Discover the story of the song > East 1999 – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

The song is about the struggles of the protagonist and his friends in Cleveland in the late 80s and early 90s, and their involvement in criminal activities such as drug dealing and gang violence. The lyrics evoke a sense of danger and toughness, with references to guns, drugs, and confrontations with law enforcement. Despite the hardships they face, the protagonist and his friends are fiercely loyal to each other and to their neighborhood, which they refer to as "East 99". The song ends with the repeated mantra of "Cleveland is the city where we come from so run, run, run", emphasizing the idea that their lives are constantly under threat.