I'm just a thug
On the other side of the law
Raised in the hood
Never thought I'd make it this far
I went from standing on the block
Dealing, toting my glock, weighing product on a triple-beam
I even got hassled a lot
Mainly by crooked cops
Life wasn't as easy as it seems

[Chorus]
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])

Gets harder everyday
To come up with the rent and ain't got a job (ain't got a job)
Try'na keep the bills paid
But don't wanna get locked up no more (locked up no more)
See, my parole officer almost caught me with that stuff
Tossed it so he wouldn't find a trace (wouldn't find a trace)
Not to mention my baby momma
The bitch is greedy as fuck
Got child support steady on my case

[Chorus]
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])

Got a little personal
But let me break it down
I'm not the only one out here going through it now
It's international, recessions all around
We gotta be here for each other when it hit the ground
I know you heard it (heard it)
And work it (work it)
Don't give up it'll all work out (work out)
Can't never stop hoping (hoping)
But certain (but certain)
I be grinding until the day that I die

[Chorus]
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])
Try'na make it in the city
Where we stay on the grind (stay on the grind [x2])