Native
Native New Yorker: Demanding Respect Amid Urban Changes
Lyrics
I've lived in this city for all my life
I have been a resident of this city for my entire life.
Traveled 5 boroughs both day and night
I have traveled through all five boroughs during both day and night.
Seen the flyers advertising homes for cash
I have observed advertisements for homes being sold for cash.
Seeing grandmas picking through the trash
I have witnessed elderly individuals searching through the trash.
Got a new bank on every corner
New banks are abundant on every street corner, while traditional small businesses are disappearing.
Mom and pop shop nowhere to be found
Local mom-and-pop shops are becoming scarce, with larger businesses taking their place.
Working 6 days tryna hold it down
I work six days a week, striving to maintain stability.
And we drown and we drown and we drown
We are overwhelmed and facing difficulties.
I'm a native New Yorker whatever that means
I identify as a native New Yorker, although the term's precise meaning is uncertain.
I know the guy on the corner he's been tryna holla since I was a teen
I am familiar with the person on the street corner who has been trying to get my attention since my teenage years.
I don't take shit from no one, I've been through a lot
I don't tolerate mistreatment; I have experienced a lot in life.
So when you come to my hometown, ya better respect my spot
Visitors to my hometown must show respect to my space.
Now Everybody wanna write that they a Brooklynite
People claim to be from Brooklyn, emphasizing trendy establishments and celebrity sightings.
Trendy bars and movie stars and Apple stores in my sight
The speaker reflects on the past when their borough was less desirable, contrasting it with the current trendiness.
How quickly you've forgotten when no one wanted my life
Recollection of a time when their life wasn't sought after or valued.
Couldn't get nobody to my borough on a school night
Describing the difficulty of attracting people to their borough on school nights in the past.
How many parties did I have to say I couldn't go, ma said the city ain't safe and she know so
References a time when safety concerns prevented attending parties in the city.
1987 getting robbed on the front door, now check the block they about to have it rezoned
A specific incident in 1987 involving a robbery, contrasting with current plans for rezoning.
I'm a native New Yorker whatever that means
Reiteration of being a native New Yorker and the familiarity with local individuals.
I know the guy on the corner he knows the guy that sells all the weed
The person on the corner is connected to someone involved in selling drugs.
I don't take shit from no one, I've been through a lot
The speaker has faced challenges but stands resilient.
So when you come to my hometown, ya better respect my spot
A reminder for visitors to show respect in their hometown.
I came from immigrants, there's a difference, we like respect and we like discipline
Highlighting immigrant background and the desire for respect and discipline.
Most of my folks, they barely let us in, stayed on the coast to become citizens
Acknowledging historical challenges faced by immigrants trying to become citizens.
But I do not appreciate that the minute we're onto something great
Expressing frustration at obstacles faced despite achieving something significant.
It seems like the rug gets pulled, the map redrawn, the landlord's kicking you out before dawn
Reference to abrupt changes, redrawing of maps, and unfair eviction by landlords.
I'm a native New Yorker whatever that means
Reaffirming identity as a native New Yorker and interactions with local characters.
I know the guy on the corner, he's a whole lot nicer than he seems
Characterizing the person on the corner as more amicable than initially perceived.
I don't take shit from no one, I've been through a lot
Emphasizing resilience in the face of challenges.
So when you come to my hometown, ya better respect my spot
Restating the importance of respecting the speaker's space in their hometown.
Ya better respect my spot, what I Tell ya?
A strong directive to respect the speaker's space.
Ya better respect my spot, what I say?
Repetition of the command to respect the speaker's spot.
Ya better respect my spot, what I Tell ya?
Continued emphasis on the need for respect in the speaker's space.
Ya better respect my spot, what I say?
Reiteration of the demand for respect in the speaker's spot.
Ya better respect my spot
A strong emphasis on the importance of respecting the speaker's spot.
Ya better respect my spot
Continued emphasis on the need for respect in the speaker's space.
Ya better respect my spot
Reiteration of the demand for respect in the speaker's spot.
I'm a native New Yorker whatever that means
Reaffirmation of being a native New Yorker, with a sense of pride and individuality.
I know the guy on the corner, he's always gonna call me a queen
The person on the corner recognizes and respects the speaker, referring to them as a queen.
I don't take shit from no one, I've been through a lot
Despite facing challenges, the speaker stands strong and does not tolerate mistreatment.
So when you come to my hometown, ya better respect my spot
A final reminder for visitors to show respect when in the speaker's hometown.
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