City Lights
Ski Beatz feat. Najee Lyrics
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I'm solely drifting into New York
Yo, everybody want to be heir to the throne
They like, "Wait till I get it"
Ain't no crown in New York 'cause Biggie died with it
Corona and lime's what I'm sipping
Yours and my life is in no way compatible
My upbringing would have mentally damaged you
I let the ink tell it, deep stories in my melons
Stories of perseverance, refusal of failing
Money making Manhattan turn a snot nose into a captain
Life and times told through rapping
Home of the haze there's plenty of ways to get paid
Beware of Aids, killers with no names known to spray
Pretty mommies with plenty booty
Bodegas parked outside, you got the chummy churies
Old timers playing domino, dropping jewels
If you listen then you guaranteed to glisten in it
City lights wherever you are
I'm solely drifting into New York
Uh, another worm out of The Big Apple
Where I earned my stripes like Mickey Mantle
Word to the torch held by The Statue of Liberty
You cannot un-kindle me
It's a love-hate relationship damn near
My family was lost to the cracks here
So I learned every block, observed every crack here
PO-9 finds us a very big catch here
Lights camera action
Welcome to Manhattan, the city I run laps in
Harlem through the Heights and the Bronx, son
The hood's Mike Johnson, made moves in gold shoes
Green in Oz's, Bk throughout Queens
They know the 2 Es
Victim of the system, child of the state
Overlooking the city I see my face in
City lights wherever you are
I'm solely drifting into New York
Yo, Naj the Don
Urban version of The New York Times
The city's in my every line
I project the ghetto where
Projectiles eject out the metal
Be clear, the unbalanced attitude
Will get you leveled out here
Navy blue fitted with the NY logo
Lees and a discrete Polo moving dolo
Roll with a G through this cold concrete
On these streets life's lost over Bs and Cs
Dot all Is cross those Ts, check both sides
When you cross those streets, they shoot things
Damn, I love this surface 80s, baby
Kool Herc helped birth this
Where heroes were made through heroin
Five Burgos, the most thorough in
City lights wherever you are
I'm solely drifting into New York
The lyrics to Ski Beatz feat. Najee's song City Lights paint a vivid picture of the city that never sleeps - New York. The song starts off with Najee's smooth and soulful voice crooning about city lights, which captures the essence of the city. The following verses provide a glimpse into the gritty realities of life in New York City. Ski Beatz raps about the struggle for power and control, the dangers of drugs and crime, and the struggle for survival in the face of adversity. His lyrics are a reflection of the street-wise mentality that is required to survive in this unforgiving urban jungle.
The second verse continues to build upon the street life narrative, as Ski Beatz raps about his own experiences of growing up in the city. He pays homage to the iconic figures like Mickey Mantle and The Statue of Liberty, which are symbols of the city's power and resilience. He also reflects on the personal struggles he has faced, including the loss of family members to the cracks of the city. Despite the struggles, he remains proud of where he comes from and the unique culture that defines New York City.
Overall, City Lights is a powerful tribute to the city of New York, with its lyrical imagery capturing the raw energy and dynamism of the city. The song is a celebration of the city's diversity, its struggles, and its triumphs.
Line by Line Meaning
City lights wherever you are
No matter where you are, there are lights illuminating the city.
I'm solely drifting into New York
I am being pulled towards New York City.
Yo, everybody want to be heir to the throne
Many people aspire to greatness and power.
They like, "Wait till I get it"
They believe that they will eventually obtain what they desire.
Ain't no crown in New York 'cause Biggie died with it
There is no clear ruler of New York since the death of Biggie Smalls.
Corona and lime's what I'm sipping
I am drinking a beer with lime flavoring.
Stare at the page, configuring ways to write different
I am staring at a blank page, trying to come up with new and unique ways to write.
Yours and my life is in no way compatible
Our lives are fundamentally different and cannot be compared.
My upbringing would have mentally damaged you
My childhood experiences would have had a negative impact on your mental health.
I let the ink tell it, deep stories in my melons
My writing is how I express and share my deepest stories and experiences.
Stories of perseverance, refusal of failing
My stories are about overcoming adversity and not giving up.
Money making Manhattan turn a snot nose into a captain
Manhattan is a place where one can become successful, even if they have humble beginnings.
Life and times told through rapping
My life experiences are expressed through my music and lyrics.
Home of the haze there's plenty of ways to get paid
New York City offers many opportunities to make money.
Beware of Aids, killers with no names known to spray
There are dangers in the city, including AIDS and violence from unidentified perpetrators.
Pretty mommies with plenty booty
There are many attractive women in the city.
Bodegas parked outside, you got the chummy churies
There are bodegas (corner stores) located nearby, and customers can buy various food items.
Old timers playing domino, dropping jewels
Elderly men are playing dominoes and sharing their wisdom.
If you listen then you guaranteed to glisten in it
If you pay attention and learn from those around you, you can succeed in the city.
Uh, another worm out of The Big Apple
Another person from New York City is making a name for themselves.
Where I earned my stripes like Mickey Mantle
I gained my wealth and success through hard work and dedication.
Word to the torch held by The Statue of Liberty
I pay homage to the symbol of freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty.
You cannot un-kindle me
My passion and drive cannot be extinguished.
It's a love-hate relationship damn near
My feelings towards the city are complex, involving both love and hate.
My family was lost to the cracks here
My family members have struggled and faced difficulties living in the city.
So I learned every block, observed every crack here
I became intimately familiar with the streets, noting every detail and imperfection.
PO-9 finds us a very big catch here
The police are on the lookout for criminals in the area.
Lights camera action
The city is always active and full of energy.
Welcome to Manhattan, the city I run laps in
Manhattan is a place where I am comfortable and familiar, and where I have achieved success.
Harlem through the Heights and the Bronx, son
I am intimately familiar with various neighborhoods in the city, including Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Bronx.
The hood's Mike Johnson, made moves in gold shoes
I am known in the neighborhood, and have made a name for myself through my success.
Green in Oz's, Bk throughout Queens
I have made money throughout various neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens.
They know the 2 Es
People are familiar with my initials, and associate them with my success and reputation.
Victim of the system, child of the state
I am a product of a system that has both helped and hindered me throughout my life.
Overlooking the city I see my face in
As I look out over the city, I see my reflection and my own impact on the place.
Yo, Naj the Don
Addressing himself as a respected figure, with the nickname 'Don'
Urban version of The New York Times
Najee represents the realities of urban life in New York City through his lyrics, similar to how The New York Times represents news and events in the city.
The city's in my every line
Najee's music and lyrics are heavily influenced by his experiences in New York City.
I project the ghetto where
My music is a reflection of the struggles and hardships faced by people growing up in poverty and in the 'ghetto'.
Projectiles eject out the metal
Violence and danger are omnipresent in the city, and guns often play a role in this violence.
Be clear, the unbalanced attitude
It is important to maintain mental balance and stability in the face of hardship and adversity.
Will get you leveled out here
Failure to do so can have dire consequences, even death.
Navy blue fitted with the NY logo
Najee wears a navy blue fitted hat with the New York logo on it.
Lees and a discrete Polo moving dolo
Najee is wearing jeans and a subtle Polo shirt, moving alone and without companionship.
Roll with a G through this cold concrete
Najee navigates the harsh urban environment with confidence and respect.
On these streets life's lost over Bs and Cs
People often lose their lives over 'beefs' and conflicts, such as gangs and drug deals.
Dot all Is cross those Ts, check both sides
It is important to be thorough, cautious, and aware of potential danger.
When you cross those streets, they shoot things
Pedestrians must be careful when crossing the street, as violence often occurs without warning.
Damn, I love this surface 80s, baby
Najee loves and appreciates the unique atmosphere and environment of 1980s New York City.
Kool Herc helped birth this
DJ Kool Herc, one of the pioneers of hip-hop, played a key role in shaping the music and culture of New York City.
Where heroes were made through heroin
Many people who struggled with addiction to heroin became the unsung heroes of the city, overcoming their demons and thriving in urban society.
Five Burgos, the most thorough in
Five Burgos is known as one of the most successful people in the city, and is a symbol of how one can achieve greatness in New York.
City lights wherever you are
No matter where you are, there are lights illuminating the city.
I'm solely drifting into New York
I am being pulled towards New York City.
Contributed by Colin D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.