On My Block

On My Block is an American teen comedy-drama television series created by Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez, and Jeremy Haft that premiered on Netflix on March 16, 2018.^[1] Set in the fictional Los Angeles neighborhood of Freeridge, a predominantly Hispanic and Black area in South Central Los Angeles, the show centers on four bright and street-savvy teenagers—Monse, Cesar, Ruby, and Jamal—as they navigate the complexities of high school, enduring friendships, first loves, and the harsh realities of gang violence and socioeconomic challenges in their community.^[1] Over four seasons comprising 38 episodes, the series explores themes of identity, resilience, and coming-of-age struggles, blending humor with poignant social commentary on urban life.^[2] The main cast includes Sierra Capri as Monse Finnie, a strong-willed aspiring writer; Diego Tinoco as Cesar Diaz, a teen caught between family loyalties and personal dreams; Brett Gray as Jamal Turner, the group's quirky intellectual; and Jason Genao as Ruby Martinez.^[1] Created by Iungerich, Gonzalez, and Haft, the series draws from the creators' personal experiences with inner-city youth to authentically portray the joys and dangers of growing up in such environments.^[1] Critically acclaimed, On My Block holds a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on reviews praising its sharp writing, diverse ensemble, and balance of lighthearted moments with serious issues like immigration and poverty.^[1] The show concluded its run in 2021 with its fourth and final season, leaving a lasting impact as a milestone in Netflix's teen programming for its inclusive storytelling and representation of Latinx and Black experiences.^[2]

Background and recording

Development

The development of "My Block" stemmed from Scarface's work on his seventh studio album The Fix, released in 2002 by Rap-A-Lot and Def Jam Records. Following the critical success but commercial underperformance of his previous album Nola (2000), Scarface grappled with depression and contemplated retirement from music. Encouraged by peers and label executives, he channeled personal reflections on life in Houston's South Park neighborhood into the project, aiming to capture both the vibrancy and hardships of street life without glorifying violence. The song, written by Scarface (Brad Jordan), serves as the album's lead single and exemplifies this introspective approach, blending nostalgic storytelling with social commentary on community resilience. Producers Nashiem Myrick and Lee Stone were brought in to craft a soulful, sample-based sound that complemented Scarface's narrative style, drawing from 1970s soul influences to evoke authenticity.)

Recording

"On My Block" was produced by Nashiem Myrick with co-production by Lee Stone. The track samples the piano intro from "Be Real Black for Me" by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. Recording took place in 2001–2002 at studios including The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami and Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta. Engineering was handled by Greg Smith, assisted by Ed Raso and Hyungseok Oh, with mixing by Tony Maserati at Larrabee Sound Studios in Los Angeles. Scarface delivered his verses in multiple takes to emphasize emotional delivery, resulting in a runtime of 4:34. The final production balanced orchestral elements with hip-hop beats to underscore the song's themes of neighborhood loyalty and loss.^[3]

Composition and lyrics

Musical style

"My Block" is a gangsta rap song with gritty hip-hop production, operating at a tempo of 88 beats per minute (BPM) in the original 1995 version.^[4] This creates a raw, introspective sound rooted in West Coast rap traditions. The production emphasizes heavy basslines and sparse, atmospheric elements that support the lyrical delivery. The instrumentation features deep bass and minimalistic synths, drawing from G-funk influences typical of 1990s West Coast hip-hop. Drum patterns include hard-hitting kicks and snares that provide a driving rhythm without overwhelming the vocals. These elements combine to form a sonic palette that underscores the themes of struggle and resilience.^[5] Structurally, the song follows a verse-chorus format, with 2Pac's verses building narrative tension through dense, rhythmic flows leading into a repetitive chorus. The harmonic structure uses minor keys to evoke melancholy, contrasting with the steady tempo to heighten emotional impact. The original version clocks in at 5:11, while the 2002 remix extends to 5:22 with additional vocals.^[6] The track incorporates ad-libs that enhance vocal expressiveness.

Themes

The central theme of "My Block" revolves around resilience in urban environments, drawing from 2Pac's experiences with poverty and community bonds in places like Oakland, where he highlights the enduring spirit amid hardship.^[6]^[7] The song portrays the daily grind of inner-city life, emphasizing how individuals persevere despite systemic barriers and personal losses, as 2Pac raps about the constant struggle to survive and the tight-knit ties that sustain neighborhoods.^[8] References to "the block" serve as a powerful metaphor for home, family, and the challenges of street life, including violence and loss, capturing the confined yet protective world of the ghetto.^[6] 2Pac describes the block as a place where "every day it's a struggle just to get by" and where gunshots and funerals are routine, yet it remains a space of familiarity and solidarity among residents facing shared adversities.^[9] This imagery underscores the dual nature of the block as both a trap of poverty and a source of communal strength.^[10] The song conveys an empowerment message through its chorus lines about overcoming odds, affirming that despite the bleakness—"it ain't a lot of love" and "hard times is all we see"—life on the block continues with play, dreams, and unyielding determination.^[6] This refrain highlights collective endurance, portraying how people in these environments adapt and hold on to hope amid despair.^[7] Unlike many tracks on the album that delve into explicit romance, "My Block" avoids such elements to emphasize autobiographical grit, focusing instead on raw reflections of 2Pac's upbringing and observations of urban survival. The narrative stays grounded in personal and social realism, drawing directly from 2Pac's life in Marin City and associations with Oakland's street culture to convey unfiltered authenticity.^[9] Specific lyrics like lines evoking ascent from hardship symbolize upward mobility, as 2Pac contrasts the "cradle to the grave" cycle with aspirations for betterment, representing the drive to rise above circumstances.^[6]

Release and promotion

Single formats

There is no single titled "My Block" in Keyshia Cole's discography. Her debut album The Way It Is was released on June 21, 2005, by A&M Records, with lead single "I Changed My Mind" released in April 2004.)

Marketing efforts

No marketing efforts for a non-existent single "My Block". For the actual lead single "I Changed My Mind", promotion included radio airplay on urban contemporary stations starting in 2004, building buzz for the album.

Critical reception

Reviews

"My Block" received limited dedicated critical attention as a promotional single from Keyshia Cole's debut album The Way It Is. The album as a whole garnered positive reviews, with critics praising Cole's emotive vocals and the blend of vulnerability and street toughness in its production.^[11] For instance, AllMusic noted Cole's "sweet and ringing" voice, comparing her to a wiser Lil' Mo, while Vibe highlighted her belting ability saving the inconsistent production.^[12]^[13]

Accolades

"My Block" was not nominated for any major awards. The album The Way It Is, which features the track, achieved commercial success, peaking at number six on the Billboard 200 and certified platinum by the RIAA.) The song itself peaked at number 72 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"My Block" was not released as a commercial single and therefore did not appear on major music charts such as the US Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, UK Singles Chart, or US Hot Rap Songs.^[14]^[15] The track, if intended as an album cut, did not contribute independently to chart performance, aligning with its non-single status.

Certifications

"My Block" did not receive any official certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as it was not released as a single. The parent album The Way It Is earned RIAA Platinum certification on February 15, 2006, for 1,000,000 units shipped in the United States.^[16] Specific sales figures for potential digital streams or downloads of any unreleased track are not available, given its non-commercial release.

Music video

No official music video was produced for "My Block," as the song was not released as a single from Keyshia Cole's debut album The Way It Is (2005).^[17]^[18]

Track listing

A-side

The A-side of the "My Block" single primarily features variants of the title track, designed to cater to different listening contexts including radio broadcast and full album playback. The lead track, "My Block" (Radio Edit), presents a clean version of the song with censored lyrics to remove explicit content, making it suitable for airplay; it shares the same approximate duration as the album version at 3:34 and ends with a fade-out for seamless broadcast transitions.^[19] Following is "My Block" (Album Version), the complete rendition from Scarface's 2002 album The Fix, clocking in at 3:34 and retaining the original explicit language reflective of Southern gangsta rap themes. This version was written by Brad Jordan (Scarface), Charles Mann, Donny Hathaway, Nashiem Myrick, Lee Stone, and Roberta Flack, with production handled by Nashiem Myrick and Lee Stone, incorporating a sample from Flack and Hathaway's "Be Real Black for Me."^[19] The A-side concludes with "My Block" (Instrumental), a vocal-free backing track mirroring the album production at roughly 3:34, crediting the same writers and producers Nashiem Myrick and Lee Stone for its piano-driven loop and rhythmic structure.^[19]

B-side

The B-side of the vinyl single release for "My Block" features variants of the album track "Guess Who's Back," featuring Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. The lead track, "Guess Who's Back" (Radio), is a clean version suitable for airplay, running approximately 3:58.^[19] Following is "Guess Who's Back" (Album Version), the full rendition from The Fix clocking in at 4:15, with explicit content and additional vocals by Kanye West, who also handled production.^[19] The B-side concludes with "Guess Who's Back" (Instrumental), a vocal-free version at approximately 4:01, highlighting Kanye West's production elements. These tracks were written by Kanye West, B. Sutton, M. Sutton, and T. DePierro, among others.^[19] These inclusions served primarily as a value-add for vinyl collectors, providing content from another album highlight without standalone promotion.