New York
Jay-Z Ft. Alica Keys Lyrics

Yeah "the city"
The city being discussed is very important

This is serious, here "number one"
The city is the best in the world

New York! It's beyond the 5 boroughs keep it real, I get ill
New York is more than just its 5 boroughs, and I am a great rapper

Number one, this will rock! "the city" "I gotta get in"
This song about the city will be amazing! I need to be part of it

This is that, Riker's Island, not slipping rap flows
This is serious business, and I'm not holding back on my rap skills

For them box bitten bing monsters, sniffin' that blow
Drug users and dealers are present in the city, and it's dangerous

Block covers know the style, triple that dough
People in the streets are aware of the game and how to make money

Forty cal. for them cock suckers, sittin' back slow
Guns are used to punish people who are taking it easy

What y'all know about coke pies, give 'em that low
Making and selling illegal drugs is a way to make money

I mouth them before the bowtie resemble cash flow
I can tell a wealthy person from a lower-class person by looking at how they dress

Rap NY, no lie, my side is back Ghost, so hot
New York's rap scene is amazing, and I am a major part of it

Crooked cops are searching your asshole, it's the drop
Corrupt police officers are willing to violate your privacy to find evidence

That freeze niggaz right where they stand for the gwap
Criminals are caught immediately when they are found to have money

Niggaz'll play Pac and pop with they man, it don't stop
People will fight and kill each other over money and power

We up top, but we locked and landing
We have control over the city's streets, but we are still at risk of being caught

He roadblock, he flow shots, get Ghost and scram
We will use violence to get away from the police

Gingerbread niggaz on the run from feds
People who are wanted by law enforcement are on the run

Shit is sick, pretty chicks'll put a gun to ya head
The situation is very dangerous, and even women are capable of violence

Never a vic', either think quick or end up dead
You have to act fast to survive in this city

'Cause when we flip, what's left to be said? New York
When we take control, it's New York that comes out on top

You know the town stupid, this is all authentic ground
This city is real and unchanging

You can get poked, grabbed and choked, then shot up, for product
Violence is common in the city, especially over drugs

Bank holders stay in the lab, too many dumb niggaz is scheming
Those with money stay in safe places because there are many people who want to steal from them

You can get murked up in the cab
People can be killed in taxis

Shout out to niggaz that be jerking tags, rollin' in Jags
People who commit theft and drive luxury cars are acknowledged

Good boy leathers, hood boys'll blast you
People who wear expensive leather jackets can be targeted for theft or violence

Niggaz that carry ones and hit grass
Those who use drugs may also be involved in crime

And love hip hop, the shit that bring money outta ziplocs
Hip hop music is a way to make money selling drugs

Protect your dome, I'm warning you, what harm I do to the kid
Be careful or you'll regret facing me

I have you on the floor with ya armor loose
I can easily defeat you in a fight

Break the raw down and sign truces
We can divide illegal profits and make deals

Then switch the next muthafuckin' date, fuck all excuses
We can change our plans and have no mercy for those who try to make excuses

When you see me it's real, I'm just a natural born hustler
I am a genuine and skilled criminal

The castle where they wrap you in plastic, duke
The place where we dispose of bodies is known as "the castle"

So every soldier that's armed, remind your general
Everyone who is involved in the criminal scene should increase their knowledge and watch out for each other

It's critical, you might stay a night, if you pretendable
The situation is very risky and requires you to be unnoticed to survive

Yo, we was raised in the dead arm district
We grew up in a district with high crime and poverty

Before guns was called biscuits, Stapleton was on that hood shit
Before guns were commonly used, our neighborhood was already dealing with crime

Live from the New York borough, keeping it thorough
We represent New York City and its gritty reality

Bunch of snakes in the grass, stay creepin' like squirrels
There are many people who will betray you, and you need to watch out for them

Cuz a snitch gon' crack that nut, don't give a fuck
Someone who snitches will cause harm to others without any regard for their safety

Did ten hours long and try to wrap us up
Someone who cooperated with the police attempted to get us arrested

He dry snitching, post up in the whip with a fly wisdom
Someone who is leaking information is doing so in a strategic manner

Hopped out to get a dutch, but he left with his wig splitten
Someone was attacked and beaten up when they went to buy cigarettes

We from New York, my city never sleeps (No)
We are proud of our city, and it remains active at all hours

We runnin' with a hundred heats
We are heavily armed and prepared for any situation

When beef pop off, we ain't the one to speak
We will not back down from violence

Dressed in all black, driving six feet hurses
We are dressed in clothing that conceals our faces and drive cars used for transporting dead bodies

With sixteen niggaz, dropping sixteen verses
There are many people who are involved in the criminal scene and are skilled with words

Big faces, bolgin' outta big green purses
We are making a lot of money, and spending it on luxurious items

Stuck ya man for his vegi's and his lame ass circus
We robbed someone of their valuables and cash, and left them with nothing

So I dare niggaz act up, y'all niggaz act up
We are daring people to step up and try to stop us, because we are confident in our abilities

Now like cars in reverse, y'all better back up
If you don't want to get hurt, you should stay away from us