Last night the word came down, ten dead in Chinatown
Innocent, their 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 right 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

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
Hold his chain 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?

Eastside meets Westside downtown
No time, no line, the walls fall down

Can't you feel it coming?
Empire
Can't you hear it coming?
Empire
Can't someone here stop it