anonymous June 12th, 2006 07:48AM  
The song is about social outcasts, gangs and gang culture.

It seems fairly obvious to me as I am from Los Angeles and the lyrics kinda speak for themselves.

Many people grow up in poverty stricken 'hoods of LA which face police brutality, intimidation and very little in the way of govenment support. Its also worth noting that many of these deprived areas can see the Hollywood sign from their neighbourhoods - almost taunting them. In this case a 'jail cell' may seem like freedom to these people.

Its commonplace for males to grow up without a father, or sometimes any male presence in their lives.

'...I tried to grip my family, but I slipped...
I got a nine a sign a set, and now I got a name...'

Simply put, these people are caught between a broken family with very little or no security, or a gang of men who watch each others backs. The 'nine' refers to a 9mm handgun - a 'set' is another word for a gang and the 'sign' is usually a hand signal representing the first letter of their gang/set.

'...read my writing on the wall'

Most probably associated with gang graffiti and 'tags' which further represent the gangs. This graffiti is known to be used as a gang code where gangs make coded references to each other either to insult their rivals, or warn them.
You could also interprit this line as meaning murals painted on walls which are frequently used as forms of expression across Southern California, especially amoungst the mexican/latino community. Whilst many are spectacular to look at, they largely go unnoticed.

'caught between my culture, and the system...suicide/genocide..'

Law enforcement and government representatives commonly stereotype people on what they look like and where they come from, often labelling black and latino youths as trouble and menaces. A drive down Crenshaw Blvd will take you from the "happening" and glitzy West Hollywood area, to almost the heart of gangland LA. The stark contrast is proof of a economically deprived area neglected, and almost forgotton. Genocide.