Now, what if I told you my city was the best?

And my city was a threat to the rest?

And my city was a threat to the rest?

This city is my city

And I love it

Yeah, I love it

I was born and raised here

I got it made here

And if I have my way I'm gonna stay

From every corner to every block, yeah

Whether it's warm or stormin' or down right stupid hot, hot

From the problems all the way to the solutions, yeah

Forget all the drugs and gang corruption and pollution, no

'Cause this city is my city (oh)

And I love it

Yeah, I love it

I was born and raised here

I got it made here

And if I have my way I'm gonna stay here

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

Now what if I told you my city was the best?

That my city was a threat to the rest?

But you can't rest inside my city

My city so cold if you ain't dressed

And what they accept, better have the right address

Parts of my city, certain colors can't step

And sadly, I'm talkin' bout the color of your skin

Sorry, my brother, can't let you in

'Cause the property value might go down

To a level that's economically unacceptable

And socially taboo for us to live around you

Is this what it's down to?

Root for the same team, maybe have the same dream

Not the same reality

Actually, mine is a bad education and gentrification

Despite all the above I love

This city is my city

And I love it

Yeah, I love it

I was born and raised here

I got it made here

And if I have my way, I'm gonna stay here

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

For life, uh huh

You can take my picture

You can take my name

But you're never gonna take my city away

'Cause you, you burn it to the ground

Oh, you let it flood

But it's in my blood

'Cause this city is my city

And I love it

Yeah, I love it

I was born and raised here

I got it made here

And if I have my way, I'm gonna stay here for life