Go Hard
D.B.'z Lyrics


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Brooklyn! [Repeat: x4]
Brooklyn!
We go hard! [Repeat: x2]

[Chorus: Santogold]
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! [Repeat: x8]

[Jay-Z]
This is black hoodie rap, there's no fear in my eyes where they looking at
Better look on map, Besides, me nah like to eye fight
Me nah think such a ting is worth a man's life (Christ!)
But if a man test my Stuy, I promise he won't like my reply
Boom Bye Bye like Buju I'm crucial
I'm a Brooklyn boy I may take some getting use to
Chain snatching, ain't have it, gotta get it
Same shitted, from Brownsville to Bainbrididge
Fatherless child, mama put double shifts
So the number runners was the only one I hanged widith
Before you know it I'm in the game, bang fidith
Fit no orangutans piddeals kid-daps like orange's I'm dangerous
Please! Tell me what the name of this is

[Chorus: Santogold (Jay-Z & Santigold)]
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! [Repeat: x4]
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! (B-R-O-O-K!)
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! (L-Y-N! Come again!)
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! (B-R-O-O-K!)
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! (L-Y-N! Come again!)

[Jay-Z]
I father, I Brooklyn Dodger them
I Jack, I Rob, I sin
Aw man, I'm Jackie Robinson
Except when I run base, I dodge the pen
Lucky me, lucky we, they didn't get me
Now when I bring the Nets I'm the Black Branch Ricky
From Brooklyn corners, burning branches of sticky
Spread love, Biggie, Brooklyn, hippie
I pity, the fool with jewels like Mr. T
With no history in my borough, they borrow
With no intentions of returning, tomorrow
The sun don't come out for many, like Annie
Half orphan, mama never had an abortion
Papa sort of did, still I managed to live
I go hard, I owe it all to the crib
Now please tell me, what the fuck's harder than this!

[Chorus]

[Santogold]
While I'm doing my time due to circumstance
Cross that bridge, face the consequence
Once pretend now I paid my dues
Risk takers we break the rules
Get so dark, but I see good
Bed-Stuy stay high in my neck of the woods
Now, let it ring out, it's a warning
(Brook-Lyn!) Let it be sworn in
Gotta make it stick working like we good color
Rip it to the core, underneath it or we ought to
Right into the clip, bring it to the floor
One step one step give it up more
The road is rough and the street's a mess
With big ass dreams and a sick death wish
Probably like the commercials says
Kill the voice screaming in my head

[Chorus]





[Santogold]
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!

Overall Meaning

The song “Go Hard” by D.B.'z Featuring Jay-Z and Santogold is an ode to Brooklyn, paying tribute to its rough and rugged reputation. The song embraces the idea of hard work and determination, referencing coming from humble beginnings and making it to the top. The lyrics of the song are an exploration of the grit and resilience required to make it in Brooklyn.


The song begins with a chant of “Brooklyn,” repeated several times, as if calling out to the borough and summoning its energy. Jay-Z's verse highlights the harsh realities of growing up in Brooklyn and the struggles faced therein. He references chain-snatching and a rough upbringing, noting that he was a “fatherless child” whose mother worked double shifts. The chorus, sung by Santogold, emphasizes the idea that Brooklynites are hard-workers and unrelenting, no matter what obstacles arise.


Santogold takes over in the last verse, discussing the sacrifices necessary to achieve success, and chanting that Brooklyn will always “go hard.” The song ends with the chorus repeated several more times, as if solidifying the hard-working spirit that runs through Brooklyn.


Overall, “Go Hard” is a celebration of Brooklyn and its people, highlighting the challenges faced in the borough while maintaining a sense of pride and triumph. The song is a tribute to the resilience and work ethic required to succeed, and a call to action to keep pushing forward despite adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Brooklyn!
Acknowledging Brooklyn as the focus of the song


We go hard!
Proudly proclaiming the attitude and determination of Brooklyn


Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!
Reinforcing the message that Brooklyn and its people are tough and resilient


This is black hoodie rap, there's no fear in my eyes where they looking at
Jay-Z intends to portray himself as tough and fearless when he's wearing his black hoodie


Better look on map, Besides, me nah like to eye fight
Jay-Z suggests that those looking for trouble should think twice because he won't back down from a fight


Me nah think such a ting is worth a man's life (Christ!)
Jay-Z believes that violence is not worth risking someone's life over


But if a man test my Stuy, I promise he won't like my reply
Jay-Z warns that if someone challenges him or his neighborhood, they will face consequences they won't enjoy


Boom Bye Bye like Buju I'm crucial
Jay-Z references the violent lyrics of Buju Banton's song 'Boom Bye Bye' to emphasize his own strength


I'm a Brooklyn boy I may take some getting use to
Jay-Z acknowledges that the attitude and way of life in Brooklyn may be different from what some people are used to


Chain snatching, ain't have it, gotta get it
Jay-Z admits to stealing chains in the past because he couldn't afford them


Same shitted, from Brownsville to Bainbrididge
Jay-Z is saying that people in different areas of Brooklyn face similar struggles and challenges


Fatherless child, mama put double shifts
Jay-Z's mother had to work hard to support him because he didn't have a father figure in his life


So the number runners was the only one I hanged widith
Jay-Z hung out with people who ran illegal numbers games (gambling) because there were few positive options available to him


Before you know it I'm in the game, bang fidith
Jay-Z quickly found himself involved in the drug trade, which he refers to as 'the game'


Fit no orangutans piddeals kid-daps like orange's I'm dangerous
Jay-Z boasts that he doesn't dress flamboyantly like some other rappers, but he is still dangerous and powerful


Please! Tell me what the name of this is
Jay-Z challenges anyone to find something that is tougher or more impressive than Brooklyn's attitude and resilience


While I'm doing my time due to circumstance
Santogold reflects on the difficult situations she has faced and how they have affected her


Cross that bridge, face the consequence
Santogold acknowledges that there are consequences for everything, and she is prepared to face them


Once pretend now I paid my dues
Santogold has gone from pretending to be successful to actually earning her success through hard work and perseverance


Risk takers we break the rules
Santogold identifies herself as a risk taker who is willing to break the rules to succeed


Get so dark, but I see good
Santogold tries to find positivity even in difficult situations


Bed-Stuy stay high in my neck of the woods
Santogold has a strong connection to the Bed-Stuy neighborhood in Brooklyn


Now, let it ring out, it's a warning
Santogold issues a warning to anyone who would underestimate her or Brooklyn


Gotta make it stick working like we good color
Santogold and those around her work hard to make their success permanent


Rip it to the core, underneath it or we ought to
Santogold advocates for revealing the truth behind things, even if it is uncomfortable or difficult


Right into the clip, bring it to the floor
Santogold calls for taking action and making things happen


One step one step give it up more
Santogold urges people to never stop pushing themselves to be better and to give more than they think they can


The road is rough and the street's a mess
Santogold recognizes that the journey to success is challenging and often unpredictable


With big ass dreams and a sick death wish
Santogold acknowledges that achieving big dreams can be dangerous and comes with risks


Probably like the commercials says
Santogold references the idea that advertisers often use empty promises to sell products


Kill the voice screaming in my head
Santogold wants to silence her own self-doubt and fear so that she can achieve her goals




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF BHASKER, KANYE WEST, JOHN HILL, SHAWN 'JAY Z' CARTER, SANTI WHITE, PATRICK REYNOLDS, NAEEM JUWAN HANKS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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