The City
The Game Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

See any angels in the city

Tell them muthafuckas I'm forever paid, California king
Wrestle gators in the Everglades, drive up out that muthafuckin swamp
In the Escalade so before you put that Red rag
In your pocket I wanna see your fuckin resume
Started off on Ground Zero, then I start to levitate
Rip rappers a new asshole: I never hesitate
Dre Beats on, smoking that chronic just to meditate
I'mma give em hurricanes until another levee break
You niggas is featherweights, I'm Aftermath's heavyweight
Now Dre's weapon of mass destruction is 'bout to detonate
When a nigga Wack found me, shit, I was selling weight
Now a nigga's selling millions, now it's time to celebrate
Performing in front of millions, nigga every race
64 in the '64, now watch the Chevy scrape
4th album, no 5 mics? Then let 'em hate
But I'm not stopping 'til I'm the fucking king in every state

Recognize my life
Ridicule my fight
Give me fuel for the fire burning when I yearn these lights
In the midst of the hieroglyphs my fingertips start to write
Get familiar with Cartwright
Cause I want that shot, I'm a raging bull when the needle drops
For the record, I'mma wreck it, even if my record don't pop
I'mma tie a knot on a downtown building, let it tow behind me tell 'em
They can find me in the dark with the ghetto children look at my heart
Nigga fuck your feelings, this is me

I'm sick of motherfuckers talking about "the West died"
Can't you hear my heart beating?
That's the motherfuckin West side, you test me, you test God
I'm his son, it say in Psalms, you come at me
Then I can split you with this Tommy gun, you won't have no time to run
I'm from the Compton slums and that's how the West ride
I'm from the city where two of the best died
Rest in peace to both of 'em, spit like I'm the ghost of 'em
Damn, I said I spit like I'm the ghost of 'em
Name your top 10, I'm harder than the most of 'em
Matter of fact, shorten your list nigga, top 5
Game, Biggie, Hov, prolly Pac, Nas
No particular order, bet a mil that I slaughter
Serve niggas, give a fuck what you ordered
How dare you niggas pop fly when I'm the nigga
Sold 5 mil out the gate and numbers do not lie

Recognize my life
Ridicule my fight
Give me fuel for the fire burning when I yearn these lights
In the midst of the hieroglyphs my fingertips start to write
Get familiar with Cartwright
Cause I want that shot, I'm a raging bull when the needle drops
For the record, I'mma wreck it, even if my record don't pop
I'mma tie a knot on a downtown building, let it tow behind me tell 'em
They can find me in the dark with the ghetto children look at my heart
Nigga fuck your feelings, this is me

I gave you the Documentary, shit was a classic
Gave you Doctor's Advocate, you ripped it out the package
Came with LAX, since critics said it was average
I was stressed the fuck out, torn between Aftermath and
Geffen, Interscope, now I got you in the scope
Spill the red ink on the paper, it's like my pen is broke
And this is what you all been waiting for
I'm the lost angel knocking on Satan's door
What the fuck y'all take me for? I love you cause you hate me more
I'm Kobe on the Lakers floor, except I give you 84
Shake you like Haiti's floor, walk up on you
Like "what's going on baby boy?" Shots in that Mercedes door
Either I'm crazy, or the black Slim Shady, or
Could that be the reason that Baby said he would pay me more
But I still owe Jimmy one more album
The best the West has ever seen, no disrespect to Calvin

Recognize my life
Ridicule my fight
Give me fuel for the fire burning when I yearn these lights
In the midst of the hieroglyphs my fingertips start to write
Get familiar with Cartwright
Cause I want that shot, I'm a raging bull when the needle drops
For the record, I'mma wreck it, even if my record don't pop
I'mma tie a knot on a downtown building, let it tow behind me tell 'em
They can find me in the dark with the ghetto children look at my heart
Nigga fuck your feelings, this is me

Kendrick, and I wear pendant on my shoulder, soldier
Like a lieutenant, and the coupe tinted got pulled over
Johnny always lock a nigga down
Knowing damn well we don't wanna see the box like Manny Pacquiao
Little nigga Mayweather size, ride like Pac
In his prime, thug life is now on radar
Til the federal come through and raid ours
Reminiscing when the LA Raiders
Was in my home, snapback fitted on my uncle's dome
And I don't condone dickriding, I'm addicted to
Westsiding, living in a city where the skinny niggas die
And the semi bullets fly, but it turn me to a lion
Trying, and I mean that shit
Game came through, put the city on his back
I was in the city with a nigga, had seen that shit
"Compton!", a nigga gotta scream that shit




Never went commercial, never T.V. screened that shit
Can't block or screen that shit, now everybody sing that shit

Overall Meaning

The Game Ft. Kendrick Lamar's song The City is a song about The Game's journey to fame, from being an unknown rapper to becoming a multi-millionaire. The song represents the city of Los Angeles, and the West Coast, and how The Game and Kendrick Lamar represent the city. The lyrics mention that The Game is a California king, and he will forever be paid. He also mentions how he started from Ground Zero, and now he is Aftermath's heavyweight. Furthermore, he talks about his unique style and how he never hesitates to tear other rappers apart. He smokes on chronic just for meditation.


The chorus of the song focuses on the lyrics' recognition, ridicule, and fight to fuel the fire within to yearn for the lights. He says that people should get familiar with Cartwright, and he wants that shot. His strong will comes out as he says he is a raging bull when the needle drops. He eats, sleeps, and breathes music and is willing to tie a knot on a building downtown and tow it behind him.


The verse featuring Kendrick Lamar talks about his life and how he wears a pendant on his shoulder. He mentions that he is a soldier like a lieutenant, and the coupe is tinted. The verse talks about how LA is a dangerous city, and the skinny ones die while bullets fly. He also mentions witnessing The Game put the city on his back and being a part of it all.


Line by Line Meaning

See any angels in the city
If you spot any angels in the city let them know I'm living like royalty, I'm a big shot


Tell them muthafuckas I'm forever paid, California king
Inform everyone that I am always wealthy, I'm the ruler here in California


Wrestle gators in the Everglades, drive up out that muthafuckin swamp
I'm not afraid of anything or anyone, I can beat any challenge that comes my way


In the Escalade so before you put that Red rag
I'm driving an Escalade, so before you claim your gang affiliation and wear the corresponding colors around me


In your pocket I wanna see your fuckin resume
I want to see proof of your history before you claim to be something or somebody that you're not


Started off on Ground Zero, then I start to levitate
My career began at the bottom, but I began to soar towards success


Rip rappers a new asshole: I never hesitate
My rhymes are merciless, I never hold back


Dre Beats on, smoking that chronic just to meditate
I'm wearing Dre Beats headphones and smoking marijuana to clear my mind


I'mma give em hurricanes until another levee break
I'm going to keep giving my all until the point where something breaks or gives way


You niggas is featherweights, I'm Aftermath's heavyweight
Other rappers are like lightweight feathers compared to me, I'm the heavyweight of Aftermath Records


Now Dre's weapon of mass destruction is 'bout to detonate
Dr. Dre, a musical mastermind, is about to release new music that is a true masterpiece


When a nigga Wack found me, shit, I was selling weight
When Wack 100 (a record executive) discovered me, I was selling drugs to make ends meet


Now a nigga's selling millions, now it's time to celebrate
I've gone from selling drugs to selling millions of records, now it's time to celebrate


Performing in front of millions, nigga every race
I'm performing for people of every race and culture, in front of millions of people


64 in the '64, now watch the Chevy scrape
I'm driving a 1964 Chevy Impala (a popular car in the West Coast hip-hop scene), and it's so low to the ground that it's scraping the pavement


4th album, no 5 mics? Then let 'em hate
If critics don't give my fourth album a perfect score, then let them hate because I'm not stopping until I'm the best in the game


But I'm not stopping 'til I'm the fucking king in every state
I won't stop until I'm the king of every state in the US, dominating the rap game and leaving a mark on every city


Recognize my life
Acknowledge and understand my life experiences


Ridicule my fight
Mock and belittle my struggle to overcome adversity


Give me fuel for the fire burning when I yearn these lights
Use the negativity and criticism as motivation to fuel my desire for success


In the midst of the hieroglyphs my fingertips start to write
I am inspired by ancient symbols and hieroglyphics that my fingers start to move and create


Get familiar with Cartwright
Get to know who I am and my unique style and skills


Cause I want that shot, I'm a raging bull when the needle drops
I'm hungry for success and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed


For the record, I'mma wreck it, even if my record don't pop
I will make great music regardless of commercial success


I'mma tie a knot on a downtown building, let it tow behind me tell 'em
I'm going to make a statement and leave a mark on the city by tying a knot on a downtown building and dragging it behind me


They can find me in the dark with the ghetto children look at my heart
I am not afraid to hang out with and connect with the less fortunate and poor in the city


Nigga fuck your feelings, this is me
I don't care about your opinions or feelings, this is who I am


I'm sick of motherfuckers talking about "the West died"
I'm tired of people saying that the West Coast hip-hop scene is dead


Can't you hear my heart beating?
Listen to my music and hear the passion and heart that I put into it


That's the motherfuckin West side, you test me, you test God
I'm representing the West Coast and God, testing me is the same as testing God


I'm his son, it say in Psalms, you come at me
I am like a son of God as it says in the Bible's Psalms, if you come against me


Then I can split you with this Tommy gun, you won't have no time to run
I will take you out quickly with my weapon, leaving you no time to escape


I'm from the Compton slums and that's how the West ride
I come from the tough streets of Compton, and that's the true spirit of West Coast hip-hop


I'm from the city where two of the best died
I come from the city where two of the greatest rappers (Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.) were killed


Rest in peace to both of 'em, spit like I'm the ghost of 'em
I pay respect to both of them, but I also rap as if I am continuing their legacy


Name your top 10, I'm harder than the most of 'em
If you list your top 10 rappers, I'm better than most of them


Matter of fact, shorten your list nigga, top 5
Actually, just narrow it down to the top 5 since that's where I'll be


Game, Biggie, Hov, prolly Pac, Nas
Myself, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, probably Tupac Shakur, and Nas are the best of the best in the rap game


Serve niggas, give a fuck what you ordered
I will serve any rapper who thinks they can compete with me, I don't care what they think they ordered or planned for


How dare you niggas pop fly when I'm the nigga
How dare other rappers act like they're hot when I'm the one on top


Sold 5 mil out the gate and numbers do not lie
I sold 5 million records instantly and my sales speak for themselves


Kendrick, and I wear pendant on my shoulder, soldier
My name is Kendrick and I wear a pendant showing my bravery and strength


Like a lieutenant, and the coupe tinted got pulled over
I'm like a military leader with a high-end car with tinted windows that got pulled over by the police


Johnny always lock a nigga down
The police (sometimes referred to as Johnny Law) always try to trap and hold me back


Knowing damn well we don't wanna see the box like Manny Pacquiao
They know that I don't want to be locked up in jail like boxer Manny Pacquiao


Little nigga Mayweather size, ride like Pac
I'm small in size like boxer Floyd Mayweather, and I ride like rapper Tupac Shakur


In his prime, thug life is now on radar
Just like Tupac in his prime, my thug lifestyle is under the watchful eye of society


Til the federal come through and raid ours
My thug life will keep going until the government comes to take it down


Reminiscing when the LA Raiders
Thinking back to a time when the Los Angeles Raiders football team was in town


Was in my home, snapback fitted on my uncle's dome
The Raiders were in my hometown and my uncle wore a snapback hat


And I don't condone dickriding, I'm addicted to
I don't support people who blindly follow others, but I am passionate about


Westsiding, living in a city where the skinny niggas die
Representing the West Coast and living in a city where even the vulnerable and skinny die


And the semi bullets fly, but it turn me to a lion
Gunshots ring out in my neighborhood, but it makes me feel more powerful like a lion


Trying, and I mean that shit
I am putting in real effort and trying my best to make it in the rap game


Game came through, put the city on his back
I stepped up and represented my hometown of Compton, putting it on my back


I was in the city with a nigga, had seen that shit
I was in Compton with someone who witnessed my rise to fame


"Compton!", a nigga gotta scream that shit
I shout out my city (Compton) proudly and passionately, it's a part of who I am


Never went commercial, never T.V. screened that shit
I didn't sell out or change my style for commercial success, and I didn't star in reality TV shows


Can't block or screen that shit, now everybody sing that shit
You can't stop my music or ignore it, now everyone is singing my songs




Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAYCEON TAYLOR, JIM STEINMAN, MARCELLO VALENZANO, EDWARD MONTILLA, ANDRE LYON, KENDRICK LAMAR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@muki2309

kendrick's verse was so scary that the beat ran away

@brownboyfly

mikel angelo Take this fat W

@mikeburgoyne8265

"realest shit I never wrote" W

@brendanysf

or maybe it was so bad it ran to get his friends

@alexwicker3595

mikel angelo m

@MemesGodakaEmerald

B Fit L

53 More Replies...

@liliana-jx6oj

Game is so dope. I can't stop watching this track again and again. I am sure Gamewill be #1 soon due to ๐Ÿ’–a u t h e n t I c v i e w s ๐Ÿ’–

@soundscapes7390

Kendrick and Game 11 years later still one of the rawest collabs

@Carl-yd9op

๐Ÿ˜ฎ

@LykaDaDawg

Here in 2023, still getting goosebumps listening to Kendrickโ€™s verse.

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