] That Ja crap I tried to squash it, it was too late to stop it [00:58.75] There's a certain line you just don't cross and he crossed it [01:01.59] I heard him say Hailie's name on a song and I just lost it [01:04.44] It was crazy, this shit went way beyond some Jay-Z and nas shit [01:07.57] And even though the battle was won, I feel like we lost it [01:10.36] I spent too much energy on it, honestly I'm exhausted [01:13.25] And I'm so caught in it I almost feel I'm the one who caused it [01:16.23] This ain't what I'm in hip-hop for, it's not why I got in it [01:19.35] That was never my object for someone to get killed [01:22.14] Why would I wanna destroy something I help build [01:25.00] It wasn't my intentions, my intentions was good [01:27.76] I went through my whole career without ever mentionin' [01:30.67] Now it's just out of respect for not runnin' my mouth [01:33.71] And talkin' about something that I knew nothing about [01:36.68] Plus Dre told me stay out, this just wasn't my beef [01:39.45] So I did, I just fell back, watched and gritted my teeth [01:42.61] While he's all over TV yeah I'm [01:44.63] talkin' a man who literally saved my life [01:46.81] Like fuck it I understand this is business [01:49.17] And this shit just isn't none of my business [01:51.39] But still knowin' this shit could pop off at any minute 'cause [01:54.59] Step by step, heart to heart, left right left [01:58.79] We all fall down like toy soldiers [02:06.12] Bit by bit, torn apart, we never win [02:10.23] But the battle wages on for toy soldiers [02:17.38] There used to be a time when you could just say a rhyme [02:20.65] And wouldn't have to worry about one of your people dyin' [02:23.45] But now it's elevated 'cuz once you put someone's kids in it [02:26.70] The shlit gets escalated, it ain't just words no more is it? [02:29.59] It's a different ball game, callin' names and you ain't just rappin' [02:32.42] We actually tried to stop the 50 and Ja beef from happenin' [02:35.38] Me and Dre had sat with him, kicked it and had a chat with him [02:38.45] And asked him not to start it he wasn't gonna go after him [02:41.22] Until Ja started yappin' in magazines how we stabbed him [02:44.21] fuck it 50 smash 'em, mash 'em and let him have it [02:47.02] Mean while my attention is pullin' in another direction [02:49.89] Some receptionist at the source who answers phones at his desk [02:53.07] Has an erection for me and thinks that I'll be his resurrection [02:55.85] Tries to blow the dust off his mic and make a new record [02:58.94] But now he's fucked the game up 'cuz one of the ways I came up [03:01.71] Was through that publication the same one that made me famous [03:04.75] Now the owner of it has got a grudge against me for nothin' [03:07.60] Well fuck it, that mother fucker can get it too, fuck him then [03:10.68] But I'm so busy being pissed off I don't stop to think [03:13.56] That we just inherited 50's beef with murder inc [03:16.48] And he's inherited mine which is fine ain't like either of us mind [03:20.14] We still have soldiers that's on the front line [03:22.28] That's willing to die for us as soon as we give the orders [03:25.12] Never to extort us, strictly to show they support us [03:28.25] We'll maybe shout 'em out in a rap or up in a chorus [03:31.26] To show them we love 'em back and let 'em know how important it is [03:34.31] To have runyon avenue soldiers up in our corners [03:36.95] Their loyalty to us is worth more than any award is [03:40.05] But I ain't try'na have none of my people hurt or murdered [03:42.93] It ain't worth it, I can't think of a perfecter way to word it [03:45.88] Then to just say that I love y'all too much to see the verdict [03:48.74] I'll walk away from it all before I let it go any further [03:51.69] But don't get it twisted, it's not a plea that I'm coppin' [03:54.62] I'm just willin' to be the bigger man if y'all can quit poppin' [03:57.54] Off at your jaws well then I can 'cuz frankly I'm sick of talkin' [04:00.58] I'm not gonna let someone else's coffin rest on my conscience 'cuz [04:03.75] Step by step, heart to heart, left right left [04:07.83] We all fall down like toy soldiers [04:15.03] Bit by bit, torn apart, we never win [04:19.38] But the battle wages on for toy soldiers [04:27.25]