The City Is Mine

Jay-Z

About The City Is Mine

"The City Is Mine" is the second single from rapper Jay-Z's second album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. It features vocals from Blackstreet and production from Blackstreet member Teddy Riley. Riley samples "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else" by The Jones Girls for the song's beat, while Blackstreet interpolates "You Belong to the City" by Glenn Frey and Jack Tempchin for the song's chorus. In addition, a young Chad Hugo plays saxophone on this song. The first verse is dedicated to the memory of his friend, The Notorious B. I. G.. 


Year:
1997
4:03
47 
#2

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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 reins
And just like your spirit the commission remains

Niggaz can cross the T's and, dots the I's
Now that I got too popular to cop them pies
I'm takin 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 voicebox, I speak my mind
About to redefine rap mami, either I'm
The illest nigga doing it or these niggaz is losin' it

I read a article that said I was ruinin' shit
But every time I look, I'm movin' units in quick
So I'ma hit y'all, with these last two and split
And leave niggaz 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 comin' 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 hatin' 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 alchoholing 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 controllin' the game

From now until they blow holes in my frame
I'ma stand firm, holdin' 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

You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night

You belong
You belong
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night

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Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. In 2012, Forbes estimated Carter's net worth at nearly $500 million. He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving fourteen Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations. He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all-time. He was ranked #1 by MTV in their list of The Greatest MCs of All-Time in 2006. Two of his albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and The Blueprint (2001) are considered landmarks in the genre with both of them being ranked in Rolling S… more »

6 fans

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.
COLLABORATING ARTIST
The song features vocals from Blackstreet–an American R&B group which was popular in the 90s.
PRODUCTION TEAM
The song was produced by Teddy Riley, Chad Hugo, and Pharrell Williams–collectively known as the production duo The Neptunes.
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’.
MUSIC SAMPLES
The 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.
CHART PERFORMANCE
Despite 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.
MUSIC VIDEO
The music video for "The City is Mine" was directed by Hype Williams, a director known for working with numerous other high-profile artists.
LYRIC CONTENT
In 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.
CONTROVERSIAL LINE
The 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.
CAREER IMPACT
The 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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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1998

    Billboard #52


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