The Streets in 16 Bars: Exploring the Lyrics of ‘Once Upon A Time…’

Once Upon A Time… is more than just a song; it’s a gritty narrative about power, survival, and the fall from grace. Donald “C-Note” Hooker, known as the King of Prison Hip Hop, uses his song Once Upon A Time… to deliver a no-holds-barred look into the life of an ultimate hustler who once roamed the streets in a Humvee, but now finds himself trapped in the inescapable confines of the prison system. The song’s raw, unfiltered lyrics reflect a reality too familiar for many, blending the worlds of street life and incarceration, where the highs are as extreme as the lows. From the Penthouse to The Big House Much like Bugs Bunny in the Rebel Rabbit cartoon, who wreaks havoc and ultimately ends up in Alcatraz, Once Upon A Time… is a tale of chaos and consequences. C-Note’s protagonist doesn’t just live in the streets—he owns them. Driving through in a Humvee, flaunting his dominance, he reminds us that what’s yours is his, and he’ll take it at the barrel of a gun. But much like Bugs Bunny’s downfall, this reign doesn’t last forever. The high-flying hustler’s ride ends in the abyss of a prison sentence, where he reflects...