Coming to America
K.NAAN Lyrics

I came out of a killer, neighborhood called River
I grew up in a dangerous neighborhood named River

Where life expectancy is shorter than a caterpillar
The life expectancy in my neighborhood was very low

I was once a gorilla, and this show was my cage
I felt trapped in my violent surroundings like a gorilla in a cage

My trainer was the gauge, AK was my baby sitter
Weapons were my mentors and caregivers in my environment

When we be out and looted, the whole city was shooting
During times of looting, there was rampant gunfire throughout the city

I know it's fucked up but somehow, this army came soothing
Although it was terrible, the chaos in my neighborhood brought some sense of comfort and familiarity

Niggas heard African rappers and thought about them foofoo
People assumed African rappers were weak and soft

You superman, tell the real soldier boy come to shoot you
People who think they are invincible should meet a real soldier and test their bravery

Sexual intercourse what you in nigga
I don't care what you have going on sexually

Fuck what you heard, yeah nigga
Don't believe the rumors you've heard

Come walk in the dark no fear nigga
I am not afraid to walk in the dark

It's a dry in my eyes no tear nigga
I am so used to tragedy that I am not even emotional anymore

Working malaria, your hood can't really compare here
I have faced sickness and hardship that most people in your neighborhood cannot relate to

Got keys, they really love barrier
I have the ability to unlock barriers that others cannot

Come near here, I'm daring you
I am not afraid of anyone who comes near me

I'll shoot you not being afraid like gave you rock and lemonade
I am willing to use violence without hesitation

Blew up my school at the 8th grade while playing catch with a hand grenade
I caused an explosion in my school while playing with a hand grenade

Yeap, that's a true story, this ain't Hollywood glory
What I experienced wasn't a movie, it really happened

I ain't the prince of Zamunda my life is too gory
My life is far from a fairy tale like the movie Coming to America

Now my second home city, what can I say
Toronto is now my second home city

It took my fucking heart from me
Toronto holds a special place in my heart

I played the judge part pardon if I'm larceny
I committed many crimes and acted as my own judge

Oh yeah, that mean it never got no bars for me
I was not able to break free from my criminal behavior

T-dot O to the motherfuckering dot B
Referring to Toronto and the neighborhood of Rexdale

And the Rexdale project ?
Referencing the low-income housing project in Rexdale

Fuck puck but it ain't no hockey
Despite the hockey culture in Canada, violence and crime still persisted in Rexdale

When the cops came, they knocked me, they got me
When the police came, they arrested me

I had to flee, they said to bargain, I had to plea
I was forced to leave Toronto to avoid facing the legal consequences of my actions

So I crossed the border while they put a warrant out for me
I fled to the United States while a warrant was issued for my arrest in Canada

I know, everywhere in the world, got his problems
Everywhere in the world has its own issues

Everybody got the dream, of the greens, to dollars
Everyone aspires to have wealth and financial success

But some of us are dying in the streets can you figure out
Despite that dream, many people are still dying in violent and dangerous environments

Even in America, they hear is me to tick it out
Even in America, I still face struggles and challenges

I'm tired of always going through barriers
I am exhausted from constantly facing obstacles

I just wanna live a good life
I want to live a peaceful and fulfilling life

So I'm coming, coming to America,
I am moving to America to start anew

I hope we gonna have a good time
I am optimistic that my new life in America will be enjoyable

Baby thanks for letting me marry ya
Thank you for marrying me and helping me obtain a green card

A green card sure looks fine
Having a green card will allow me to stay in America legally

I hope we gonna have a good time.
I am looking forward to a positive future in America