Cam'ron made his acting debut on the 2002 film Paid in Full, where he played the character Rico, who is based on former Harlem drug dealer Alpo. In 2006, Cam'ron would return to his acting career and make his debut in screen writing in his movie Killa Season. Cam'ron plays a high school basketball player who eventually drops out of high school to begin his own drug ring. The movie was released in 2006, simultaneous with the Killa Season album.
Welcome To New York City
Cam'ron Lyrics
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Welcome to Medina, the Mecca, the melting pot
Where you could be playin' ball or sellin' rocks
Tell the cops, they don't care
If you starvin', they won't share
All they'll say is, "Get your own, mothafucka'"
See the love isn't unconditional
A demonstration of unification is uncivilized
But all these bright lights, how could you not visualize?
The Apple is rotten, but I love it
(We're in New York)
42nd and Broadway, you'll see a play
142nd and Broadway, see the yay
I've written rules you follow, it's no need to say
They take your chips, I ain't talkin' no Frito Lay
(We're in New York)
No Allstate or Geico
But she got that money for lipo'
In the trunk, most of us got the rifle
Get your purse snatched from a psycho in
(We're in New York)
When I watched the towers fall
But nobody takin' ours, y'all
20 gunshots, call that a shower, y'all
Money, respect, don't forget the power, y'all
(We're in New York)
Certain beef you can't call off
So get holes in your body, like a golf course
Yeah, shotty to the brain
See you thought it was a game, but
We're in New York City
We're in New York City
We're in New York City
When I watched the towers fall
We're in New York City
Nobody takin' ours, y'all
(We're in New York)
When I watched the towers fall
But nobody takin' ours, y'all
20 gunshots, call that a shower, y'all
Money, respect, don't forget the power, y'all
(We're in New York)
Certain beef you can't call off
So get holes in your body, like a golf course
Yeah, shotty to the brain
See you thought it was a game, but
Cam'ron's Welcome to New York City is a rap song that serves as an anthem for the importance of surviving and thriving in the Big Apple. The lyrics paint a picture of what life is like in the city, the ups and downs, and the daily struggles faced by residents. It starts with a description of New York City as Medina, the Mecca, the melting pot, where people can engage in various activities, including playing ball or selling drugs. However, the police don't care about their problems and would rather people fend for themselves. The song delves into the harsh realities of life in the city, including the inconsistent and conditional nature of love and the importance of being ahead of the game.
New York City is also portrayed as a corrupt place where people take risks with their lives and face certain dangers, such as theft and gun violence. Cam'ron also alludes to the 9/11 attacks, which he witnessed first-hand, and his loyalty to the city in the aftermath. He uses his experience as a cautionary tale, reminding others that they must remain vigilant and focused in the city.
Overall, Welcome to New York City is a powerful song that encapsulates the energy, challenges, and excitement of life in this great city.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to Medina, the Mecca, the melting pot
Welcome to New York City, a diverse hub where basketball and drug dealing coexist
Where you could be playin' ball or sellin' rocks
In this city, you have the option to follow a legitimate path or engage in illegal activity
Tell the cops, they don't care
Informing the police of one's struggles is futile
If you starvin', they won't share
The authorities will not assist those without food or resources
All they'll say is, "Get your own, mothafucka'"
The response of law enforcement to those in need is often dismissive and unsympathetic
See the love isn't unconditional
In this environment, love and support are often conditional, rather than freely given
A demonstration of unification is uncivilized
Attempts to bring together people in this city are often met with violence and aggression
If you're ahead of the game, it's you they epitomize
Success in New York City leads to admiration and emulation
But all these bright lights, how could you not visualize?
Despite the challenges, the glamour and allure of the city are hard to ignore
The Apple is rotten, but I love it
Despite the city's flaws, the artist has a deep affection for it
42nd and Broadway, you'll see a play
The theater district of the city is centered around 42nd and Broadway
142nd and Broadway, see the yay
Drug dealing takes place at the intersection of 142nd and Broadway
I've written rules you follow, it's no need to say
The unwritten rules and expectations of life in the city are understood and need not be explained
They take your chips, I ain't talkin' no Frito Lay
In New York, people will steal from you without hesitation or remorse
No Allstate or Geico
Insurance companies are not sufficient protection in this city
But she got that money for lipo'
People in New York have the financial means to undergo expensive cosmetic procedures
In the trunk, most of us got the rifle
Illicit firearms are widely distributed and carried
Get your purse snatched from a psycho in
Women are at risk of having their purses stolen by a mentally unstable person
When I watched the towers fall
The singer witnessed the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center
But nobody takin' ours, y'all
Despite the tragedy, the people of New York are resilient and won't let anyone take their city
20 gunshots, call that a shower, y'all
The sound of gunfire is alarmingly common in certain areas of the city
Money, respect, don't forget the power, y'all
The currency of New York City is not just money, but also respect and influence
Certain beef you can't call off
Some conflicts in this city cannot be resolved peacefully or easily
So get holes in your body, like a golf course
Retaliation could result in being shot and killed
Yeah, shotty to the brain
Gun violence is a real and terrifying possibility in New York City
See you thought it was a game, but
The singer warns that violence should not be taken lightly
We're in New York City
The repeated phrase acts as a reminder of the setting
When I watched the towers fall
The artist reflects again on the 9/11 attacks
Nobody takin' ours, y'all
The people of New York will not let anyone threaten or take their city
20 gunshots, call that a shower, y'all
The sound of gunfire is still a reality in certain areas of the city
Money, respect, don't forget the power, y'all
The values of the city persist, even in the face of adversity
Certain beef you can't call off
Some conflicts in this city are inescapable and cannot be resolved peacefully
So get holes in your body, like a golf course
Retaliation could result in being shot and killed
Yeah, shotty to the brain
The artist reminds listeners of the lethal consequences of gun violence
See you thought it was a game, but
The singer reinforces the seriousness of the message
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ben Ruttner, James Patterson, Cameron Giles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind