Analysis of a Brooklyn Theme Song

As anyone who grew up in Brooklyn from 1995-2005 can tell you, there is no more appropriate Brooklyn theme song than "Brooklyn's Finest", by Jay-Z with the late, great Notorious B.I.G. In the song, they go through a roll call of sorts of neighborhoods where they grew up or frequented. Have a listen:



Here is an analysis of the current state of the neighborhoods mentioned in the chorus of the song.

Whites' Homes:

Bed-Stuy

Bushwick

Fort Greene

Red Hook

Clinton Hill

Frank White's Home:

Marcy (Projects)

Crown Heights (But Frank could soon be leaving)

Brownsville

Flatbush

East New York

So there you have it. Almost 14 years after the release of Reasonable Doubt, half of the hoods that Mrs. Carter and Wallace were repping are now the home of hipsters, yuppies and urban pioneers (to themselves). To quote Biggie...

Also, did anyone else know that "Brooklyn's Finest" will soon be a movie starring Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Ethan Hawke?