Brooklyn Go Hard feat. Jay-Z
Santigold Lyrics


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Brooklyn! [Repeat: x4]
Brooklyn!
We go hard! [Repeat: x2]

[Chorus: Santogold]
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! [Repeat: x8]

[Jay-Z]
This is black hoodie rap, there's no fear in my eyes where they looking at
Better look on map, Besides, me nah like to eye fight
Me nah think such a ting is worth a man's life (Christ!)
But if a man test my Stuy, I promise he won't like my reply
Boom Bye Bye like Buju I'm crucial
I'm a Brooklyn boy I may take some getting use to
Chain snatching, ain't have it, gotta get it
Same shitted, from Brownsville to Bainbrididge
Fatherless child, mama put double shifts
So the number runners was the only one I hanged widith
Before you know it I'm in the game, bang fidith
Fit no orangutans piddeals kid-daps like orange's I'm dangerous
Please! Tell me what the name of this is

[Chorus: Santogold (Jay-Z & Santigold)]
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! [Repeat: x4]
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! (B-R-O-O-K!)
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! (L-Y-N! Come again!)
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! (B-R-O-O-K!)
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard! (L-Y-N! Come again!)

[Jay-Z]
I father, I Brooklyn Dodger them
I Jack, I Rob, I sin
Aw man, I'm Jackie Robinson
Except when I run base, I dodge the pen
Lucky me, lucky we, they didn't get me
Now when I bring the Nets I'm the Black Branch Ricky
From Brooklyn corners, burning branches of sticky
Spread love, Biggie, Brooklyn, hippie
I pity, the fool with jewels like Mr. T
With no history in my borough, they borrow
With no intentions of returning, tomorrow
The sun don't come out for many, like Annie
Half orphan, mama never had an abortion
Papa sort of did, still I managed to live
I go hard, I owe it all to the crib
Now please tell me, what the fuck's harder than this!

[Chorus]

[Santogold]
While I'm doing my time due to circumstance
Cross that bridge, face the consequence
Once pretend now I paid my dues
Risk takers we break the rules
Get so dark, but I see good
Bed-Stuy stay high in my neck of the woods
Now, let it ring out, it's a warning
(Brook-Lyn!) Let it be sworn in
Gotta make it stick working like we good color
Rip it to the core, underneath it or we ought to
Right into the clip, bring it to the floor
One step one step give it up more
The road is rough and the street's a mess
With big ass dreams and a sick death wish
Probably like the commercials says
Kill the voice screaming in my head

[Chorus]





[Santogold]
Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!

Overall Meaning

The song "Brooklyn Go Hard" is a hard-hitting blend of rap and electronic pop composed and performed by American singer-songwriter Santigold and rapper Jay-Z. The song was released in 2008 and it is considered to be an ode to their hometown Brooklyn, New York. The chorus, "Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard" sets the tone for the song and the repeated use of "Brooklyn" throughout the track emphasizes the pride both Santigold and Jay-Z take in their roots.


Jay-Z starts the first verse declaring that he is unafraid and unapologetic for being a "black hoodie rap" artist. He retells his upbringing in Brooklyn and the obstacles he faced to achieve success. He goes on to say that he represents his community and before he backs down, he will make his point known, whatever the cost. In the second verse, he compares himself to legendary Black baseball player Jackie Robinson, who, like him, endured immense opposition but ultimately succeeded in breaking boundaries. Then Santigold takes over with her verse stating that she has faced some challenging circumstances in her life but instead of feeling defeated, she pushes through.


The song's overall energy and theme reflect Brooklyn's strong history and the city's resilience through adversity, which is something both Santigold and Jay-Z take pride in. The sonic blend of genre and beats evokes the urban sounds and pulsing heartbeat of Brooklyn, creating a song that is a testament to the city's power, strength, and culture.


Line by Line Meaning

Brooklyn!
The celebration of Brooklyn and its toughness.


Brooklyn! We go hard!
An emphasis on the grit, toughness and hard-working nature of Brooklyn people.


Brooklyn we go hard, we go hard!
Repeating that Brooklyn and its people are tough and unrelenting.


This is black hoodie rap, there's no fear in my eyes where they looking at
The style of music is tough and there is no fear to be found in the eyes of the rapper.


Better look on map, Besides, me nah like to eye fight
People should look at where they're at and be careful not to pick fights.


Me nah think such a ting is worth a man's life (Christ!)
Jay-Z suggests that it's not worth risking a life to engage in a fight.


But if a man test my Stuy, I promise he won't like my reply
If someone tests Jay-Z and his neighborhood of 'Stuyvesant', the resulting response will not be pleasant.


Boom Bye Bye like Buju I'm crucial
Jay-Z is saying that he's dangerous and will act to neutralize any threats or aggressions.


I'm a Brooklyn boy, I may take some getting use to
Jay-Z takes pride in his Brooklyn background and acknowledges that it may take some effort to understand his background.


Chain snatching, ain't have it, gotta get it
Jay-Z took to stealing chains as a way to make ends meet.


Same shitted, from Brownsville to Bainbrididge
Jay-Z acknowledges that the same sh*t has been happening in Brooklyn from Brownsville to Bainbridge (neighborhoods in Brooklyn).


Fatherless child, mama put double shifts
Jay-Z didn't have a father and his mother worked very hard.


So the number runners was the only one I hanged widith
Jay-Z used to hang out with number runners, as that was a source of income for him and his friends.


Before you know it I'm in the game, bang fidith
Jay-Z found himself quickly involved in 'the game' (drug dealing) to make money.


Fit no orangutans piddeals kid-daps like orange's I'm dangerous
Jay-Z states that he is dangerous and capable of fighting.


Please! Tell me what the name of this is
Jay-Z is calling on others to acknowledge the toughness and grit of Brooklyn.


I father, I Brooklyn Dodger them
Jay-Z dodges and outsmarts those trying to catch him, in the same way that the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team would dodge and outsmart their competitors.


I Jack, I Rob, I sin
Jay-Z confesses to engaging in criminal activities and taking what he wants.


Except when I run base, I dodge the pen
Jay-Z manages to escape capture and jail time while still engaging in illegal activities.


Lucky me, lucky we, they didn't get me
Jay-Z counts himself as lucky for not getting caught while engaging in illegal activities.


Now when I bring the Nets I'm the Black Branch Ricky
Jay-Z is a co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets basketball team, and likens himself to Branch Ricky, a famous baseball executive, due to his role.


From Brooklyn corners, burning branches of sticky
Jay-Z references Brooklyn's drug trade and the common practice of smoking marijuana.


Spread love, Biggie, Brooklyn hippie
Jay-Z honors Biggie Smalls (fellow Brooklyn rapper) and embraces Brooklyn's hippie culture of spreading love.


I pity, the fool with jewels like Mr. T
Jay-Z couldn't care less about people who flaunt their wealth (like Mr. T).


With no history in my borough, they borrow
Jay-Z is skeptical of outsiders coming to Brooklyn with no connection to the borough, only to borrow elements of its culture.


With no intentions of returning, tomorrow
These outsiders have no plans to give back to Brooklyn and its community.


The sun don't come out for many, like Annie
Some people in Brooklyn don't have the same opportunities or access to resources as others.


Half orphan, mama never had an abortion
Jay-Z's father was nowhere to be found and his mother never considered aborting him.


Papa sort of did, still I managed to live
Although his father wasn't present, Jay-Z still managed to survive and make a life for himself.


I go hard, I owe it all to the crib
Jay-Z works hard and attributes his success to his upbringing in Brooklyn.


Now please tell me, what the fuck's harder than this!
Jay-Z challenges anyone to find something that's harder than living in and representing Brooklyn.


While I'm doing my time due to circumstance
Santigold is in trouble with the law and serving time.


Cross that bridge, face the consequence
Santigold is instructing others to face the consequences of their actions.


Once pretend now I paid my dues
Santigold used to pretend to be tough but has now paid her dues and proven herself.


Risk takers we break the rules
Santigold praises those who are willing to take risks and sometimes break the rules.


Get so dark, but I see good
Despite the challenges that Santigold faces, she sees the good in things.


Bed-Stuy stay high in my neck of the woods
Santigold is from Bed-Stuy (a neighborhood in Brooklyn) and is proud to represent her neighborhood.


Now, let it ring out, it's a warning (Brook-Lyn!)
Santigold is warning others about Brooklyn.


Let it be sworn in
Santigold hopes that others will sign on to her message.


Gotta make it stick working like we good color
Santigold is working to make her message stick and resonate with others.


Rip it to the core, underneath it or we ought to
Santigold wants to get to the essence of things and focus on what's truly important.


Right into the clip, bring it to the floor
Santigold is urging others to take action and bring about change.


One step one step give it up more
Santigold is encouraging people to take things one step at a time and work harder.


The road is rough and the street's a mess
Santigold acknowledges that life can be rough and difficult.


With big ass dreams and a sick death wish
Despite the rough realities of life, Santigold has big dreams and a desire to live life to the fullest.


Probably like the commercials says, kill the voice screaming in my head
Santigold is trying to silence the negative inner voice that often holds one back.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF BHASKER, KANYE WEST, JOHN HILL, SHAWN 'JAY Z' CARTER, SANTI WHITE, PATRICK REYNOLDS, NAEEM JUWAN HANKS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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