Wale thinks that the dope game is too African to be a device of the man. Usually, the man is seen as a white figure.

New York’s slogan is “The Empire State.”

New York, even among the classic European cities, is still renowned.

He has the typical New York swagger, tough but suave.

With clever wordplay, Mos shows his dedication to his hometown, Brooklyn. He was there at birth and will die there.

Mos Def drops an allusion to his Islamic background by using the variation “born day” in place of “birthday,” a commonality for rappers associated with 5% Islam.

If you’re Brooklyn and you know it, raise your hands.

Cuz it’s the B-the-R-the-O-the-O-K
L-Y-N is the place where I stay
The B-the-R-the-O-the-O-K
Best in the world and all USA
It’s the B-to-the-R-the-O-the-O-K
L-Y-N is the place where I stay
The B-to-the-R-the-O-the-O-K
Place where I rest is on my born day

Despite pain, poverty, or pestilence, New York will make anyone look in awe and feel refreshed. It also has a lot of shopping, such that one can look brand new.

He comes from Brooklyn… and, after years of hard work, he is now out of the projects and has been moving on up ever since…

He sips the Monkey and feels loose enough to rap like mad.

They are known to drink fine alcohol, but really have no issue bringing a 40 and OJ.