Brooklyn
Jay-Z Feat. Santigold Lyrics

Brooklyn!
Celebrate the borough of Brooklyn

We go hard!
We are strong and resilient

Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!
We are proud of our heritage and strength

This is black hoodie rap, there's no fear in my eyes where they looking at
I am a confident rapper who speaks about life in the streets without fear

Better look on map, Besides, me nah like to eye fight
It is not wise to challenge me, so watch yourself

Me nah think such a ting is worth a man's life (Christ!)
I do not believe in risking or taking someone's life over petty issues

But if a man test my Stuy, I promise he won't like my reply
If someone provokes me, they will regret it

Boom Bye Bye like Buju I'm crucial
I am important and impactful like Buju Banton's song

I'm a Brooklyn boy I may take some getting use to
I am proud of my Brooklyn roots and lifestyle

Chain snatching, ain't have it, gotta get it
I used to steal chains to survive

Same shitted, from Brownsville to Bainbrididge
I came from a tough neighborhood and had the same struggles as those around me

Fatherless child, mama put double shifts
My father was not around and my mother worked hard to support us

So the number runners was the only one I hanged widith
I associated with those involved in illegal activities to make money

Before you know it I'm in the game, bang fidith
I quickly became involved in street life

Fit no orangutans piddeals kid-daps like orange's I'm dangerous
I am skilled and dangerous in the streets

Please! Tell me what the name of this is
Acknowledge the greatness of my music

I father, I Brooklyn Dodger them
I lead and evade those who oppose me like a Brooklyn Dodger

I Jack, I Rob, I sin
I have committed crimes to get by

Aw man, I'm Jackie Robinson
I am breaking barriers like Jackie Robinson did in baseball

Except when I run base, I dodge the pen
I avoid getting caught by the law

Lucky me, lucky we, they didn't get me
I am fortunate to have avoided getting caught by the police

Now when I bring the Nets I'm the Black Branch Ricky
When I invest in the Nets, I will be like Black Branch Ricky, a successful businessman

From Brooklyn corners, burning branches of sticky
I come from a place where people smoke marijuana on the streets

Spread love, Biggie, Brooklyn, hippie
I promote love and positivity in my music like Biggie and represent Brooklyn

I pity, the fool with jewels like Mr. T
I feel sorry for those who flaunt their wealth and put themselves in danger

With no history in my borough, they borrow
Those who do not come from Brooklyn try to imitate our culture

With no intentions of returning, tomorrow
They do not truly understand or appreciate where we come from

The sun don't come out for many, like Annie
Life is tough for many people in Brooklyn, like in the musical Annie

Half orphan, mama never had an abortion
I did not have a traditional family and my mother did not choose to abort me

Papa sort of did, still I managed to live
My father was not always present and did not support me, but I survived

I go hard, I owe it all to the crib
I work hard to succeed and credit my upbringing and roots in Brooklyn

Now please tell me, what the fuck's harder than this!
My life and music are the epitome of strength and toughness

While I'm doing my time due to circumstance
As I serve my sentence in jail, I recognize it was circumstances that led me there

Cross that bridge, face the consequence
I must accept the consequences of my actions

Once pretend now I paid my dues
I used to pretend to be tough, but now I have actually gone through hardships

Risk takers we break the rules
I am a risk taker who is willing to break the law to succeed

Get so dark, but I see good
Life may be difficult, but I choose to focus on the positive

Bed-Stuy stay high in my neck of the woods
I am proud of my neighborhood Bed-Stuy and represent it with pride

Now, let it ring out, it's a warning
I am warning those who would try to challenge me or my community

(Brook-Lyn!) Let it be sworn in
Let it be known that this is Brooklyn music

Gotta make it stick working like we good color
We must work hard and stay committed to succeed

Rip it to the core, underneath it or we ought to
We must dig deep and be authentic in our music and experiences

Right into the clip, bring it to the floor
I am ready to bring my music to the forefront and make an impact

One step one step give it up more
I will continue to work hard and give my all to succeed

The road is rough and the street's a mess
Life is tough and full of chaos in the streets

With big ass dreams and a sick death wish
Despite the challenges, I have big ambitions and am willing to take risks

Probably like the commercials says
As the saying goes

Kill the voice screaming in my head
I must overcome my internal doubts and fears to succeed

Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!
Despite the obstacles, we remain strong and determined