[Verse 1:]
When I got to Oakland
That's when I learned the game
And I just saw it
I saw it Oakland
I saw it living in Oakland
I saw it thriving in Oakland
And that's, that was never in no other city I lived in
So I give all my love to Oakland
If Ima claim somewhere
Ima claim Oakland
Oakland got it, they got the playas
They got Section 8, they got Richie Rich
They got The Governor, they got Too Short
They got E-40, they got Tha Clique
Theygot,The Bay Area's moving sum'n
You know what I'm sayin'
Don't get it twisted, it's like they got
They whole new evolution of music that's comin' out
n***as that's rappin' from their heart
They not takin' nobody else style
They just doing it!
Whoa, yeah
[Chorus:]
To live and die in the Bay
It's the place to be
You gotta be here to know it
Everybody wanna see
To live and die in the Bay [x2]
[Verse 2:]
To live and die in the Bay
n***as grinding tryna make a way [make a way]
Every place I've been
It ain't sh** like where I stay
East Oakland is where I'm from
First place to go stupid, go dumb
On mamas, if ya didn't know
It's the same place uncle Too Short from
Everybody wanna sound just like this [like this]
Everybody wanna just talk like this [like this]
Everybody wanna just dance [like this]
That's why, I say
[Chorus]
[Verse 3:]
Bay Area
Uh, to lay it down, let's go
If only you'd really know
Llike all the game that I can
Real talk, place right here
That's no lie, I swear
Ask Philmore Slip
Uh he'll tell you it's real
I sold 200 & she set my appeal
I can neva be a hater
I dunno how it feel
I'm the man of my city
I'm expanding fo' real
It's the bay where the mob is
The code how to live
Mac Dre was finna blow
Right before he got k**ed
I'm the man, finna do it
I done signed me a deal
They was taking my style
You should tell ‘em 'to chill'
[Chorus]
[Verse 4:]
Hella bad b*tches on my line, though
All I'm sayn, don't frisk on me and my n***a
Keep it poppin', that's Chris go
Fresh outta jail, that's why I'mma go
Back to the turf, like I neva left
Back to the kitchen, b*tch
I've been a chef
I been all around the world
Ain't nothin' like the west
Know a few real n***as comin' out the ricks
My Vallejo n***as ain't neva been a b*tch
Berkeley n***as been getting chips
And city n***as been having bricks
My APA n***as been with the sh**
[Chorus]
[Verse 5:]
I say I from the Bay
But I'mma die in the rich
I'm a high a** n***a
I'mma die with a zip
I'mma die with some money
Leave my daughter a will
Where you from around n***as hard to k**
Lovin' this independent grind
F*ck a record deal
Man, 'em cookies
And that swerve made me hecka still
I pop a bottle, take a sip
And let the rest spill
I'm chargin' for my services
Tryna stack up a mill
I keep my hoes in line, like a fire drill
And every time I get paid
I hear the chronic wheel
And the bay b*tches got it and I gotta have it
You can me in the riches
I'mma die to ride 'em
[Chorus]