The City Is Mine
Jay-Z
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You belong to the city You belong to the night In the river of darkness He's a man of the night Yeah, What the deal playboy, just rest your soul I be holding it down yo still love the dough Got these ladies on the cock now you know how we go Got the whole world on lock down you know how we flow Don't worry about Brooklyn I continue to flame Therefore a world with amnesia won't forget your name You held it down long enough, let me take those reigns And just like your spirit the commission remains Niggas can cross the T's and, dots the I's Now that I got too popular to cop them pies I'm taking this rap shit serious, to my demise Jay shit's like cake mix, watch me rise Basics in the basement, waste it Asking my dog for advice so when he can't say shit My hatred is, fueled just give me a sign And I let the world know that the city is mine, what? You belong to the city You belong to the night In the river of darkness He's a man of the night Y'all want to know how I flow just seek and you find I'm like a brain in the voice box, I speak my mind About to redefine rap mami, either I'm The illest nigga doing it or these niggas is losing it I read a article that said I was ruining shit But every time I look, I'm moving units in quick So I'ma hit y'all, with these last two and split And leave niggas with nothing but my influences-es Soon it's the Jigga, I ain't mad yeah, bite my shit Sell half of what I sell because it's not quite my shit I'm the type to buy a Roley and just ice my shit On the spot, f*ck coming back twice to shit How real is that? My floss game, still intact Boss game, you lame dudes can't feel that Like the first dude to cop the 850 and 89 And drove it up to 55th, the city is mine, what? You belong to the city You belong to the night In the river of darkness He's a man of the night I snatch your girl cause your arm ain't strong enough Plus ya don't stay in the studio long enough I make hits while y'all stay hating and take bricks Had it locked til I came in the club, Take 6 Got your chick cause you swore she was innocent Got her a Chinese manicure hair done by Dominicans, all for what So I could be in a dark corner, all in the butt At the bar alcholing her up I represent the lifestyle of those who thirst cream A buck fifty a shot, Louis the Thirteenth Jay-Z, Roc-A-Fella yo, know the name I ain't a player get it right, I'm controlling the game From now until they blow holes in my frame I'ma stand firm, holding my aim, feel me? I'm the focal, point like Biggie in his prime On the low though, the city is mine! You belong to the city You belong to the night In the river of darkness He's a man of the night
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Written by: Jack Tempchin, Teddy Riley, Glenn Lewis Frey, Shawn C. Carter, Kenny Gamble, Leon A. Huff
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
ALBUM RELEASE"The City is Mine" is a rap song by American rapper Jay-Z from his second studio album "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1". The album was released on November 4, 1997, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings.
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COLLABORATING ARTISTThe song features vocals from Blackstreet–an American R&B group which was popular in the 90s.
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PRODUCTION TEAMThe song was produced by Teddy Riley, Chad Hugo, and Pharrell Williams–collectively known as the production duo The Neptunes.
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TRIBUTE"The City is Mine" is considered as Jay-Z’s tribute to his slain friend and business partner, The Notorious B.I.G., who was also known as 'The King of New York’.
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MUSIC SAMPLESThe music of "The City is Mine" samples two popular songs: "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else" by The Jones Girls and "Right On for the Darkness" by Curtis Mayfield.
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CHART PERFORMANCEDespite mixed reviews from critics, "The City is Mine" peaked at number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
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MUSIC VIDEOThe music video for "The City is Mine" was directed by Hype Williams, a director known for working with numerous other high-profile artists.
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LYRIC CONTENTIn the song, Jay-Z envisions himself as the successor to Biggie Smalls' throne of New York, hence the line, "The city is mine", which is repeated throughout the track.
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CONTROVERSIAL LINEThe opening verse of the song caused some controversy where Jay-Z says "I snatch purses"–a line that some interpreted as Jay-Z admitting to committing crimes in his youth.
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CAREER IMPACTThe release of "The City is Mine" and the entire "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1" album marked a significant turning point in Jay-Z's career, as it helped to solidify his position in the music industry and raise his profile to a mainstream audience.
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