Brooklyn
Jay Z feat. Santigold Lyrics

Brooklyn!
This song is about the borough of Brooklyn, where the artists are from.

Brooklyn! We go hard!
Brooklyn is known for its tough, resilient residents who persevere through difficult circumstances.

This is black hoodie rap, there's no fear in my eyes where they looking at
The artist is confident and not afraid to be himself as he represents his neighborhood in his music.

Better look on map, Besides, me nah like to eye fight
People who don't know Brooklyn should look it up and get familiar with it rather than judging it based on stereotypes. The artist is also not interested in physical altercations.

Me nah think such a ting is worth a man's life (Christ!)
The artist believes that no disagreement or issue is worth someone losing their life over.

But if a man test my Stuy, I promise he won't like my reply
If someone tries to disrespect or challenge the artist's neighborhood of Bed-Stuy, he will respond strongly and defend it.

Boom Bye Bye like Buju I'm crucial
The artist references a Buju Banton song and compares his own rhymes to the Jamaican reggae artist's style.

I'm a Brooklyn boy I may take some getting use to
The artist embraces his identity as a Brooklyn native and admits that his personality or way of doing things may not be immediately understood by others.

Chain snatching, ain't have it, gotta get it
The artist acknowledges the reality of crime in Brooklyn, specifically chain-snatching, and shares his own experience of wanting to have nice things despite not having much growing up.

Same shitted, from Brownsville to Bainbrididge
The artist notes that poverty and struggle exist throughout different neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

Fatherless child, mama put double shifts
The artist's upbringing was challenging due to the absence of his father and his mother working hard to provide for the family.

So the number runners was the only one I hanged widith
Due to a lack of positive role models or opportunities, the artist associated with people involved in illegal activities like number-running (an illegal lottery game).

Before you know it I'm in the game, bang fidith
The artist got caught up in the same life of crime as those around him, without realizing how he got there.

Fit no orangutans piddeals kid-daps like orange's I'm dangerous
The artist brags about his skills as a rapper, insulting lesser competitors and comparing himself to a dangerous animal.

Please! Tell me what the name of this is
The artist challenges listeners to name a rap style that's harder than what he's doing.

I father, I Brooklyn Dodger them
The artist is successful like the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team, which was known for its winning record and ability to dodge obstacles.

I Jack, I Rob, I sin
The artist admits to having done wrong things in the past, like stealing and other crimes.

Aw man, I'm Jackie Robinson
The artist compares himself to Jackie Robinson, a legendary baseball player who broke racial barriers and proved himself as a strong athlete.

Except when I run base, I dodge the pen
The artist avoids getting in trouble with the law by being careful and smart about his actions.

Lucky me, lucky we, they didn't get me
The artist is grateful and lucky that he hasn't been caught or punished for his past misdeeds.

Now when I bring the Nets I'm the Black Branch Ricky
The artist references the Brooklyn Nets basketball team, suggesting that when he represents his borough in the industry, he's like Branch Rickey, a baseball executive who helped Jackie Robinson break the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

From Brooklyn corners, burning branches of sticky
The artist references the frequent use of marijuana in Brooklyn and how it's openly smoked on corners.

Spread love, Biggie, Brooklyn, hippie
The artist makes a nod to fellow Brooklyn rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who was known for spreading love and positivity, and references the hippie movement that started in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood.

I pity, the fool with jewels like Mr. T
The artist criticizes people who flaunt their wealth and possessions like Mr. T, the actor and former pro wrestler known for his extravagant jewelry.

With no history in my borough, they borrow
People who are not from Brooklyn often appropriate elements of its culture without understanding its history or significance.

With no intentions of returning, tomorrow
People who simply use Brooklyn's culture for their own gain and don't give back to the community are not welcome.

The sun don't come out for many, like Annie
Life is difficult and dark for many people in Brooklyn, referencing the musical 'Annie' and its famous song about hope and optimism.

Half orphan, mama never had an abortion
The artist's mother did not have an abortion, allowing him to be born and have a chance at life even though his father was absent.

Papa sort of did, still I managed to live
Although the artist's father did not stay in his life, the artist made it through and is successful in his career.

I go hard, I owe it all to the crib
The artist works hard and is dedicated to his career, and credits his upbringing in Brooklyn for giving him the grit and motivation to succeed.

While I'm doing my time due to circumstance
Santigold references a difficult time in her life where she faced consequences and was punished for her actions.

Cross that bridge, face the consequence
Accept responsibility for your actions when you mess up.

Once pretend now I paid my dues
Santigold is no longer pretending; she has earned her success and recognition through hard work and perseverance.

Risk takers we break the rules
Artists and creators often take risks and break the rules in order to create something new and unique.

Get so dark, but I see good
Despite difficult times, it's important to stay optimistic and find the good in situations.

Bed-Stuy stay high in my neck of the woods
Santigold is proud of her neighborhood, Bed-Stuy, and finds inspiration there.

Now, let it ring out, it's a warning
This song is a warning or call to action to those who may underestimate Brooklyn or its people.

(Brook-Lyn!) Let it be sworn in
The name Brooklyn is an important part of this song and represents the pride and identity of its people.

Gotta make it stick working like we good color
Artists have to work hard and be original in order to make a name for themselves and stand out in the industry.

Rip it to the core, underneath it or we ought to
Artists should be authentic and true to themselves, even if it means revealing painful or uncomfortable truths.

Right into the clip, bring it to the floor
The artist is making a reference to guns and suggests that she has the ammunition and ability to bring down competitors in the industry with her rhymes.

One step one step give it up more
Santigold encourages others to keep pushing and taking risks in order to achieve their goals.

The road is rough and the street's a mess
Life is hard and challenging, especially in gritty, urban environments like Brooklyn.

With big ass dreams and a sick death wish
Santigold has big ambitions and is willing to take risks in order to achieve them, even if it means putting her life in danger.

Probably like the commercials says
The artist makes a reference to a popular commercial line and suggests that her drive and determination is comparable to that level of intensity and commitment.

Kill the voice screaming in my head
Santigold wants to silence her doubts and fears so that she can focus on achieving her goals and following her dreams.

Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!
This chorus repeated throughout the song reaffirms the strength and resilience of Brooklyn and its people.