New York
JayZ Ft. Alicia Keys Lyrics

Nasty, yeah, yeah (New York, New York)
The city is tough, but still great (New York, New York)

Hey yo black it's time again, yeah, yeah (New York, New York)
It's time to represent our city once again (New York, New York)

Come here, yeah, yeah (New York, New York)
Listen up, pay attention (New York, New York)

If you knew my streets
If you knew my neighborhood

You would know all everybody talk about is who got beef
All everyone talks about is who has a dispute with whom

Who snitchin', who told police
Who is informing to the police

Who came home, who still gone, who restin' in peace
Who has been released from prison, who is still locked up, and who has died

Now they killin' over music money, not drugs, rap replaced it
Now people are killing over music revenues, not drug money, as rap music has taken over the drug trade

Because thugs with no brains got no patience
Criminals who lack intelligence and discipline have no patience

New jacks I pistol whip 'em with the funky rhythm I be kickin'
I hit newcomers with my unique style

Musician and flatten composition
I create music that is simple yet effective

A pain, I'm like Saddam Hussein
I'm like a dictator who has caused a lot of damage

Still alive lookin' at his dead children's burnt remains
Still alive, but suffering from the loss of his children

I burnt the game, learnt you lames a new lesson
I have revolutionized the industry and taught my opponents a lesson

Your crew's soft man, ya'll need some new weapons
Your group is weak and should improve their tactics

The P's breathe Warriorz and skullies and Timmies
People in my community wear certain types of clothing items

Around mixed, spics, niggaz and giddies
People from different ethnic and racial backgrounds

From my ghetto kings in deep thought we don't blink
Despite the adversity, we remain thoughtful and alert

But don't think we wastin' our time
But don't assume we are not productive

It's a New York State of Mind
It's the mindset of people from New York

It's like a jungle, out here
The city is chaotic and dangerous

So much struggle, out here
There is a lot of hardship

And my dream's still unphased
I am still determined to achieve my dreams

Greed still the cousin of death
Being too focused on material wealth can lead to negative outcomes

Always feels like always somethin' farther time
It always feels like something else is on the horizon

In the Streets of New York
In the gritty, urban environment of New York City

All I see is street homes
All I see are buildings in the streets

And who it's holdin', our people
And the people who live there

Only comforts the brain
Only provides temporary relief

It's like I'm going insane
It's like I'm losing my mind

The revolution has to start, don't waste no time
We need to start a revolution and not delay

In the Streets of New York (New York state of mind)
In the gritty, urban environment of New York City (the mindset of people from New York)

C'mon
Let's go

State of mind (New York City)
The mindset of people from New York City

State of crime (New York City)
The high rate of crime in New York City

Big dreams (New York City)
New York City is a place where people dream big

Big schemes
Big plans

Oh, it's like the game
It's like the entertainment industry

Just ain't the same
Has changed dramatically

Baby loves and girls with no shame
Women who are willing to do anything to get ahead

Can't get away (get away), epidemic plague
Cannot escape the widespread problem

Every hood in every state
Every inner-city neighborhood in every city

Don't have no reasons 'cause relief is hard to find
People are struggling and cannot find relief

I'm from the home of a million legends and trend settin'
I'm from a city that has produced many influential people

A lot of footsteps to follow, I've been steppin'
There are many successful people to look up to, so I try to follow their lead

Mind stressin' tryin' to find a record crime shreddin'
I'm constantly working and trying to come up with new ideas for my music

Time precious, I ain't have rest since nine eleven
Time is valuable, and I haven't had much downtime since the 2001 terrorist attacks

I live fast, hustle like today is my last
I live my life quickly and work hard every day as if it's my last

I get cash, the struggle's like a day on the Ave.
I earn money, but the struggle is constant, like a day on the avenue

Crack bein' raw, gats squeezin' off
There is a lot of violence, drug use, and gunshots

Manhattan squeezin' off, from cats who tease with war
Manhattan is filled with tension and threats of violence

The eve of the Apocalypse, evil keep movin' politics
The end of the world seems imminent, and corruption in politics continues to grow

Every block is at risk, the metropolitan metropolis
Every neighborhood is in danger in this large city

The opposite of Liza Minelli and Frank Sinatra
The opposite of the glamorous, showbiz image that is often associated with New York

Alicia Keys, Nas and Ra the gangsta's opera
Our music represents the gritty reality of living in the city

So New York City walk with me, talk gritty
Join me in representing the city with authenticity and toughness

It's up to us New York it's our city
We are responsible for the success of our city

Here the man come with the anthem, hands up
Listen to my song, and raise your hands in unity

It's time the thrill is back New York, let's stand up
It's time to bring back the excitement and pride of being a New Yorker

New York, New York, New York
A triumphant repetition of the city's name

New York City, whoa oh
A celebratory expression of the city's greatness

New York, New York, New York
A triumphant repetition of the city's name

New York City, baby
An affectionate expression of the city's greatness