Ain't no daddies where I'm from, it's just mad mothers
And eyes that still seem they can't look past color
Why am I disrespected by someone I should call brother?
And why girls feelin' pretty and constantly hate each other?

Bad air in my lungs, man, I can't breathe
My eyes burnin' from all the dirt and the debris
And this third degree, emotionless on the scene
It's like a disease the way y'all killin' me

I'm 16 and I shouldn't have to feel like this
I'm 16 every young boy out here wanna kiss
I'm 16 and me and my mama goin' through it
16 on the block, 16 on the block

I’m 16 at war, I’m 16 at war
I’m 16 at war, I’m 16 at war
I’m 16 at war, I’m 16 at war
16 on the block, 16 on the block

Around here ‘cool’ is another word for ‘fool’
If he smoke, then she smoke, I gotta smoke too
Now what would I do if I didn't have a clue?
I'm 16 why oh asking God oh why oh

If my clothes ain't tight then he ain't gon’ like me
Eyes on the prize so the next girl dress just like me
I'm so full of promise but why promise
If I'ma just be rewarded by bad actions
To him I'm just a transaction

I'm 16 and I shouldn't have to feel like this
I'm 16 every young boy out here wanna kiss
I'm 16 and me and my mama goin' through it
16 on the block, 16 on the block

I’m 16 at war, I’m 16 at war
I’m 16 at war, I’m 16 at war
I’m 16 at war, I’m 16 at war
16 on the block, 16 on the block

I want you to love my mind, my smile, my style
I want you to know the best of me
I want to belong without being treated like property
Why does this seem like fantasy?

I'm 16 and I shouldn't have to feel like this
I'm 16 every young boy out here wanna kiss
I'm 16 and me and my mama goin' through it
16 on the block, 16 on the block

I’m 16 at war, I’m 16 at war
I’m 16 at war, I’m 16 at war
I’m 16 at war, I’m 16 at war
16 on the block, 16 on the block

I’m 16, 16, 16