New York
Jay-Z Ft. Alicia Keys Lyrics

Nasty, yeah, yeah (New York, New York)
New York can be rough and gritty, but also exciting and full of opportunities.

Hey yo black it's time again, yeah, yeah (New York, New York)
It's time to represent and show New York pride.

Come here, yeah, yeah (New York, New York)
Come experience the energy and power of New York.

Hey yo black it's time
It's time for action and making moves in New York.

If you knew my streets
The streets of New York are filled with tension and gossip.

You would know all everybody talk about is who got beef
People in New York are always talking about conflicts and disagreements between individuals.

Who snitchin', who told police
There is a strong culture of not snitching on others in New York, but also a lot of paranoia about who might be talking to the police.

Who came home, who still gone, who restin' in peace
Everyone in New York knows someone who is in jail, has been killed, or has passed away.

Now they killin' over music money, not drugs, rap replaced it
Violence in New York has shifted from drug-related to money-related, with rappers now being the targets.

Because thugs with no brains got no patience
Criminals in New York are often impulsive and lack the foresight to avoid dangerous situations.

New jacks I pistol whip 'em with the funky rhythm I be kickin'
Jay-Z can take out inexperienced rappers with his lyrics and music.

Musician and flatten composition
Jay-Z is a master at combining music and lyrics to create a powerful message.

A pain, I'm like Saddam Hussein
Jay-Z sees himself as a powerful figure who inspires fear and respect.

Still alive lookin' at his dead children's burnt remains
Jay-Z compares his pain to that of Saddam Hussein, who watched his own family die.

I burnt the game, learnt you lames a new lesson
Jay-Z has conquered the music industry and taught his competition a valuable lesson.

Your crew's soft man, ya'll need some new weapons
Jay-Z isn't threatened by his competition, because he sees them as weak and unprepared.

The P's breathe Warriorz and skullies and Timmies
New Yorkers wear certain types of clothing that represent their neighborhood or personal style.

Around mixed, spics, niggaz and giddies
New York is a diverse city with people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

From my ghetto kings in deep thought we don't blink
People who come from tough neighborhoods in New York are always thinking ahead and never backing down.

But don't think we wastin' our time
Although New Yorkers are focused and driven, they also know how to have a good time.

It's a New York State of Mind
New York is a unique and special place that has influenced the way people think and act.

It's like a jungle, out here
New York can be overwhelming and chaotic, like a dense jungle.

So much struggle, out here
New Yorkers face a lot of challenges and obstacles in their daily lives.

And my dream's still unphased
Despite the difficulties of life in New York, people still hold onto their dreams and goals.

Greed still the cousin of death
In a city that values money and success, people can become consumed by greed and lose sight of what's really important.

Always feels like always somethin' farther time
Time in New York seems to move faster, with something always happening or changing.

In the Streets of New York
The hustle and bustle of New York can be found on every street.

All I see is street homes
The houses in New York are often connected to the street, creating a strong sense of community.

And who it's holdin', our people
The residents of New York are strong and resilient, holding onto their homes and neighborhoods.

Only comforts the brain
Despite the challenges of life in New York, people find comfort in the familiarity of their surroundings.

It's like I'm going insane
The chaos and noise of New York can sometimes feel overwhelming to people.

The revolution has to start, don't waste no time
People in New York are always looking for change and progress, and know that they need to act quickly.

It's up to us New York it's our city
The residents of New York have the power to shape and influence their own city.

Here the man come with the anthem, hands up
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys have created an anthem that represents New York and its people.

It's time the thrill is back New York, let's stand up
New Yorkers need to come together and work towards making their city great again.

State of mind (New York City)
The way a person thinks and acts is heavily influenced by the culture and atmosphere of New York City.

State of crime (New York City)
Unfortunately, crime is a part of daily life in New York City.

Big dreams (New York City)
People in New York City have lofty and ambitious dreams.

Big schemes
New Yorkers are always thinking ahead and planning for the future.

Oh, it's like the game
Life in New York can seem like a game, with rules and challenges that people have to navigate.

Just ain't the same
But the rules and challenges in New York are constantly changing and evolving.

Baby loves and girls with no shame
New York is also a city of love and romance, but also has a dark side of people with no moral compass.

Can't get away (get away), epidemic plague
It's hard to escape the negative aspects of New York, including crime and disease.

Every hood in every state
These problems are not unique to just New York, but are present in every city.

Don't have no reasons 'cause relief is hard to find
People in New York are struggling to find any relief from these problems.

New York City walk with me, talk gritty
Jay-Z is asking the people of New York to join him and embrace their city's rough and authentic nature.

It's up to us New York it's our city
New Yorkers need to take responsibility for the future of their city and work together to make it better.

Here the man come with the anthem, hands up
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys are leading the rallying cry for a new and improved New York.

It's time the thrill is back New York, let's stand up
It's time to bring back the excitement and energy that made New York great in the first place.