And 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 (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah) 

Now what if I told you 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 colours can't step
And sadly I'm talkin' about the colour 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 (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah) 

You can take my picture
You can take my flame
But you're never going to
Take my city away

'Cause, you can burn it to the ground
Oh, oh let it fire
But it's in my blood

'Cause this city (this city) is my city (this city is my city)
And I love it (My city, I love it)
I love it (I love it, yeah)
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 (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah) 
For life (ah-ah)
For life (ah-ah)