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 going to 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 gangs, corruption and pollution, no

'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 going to stay here
For life, for life, for life, for life

For life, for life
For life, for life

Now what if I told you my city was the best?
And 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 had a right address
Parts of my city certain colors can't step
And sadly I'm talkin' about the color of your skin
Sorry my brother can't let you in

'Cause our property value might go down
To a level that's economically unacceptable
And socially taboo for us to live around you
Huh, is this what it's down to?

Root for the same team, maybe had the same dream
Not the same reality
Actually, mine's just a fair 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 going to stay here
For life, for life, for life, for life

For life, for life
For life, for life

You can take my picture, you can take my name
But you're never going to take my city away
'Cause, you can burn it to the ground
Oh, oh 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 going to stay here
For life, for life, for life, for life

For life, for life
For life, for life