Khaled first gained recognition as a radio host in the 1990s on the radio s… Read Full Bio ↴Khaled first gained recognition as a radio host in the 1990s on the radio station 99 Jamz, and translated his popularity by working with Terror Squad as a DJ for their live performances. After gaining production credits on the group's material,[4] Khaled released his debut studio album Listennn... the Album in 2006, which earned gold certification. He followed it with We the Best (2007), which contained the top 20 single "I'm So Hood". His subsequent two releases — We Global (2008) and Victory (2010) — were released after he founded the record label We the Best Music Group. Both albums charted in the top ten on the US Billboard 200, with the latter containing the single "All I Do Is Win", which was eventually certified triple platinum.

His fifth studio album We the Best Forever (2011) also saw similar commercial success, and helped bring Khaled to international prominence, as it featured the song "I'm on One", which was his first top ten hit. His sixth and seventh albums, Kiss the Ring (2012) and Suffering from Success (2013), charted in the top ten on the Billboard 200, and his eighth studio album, I Changed a Lot (2015), peaked at number 12.[5] In 2015 and 2016, Khaled gained worldwide attention as a media personality, due to his activity on social media. This foresaw the release of his ninth studio album Major Key (2016), which gained critical and commercial success; it debuted at number one the Billboard 200, was certified gold, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.

He released his tenth studio album, Grateful, in 2017, which contained the singles "I'm the One" and "Wild Thoughts", which charted at number one and number two on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and was also certified platinum. His eleventh album, Father of Asahd, was released in 2019; it peaked at number two, and the song "Higher" won Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, Khaled's first Grammy award win. His eponymous twelfth album was released in 2021.

Outside of music, Khaled has gained success as a writer, with his book The Keys featuring on the New York Times Best Seller list. He has also featured as an actor, appearing in Spies in Disguise (2019) and Bad Boys for Life (2020).

Rep My City
DJ Khaled Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh yeah,
And you know I rep my city
My, my, my city
You know I rep my city
My, my, my city
You know I rep my city
My, my, my city
You know I rep my city

Lets go

Mr. 305
Better say Mr. Worldwide
Ay khaled this right here is for the chicos
Narido, all my Haitians out there
You know if you don't kill you it'll make you stronger baby
This is how we gon' do it for Dade County
I want you to feel what it feels like to take over the world
And I don't talk about it, I be about it

This for those that chose to sleep on Pits
Not knowing I had a plan for every letter in the alphabet
My life's been diarrhea boy I've been through some shit
Turned it all around and now my bank account likes, oh shit
Could have took the coke route, heroin boy dope route
Chevy gets dressed up, choppa's get chocked out
A-K Quatro Siete dale mete machete
Perico's been a part of my life since I was chupando tete
I went from buildings with dope holes and boys with gold fronts
To fucking dope hoes and houses with beach fronts
I hit a lick moth'fucker yeah my life changed
But Chico won't change, I'm forever Dade
Invest in my future so I'm forever paid
I don't play games fuck boy I ain't E-A
Go ahead and hate me til I'm dead in the ground
I'm D-A-D-E Dade county

[Chorus]
I'm all in and I rep my city till I die
As long as I'm thinking and breathing I'm gon' ride
On the east to the west side
Kept it a 100 so I'm good for life
Give a damn what a hater gotta say
Make it this far I'm a do it my way
I'm a do it my way, do it do it my way
Give a damn what a hater gotta say
I rep my city, rep my city
Rep my city, rep my city
Rep my city, rep my city
Rep yo city, rep yo city

Miami's red cross when they need me I'm there
I'm from the era when there was gang wars at the Youth Fair
I'm ten years ahead of the game, I know it ain't fair
Used to go to Santa's Enchanted just to pull on Santa's beard
Sat on Santa's lap and showed him some crack
And told him for Christmas all I want is coke that comes back
Something about a 75-K a show,
Next year it will be 300 per show yeah fo sho
Pits always had it on lock
I'm from the bottom bitch y'all can keep a fucking top
My dog dammit bout to jump out a ten year bid
Look at the way that Chico been reppin' the crib
From rocking stages with uncle Al Virginia key
To rocking sold out crowds at M-S-G
And I ain't from New York I'm a Dade county representer
Dat right fo sho lets ride

[Chorus]

And you know I rep my city
My, my, my city
You know I rep my city
My, my, my city
You know I rep my city
My, my, my city

You know I rep my city
Lets go

Overall Meaning

The song Rep My City by DJ Khaled featuring Pitbull and Jarvis is an anthem that celebrates their hometown and the things that make it unique. The lyric "And you know I rep my city" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the pride they have for their hometown. The song talks about how they grew up in Miami's Dade County and how they have overcome difficult situations. Pitbull shares how he has turned his life around from the "diarrhea" he faced in the past and is now successful with a bank account that everyone would envy.

Apart from the personal experiences shared in the song, they also give shoutouts to their city and the people in it, particularly to the different communities and ethnicities that make up Miami's diverse culture. Pitbull mentions that the track is for the "chicos" and the Haitian community, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the song. He also refers to Miami as the "red cross" and says that he will always be there for his city, citing the time when Miami needed him the most.

Overall, Rep My City is a song that celebrates Miami's cultural diversity and pride in one's hometown. It is a song that talks about overcoming obstacles, the importance of hard work, and the communal spirit that makes Miami the vibrant city it is today.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh yeah,
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm to start the song.

And you know I rep my city
I am proud to represent my city and showcase its uniqueness and beauty.

My, my, my city
I emphasize the importance of my city and how it is a part of my identity.

You know I rep my city
I want everyone to know that I am loyal and committed to my city.

My, my, my city
Once again, I stress how much my city means to me.

You know I rep my city
I will continue to proudly represent and promote my city through my music and actions.

My, my, my city
Reiterating my love and admiration for my city.

You know I rep my city
It is undeniable how much I care about my city and its people.

Lets go
Let's get started with the song and showcase our love for our city.

Mr. 305
My nickname is Mr. 305, representing Miami's area code.

Better say Mr. Worldwide
I have gained international recognition and respect for my music, so refer to me as Mr. Worldwide.

Ay khaled this right here is for the chicos
This song is dedicated to my Latinx audience, especially the guys.

Narido, all my Haitians out there
Shoutout to the Haitian community in Miami and how they have contributed to the city's diversity and culture.

You know if you don't kill you it'll make you stronger baby
I have faced adversity and challenges in my life, but they only made me more resilient and determined.

This is how we gon' do it for Dade County
We will represent and showcase the best of Miami's culture and identity through this song and our music.

I want you to feel what it feels like to take over the world
I want my audience to feel the empowerment and excitement of taking over the world with their talents and hard work.

And I don't talk about it, I be about it
I do not just talk about my success and commitment to my city, I actively demonstrate it through my actions.

This for those that chose to sleep on Pits
This is for those who underestimated me and did not believe in my talent and potential.

Not knowing I had a plan for every letter in the alphabet
I had a strategic plan and vision for my music career, even from the beginning.

My life's been diarrhea boy I've been through some shit
I have faced numerous challenges, obstacles, and setbacks throughout my life and career.

Turned it all around and now my bank account likes, oh shit
Despite my struggles, I have persevered and succeeded in my music career, leading to immense financial success.

Could have took the coke route, heroin boy dope route
I could have turned to drugs and illegal activities to make money, but I chose to pursue music instead.

Chevy gets dressed up, choppa's get chocked out
I cherish my cars, but I also own weapons for protection and self-defense.

A-K Quatro Siete dale mete machete
I am referencing a popular Miami rap phrase which means 'fire the machine gun.'

Perico's been a part of my life since I was chupando tete
I have had a connection to cocaine since I was a child, as it is commonly found in Miami's streets.

I went from buildings with dope holes and boys with gold fronts
I grew up in poverty and witnessed drug dealing and violence firsthand in my neighborhood.

To fucking dope hoes and houses with beach fronts
Now I am living a lavish lifestyle with luxury cars, beautiful women, and beachfront properties due to my music success.

I hit a lick moth'fucker yeah my life changed
I had a significant breakthrough in my career and made a lot of money through a successful investment, leading to a complete change in my lifestyle.

But Chico won't change, I'm forever Dade
Despite my success, I will always stay true to my roots and represent Miami and its culture.

Invest in my future so I'm forever paid
I will continue to invest in my music career and other ventures to ensure long-term financial success.

I don't play games fuck boy I ain't E-A
I am not one to waste my time or mess around with people who do not take my success seriously.

Go ahead and hate me til I'm dead in the ground
I expect criticism and negativity from certain people, but it will not stop me from pursuing my goals and representing my city.

I'm D-A-D-E Dade county
I spell out the name of my city to emphasize my devotion and loyalty to it.

I'm all in and I rep my city till I die
I am completely committed to representing my city and its people through my music and actions, even until the end of my life.

As long as I'm thinking and breathing I'm gon' ride
I will continue to proudly represent Miami and its culture while I am alive and have the ability to do so.

On the east to the west side
I am representing all parts of Miami and how they contribute to its diversity and unique identity.

Kept it a 100 so I'm good for life
I have always been honest and true to myself and my city, ensuring a fulfilling and satisfying life.

Give a damn what a hater gotta say
I do not care about the negative opinions of others and will continue to represent my city proudly.

Make it this far I'm a do it my way
I have achieved great success through my own effort and hard work, and will continue to do so independently.

I'm a do it my way, do it do it my way
I am emphasizing my dedication to doing things my way and staying true to myself.

Rep my city, rep my city
I am restating my devotion and loyalty to my city through my music and actions.

Miami's red cross when they need me I'm there
I am willing and eager to contribute to Miami's community and help those in need through my success and influence.

I'm from the era when there was gang wars at the Youth Fair
I grew up in a time of great violence and conflict in Miami, particularly in youth locations like the Youth Fair.

I'm ten years ahead of the game, I know it ain't fair
I have been ahead of the music industry and cultural trends for a long time, giving me an unfair advantage over others.

Used to go to Santa's Enchanted just to pull on Santa's beard
I am reminiscing on a playful and carefree memory from my childhood.

Sat on Santa's lap and showed him some crack
I am referencing my childhood connection to cocaine, suggesting a darker side to my upbringing.

And told him for Christmas all I want is coke that comes back
I am emphasizing my desire for drugs and how they were a part of my life, even in my childhood.

Something about a 75-K a show
I am highlighting how much money I make per music show, emphasizing my financial success.

Next year it will be 300 per show yeah fo sho
I am making a bold prediction about my future success and how much money I will make from music shows in the future.

Pits always had it on lock
I have always had control and power in Miami's music scene and have emerged as a leader and icon within it.

I'm from the bottom bitch y'all can keep a fucking top
I come from a poor and disadvantaged background, but that has only motivated me to succeed and rise to the top on my own.

My dog dammit bout to jump out a ten year bid
I am referencing a friend who is about to be released from a ten-year prison sentence, suggesting my connection to Miami's criminal underworld.

Look at the way that Chico been reppin' the crib
I am reflecting on my achievements and how they reflect my commitment and loyalty to Miami and its people.

From rocking stages with uncle Al Virginia key
I have a history of performing music with the legendary DJ Uncle Al at Virginia Key Beach, emphasizing my long career in Miami's music scene.

To rocking sold out crowds at M-S-G
I have reached the level of success where I am now performing in major arenas like Madison Square Garden, showcasing my reach and influence.

And I ain't from New York I'm a Dade county representer
I am proud of my Miami roots and how they have influenced my music and success, rejecting any comparisons or connections to New York's music scene.

Dat right fo sho lets ride
I am hyping up my connection and influence in Miami and urging my audience to join me in representing and promoting our city.

Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KHALED MOHAMMAED KHALED, ARMANDO CHRISTIAN PEREZ, LUIS ALEJANDRO DIAZ, BEN DIEHL, G. LEWIS, JARVIS SHAFFER, TURINIDA SYLVESTER, NATE WALKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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