When I first moved to this city, its beautiful Powers Ferry coming in looks lovely, a lot of nice buildings, businesses, the city lights up at night on Powers Ferry, probably the best part of Marietta. Even though this scenery looks lovely, there is a dark side to this place; evil lurks in all corners of the shadows, no matter where you go or live.
The kid didn’t understand the writing on the wall, FAM. They came in all colors; some look cool, others look weird. I couldn’t understand it. Why would somebody scribble on a wall, FAM? Little did I know, it was territorial means of gang rivalry, meaning we run this block, FAM. The other side said, “fuck your block, pussy.” More than one said this, but reality was these people did this from afar. You can tell who really runs the blocks by the people you see thugging outside, flying colors of their gang, navy blue and gray. The kid just thought these people look scary and cool. These people move with power; they get out of their way and listen if they talk. You see this in Marietta. If you pay attention, you’ll see this in other blocks, city’s neighborhoods, states; it’s everywhere, FAM. No matter where you go, the dark side lives and thrives off evil. The dark side pulls you in, attracts you, FAM.
It did this to the kid, FAM. It did this, and I got lost. First homie died, name Lil Spy, big homie Clever, little brother. It hurt to see one of mine die, FAM. It hurt all of us. Clever used to get drunk and just cause destruction to the other side for Lil Spy, even though Lil Spy ain’t coming back; ain’t none you can do to bring the homie back. He just took it out on the enemy, FAM. He gave me a gun and said, “Homie, this for protection. You remember Lil Spy?” I nod my head, “Shoot first, FAM. Never hesitate, and if you’re gonna pull it out, use it. If not, FAM, don’t pull it out at all. Remember, retaliation is a must if you fuck with us.” He handed me packets. “See this? It’s money, FAM. Our money, because we’re brothers, FAM. Sell these and buy more and work your way up.” I muttered, “OK,” but didn’t have a clue, FAM. He said, “When you do get money, buy yourself some clothes. Always stay fresh. Who knows, you might get you a lil’ shorty, FAM.” I smile and blurt out, “Adriana.” He says, “See, lil’ homie, we gonna get you Adriana, FAM. Go get your paper; this your block. I’m sending ’em your way. OK, lil’ homie?” I just nod my head, posted up on the block, sitting on a green generator box, slanging that work. I learned to stash shit in hidden places, never to keep all work. You also keep extra straps close by, FAM, and extra clips in your pocket. Stay close to an exit, always have a getaway plan. Police and niggas looking to take your stash, plus the enemy shows no love, FAM. Just like we don’t, either. Both sides shoot to kill, FAM. Don’t ever be a fool, FAM. Friendliness will get you killed in Marietta, FAM.
You see a kid with a babyface thinking he’s harmless, best believe he’s dangerous, FAM. This kid was me, FAM. This kid looked innocent at first, but if you looked closely, he never smiled nor spoke much. He was numb, FAM. He was broken, and if you saw him smile, it was because he was causing destruction. Because they took too much from him, that revenge brought joy to the kid, FAM. He’s sick, FAM. He needs healing, FAM. I never thought a city could do this to you when reality was I did this to myself. I thought Marietta turned me into a monster, but I did this to myself. How could a kid make this decision in life, to be a gangster and just lose his humanity to the streets of Marietta, FAM? Lost only to proceed and keep on living my life as a gangster. When you sell drugs, you destroy lives, FAM. Innocents become corrupt, and eventually die. Overdoses are drugs, friend. Doctors, lawyers, teachers… you think the kid discriminated money, FAM? Money doesn’t discriminate, FAM. Marietta and its dark side, FAM. Franklin Road was known for gang violence, drugs, and prostitution. I shot my first enemy in the face on Franklin Road, sold drugs, and fought hard. I knew all the cuts, slang for shortcuts, to escape routes the police didn’t know on Franklin Road. This place was the block, FAM.
Allgood Road, another gutta place, FAM, so gutta prostitutes kick it outside a Quick Trip gasoline station, looking to turn tricks. Thugs posted up with guns on their hips, smoking blunts of weed like it’s legal, FAM. All Good Road is gutta, FAM, more gutta than Franklin Road. Ambulances and police sirens never cease to stop. It’s hot, really hot, FAM. Police stay on All Good Road. Shit, I only went to shoot the enemy, FAM, because the enemy stayed on this side. It was all I cared about, hurting the enemy, FAM, real talk. Windyhill Road, our territory, looks nice, but it’s just as dark. Plus, a part of Windyhill has an enemy side, so you can pull up on the block and have people jump out on you, guns drawn, if you ain’t from there. I feel sorry for you, FAM. Robberies are more common there, and Marietta’s darkness is still alive to this day. Not so hard as it used to be, but still alive. It’s still a beautiful city, FAM, just where there is light, there is dark. Both sides are everywhere. Both sides prevail, and Marietta just keeps on living and growing every day….