Brooklyn We Go Hard
Jay-Z Feat. Santogold Lyrics

Brooklyn!
The song is about the artist's love and pride for the borough of Brooklyn, New York.

Brooklyn!
The artist repeats the name of Brooklyn to show the intense level of enthusiasm for the borough.

We go hard!
The artist declares that the people of Brooklyn are tough and resilient.

We go hard!
The artist repeats the line to emphasize the resilience and toughness of the borough's inhabitants.

Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!
The chorus repeats the line to celebrate the borough's hardworking and tough nature.

This is black hoodie rap, there's no fear in my eyes where they looking at
The artist describes his music as gritty and dark, with lyrics that reflect his fearless attitude.

Better look on map, Besides, me nah like to eye fight
The artist cautions his listeners to think twice before engaging in conflicts and suggests looking at a map instead of fighting.

Me nah think such a ting is worth a man's life (Christ!)
The artist believes that no conflict is worth taking a life.

But if a man test my Stuy, I promise he won't like my reply
The artist warns that if someone tests his neighborhood of Bed-Stuy, he will respond forcefully.

Boom Bye Bye like Buju I'm crucial
The artist references a controversial song by Buju Banton and suggests that he is similarly impactful and influential.

I'm a Brooklyn boy I may take some getting use to
The artist acknowledges that his tough-minded and uncompromising nature may be challenging for some people.

Chain snatching, ain't have it, gotta get it
The artist references the harsh reality of poverty and crime faced by many in Brooklyn and suggests that people are willing to do anything to survive.

Same shitted, from Brownsville to Bainbrididge
The artist notes that poverty and violence are common throughout many Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Fatherless child, mama put double shifts
The artist describes his challenging upbringing in a single-parent household.

So the number runners was the only one I hanged widith
The artist describes the people he associated with, and suggests that they were involved in illegal activities.

Before you know it I'm in the game, bang fidith
The artist reflects on how he became involved in a life of crime and violence.

Fit no orangutans piddeals kid-daps like orange's I'm dangerous
The artist uses wordplay to suggest that his rhymes are unique and creative, and that he is a dangerous artist to mess with.

Please! Tell me what the name of this is
The artist challenges his listeners to call out the name of his unique style of music and rhyming.

I father, I Brooklyn Dodger them
The artist references the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team and suggests that he is a father figure to those in his community.

I Jack, I Rob, I sin
The artist admits to committing illegal and immoral acts in his past.

Aw man, I'm Jackie Robinson
The artist references baseball legend Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, and suggests that he too made a significant impact in his industry.

Except when I run base, I dodge the pen
The artist suggests that he is able to avoid getting arrested despite the illegal activity he has engaged in.

Lucky me, lucky we, they didn't get me
The artist reflects on the fact that he was able to avoid getting caught for his crimes.

Now when I bring the Nets I'm the Black Branch Ricky
The artist references a famous Brooklyn Dodgers executive (Branch Rickey) and suggests that he is similarly skilled and influential in his industry.

From Brooklyn corners, burning branches of sticky
The artist references a common activity in Brooklyn (smoking marijuana) and suggests that it is something that brings people together.

Spread love, Biggie, Brooklyn, hippie
The artist references the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G. and suggests that he is spreading love throughout the borough.

I pity, the fool with jewels like Mr. T
The artist suggests that he feels sorry for people who put too much value in material possessions such as jewelry.

With no history in my borough, they borrow
The artist suggests that people who move to Brooklyn from other places do not understand the borough's history and culture.

With no intentions of returning, tomorrow
The artist suggests that people who move to Brooklyn often do not plan on staying long-term.

The sun don't come out for many, like Annie
The artist suggests that many people in Brooklyn struggle to find happiness and success.

Half orphan, mama never had an abortion
The artist reflects on his challenging upbringing and the fact that his mother never considered aborting him despite difficulties.

Papa sort of did, still I managed to live
The artist acknowledges that his father was not present in his life but is grateful for his survival and success.

I go hard, I owe it all to the crib
The artist suggests that his success is due to his roots and upbringing in Brooklyn.

Now please tell me, what the fuck's harder than this!
The artist challenges his listeners to name something that is tougher or more challenging than growing up and succeeding in Brooklyn.

While I'm doing my time due to circumstance
The singer reflects on the fact that she is in a difficult situation due to circumstances beyond her control.

Cross that bridge, face the consequence
The singer advises others to take responsibility for their actions and accept the consequences of their choices.

Once pretend now I paid my dues
The singer reflects on how she once pretended to be something she wasn't but has now earned respect through hard work and dedication.

Risk takers we break the rules
The singer suggests that those who take risks are more likely to succeed, even if they have to break the rules to do so.

Get so dark, but I see good
The singer acknowledges that life can be difficult and dark, but she tries to focus on the positive.

Bed-Stuy stay high in my neck of the woods
The singer references the neighborhood of Bed-Stuy and suggests that she has strong ties to and pride in the area.

Now, let it ring out, it's a warning
The singer suggests that her music serves as a warning to others about what they may face in life.

(Brook-Lyn!) Let it be sworn in
The singer emphasizes the name of her beloved borough (Brooklyn).

Gotta make it stick working like we good color
The singer suggests that hard work and determination are key to achieving success in Brooklyn.

Rip it to the core, underneath it or we ought to
The singer suggests that in order to truly appreciate Brooklyn and its culture, people must look deeper and past the surface level.

Right into the clip, bring it to the floor
The artist creates a sense of urgency and determination, suggesting that people must dive in and make the most of their opportunities in Brooklyn.

One step one step give it up more
The singer suggests that making progress and succeeding in Brooklyn requires consistent effort and hard work.

The road is rough and the street's a mess
The singer acknowledges that Brooklyn can be challenging and difficult, but still worth fighting for.

With big ass dreams and a sick death wish
The singer suggests that many who come to Brooklyn have lofty aspirations despite the challenges they may face.

Probably like the commercials says
The singer references a commercial and suggests that even in difficult situations, people must continue to push forward and persevere.

Kill the voice screaming in my head
The singer acknowledges that negative self-talk and doubt can be a hindrance to success and suggests that people must learn to ignore those voices in order to succeed.

Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!
The chorus repeats the line to celebrate the borough's hardworking and tough nature.