Guantanamera
Jean Wyclef/Blige Mary J. Lyrics

Spanish Harlem!
The song is an ode to the Latino community in New York City and celebrates different boroughs across the city such as Spanish Harlem, Boogie Down Bronx, Manhattan and Staten. This line is an exclamation and a symbol of appreciation for Spanish Harlem.

Boogie Down Bronx!
A shoutout to the notable Bronx community, known for its music and culture, and for birthing hip-hop.

Manhattan!
Manhattan, the heart of New York City, known for its iconic skyline and numerous attractions. With the mention of these different New York City locations the artists are promoting a sense of community and togetherness.

Back to Staten!
Calling back to Staten Island which was mentioned earlier, this line builds on the theme of unity between the five boroughs of New York City.

Guantanamera
Guantanamera is a beautiful Cuban song about a girl from the Guantanamo province where an important American Naval Station was built. The song has since become a symbol of Cuban culture and in this song represents the idea of a beautiful, exotic woman who catches the artist's eye.

Hey yo I'm standing at the bar with a, Cuban cigar
The artist is setting the scene and painting a picture of himself standing at a bar smoking a cigar; this helps to contextualize the song and emphasize the exotic, Latin vibes.

Guajira Guantanamera
This line is a chant-like chorus that simply repeats the song title, highlighting its significance and showcasing its beauty/meaning.

Hey, yo, I think she's eyeing me from afar
The artist is insinuating that he's being flirted with by a beautiful woman, only adding to the tropical, sensual vibe of the song.

Yo, I wrote this in Haiti, overlooking Cuba
The artist shares his geographical location while writing the song, adding a personal dimension to his work while reminding the audience of the song's Caribbean roots.

I asked her what's her name, she said, 'Guantanamera'
The artist is flirting with the woman and she responds by telling him her name, the same as that of the iconic Cuban song, thus reinforcing the exotic setting and ambiance of the song.

Like a Virgin, so she sex with no average man
The artist is admiring the woman's sexual power and comparing her to Madonna, insinuating that she, like the iconic singer, sets a high standard for those who seek to be with her.

Fly like a butterfly, let your soul feel her glide
With this phrase, the artist is urging the listener to embrace the beauty of the moment and become one with the music.

If your name was Chun-Li, we'd be playin' Street Fighter
Chun-Li is a character from the classic video game 'Street Fighter'. By invoking her name, the artist is emphasizing the playful, jovial nature of the moment and encouraging listeners to join in the fun.

Soy una mujer, sincera
This line, meaning 'I am a sincere woman' in Spanish, is sung by Mary J. Blige, adding some authenticity to the song and reinforcing the Latin flavor of the song.

Do you speak English?
With this question, Mary J. Blige is hinting at the cross-cultural nature of the scenario and invoking the idea of love transcending borders and language barriers.

De donde crecen las palmas
This phrase, meaning 'where the palms grow' in Spanish, is taken from the original Guantanamera song and further emphasizes the Latin American roots of the song.

Can I buy you a drink?
This line is a classic pick-up line proposing to buy someone a drink, emphasizing the intimate theme of the song as two people flirt in a tropical setting.

You killin me
The artist is expressing affection towards the woman, the same way we might say 'you're killing me with your beauty'.

Y antes de morir, yo quiero Cantar mis versos del alma, Te quiero mama, te quiero!
This phrase, meaning 'before I die, I want to sing my soulful verses, I love you mama, I love you!' in Spanish, is taken from the original Guantanamera song and serves as an emotional, heartfelt conclusion to the song.

She was a rose in Spanish Harlem, mamacita beg your pardon
This phrase, invoking the image of a rose serves as a poetic way to describe the beauty of the woman mentioned earlier.

Make stakes at a faster rate then she fornicates
The artist is using a play on words, referencing the speed at which the woman makes monetary profits and contrasting it to the act of sexual intercourse.

Goddess of Black Venus
With this phrase, the artist adds another layer of exoticism to the woman's beauty, associating her with the goddess of love and beauty, Venus.

Crab niggaz angry cause they can't get between us
By using the term 'crab niggaz', the artist is poking fun at those who are jealous of the couple. He is also emphasizing the idea of unity and closeness between him and the beautiful woman.

The lexicon of Lexington, parents came from Cuba
This line is a reference to the Lexington Avenue subway, emphasizing the New York City setting of the song. It also reinforces the Latin roots of the musicians, as both Jean Wyclef and Mary J. Blige come from Caribbean backgrounds.

Part Mexican, pure sweet, dimes fell to her feet
The artist here is expressing his admiration for the woman's mixed Mexican heritage and her beauty.

She like Movado, and shook her hips like Delgado
By mentioning two Hispanic names - Movado and Delgado - the artist is tying his admiration for the beautiful woman to the culture and heritage of the Latin community.

Broke niggaz down from the Grounds to Apollo and then some
With this line, the artist is emphasizing the exclusivity of the woman's attention - especially when it comes to those who can't afford to travel all around the city.

She took her act sent it to dim sum
This phrase is a reference to Chinese dim sum restaurants, which serves an array of small dishes. This line emphasizes the cosmopolitan nature of the woman's entertaining, as she sends her act to different types of venues and cultures.

Waited patiently while the businessmen come
The woman in question is also adept at networking and waits patiently for businessmen to approach her with new opportunities.

This gentle flower, fertility was her power
Through this line, the artist compares the woman's beauty to a flower, taking rein of the language of the original Guantanamera. The woman's ability to attract the opposite sex is linked to the concept of fertility, emphasizing the power of her sexuality.

Sweet persona, Venus Flytrap primadonna
The artist uses some alliteration to further emphasize the woman's sensual power and beauty. Venus Flytrap, a plant that catches insects, is compared to the woman's attraction towards men.

Que sera que sera she turned dinero to dinera
With this phrase, the artist is once again invoking the Spanish language, meaning 'whatever will be, will be'. He's complimenting the woman's business sense, suggesting that she can turn money into profit.