Guantanamera
Celia Cruz/Jenni Fujita/Rufugee Allstars/Wyclef Jean Lyrics

Come on!
Let's go!

Spanish Harlem
A neighborhood in New York known for its Latino culture

Boogie Down Bronx
A nickname for the Bronx and its lively hip-hop scene

Manhattan
A borough in New York City known for its skyscrapers and business district

Back to Staten
Returning to Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City

Guantanamera (Hey yo I'm standing at the bar with a Cuban cigar)
Referring to the classic Cuban song 'Guantanamera' while also setting the scene of the singer in a bar with a Cuban cigar

Guajira, guantanamera (Hey, yo, I think she's eyeing me from afar)
The singer notices a woman possibly interested in him, using the term 'guajira' (a rural Cuban woman) in reference to the woman he's talking to

Yo, I wrote this in Haiti, overlooking Cuba
The artist is writing this song from Haiti, which has a view of Cuba across the sea

I asked her what's her name, she said, 'Guantanamera'
The woman the artist meets introduces herself as 'Guantanamera,' after the classic Cuban song

Remind me of an old latin song, my uncle used to play
The artist reflects on memories of his uncle playing the classic Cuban song 'Guantanamera'

On his old forty-five when he used to be alive
The singer's uncle used to play the song on a vinyl record

She went from a young girl, to a grown woman like a Virgin
The woman the artist meets has matured into a confident, strong woman over time, similar to the transformation of the Virgin Mary in Catholicism

So she sex with no average man
The woman the singer meets is selective and chooses only exceptional partners

Peep the figure, move like a caterpillar
The woman the singer meets has a desirable physique and moves gracefully

Fly like a butterfly, let your soul feel her glide
The woman the singer meets moves with ease and grace, allowing others to appreciate her beauty

Pac Woman better yet Space Invader
The woman the artist meets has a powerful presence and commands attention

If your name was Chun-Li, we'd be playin' Street Fighter
Referencing the popular video game Street Fighter and the character Chun-Li, suggesting that the woman the artist meets is strong and has a fighting spirit

Penny for your thoughts, a nickel for your kiss
A classic saying meaning 'tell me what you're thinking and I'll give you a small reward'

A dime if you tell me that you love me
An offer of a greater reward if the person reveals their true feelings

Soy una mujer sincera (Do you speak English?)
The artist introduces himself as a sincere person and asks if the woman speaks English

De donde crece la palma (Can I buy you a drink?)
Asking the woman where she comes from (a place where palm trees grow) and offering to buy her a drink

You killin' me
An exclamation of being overwhelmed or surprised

Y antes de morir, yo quiero/Cantar mis versos del alma (Te quiero mamá, te quiero)
'And before I die, I want to sing the verses of my soul (I love you, Mom, I love you)' - expressing the desire to share one's true self before passing away

Hey, yo, John Forte, I think she's eyeing me from afar
A reference to rapper John Forte, while the artist notices the woman he met earlier is still interested in him

Yo, she was a rose in Spanish Harlem, mamacita beg your pardon?
Describing the woman as beautiful, using a Spanish term of endearment while apologizing for any offense

Make stakes at a faster rate than she fornicates
Implying the woman is an expert in business dealings and can make money quickly

Pure traits of genius, goddess of Black Venus
Describing the woman as intelligent, innovative, and powerful

Crab niggaz angry cause they can't get between us
Referring to envy and jealousy from those who can't have the same success and relationship as the artist and the woman he's interested in

To no selección, smooth complexión
Translation: 'With no selection, smooth complexion.' Describing the woman's natural beauty

The lexicon of Lexington, parents came from Cuba/ Part Mexican, pure sweet, dimes fell to her feet
Describing the woman's ethnicity, beauty, and success

She like Movado, and shook her hips like Delgado
Comparing the woman to popular reggae singer Movado and a dancer with fluid hips, praising her beauty and grace

And broke niggaz down from the grounds to Apollo
Referring to the woman's power to break down anyone (even those at the lowest level in society), from the streets to the world-famous Apollo Theater in New York City

And then some, she took her act sent it to dim sum / And waited patiently while the businessmen come
The woman took her talents and skills to a successful Asian restaurant (dim sum) and waited for business opportunities to come her way

Call late on purpose, got even politicians nervous
The woman has powerful connections and can make others anxious with her influence

And made plans to infiltrate the street secret service
The woman has connections to underground or secret organizations

This gentle flower, fertility was her power
Describing the woman's femininity and her strength in being able to bear children

Sweet persona, Venus Flytrap primadonna
Describing the woman's charming and likable nature but also suggesting she can be captious or demanding, similar to a Venus flytrap plant

Qué será, qué será, she turned dinero to dinera
'What will be, will be' - the woman follows her path to success and turns money into more money (playing on the Spanish words for 'money' and 'woman')