• Release Date: May 21, 2002
• Director: Steve Carr
• Featured Artists: Lil’ Mo, Sacario
• Runtime: 4:06 (Album Version)
• Genre: Hip-Hop, R&B
• Producer: Rick Rock
• Chart Peak: #15 Billboard Hot 100

In 2002, Angie Martinez—the undisputed “Voice of New York”—successfully bridged the gap between being the primary gatekeeper of Hip-Hop radio and a legitimate chart-defining artist. Enter: “If I Could Go,” which was the lead single for her sophomore effort, Animal House. The track is a high-energy relic that perfectly blended West Coast production (via Rick Rock) with East Coast radio sound and flavor. Make no mistake, this wasn’t just a song; it was a crossover event that solidified Angie as a dual-threat in the industry.

As such, “If I Could Go” is the next file entry in our library.

RELATED: [THE FILES] 151: Nivea – “Don’t Mess With My Man” (2002)

The Track

• The Rick Rock Factor: Produced by Bay Area legend Rick Rock, the track utilized his signature “Hyphy” prototype sound—heavy on the clap-back snares and upbeat, synth-driven basslines.
• The Features: Lil’ Mo provided the melodic hook that became an instant radio staple, while Sacario provided the gritty rap with a guest verse that matched the high-tempo energy of the track.
• The Marketing: The song famously appeared on the soundtrack for the action film The Transporter and, more importantly, NBA Live 2003. The game’s soundtrack went on to be the first video game OST certified Platinum by the RIAA.
• The Music Video: Directed by Steve Carr (who also directed Dr. Dolittle 2 and Next Friday), the music video featured high-saturation colors and a clean, big budget aesthetic typical of the early 2000s.

The ‘Decked Out’ Verdict

“If I Could Go” remains the definitive blueprint for how a radio personality can transition into a recording artist without losing their “cultural credibility.” y leveraging her connections and choosing a high-performance production team, Angie Martinez created a legacy track that still feels like a summer classic two-plus decades later.

Lyrics

Yeah! oh, yeah yeah
Yeah! come on, woo! come on, uh
If I can go, with you
Yo, uh, yo, uh

If I can choose a place to go, it gotta be far away
From here we could cross over like Hardaway
Somewhere outside the states where tommorow’s like today
And I’m out in a space where nobody else can stay
And, if I can go, with you
Then I’ll go get the ticket right now if that’s cool
Have you ever been close to feelin’ like leavin’ the coast too
Feelin’ like leavin’ with somebody who

Hold you the right way while watchin’ the night fade
Make you feel like you right back in the ninth grade
When you know what he likes and what he might say
And you try to be calm and answer in nice ways
And, if I can go, with you
Way out the states no two ways and no page
No cells and no trace, and you just a phone call away
So all I got to say is

If I can go, contigo, I’ll pack my things, soon as you say
Baby vamos, we’ll fly away, like there is no, no tomorrow
If i can go, contigo, I’ll tell my friends, nothing at all (i hear you)
I’ll get my things, soon as you say, (talk to me) baby vamos, (come on) we’ll fly away

And, if I can go, with you
Oh boy, we ’bout to make a lot of people annoyed
And cry you better know I know how to sneak with them toys
And boy with the block since around 94 boy
And, if I can flow, with you
Huggin’ Tato after the studio, I roll with you
I send Dutch and three other goons to go get you
Sacario the name hold weights the whole issue

Grown men keep on cryin’ get mo’ tissue
The way me and this girl be rhymin’ it’s so official
Them I’m taking a trip too with no pistols
‘Cause everything peace only sand no streets
Little Miami Heat, that’s the plan we’ll see
Two cups, one in Senado one in Sand Beach
And, I’ll think I’ll go, with you
So tell the station you need a week back to you (tell me oh)

If I can go, contigo, I’ll pack my things, soon as you say
Baby vamos, we’ll fly away, like there is no, no tomorrow
If can go (if i can go), contigo, I’ll tell my friends (baby), nothing at all
I’ll get my things, soon as you say, baby vamos, we’ll fly away

You can fly away (fly away), no one has to know (no, no, no, no)
Will you take me with you (with you), cause if I can go (i can go)
Soon as you say the word, we’ll be on our way
To a foreign place, you got to tell me (tell me oh)

Yo, uh, so now that we got a plan, are you comin’? We could plan a week (come on)
The only question now is LaGuardia or Kennedy?
And a seat, know why? the window ’cause I like to see (okay)
And seein’ as to how I’m so fly me and the clouds can speak
And, since we ’bout to go, in a few
Go ‘head
Oh, I just wanted to tell Trace thank you
That week off I’m grateful, what was you tryin’ to say boo?

Nothin’ just grab my chain off the table and two way too
Ok, that little place it’s a great move
But ain’t no problems, unless the water don’t stay blue
And the shop’s there?
If they don’t got ’em, they don’t make ’em (true)
No concrete just sand, throw away your shoes (that’s right)
Now, that we are on, our way
And our bags is packed and the car service (come on) is not late
Everything’s ok, so I guess I catch you on the next track
Now I don’t gotta ask (tell me oh, come on)

If I can go (if i can go), contigo, I’ll pack my things, soon as you say (tell me)
Baby vamos (baby), we’ll fly away, like there is no, no tomorrow
If I can go, contigo, I’ll tell my friends, nothing at all
I’ll get my things (won’t say a word to my friends), soon as you say, baby vamos, we’ll fly away

If I can go, contigo, I’ll pack my things, soon as you say
Baby vamos, we’ll fly way, like there is no, no tomorrow
And if I can go, contigo, I’ll tell my friends, nothing at all
Nothing at all, I’ll tell my friends, nothing at all

RELATED: [THE FILES] 132.3 | Destiny’s Child World Tour (2002)

Featured Photo: Elektra Records

Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.