If I
Foxy Brown Lyrics

Uh, c'mon, yeah.
Introduction to the song

Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take it back, take it back.
Referencing her hometown Brooklyn and reminiscing about earlier times

If I... Fox boogie, ragtop, six drop,
Speculating about a fantasy life with a flashy car and persona

Get caught, think not, light Brown,
Confidence in her own abilities and refusing to be stopped by anyone

'Cause we're not to be stopped.
Reiterating her determination and strength

I came up fast in this crap game they call a rap game.
Acknowledging the music industry is difficult to navigate

What the damn, she's killin it again from that dame.
Receiving recognition for her talent and hard work

Now every snake, fake-faced, o' jig;
Recognizing the people in the industry who are not genuine

I'm like, just don't sell me the bridge, I buy lakes.
Refusing to be swindled and owning her own success

Friends even bend rules, chicks I lent jewels,
Feeling betrayed by acquaintances who have taken advantage of her generosity

Says, "She's actin' funny now, oh, she's got money now."
Realizing that her success has changed how some people treat her

Tryin' to do my thing, y'all, need you on my team,
Acknowledging that support from others is valuable, but she will not let anyone stop her from achieving her dreams

But you ain't gon' stop my dream, or block my cream.
Asserting that her success will not be hindered or taken away

I liked things better when you called me Ings,
Reflecting back on a time when life was simpler and her true friends were closer

A year before Rap City, way before Screen Scene.
Placing the timeline of her life and career

'Fore they knew who Foxy was, you probably was
Acknowledging that some of her closest friends have known her from before she became famous

The first to keep it real, wit' all my secrets concealed.
Valuing the friends who have been genuine and supportive

Things got ill the minute I got a deal,
Realizing that success also comes with new challenges and pressures

And my time got shorter, and you was havin' a daughter.
Feeling the strain of being pulled in different directions with less time for her own passions

Had to stop hopscotch, get off, I ran;
Leaving behind the carefree days of childhood games and growing up too fast

Damn, I wish we were still playin' jump.
Expressing nostalgia and missing a simpler time

[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus

My so-called man thinkin' he slick 'cause I stay on tour;
Feeling deceived by someone who took advantage of her absence during touring

Thought he'd never get caught tryin' to play on whores.
Realizing that she was not the only person being manipulated

I cried, as my keys was scrapin' the car doors,
Responding emotionally and impulsively to the betrayal

From the trunk to the hood, by the wheel and the floor.
Showing that her heartache affected all aspects of her life

Exposed my vulnerable side, had me open wide,
Feeling emotionally exposed and hurt by someone she trusted

Said you forever keep it real, but you lied.
Realizing that someone who claimed to be honest was, in fact, deceitful

Was the first to feel inside, the Ill Na Na
Feeling empowered and confident as a trailblazer in the industry

Had me thirst when you whispered to me, "How it feel mama?"
Being seduced by someone's flattering words and manipulation

Yeah, but don't hurt it, I like the way you work it.
Acknowledging attraction to someone who is ultimately not trustworthy or genuine

No Diggity, don't stop, get busy.
Referencing a popular song and expressing a desire to keep going despite hardship

Blew up your pager, checked your clothes,
Invading someone's privacy in order to uncover their lies

Duked your house keys, stole your beeper code.
Showing desperation and a willingness to go to extremes to find the truth

What happened to the Mo's and the occasional roses,
Missing the loving gestures and behaviors from earlier in the relationship

Massages and the bubble baths, rubbin' my toes?
Longing for intimacy and romantic gestures

As I realize you was just misleadin' me,
Finally seeing the truth and feeling hurt by being lied to

I shoulda known, you left your last chick to be with me.
Realizing someone else had gone through the same heartbreak and manipulation as her

[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus

Mommy dearest tried to prepare us for a lot ahead.
Remembering her mother's advice from earlier in life

You never heard, preferred to smoke your lie instead.
Ignoring advice and making poor decisions

On the one to one combo, told me you'd die for bread;
Promising loyalty and dedication but ultimately not following through

That's why I spend these nights, cryin' in the bed.
Feeling the weight of betrayal and heartbreak

You had the deep dish six, your rep was widespread.
Acknowledging someone's flashy car and popularity

I tried to intervene, you said it was over my head,
Attempting to help someone make better choices, but not being listened to

Said I'd never understand the plight of a black man.
Feeling excluded and misunderstood

Right, but I'm tryin' to keep you in my life,
Expressing a desire to maintain a relationship despite difficulties

V.I.A. satellite, talkin' them burn outs.
Attempting to stay connected through technology and difficult circumstances

Soon you had me wilin' and you turned me out,
Being caught up in someone's charm and manipulation

Taught me 'bout how to win, the code of the streets.
Learning from someone's questionable tactics and behavior

Luxuries and wealth untold, it was sweet.
Experiencing the exciting and glamorous side of life and success

And one night you asleep after work, was chopped up,
Experiencing tragedy and violence

Felt somethin' strange in my veins, I popped up.
Feeling a sudden jolt of fear or intuition

One foot in the house, shoot flew to the horn,
Reacting instinctively to danger

Got the cell operator, I knew you was gone.
Realizing someone she cared about had died or been killed

[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus