New York
Ghostface Feat. Raekwon & AZ Lyrics

Yeah "the city"
Referring to New York City as the main focus of the song

This is serious, here "number one"
Stating that New York City is the most important city

New York! It's beyond the 5 boroughs keep it real, I get ill
New York City extends beyond the five boroughs, and the artist is capable of creating great music

Number one, this will rock! "the city" "I gotta get in"
This number one song will be a hit that properly represents New York and the artist wants to be part of it

This is that, Riker's Island, not slipping rap flows
The artist is skilled enough to create music while imprisoned in Riker's Island (famous jail in NYC)

For them box bitten bing monsters, sniffin' that blow
Describing the drug-crazed prisoners in Riker's Island

Block covers know the style, triple that dough
Local gangs know the rap style and appreciate the money made from it

Forty cal. for them cock suckers, sittin' back slow
Describing gun violence in the city, specifically against those who aren't actively involved in gang activities

What y'all know about coke pies, give 'em that low
Asking the listener if they know about the drug distribution process

I mouth them before the bowtie resemble cash flow
The artist can easily identify wealthy individuals, as they wear expensive clothing

Rap NY, no lie, my side is back Ghost, so hot
Affirming that New York has great rap music and the artist, Ghostface, is among them

Crooked cops are searching your asshole, it's the drop
Police are willing to perform invasive searches in order to find drugs

That freeze niggaz right where they stand for the gwap
Gun violence and financial motivation for it freezes people with fear

Niggaz'll play Pac and pop with they man, it don't stop
People are willing to kill each other over financial disputes, like the violence that surrounded Tupac Shakur's death

We up top, but we locked and landing
The artist and their gang are on top, but they still face difficulties and scrutiny from authorities

He roadblock, he flow shots, get Ghost and scram
Describing the strategy of the gang to avoid roadblocks and keep producing music

Gingerbread niggaz on the run from feds
Describing the situation of people avoiding federal authorities

Shit is sick, pretty chicks'll put a gun to ya head
Even attractive women can be involved in violence and crime

Never a vic', either think quick or end up dead
It's necessary to always be prepared for unexpected situations, as death is a possibility

'Cause when we flip, what's left to be said? New York
After describing the violence and crime in the city, the artist affirms that New York is still the best city

Yo, we was raised in the dead arm district
The artist and their gang comes from a tough neighborhood

Before guns was called biscuits, Stapleton was on that hood shit
Describing the time before guns were referred to as "biscuits", the hood life in Stapleton (neighborhood in Staten Island)

Live from the New York borough, keeping it thorough
Presenting the artist and their gang as genuine New Yorkers

Bunch of snakes in the grass, stay creepin' like squirrels
Describing the presence of backstabbing and betrayal within the gang

'Cuz a snitch gon' crack that nut, don't give a fuck
A snitch will reveal the group's secrets, regardless of the consequences

Did ten hours long and try to wrap us up
An individual who was caught and served only ten hours tried to implicate them in a crime

He dry snitching, post up in the whip with a fly wisdom
The snitch shared information, yet still drives around in a fancy car

Hopped out to get a dutch, but he left with his wig splitten
The snitch was killed while going to buy rolling paper

We from New York, my city never sleeps (No)
Affirming that New York is the city that never sleeps

We runnin' with a hundred heats
Implying that the artist's gang is armed with a lot of guns

When beef pop off, we ain't the one to speak
When violence occurs, they don't talk about it

Dressed in all black, driving six feet hurses
Describing the appearance of the gang during a funeral procession

With sixteen niggaz, dropping sixteen verses
There were 16 members of the group, each rapping a verse

Big faces, bolgin' outta big green purses
Large amounts of money are being exchanged

Stuck ya man for his vegi's and his lame ass circus
Robbed someone for their insignificant belongings

So I dare niggaz act up, y'all niggaz act up Now like cars in reverse, y'all better back up
Challenging someone to behave disadvantageously, as they'll quickly reverse their actions when confronted