In light of the recent gang violence in Kingston, Jamaica, I thought I would re-post Bugle’s 2007 video and lyrics for “What I’m Gonna Do.” The dark and amazing lyrics shed light on what it’s like to live in downtown Kingston for many.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gep_Z5tnqA

Do to do do, what I’m gonna do
Daseca

[Chorus:]
Exercise everyday and I’m still not fit
My kids are hungry and I ain’t got shit
What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do?
What would you do?

Exercise everyday and I’m still not fit
My kids are hungry and I ain’t got shit
What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do?
This is what I’m gonna do you all

Is just another day in the struggle
All I see is zinc fence and puddle
Life for me this ain’t no fun
The only thing I can depend pon is my gun

I really don’t wanna rob Mr.Chung
But,  survival ah di key inna di slum
If you’re not a bees you might get stung

Please don’t ask me how come
We do what we do an we sell what we sell
And we con who we con, whole heap a lie tell
We rise an we fell in this place where we dwell
Don’t think it’s all well, it’s on earth but it’s hell

A place where you can identify by the smell
White collar criminal trick us with their fist an bell
A place where babies are having babies
This motherfuckin’ place is crazy

[Chorus:]
Exercise everyday and I’m still not fit
My kids are hungry and I ain’t got shit
What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do?
What would you do?

Exercise everyday and I’m still not fit
My kids are hungry and I ain’t got shit
What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do?
This is what I’m gonna do

One room fill with kids
Would have thought it’s a bunch of Bradys
But we ain’t white so you know it’s all shady
Dinner tonight maybe
Same routine chicken back gravy
Who would have thought in the year 2007 we’d still be living in slavery?

They give us no alternative telling us to take heed
When you got to pay even for the fuckin’ air you breathe
Sometimes I wonder if my blood is different from the blood that has bleed

Oh shit, my life is filled with so much pain and grief
I’ve got ten brothers and sisters and mom still ah conceive
When our last siblings don’t even start teethe
Dad try to make two ends meet, the cops take his weed

I wish you know how much I gotta go, I gotta leave

I can’t breathe
No roses growing, even though I sow the seed
I gotta leave, I gotta leave
Yea, yea, I really gotta leave

[Chorus:]
Exercise everyday and I’m still not fit
My kids are hungry and I ain’t got shit
What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do?
What would you do?

Exercise everyday and I’m still not fit
My kids are hungry and I ain’t got shit
What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do? What I’m gonna do?
This is what I’m gonna do