Last night the word came down Ten dead in Chinatown Innocent, they're only crime was Being in the wrong place at the wrong time Too bad, people say, what's wrong with the kids today? Tell you uright now they've got nothing to lose They're building EMPIRE!
Johnny used to work after school At the cinema show Gotta hustle if he wants an education, he's got a long way to go Now he's out on the street all day Selling crack to the people who pay Got an AK-47 for his best friend, business the American way
CHORUS Eastside meets westside downtown No time the walls fall down Can't you feel it coming? EMPIRE! Can't you hear it calling?
Black man trapped again, holds his chains in his hand Brother killing brother for the profit of another Game point, nobody wins Decline, right on time What happened to the dream sublime? Tear it all down we'll put it up again Another EMPIRE?