I was born in Brooklyn, New York, where snitches were lookin' to talk
They got bagged by Louis & Rocco and took for a walk
Dead in the trunk of a Cadillac
Parked on the corner where I was off the head with a battle rap
Summers at Coney Island, winters at Sunset Park
Broad daylight in Red Hook where the guns get sparked
The [?]
Kelvin Martin snatched the chain and [?]
We wore the same shit but fit the description
And we knew wrong from right but loved to split the decision
Stray bullets proved cats didn't hit with precision
And rap went from a pastime to instant religion
Where goodfellas made cash and 'hood-dwellers blazed they stash
And visitors are prayin' cops will save they ass
From D7, Ten Thieves to [?]
Cut Master D.C. "Brooklyn Rocks the Best"

And then I was raised up in the Bronx, where the dealers had nothin' but [?]
And the Black Spades lurked about for somethin' to stomp
From Tremont Avenue to the Grand Concourse
Controllin' us delinquents was a task for the Bronx Force
When an eighth of the white was the least to start with
And Larry Davis took on the Police Department
Where Kool Herc was first to breakin' out street noise
And BDP said RSC was takin' out these toys
And there on the side of the 6, written in bold letters
Was the name Seen, BX, home of the go-getters
This is home team, you visitin' the state, H was
Flippin' in the [?], Lord Finesse diggin' in the crates, c'mon!
So now I'm back in Brooklyn, New York, and snitches is still lookin' to talk
Get bagged by Boris and Vlad and took for a walk
Dead and buried in the Brighton Beach sand
With two loaded Desert Eagles held tight in each hand
Astroland is gone, two-thousand-twelve rolls around
Shawn Carter with the Nets and BK to hold it down
We over now, we supposed to throw the toasters down
Biggie's ghost floats around, roll ya smoke, hold it now
"No Sleep Till Brooklyn" so stay awake
All my dogs of Bushwick and [?] could raise the stakes
A New York State of Mind with the heart of BK
I've walked the ruffest path like the Gowanus Freeway
It's Brooklyn, BK, Crooklyn, Brook-nam
Legends of the street and the whole world looks on
It's the God-borough, the greatest place ever made
I be showin' my love, in the spotlight, center-stage