Brooklyn
Jay-Z/Santigold Lyrics

Brooklyn!
Celebrating Brooklyn and its resilience

Brooklyn! We go hard!
Proudly representing Brooklyn and its tough attitude

Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!
Repeating the notion that Brooklyn is unstoppable and tenacious

This is black hoodie rap, there's no fear in my eyes where they looking at
Jay-Z is unafraid and confrontational in his music, wearing his black hoodie as a symbol of his intensity

Better look on map, Besides, me nah like to eye fight
Jay-Z is warning others to be careful before starting something with him, as it could lead to violence

Me nah think such a ting is worth a man’s life (Christ!)
Jay-Z believes that some disputes are not worth risking one's own life

But if a man test my Stuy, I promise he won't like my reply
Jay-Z is protective of the neighborhood he grew up in and would not hesitate to stand up for it fiercely

Boom Bye Bye like Buju I'm crucial
Jay-Z references a controversial Jamaican song that advocates for violence against homosexuals, implying that he is not afraid to be ruthless if necessary

I'm a Brooklyn boy I may take some getting use to
Jay-Z is proud of his Brooklyn roots but understands that his upbringing might not be relatable to everyone

Chain snatching, ain't have it, gotta get it
Jay-Z comes from a place where people sometimes have to resort to stealing in order to survive

Same shitted, from Brownsville to Bainbrididge
Jay-Z points out that poverty and struggle are consistent across many different neighborhoods in Brooklyn

Fatherless child, mama put double shifts
Jay-Z's upbringing was marked by a lack of a father figure and by his mother having to work hard to provide for him

So the number runners was the only one I hanged widith
Jay-Z had to find his own way to make money and spent time with people who were also involved in illegal activities

Before you know it I'm in the game, bang fidith
Jay-Z quickly found himself involved in the world of drug dealing and other illegal activities

Fit no orangutans piddeals kid-daps like orange's I'm dangerous
Jay-Z delivers a wordplay-heavy line that references his slang and implies that he is not to be messed with

Please! Tell me what the name of this is
Jay-Z is challenging others to recognize and acknowledge his accomplishments and his status as a rapper from Brooklyn

While I'm doing my time due to circumstance
Santogold references a difficult time she went through and had to pay the consequences for

Cross that bridge, face the consequence
Santogold is aware of the risks she takes and the potential consequences of her actions

Risk takers we break the rules
Santogold identifies herself as a rule-breaker who takes chances

Get so dark, but I see good
Santogold is optimistic and looks for the positive aspects in difficult situations

Bed-Stuy stay high in my neck of the woods
Bedford-Stuyvesant, the neighborhood where Santogold grew up, remains important to her even though she has moved on from it

Now, let it ring out, it's a warning (Brook-Lyn!) Let it be sworn in
Santogold is issuing a warning, both to Brooklyn and to those who would underestimate her or her city

Gotta make it stick working like we good color
Santogold and the people around her work hard to achieve their goals and make a difference in their community

Rip it to the core, underneath it or we ought to
Santogold encourages others to delvedeeper and understand the root causes of problems rather than just treating the symptoms

Right into the clip, bring it to the floor
Santogold is ready to confront challenges head-on and take them to the extreme

One step one step give it up more
Santogold is determined to keep pushing herself and giving her all to whatever she is working on

The road is rough and the street's a mess
Santogold acknowledges that life can be difficult and unpredictable

With big ass dreams and a sick death wish
Santogold has ambitious goals but is also willing to take risks, even if they are dangerous

Probably like the commercials says, Kill the voice screaming in my head
Santogold is referring to an advertisement that encourages people to silence their inner critic and follow their instincts to achieve their dreams