In the second part of this now infamous freestyle on Hot 97, Jay-Z goes into more detail about his own ascension in the music game and the world of business. His own success can serve as inspiration for your hustle and mine (which, again, is the premise of the Book of Hov). Before I jump right into these lyrics, let me say this: Too many critics of rap music dismiss the song lyrics as pure bravado. I disagree. Many of Jay’s lyrics (like with other MCs in the game) have the power to inspire, and from the inspiration, we aspire.

Inspire: To heighten or intensify

Aspire: To have an ambitious plan or lofty goal

Unfortunately, here’s what happens too often: Instead of being inspired by his accomplishments or aspire to accomplish our own goals…

We hate.

We spend so much time trying to discredit, diminish, or disrespect another man’s hustle. No matter how much we think our hate is justified we’re unable to disguise our struggle with the realization of our own underachievement and failure.

I have never heard Jay’s lyrics about his success as somehow an indictment on my own hustle. I don’t pray for another man’s downfall, I pray (and hustle) for my come-up.

I call Jay’s Hot 97 freestyle “the blueprint for greatness”, but you will NEVER get it (“it”, meaning the inspiration and knowledge you can use in your own hustle) if you’re intent on discrediting or disconnecting.

Speaking of disconnect: Don’t fool yourself, thinking that because Jay’s life is so vastly different from yours, his lyrics can not possibly be applicable to your circumstances. Hell, it’s likely that he has made it out of worst (or at least just as bad) situations that you’re in right now.

(Verse for this discussion starts at 2:30)

Everybody screaming they want the old Hov
But the new and improved Hov, hit like Albert Pujols
Everybody wanna hear me talk that money like Phil Rizzuto
But my mind is on Pluto
Bills that I do fold, I now invest on
Trying to find some loopholes in the IRS
So where I used to have a few hoes, I am just
Concentrating on making a new Hov through sex
I’ve awaken just to try to school those putos
Trying to follow in my shoes with jewels-froze
Better adhere to this text ‘fore you go
Broke- spending more than you accrued on silly baguettes
I know silly begets, silly, you learn on your own
At least my conscience is clear, I’m no longer steering you wrong
Ain’t nothing wrong with baguettes after you get a home
Take care of your home, you can go back and um…

I’m getting courted by the bosses,
The Edgars and Doug Morriss (sss…)
Jimmy I’s and Lyor’s (sss …)
Gotta be more than choruses-sss
They respecting my mind now
Just a matter of time now
Operation take over corporate 
makeover offices (sss…)
Then take over all of it
Please may these words be recorded
To serve as testimony that I saw it all before it
Came to fruition, sort of a premonition
Uh, uncontrollable hustler’s ambition
Alias superstition like Stevie
The writing’s on the wall like my lady, right BB?
Saw it all before so they all thought I was crazy
Maybe, like a fox I’m cagey
Ah, ah, the more successful, the more stressful
The more and more I transform to Gordon Gekko

In the race to a billion, got my face to the ceiling
Got my knees on the floor, please Lord forgive him
Has he lost his religion, is the greed gonna get him?
He’s having heaven on earth, will his wings still fit him?
I got the Forbes on my living room floor
And I’m so dope to the core, fucker I want more
Time’s most influential was impressive
Especially since I wasn’t in the artist’s section
Had me with the builders and the titans
Had me right with Rupert Murdoch
The billionaire boys and some dudes you never heard of
Word up on Madison Ave is I’m a cash cow
Word down on Wall St. “Homie, you get the cash out”
IPO Hov no need for reverse merger
The boy money talk no need to converse further
The baby blue Maybach like I own Gerber
Boardroom I’m lifting your skirt up
The corporate take (over)…nigga.

“Hot 97 freestyle”
Jay-Z

Ok, let’s jump in…

Everybody screaming they want the old Hov
But the new and improved Hov, hit like Albert Pujols

I’ve heard so many fans calling for the “old Hov”. People with this sentiment are likely stagnant in their own lives. Jay says that he’s “new and improved” which is what we all should strive to be. It’s amazes me how many people fear or even resent their OWN inevitability to change.

If your hustle gets to the level of Albert Pujols’s ability to hit homeruns then you will be VERY successful.

Here’s more…

Everybody wanna hear me talk that money like Phil Rizzuto
But my mind is on Pluto
Bills that I do fold, I now invest on
Trying to find some loopholes in the IRS

Jay states that people want to hear him rhyme about getting money (I’m not going to lie- I’m one of those people) but he has his mind on greater things. Because he’s now in a higher tax bracket, he now looks for loopholes in the IRS tax code.

When you reach a certain level of success, your priorities change and your level of access is raised which creates more opportunities and advantages.

Continue…

So where I used to have a few hoes, I am just
Concentrating on making a new Hov through sex

I won’t say much about this line. It’s kind of out-of-place in the context of the rhyme so I’ll just move on…

I’ve awakened just to try to school those putos
Trying to follow in my shoes with jewels-froze
Better adhere to this text ‘fore you go
Broke- spending more than you accrued on silly baguettes
I know silly begets, silly you learn on your own
At least my conscience is clear, I’m no longer steering you wrong
Ain’t nothing wrong with baguettes after you get a home
Take care of your home, you can go back and um…

Jay states that he’s “awakened” to educate those who try to emulate his style. (Jay uses the Spanish word, “puto”, but don’t take it literally. I honestly think he uses the word just for the sake of the rhyme)

I think it’s interesting that Jay used the word “awakened”. It’s as if he’s saying that instead of giving us the “money talk” that we’re used to hearing, on this freestyle, he’s delivering more substantive advice when it comes to the management of money. He tells us to “adhere to this text”, before we go broke trying to keep up with Joneses. We have to have our financial priorities straight.

Example:

Don’t spend a lot of money on flashy jewelry if you can’t buy a home!

It might seem like pretty basic financial advice but we have to consider Jay-Z’s primary audience: They’re young, impressionable, not as uneducated and financially unsophisticated with a general lack of access and resources particularly when we it comes to financial matters.

This sort of basic, common sense advice won’t give listeners the knowledge they need to buy a home but at least they might start thinking about getting their “house in order” financially so that one day they’ll be ready to own appreciating assets.

Now we’re about to jump into the last part of this freestyle, which happens to be my favorite part.

Matter of fact, listen to the last part again before we continue.

(Starts at 3:07)

I’m getting courted by the bosses,
The Edgars and Doug Morrises (sss…)
Jimmy I’s and Lyor’s (sss …)
Gotta be more than choruses-sss
They respecting my mind now
Just a matter of time now
Operation take over corporate 
makeover offices (sss…)
Then take over all of it

Jay rhymes that at this point of his career (late 2006) he’s now “building” with some of the most powerful and influential people in the music industry and in the world of business period. These powerful (and wealthy) people respect not just Jay’s artistry but his business mind- his hustle. Jay states that it’s “just a matter of time” before he makes his mark in the corporate game.

Guess what??

He did.

It’s an important lesson Jay is telling us here. Jay is not simply name-dropping. He’s telling us that he has lofty ambitions. As he becomes more and more successful he has begun establishing relationships with major players in the music game and in the business world.

We are all ambitious in our own right and it’s important that we build relationships and surround ourselves around people who can play a role in getting us to the next level. Whether your goal is to rise in the corporate world, in the entrepreneurial world, in academics, wherever and whatever-

In life it’s what you know AND who you know!

Jay rhymes about pulling a corporate takeover but I find it telling that he used the term, “corporate makeover”. The term suggests that he’s making a statement about the changing face of the corporate world.

By the way, Young Jeezy popularized the term, “corporate thuggin” but Jay-Z fully embodies the transition from the streets to the boardroom- a transition that more young black men must make.

Moving on…

Please may these words be recorded
To serve as testimony that I saw it all before it
Came to fruition, sort of a premonition
Uh, uncontrollable hustler’s ambition
Alias superstition like Stevie
The writing’s on the wall like my lady, right BB?
Saw it all before so they all thought I was crazy
Maybe, like a fox I’m cagey
Ah, ah, the more successful, the more stressful
The more and more I transform to Gordon Gekko

This recorded freestyle certainly is a testimony that Jay envisioned his success in the business game before it “came to fruition”. What is this called? Faith.

I like how he called his drive to succeed, “uncontrollable hustler’s ambition”. Personally, I need that in my own life! Jay could foresee his success, which is what he means when he says “the writing’s on the wall”.

Jay rhymes that people doubt him but that he’s crazy like a fox, in fact, he’s shrewd, doing what’s in his best interest.

As we pursue our own goals we should be “crazy like a fox”, even cagey because we all have to get to the point where we can demonstrate good judgment and be able to do what’s in our best interest.

When Jay says, “the more successful, the more stressful”, that’s just another way of saying, “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems”. I love the Gordon Gekko reference because the fictional character from the film, “Wall Street” had unbelievable drive and ambition. Gekko was about being successful and it’s hard to argue with success. The reference also supports Jay’s ambitions to “take over” the corporate game.

Let’s keep going…

In the race to a billion, got my face to the ceiling
Got my knees on the floor, please Lord forgive him
Has he lost his religion? Is the greed gonna get him?
He’s having heaven on earth. Will his wings still fit him?
I got the Forbes on my living room floor
And I’m so dope to the core, Fucker, I want more

I don’t know if Jay-Z will ever become a billionaire but I wouldn’t bet against him. It’s interesting though, that he contemplates if his pursuit of billions will damage his relationship with God.

It all goes back to the Gordon Gekko reference, the fictional character encouraged greed and lived his life consumed by it. Jay is questioning himself: In being a predator on the prowl for success will he end up being a victim of greed? I think it’s an important question to ask one’s self.

Jay is basically sharing with us his lyrical version of the bible verse, Matthew 16:26.

Great introspective moment.

Will you be a victim of greed in your pursuit of success?

We’re reaching the final stretch…

Time’s most influential was impressive
Especially since I wasn’t in the artist’s section
Had me with the builders and the titans
Had me right with Rupert Murdoch
The billionaire boys and some dudes you never heard of

Jay refers to his appearance on Time 100 Most Influential People list back in 2005- even though he’s seen as being an entertainer, Time put him in the Builders & Titans section of their 100 list.

In other words, Jay-Z’s ambitions are bigger than Hip-Hop.

This is inspiring because it proves that success can take you in directions that you sometimes can’t conceive.

Oh yeah, Jay’s right: at least in my case- most of the people in the Builders & Titans section are billionaires and several I had never heard of.

Let’s conclude…

Word up on Madison Ave is I’m a cash cow
Word down on Wall St. “Homie, you get the cash out
IPO Hov no need for reverse merger
The boy money talk no need to converse further
The baby blue Maybach like I own Gerber
Boardroom I’m lifting your skirt up 
The corporate take (over)…nigga.

Jay rhymes that he’s bankable. He’s a well-known figure, very influential with a sought-after demographic (think: 18-34 year old males), therefore, he is sought after by marketing agencies, shoe companies (remember S.Carter sneakers), etc.

Jay rhymes about “the rush” from investors to take their money out of investment accounts referring to the volatility in the stock market caused by the decline in the economy.

The IPO/Reverse merger reference is really clever and I wasn’t real clear on it when I first heard the lyric. After doing a little digging, I learned that a reverse merger bypasses the long and complex process of going public (IPO). From what I gathered, a reverse merger is not as costly.

So I think the lyric is simply Jay’s way of saying that he’s financially sound which is supported by the next line in which he rhymes about how his money “talks”.

Jay ends this great freestyle reiterating his determination to be successful in the world of business.

This freestyle is applicable to our own pursuit of success. The first part of the freestyle, which I wrote about in Part 1 is about winning the mental game of success. This part of the freestyle is about utilizing the strength of your mental game to take action and succeed.

During the courtship of Lebron James, the New Jersey Nets put up a larger-than-life billboard on the side of a building not far from Madison Square Garden featuring images of billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov and Jay-Z (part owner) with the words, “the blueprint for greatness” at the top. Lebron joined Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat. But this post ain’t about the NBA, however, the words at the top of the Nets billboard seems like a fitting title for parts I & II of this post and the hot-as-fire freestyle that Jay-Z performed back in 2006.

I don’t know if Lebron would have been the missing piece to the Nets’ blueprint for greatness in the NBA. But I do know that if you want to HEAR the blueprint for greatness, Jay-Z gave it to you 4 years ago in studios of Hot 97 in New York City.

Where were you when you first heard this freestyle?

I been crushing the buildings since Izod socks
I’m so independent, shit I might buy Koch
I might not stop, places to cop
76 floors you can call me the Doc…

Inspired by Basquiat, got my chariots of fire
Everybody took shots, hit my body up, I’m tired
Build me up, break me down, to build me up again
They like, “Hov we need you back so we can kill your ass again”
Hov got flow though he’s no Big and Pac… but he’s close

How I’m supposed to win they got me fighting ghosts…

Same sword they knight you
They gone good night you with
Shit, that’s only half if they like you
That ain’t even the half what they might do
Don’t believe me, ask Michael

See Martin, see Malcolm
See Biggie, see Pac
See success and its outcome
See Jesus, see Judas
See Ceasar, see Brutus
See success is like suicide
Suicide, it’s a suicide
If you succeed prepare to be crucified

Hmm, media meddles, niggas sue you- you settle
Every step you take they remind you, you ghetto
So it’s tough being Bobby Brown
To be Bobby then, you gotta be Bobby now
Now the question is: Is to have had and lost
Better than not having at (all)… man.

Everybody want to be the King til shots ring
You laying in the balcony with holes in your dream
Or you Malcolm X’ed out getting distracted by screams 

Everybody get your hands off my jeans!
Everybody look at you strange, say you changed- 
Uh,
Like you work that hard to stay the same- 
Uh,
Game stayed the same, the name changes
So it’s best for those to not overdose on being famous 

Most Kings get driven so insane
That they try to hit the same vein that Kurt Cobain did

New dangers
So strangers invited to the inner sanctum of your chambers, low chained them,
The enemy’s approaching so raise your draw-bridge and 
drown him in the moat
In the spirit I’m evoking Kurt with…

“Hot 97 freestyle”
Jay-Z

I remember this freestyle very well… who doesn’t, right? When I first heard this freestyle I was completely blown away. Since I’ve revisited this freestyle, listening to it several times over the last 24 hours, I gotta say…

I’m speechless!

Well, not really, I mean, I have plenty to say and plenty to write about but as you listen to this freestyle, it’s really challenging to keep up! You hear what he’s saying, but do you HEAR what’s he’s saying??

You’ll see what I mean as you continue reading…

The “problem” (and it’s a good and a necessary one) with some of Jay’s most profound lyrics is that they require the listener to THINK and some of us are “intellectually lazy” (to be kind) and don’t believe that music has any other purpose but to entertain.

Even some of us sharper cats can slip in the mental game and not get a full grasp on insights, concepts, theories, practices and systems that can be game-changing for our minds and our lives.

This freestyle was so potent (so much so, I had to break it down into 2 parts) that it was literally game changing; in rap music/Hip-Hop culture, the music industry as a whole and in the corporate world.

Could this freestyle be a game-changer (well, at least play a small role) for your hustle?

I’m about to dig into the lyrics but let me give some brief context behind the freestyle:

Jay-Z performed this freestyle live on Hot 97 in New York in late 2006 a month or so before the release of his “Kingdom Come” album. Kingdom Come was seen as his coming-out-of-retirement album. It would be his first album after the break-up of the Roc- at least the version that we all had come to know dating back to 1996.

So, basically, in 2006, 10 years after his debut album “Reasonable Doubt” came out, Jay is moving forward in his career without his partners, Dash and Biggs, and there are questions whether he can continue his success.

“Kingdom Come” was a good album, not a great one. It wasn’t one of my favorites though a few of the songs on the album (such as “Lost Ones”) are in heavy rotation within my personal collection. The album received mixed reviews but was a success.

The freestyle that he did on Hot 97 was sort of like the preliminary to the main event; the Kingdom Come album. In my opinion that freestyle is easily more profound than any song on the Kingdom Come album.

Let’s do this…

I been crushing the buildings since Izod socks

I’m so independent, shit I might buy Koch 

I might not stop, places to cop 

76 floors you can call me the Doc… 



Jay is claiming independence in this lyric. Though I already knew what the word meant, I looked the word up:

Independence: freedom from control or influence of another or others

(http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=independence)

Now I don’t know the inside details of the inner workings or Roc-a-fella Records back then or the breakup. Dash hasn’t said much and Biggs has said almost nothing. Jay himself hasn’t gone in too much depth in interviews about it, so, as fans, our best bet in learning more about the fall out is to listen for clues Jay-Z’s music.

Jay cleverly rhymes about being so independent that he might purchaseKoch, one of the biggest players in the independent record label game. When considering what was going on in Jay’s career during that time his proclamation of independence in the midst of doubts shows the intensity level of his self-determination. Having greater control over one’s destiny is empowering.

Ok, let’s keep going…

Inspired by Basquiat, got my chariots of fire 

Everybody took shots, hit my body up I’m tired 

Build me up, break me down, to build me up again 

They like, “Hov we need you back so we can kill your ass again”

Hov got flow though he’s no Big and Pac… but he’s close

How I’m supposed to win they got me fighting ghosts…

I admit, I didn’t know who Basquiat was until I looked him up. Jean-Michel Basquiat was an artist, becoming the first painter of African descent to gain popularity internationally. He started out doing graffiti and then moved on to Neo-expressionist work. His life has been the subject of films, poems, and books.

And he was from Brooklyn.

I think it’s telling that Basquiat started out doing graffiti, which is as much a part of Hip-Hop culture as MC’ing. He became an influential international star but he started out immersed in Hip-Hop culture on the streets of Brooklyn.

Sounds familiar?

Fast-forward to 2010 and it’s quite clear that Jay-Z has become the international star, born and bred in Brooklyn, that he inspired to be when he performed this freestyle on Hot 97.

When Jay rhymes about “chariots of fire” I don’t think he’s talking about the film, instead, I believe he’s referring to scripture in the Bible in which a chariot of fire appears taking the prophet Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind.

Jay states that people are taking shots at him and though he literally means through words, figuratively, he’s stating that his foes are trying to take him out in a physical sense, which supports the “chariot of fire” reference (he’s using double entendre).

Next, I think Jay is actually referring to the critics (media) and a disloyal and unappreciative public when he talks about being built up, brought down and built up again. He’s telling us that we want him “back” (remember, Kingdom Come was his “comeback” album) just so we can try to bring him down…again.

All great artists face this gift and curse. He is exalted for his talents but at the same time subjected to an intense level of scrutiny because of his talents.

Every MC who has come in the game are compared to Biggie and Tupac, two of the greatest MCs in Hip-Hop history who both were murdered within months of each other and will forever be linked due to their accomplishments and infamous beef.

Jay has certainly been compared to both of these legendary greats. In fact, it seems like he has faced resentment from some of Pac and Biggie’s most rabid fans since he rose to the top of the game just after their murders. Jay acknowledges this in his lyrics stating that there’s no way he can compete (no matter how great his lyrical prowess) with Hip-Hop’s great immortals who are beloved by millions.

Ok, let’s continue…

Same sword they knight you
They gone good night you with 

Shit, that’s only half if they like you 

That ain’t even the half what they might do

Don’t believe me, ask Michael

Here, Jay states that “they” (meaning the media and the public) will hold you in high esteem and then be the same ones who destroy your career. As bad as that sounds, Jay reveals that the final outcome could actually be much worst, citing Michael Jackson as the perfect example.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we all know Michael Jackson. I personally believe that he was the greatest musical talent the world has ever seen. He was adored by millions all over the world and yet he was relentlessly crucified by the media up until the day he died (and ever since).

(This freestyle was 3 years before Michael’s tragic sudden death)

Let’s keep it moving…

See Martin, see Malcolm 

See Biggie, see Pac
See success and its outcome 

See Jesus, see Judas 

See Ceasar, see Brutus 

See success is like suicide 

Suicide, it’s a suicide

If you succeed prepare to be crucified 


I love this entire freestyle but this is one of my favorite parts. Here, Jay is basically displaying “exhibit A, B, C…”; giving us examples in history of great people who have been brought down in some shape or form.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Black Christian minister who was a great civil rights leader (maybe the greatest person America has ever produced). He was assassinated.

Malcolm X: Minister with the Nation of Islam who was a great human rights activist and black nationalist leader. He was assassinated.

Notorious B.I.G.: Considered one of the greatest MCs who ever lived. Representing Brooklyn, he was given the title, “King of New York” by many during his heyday. He was murdered in early 1997 at the age of 24.

Tupac Shakur: A revolutionary MC and social activist who is widely believed to be one of the greatest of all time in Hip-Hop. He was murdered in 1996 at the age of 25.

“See success and it’s outcome”…

Jesus Christ: The son of God. The Messiah. A gift from God to the world to give salvation. He was crucified on the cross and died for the sins of mankind.

Judas: One of Jesus’ apostles. He betrayed Jesus leading to the Son of God’s arrest and crucifixion.

Julius Cesar: Arguably, the greatest dictator of Rome. He was also a great military leader. He played a critical role in the Roman Republic’s transformation into the Roman Empire. He was assassinated by his political opponents.

Marcus Junius Brutus: Considered to be a friend of Cesar, Brutus was a politician of the Roman Republic who led in the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Cesar.

A little history lesson, huh?

Anyway, Jay compares success to suicide. What’s the correlation? Jay is simply showing the relationship between construction and destruction. Another way of looking at it is that both joy and pain can be self-inflicted.

In the last line of this part of the lyric, Jay warns us that success often begets harsh criticism or worst.

Tired yet? Come on, let’s keep digging…

Hmm, media meddles, niggas sue you- you settle 

Every step you take they remind you, you ghetto 

So it’s tough being Bobby Brown 

To be Bobby then, you gotta be Bobby now 

Now the question is: Is to have had and lost

Better than not having at (all)?… man.

Jay rhymes about how the media “meddles”, intruding in on the privacy of people who live much of their lives in the public eye. He then tells us how anybody, from a nobody to a big shot, can bring frivolous lawsuits against him that he settles out of court.

I like this next part…

Jay cleverly uses the title of one of Bobby Brown’s most popular songs to show how the media and the public judge those in the public eye. He states that the media/public consistently watches a star’s every move and characterizes him based on his background.

Jay uses double entendre to make his next point. Bobby Brown has had a music career filled with highs and lows. His life has been a rollercoaster ride; success in music, bouts with drugs, scandals with women, serving jail terms, etc., all played out in the mainstream press and tabloids for the whole world to see. I’m sure that Bobby would agree that it’s tough being Bobby Brown.

I think Jay is making two points here:

On the one hand he’s saying that you are who are. You have to be who you are regardless of where life takes you and in spite of the pressures to be someone else in an effort to appease others.

But on the other hand, Jay could be telling us that even if you change (for the better) some will always see you the way you were “back then”. People will typecast you based on the past completely disregarding your evolution.

We’re heading toward the final stretch…

Everybody want to be the King til shots ring 

You laying in the balcony with holes in your dream 

Or you Malcolm X’ed out getting distracted by screams 
Like you work that hard to stay the same- 
Uh,
Game stayed the same, the name changed 


Jay references the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X to give insight on how some people seek success at the highest level but unwilling to sacrifice or take on the risks that always accompanies ambition.

Let’s close it out…

Everybody get your hands off my jeans!

Everybody look at you strange, say you changed- 
Uh,
Like you work that hard to stay the same- 
Uh,
Game stayed the same, the name changes

So it’s best for those to not overdose on being famous 
Most Kings get driven so insane 

That they try to hit the same vein that Kurt Cobain did 
New dangers
So strangers, invited to the inner sanctum of your chambers, low chained them
The enemy’s approaching so raise your drawbridge and 
drown him in the moat 

In the spirit I’m evoking Kurt with…

Jay tells everybody to stop trying to get all they can get from him. He rhymes that some who knew him before all of the success make claims that he has changed. But instead of rejecting their claims, he acknowledges that he’s worked hard and HAS changed…

Wouldn’t you?

He warns those in the game not to “overdose on being famous”. Jay reveals how some who reach the top lose their minds and souls and self-inflict pain and even total destruction on themselves (think back to the “success is like suicide” line).

The Kurt Cobain reference is certainly not used in a way to defame the legendary Grunge star but to give imagery of how success can be self-destructive.

Jay rhymes about how success breeds “new dangers” (think: “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems). When you’re in full pursuit of success, highly motivated to get out of your current situation, you don’t think about the negative impact success could have on your life. It’s not to say that success is bad, of course it’s not. It’s just about being able to put even the good things we seek in proper perspective. Jay tells us that those new dangers could be in the form of “strangers” (those we don’t know AND those we think we know) who we let into our private places, both physically and mentally.

Jay states that you’re putting yourself at grave risk when you allow those who you don’t know and/or can’t trust to have access to your valuables (your mind, your network, your loved ones, your skills, your property, your money, etc).

Once again, here’s another brilliant double entendre:

Jay warns us that your enemies are always approaching and on the attack and that you must always be in defense mode with every intention of taking them out.

Jay evokes the spirit of the great Kurt Cobain…

Now, finally, you ask:

“How can we apply this lyric to our lives?”

As you can see, Jay says A LOT in this freestyle and you can discover the knowledge he drops just from the in-depth analysis I attempted to do line-by-line.

But I will say that I think this lyric is cautionary in nature regarding the sacrifice of greatness. This first part of the long Hot 97 freestyle is about getting your mind right in preparation of greatness.

I think Jay brilliantly puts ambition in historical context to show us that greatness has an impact that is life changing. Those who pursue greatness and achieve it will often lose it at the hands of others or due to self-inflicted wounds.

Always remember that some of the ones who lift you up will be the same ones who bring you down.

The first part of this great freestyle is focused on putting your mind to work, (“Don’t be fooled, my game is mental” Jay-Z, from the song, “Can I Live”) understanding the intricacies of greatness.

In part 2 of the freestyle, Jay shows us how to apply what we know to the hustle.

*Thanks to one of the readers, “JMobile” who sent me an email asking to me tackle this infamous freestyle Jay-Z did on Hot 97 in NYC almost 4 years ago.

Next up: “The Blueprint for Greatness” (Part 2): Mastering the art of corporate thuggin.

I’ve been a fan of Jay-Z since the beginning of his career. But way before Jay’s career started, I’ve been what I call a lyricist enthusiast. I study the art of MC’ing. I’m a fan of great MCs; gifted wordsmiths in the rap game. This verse, on the song, “Free Mason”, one of Jay’s most recent lyrical performances, from Rick Ross’s Teflon Don album, demonstrates Jay’s ability to use rhyme to artfully tackle a controversial issue (By the way, Rick Ross also delivered a great lyrical performance on this song).

Here’s the lyrics to Jay’s verse on “Free Mason”:

Niggas couldn’t do nothing with me
They put the devil on me
I would have preferred if niggas squeezed the metal on me
Rumors of Lucifer
I don’t know who to trust
Whole world want my demise
Turn my music up
Hear me clearly: If y’all niggas fear me
Just say y’all fear me
Fuck all these fairy tales
Go to hell
This is God engineering
This is a Hail Mary pass
Yal interfering
He without sin shall cast the first stone
So y’all look in the mirror
Double check yal appearance
Bitch, I said “I was amazing”
Not that “I’m a Mason”
It’s amazing that I made it through the maze that I was in
Lord forgive me, I never would’ve made it without sin
Holy water my face in the basin
Diamonds in my Rosary shows he forgave him
Bitch, I’m red hot
I’m on my third six but a devil I’m not
My Jesus piece flooded but thou shall not covet
Keep your eyes off my cupboard
I’m a bad motherfucker
It’s HOV
Just say you love it

“Free Mason”
From Rick Ross’s Teflon Don album

This verse is Jay’s response to allegations that he worships the devil and is apart of a secret society, blah, blah, blah. I’m not going to go into detail concerning the rumors nor am I’m going to give my personal opinion on it all (though I suspect you know the position I hold on the subject).

Instead, I’ll let Jay give you the scoop:

I’m sure millions have heard this verse with more interest and with more attention than paid to other Jay-Z verses because of the controversy. The verse has received special attention from music journalists.

But this lyric is much deeper than what average ears hear when listening to it and I’m going to attempt to give this verse in-depth analysis because while for Jay it’s personal, there’s a message that lies within that could have a life-changing impact on those who take heed to its underlying theme.

It’s the Book of Hov, baby!

Let’s go…

Niggas couldn’t do nothing with me
They put the devil on me
I would have preferred if niggas squeezed the metal on me

Jay’s stating that his competitors can’t compete and his critics lack any real critique of substance so they make outrageous charges against him (devil worshipping, etc.) in an attempt to bring him down.

I think it’s telling that he says that he would prefer “niggas squeezed the metal” on him. In other words, he would rather die at the hands of another man than to stand by idly while his character is assassinated.

Let’s move on…

Rumors of Lucifer
I don’t know who to trust
Whole world want my demise
Turn my music up

As stated earlier, rumors of devil worshipping/cult/secret society stuff have been circulating on the Internet, in the press, etc. for months and at this point Jay is suspicious of anyone attempting to get close to him. He claims that the “whole world” wants to witness his downfall. But in spite of…

Turn the music up!

Here is the next line…

Hear me clearly: If y’all niggas fear me
Just say y’all fear me

This is where Jay exposes his critics and reveals the root cause of their allegations. According to Jay, fear is what motivates hate. Sounds familiar? (Think racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.) Jay claims that fear of his success turns into hate which can manifest itself in various ways such as, in this case, the lynching of character.

Fuck all these fairy tales
Go to Hell
This is God engineering

Jay writes off the rumors as “fairy tales”, created within his haters’ imaginations. But this is the part I really like (brilliant use of double entendre): Telling his haters to “go to Hell”, Jay proudly claims that his rise is “God engineering.”

Now, what does this mean?

“God Engineering” is another way of saying “God’s will” is to be done. So in the context of the rhyme, Jay states that whatever happens in life is greater than himself, you or I- that it’s God’s will.

You don’t have to be a religious person to understand this belief or embrace it. In fact, people are sometimes burdened by their religious beliefs. God engineering is simply the belief in a higher power- and/or that our lives are subject to a master plan; fate or destiny.

Jay continues with what I think is his best use of double entendre:

This is a Hail Mary pass
Yal interfering

In religious/spiritual terms, the Hail Mary is a prayer.

I won’t go into too much detail here but in Catholicism, a Hail Mary is an intercession between a believer and the Virgin Mary in which the Holy Mother a.k.a., Mother of Christ, acts as a mediator, sending a prayer to God on the behalf of the believer.

A Hail Mary pass in football is when the quarterback throws a long pass downfield in a desperate attempt to score a touchdown before time runs out on the clock.

Here, Jay rhymes about those who attempt to interfere with his spiritual connection to a higher power.

Let’s continue…

He without sin shall cast the first stone
So y’all look in the mirror
Double check yal appearance
Bitch, I said “I was amazing”
Not that “I’m a Mason”

The first line in this part of the lyric is Jay’s take on a well known Bible verse. The actual Bible verse is basically stating that no one is without sin and therefore unfit to judge. Jay is stating that his critics should look at themselves in the mirror and “double check yal appearance” instead of judging him.

Jay then makes clear that in rhymes he spit in the past, he said that he was “amazing” NOT “a Mason”.

Let’s keep it moving…

It’s amazing that I made it through the maze that I was in
Lord forgive me, I never would’ve made it without sin
Holy water my face in the basin
Diamonds in my Rosary shows he forgave him

Jay reveals his own amazement in being able to overcome his past circumstances. But the tone in which he delivers the rhyme and its context within the verse shows that his amazement is not just directed at himself but at a higher power. We know that’s the case because in the next line Jay states that he could not have turned his life around without sin AND God’s forgiveness.

This is where Jay really gets deep…

Jay rhymes about his face being in “holy water” which is used in a religious setting for baptism. Baptism signifies cleansing or a rebirth. This lyric reflects back to the rhyme before it in which Jay spoke of sinning in order to escape the “maze” or circumstances he was in. Once God grants his plea for forgiveness, Jay makes a transition (which we’re witnessing the work-in-progress now) and experiences a rebirth on the road to redemption.

Rosary are a string of beds used in devotional prayer. When Jay says that diamonds are in his Rosary he’s giving listeners a visual that we all recognize. A diamond represents wealth. Wealth is not just about money, it’s about abundance; whether of wisdom, experience, love, etc. This is all Jay’s way of saying that his wealth – in every sense of the word, is a blessing from God.

Forget about Creflo Dollar and Eddie Long, Jay-Z is the man to go to hear the true gospel of prosperity!

Bitch, I’m red hot
I’m on my third six but a devil I’m not
My Jesus piece flooded but thou shall not covet
Keep your eyes off my cupboard
I’m a bad motherfucker
It’s HOV
Just say you love it!

Jay lets it be known that he’s not into the devil-worshipping thing. He uses wit when he rhymes about his “Jesus piece” (jewelry for those who don’t know) being flooded (with diamonds) but warns (in scripture lingo) that others shouldn’t crave after his possessions and advises them against eyeing what he has.

Interesting enough, that lyric seems like typical tough-guy bravado but it’s actually plain ol’ good advice: Don’t lust after what others have- get on your grind and get your own!

He ends the verse telling those who hate to just concede and expose their masked admiration for his accomplishments.

Now, don’t you just love it!

Ok, now, how can we apply this to our own lives?

Jay has laid out a defense in this verse in regards to the devil stuff better than a high-powered attorney could do in court. You and I should vehemently defend our own positions and protect our integrity and character in the midst of attack from haters.

In your life you will (or at least should) gain enough experience and wisdom to understand the causes and motives behind reckless criticism directed toward you. All criticism is not created equal and being able to tell the difference between compassionate criticism and malice is vital.

I don’t want to advocate or condone any particular religious/spiritual belief because I have respect for diversity of thought but I personally believe in the will of God or as Jay says “God engineering” in regards to the experiences and eventual outcome of one’s life.

And even if you don’t believe in a higher power, don’t allow others to put a label on you that is not aligned with your true beliefs.

Contrary to what his critics claim, Jay reveals the role spirituality plays in his life. But this is obviously not a preachy verse or even instructive. This is not a verse with the goal of converting listeners to his worldview.

When I first heard this verse I was listening but not as closely as I wanted to at the time. When I really got a chance to focus and hear what he was saying (I must have listened to his verse over and over again for 30 minutes) it struck me on how introspective Jay is in this verse.

I actually spent a couple of hours dissecting this rhyme because I have to be honest, even though I have a religious background (I grew up in the black church), I wasn’t as clear as I wanted to be on some of the religious/spiritual references but once I realized the meaning behind what he was saying, it all clicked and I could definitely relate.

Rick Ross talked about how he and Trey Songz were in awe as they watched Jay-Z conceive, compose and perform this verse right there on the spot while they all were on the road during the Blueprint 3 tour.

I would have loved to been there in person to see Jay come up with this verse! This lyric is so deep and complex that it’s amazing that he could compose it in the same way he does his other rhymes…and this is one of the few times that it was documented.

It took me a couple of hours to tear this verse apart for in-depth analysis yet according to Rick Ross, Jay composed the lyrics in 2-3 minutes!

By the way: In no way am I attempting to frame this verse as religious. I am not trying to connect Jay to any doctrine. This verse does have spiritual overtones however.

I have to say: I can see some in the religious community denouncing Jay-Z’s religious/spiritual references in this verse. Essentially, this verse adds fuel to the firestorm of controversy. But I think what Jay does in this verse is repudiates all of the sensationalized rumors while challenging conventional wisdom when it comes to salvation.

There is no doubt in my mind that this verse is completely over the head of 98% of those who have listened to it. People are either unwilling or unable to “get it”.

Jay’s verse on “Free Mason” can encourage us to dig deep within our own psyche to fully understand the power within ourselves that makes us who we are. The lyrics can also inspire us to tap into that power, which serves as a compass directing us to our own glorious destiny.

Somebody turn these boys off
Don’t they know that I’m on
Can’t they see that it’s foolish to try to kill me with songs?
What the fuck are they Lauryn?
You “Killing Me Softly”
You talk me to death, only thing you could do- Talk!
I opened the door for them
What else could I do?
These niggas want me to walk for them
But somebody talk to them
Before I go off on them…

“Already Home”
Blueprint 3

In “Already Home” Jay-Z responds to his critics in a very assertive and decisive way. His response is defiant yet insightful and I think what Jay is able to do on the song is show listeners how to handle criticism that is often based on others’ shortcomings.

I’ll explain what I mean, but before I do, let’s jump into this lyric…

Somebody turn these boys off
Don’t they know that I’m on
Can’t they see that it’s foolish to try to kill me with songs?

Jay is going in on competitors in the rap game who act as if diss songs they record have the ability to end his career. In this lyric, Jay-Z is implying that his detractors are shortsighted, so determined to attack him that they neglect their own potential.

What the fuck are they Lauryn?
You “Killing Me Softly”
You talk me to death, only thing you could do- Talk!
I opened the door for them
What else could I do?
These niggas want me to walk for them
But somebody talk to them
Before I go off on them…

Jay-Z believes that his competitors are trying to “kill him softly” through their music and that essentially all they are doing is talking.

Jay ends this verse by making a critical point: He reasons that his detractors’ attacks on him are based largely on entitlement. This point is what I touched upon earlier.

Several of Jay’s biggest critics happen to be former friends and business partners/associates. Others are trying to make a name for themselves in the rap game. Jay is saying that criticism directed at him is often due to people feeling like he owes them; whether it’s money, fame, access, opportunity, etc.

Jay claims that he has opened the door for others but that they expect him to walk through the door for them but of course he won’t and threatens to “go off” on those who attack him because they can’t do for themselves.

Here’s how we can apply this lyric to our lives:

People from privileged backgrounds are not the only ones who often have a sense of entitlement. Some people, regardless of their background, feel entitled based on their relationships or affiliations with those who have the kind of life they desire to have.

Some people falsely believe that their connections to others give them a “pass” from working hard and finding their own way. This widely held belief is actually a big problem particularly among the disadvantaged. Entitlement is the enemy of success for those caught up in the struggle.

Don’t get caught up in trying to derail someone else’s hustle. Focus on your day-to-day grind and long term ambitions. Don’t,… DO NOT expect ANYONE to be your salvation. You must take advantage of every available opportunity to change your own situation.

Next up: Jay responds to devil worshipping allegations with “God” engineering

You know, Jay has a way of putting issues all up on the table and setting the record straight. He rarely name names when he’s verbally confronting someone. Many call that subliminal attacks and while that’s true to a certain degree, I think it’s deeper than that. I think Jay is trying to make a larger point to his broader audience when he’s verbally sparring with his detractors. Jay is the kind of rare MC that wants to (and has the ability to) make a statement that goes beyond silly “beef” between rap artists. In my opinion, lyrically, there are very few MCs who can touch him.

But there are even fewer MCs in the game (past or present) who has the ability (or even desire) to take a ridiculous rap feud and turn it into a “teachable moment”, a phrase popularized by President Obama.

Here’s the first verse to “What We Talking About”:

What we talking bout real shit?
Or we talking bout rhymes?
You talking bout millions?
Or you talking ‘bout mine?
What we talking ‘bout? Cause I ain’t got time.
For what people be talking bout all the time.
What we talking bout fiction?
Or we talking bout fact?
You talking bout fiction?
Hold up, pardon my back
I’m talking bout life…
And all I hear is:
“Oh yeah he keeps talking bout crack.”
I ain’t talking bout profit. I’m talking bout pain.
I’m talking bout despair. I’m talking bout shame.
I ain’t talking bout gossip. I ain’t talking bout Game.
I ain’t talking bout Jimmy. I ain’t talking bout Dame.
I’m talking bout real shit. Them people playing…
What is you talking bout?
I don’t know what y’all saying.
People keep talking bout, “Hov take it back.”
I’m doing better than before…
Why would I do that?
Ain’t nothing cool bout carrying a strap.
Bout worrying your moms and burying your best cat.
Talking bout revenge while carrying his casket.
All teary-eyed bout to take it to a mattress.
I’m talking bout music. I ain’t talking bout rap.
You talking bout who’s hot. I ain’t talking bout that.
The conversation’s changed. Let’s yap about that.
I don’t run rap no more, I run the map!

“What We Talking About”
Blueprint 3

Many of Jay-Z’s rhymes that are direct or indirect responses to his critics are teachable moments for savvy listeners and I will continue to blog about these rhymes in the future.

This rhyme, which kicks off his most recent album, “Blueprint 3”, is one of those teachable moments.

For the record, I don’t consider this to be a battle rhyme in the same vein as “Takeover” in which he was clearly going at Mobb Deep and Nas.

Yeah, he name names but the guys he named in this verse (Damon Dash, Jim Jones and Game) were not the focus of the rhyme (a point I think Game misunderstood or simply ignored). This verse (in fact, the entire song) is more of a manifesto, which finds Jay sharing his principles and motivations with his listeners.

(By the way, the second first is straight FIRE! and one of these days I will tackle it with in-depth analysis as well)

“Walk with me” as I go in on this verse…

What we talking bout real shit?
Or we talking bout rhymes?
You talking bout millions?
Or you talking ‘bout mine?
What we talking ‘bout? Cause I ain’t got time
For what people be talking bout all the time

Basically, Jay is stating that contrary to what your favorite rappers want you to think- just becomes something comes out of the mouth of your favorite MC doesn’t mean that it’s true. Song lyrics in a rap song are not automatically synonymous with reality. In the last line in this part of the lyric Jay is taking a jab at those who claim to be making more than they’re actually are making, suggesting that those MCs must really be rhyming about his net worth.

He’s being more sarcastic than arrogant.

Let’s move on…

What we talking bout fiction?
Or we talking bout fact?
You talking bout fiction?
Hold up, pardon my back.

This line is my favorite part of this verse because it pretty much sums up the moral of the story told in this verse. Jay is simply stating:

“What’s real?”
“What’s not real?”

Fact is truth that can be proven and fiction is created from imagination.

Jay wants it to be known that he doesn’t give any credence to fiction, only dealing with facts.

Let’s continue…

I’m talking bout life
And all I hear is:
“Oh yeah, he keeps talking bout crack”
I ain’t talking bout profit. I’m talking bout pain.
I’m talking bout despair. I’m talking bout shame.

Jay acknowledges the ever-present criticism he receives in regards to a common theme in his music- drug dealing. But in response, Jay reveals something that his biggest critics (and most loyal fans) probably never consider…

I ain’t talking bout profit. I’m talking bout pain.
I’m talking bout despair. I’m talking bout shame.

See, the “benefits” of drug dealing is not the true focus or intent of his lyrics, it’s the revelation of the anguish, pressure, burden, stress and guilt from drug dealing that is the underlying and most powerful theme in his lyrics.

A true hustler (and it doesn’t matter what your hustle is) can relate to that line.

(By the way, anyone with a hustler’s spirit should check out Volume 3 of Cedric Muhammad’s important book series on overcoming the personal struggle of entrepreneurship.)

Let’s go on…

I ain’t talking bout gossip. I ain’t talking bout Game.
I ain’t talking bout Jimmy. I ain’t talking bout Dame.
I’m talking bout real shit. Them people playing…
What is you talking bout?
I don’t know what y’all saying.

This part of the lyric is the “red meat” that causes the ears of the average listener to perk up. But Jay really nips in the bud peoples’ need for beef and drama in the beginning of this line when he states that:

This AIN’T about gossip…

He goes on to state:

This AIN’T about Game (West Coast MC)
This AIN’T about Jimmy (rapper, Jim Jones)
This AIN’T about Dame (ex-business partner, Damon Dash)

Sure, Jay is implying that he’s about truth and reality and the three mentioned are in some way “playing” but in the context of the entire verse (and song) that claim is minor in its significance. Jay has “bigger fish to fry” in terms of the greater message he’s trying to convey to the listener.

I’m not saying that to play down any sort of conflict, I’m just saying that listeners have to understand the obvious- there’s more happening behind the scenes in peoples’ personal lives then we’ll ever know. What we hear (in this case, meaning Jay’s music) is strictly for our personal entertainment AND enlightenment.

Note: When I speak of enlightenment, I’m NOT referring to real, phony or perceived conflict between Hip-Hop personalities, people that you (or I) don’t know. I’m talking about insight when it comes to issues that impact YOUR life and mine (which is the actual purpose of the “Book of Hov” blog).

Ok, let’s keep it going…

People keep talking bout, “Hov take it back.”
I’m doing better than before…
Why would I do that?
Ain’t nothing cool bout carrying a strap.
Bout worrying your moms and burying your best cat.
Talking bout revenge while carrying his casket.
All teary-eyed bout to take it to a mattress.

In this part of the lyric, Jay tackles an issue that I think hinders people in their personal “process toward progress”.

Jay acknowledges that some fans want him to “take it back” in regards to the style, tone and overall sound displayed in his earlier music. But Jay asks rhetorically:

“Why would I do that?”

In the next few lines Jay explains that the real-life situations that he and others have lived is NOT “cool”. It’s not to be romanticized. It’s almost like Jay is being critical of his own misjudgments both lyrically and literally.

Jay ends the verse with this…

I’m talking bout music. I ain’t talking bout rap.
You talking bout who’s hot. I ain’t talking bout that.
The conversation’s changed. Let’s yap about that.
I don’t run rap no more, I run the map!

Here, it seems that Jay is taking on the perceived limitations that exists within the music industry stating that at this point in his life and career he’s trying to change music itself not simply rap music/Hip-Hop culture.

While some (who am I kidding- MOST) are caught up with the “flavor of the month”, an accomplished 40-year old Jay-Z states that “the conversation’s changed” (at least based on the thoughts in his mind, his actions and goals).

This is a rather ambitious but necessary statement by Jay because it shows his growth as a MC, businessperson and man in general. It also reveals his boldness to distance himself from those who limit themselves or allow themselves to be stereotyped; to be thrown in the same ol’ box.

With that said, in this part of the rhyme I think Jay makes as much of a profound statement about what should be the goal of the culture as he is stating about his own personal ambition.

(Here’s your homework: Listen to “Already Home” off the Blueprint 3 album because I’m going to tackle some lyrics from that song in my next post)

To conclude, how can we apply the points raised in this lyric to our lives?

We should all learn how to discern truth from falsehoods. It’s not necessarily about calling others out. We should embrace truth for our personal pursuit of growth, development and understanding.

Honestly, regardless of where we are in our lives in terms of age, status, etc., we don’t have time to get caught up in what others are saying or doing. Productivity is key and getting caught up in words or so-called actions of others that often amount to half-truths or outright lies is a waste of your time. Embrace what’s real and reject what’s not.

Your perspectives will shape your priorities. Often times what you want is not necessarily what you need. Understand that the means (and the factors that determine the means that you take) will have as much impact on you as the end result.

The person you become is built on the foundation of how you think, what you feel and what you do.

Don’t go backwards in life! What you thought, what you did, what you said and who you were as a person in the past matters but should not be the sole or even the strongest factor in determining the ultimate verdict of what will become of your life. Think and move forward.

Don’t be afraid to “change the conversation” in your life. When you have reached a certain point in both your mental and physical condition you should embrace your transformation AND continue to pursue even greater opportunities in various aspects of life in the future.

As I’ve stated before, I think Reasonable Doubt is Jay’s best album. Two of my favorite songs on that album are “Dead Presidents II” and “Can I Live”. This lyric is classic Jay. His use of metaphor and overall wordplay in this rhyme is genius. It’s also a really deep lyric that we can effectively apply to our lives. The story behind the lyric: Jay and his crew are living the high life from their success in the drug game. They came from poverty but have made their escape from it…for now. Jay states that they know that there are ups and downs in the drug game. He and his crew put away money in anticipation of abrupt setbacks.

Here’s are the lyrics from verse 1 on “Can I Live?”

At the time it never bothered me, at the bar
Gettin my thug on properly, my squad and me
Lack of respect for authority, laughin hard
Happy to be escapin poverty, however brief
I know this game got valleys and peaks
Expectation for dips
For precipitation, we stack chips, hardly

“Can I Live”
Dead Presidents

Jay-Z shows complete mastery of rhyme and wit:

“Valleys and peaks” = ups and downs
“Expectation for dips” = anticipating setbacks
“For precipitation” = A sharp and abrupt fall; decline

I think Jay shows youth defiance in this lyric (“lack of respect for authority”) but he also displays a certain level of insight and maturity when he rhymes on how he’s aware of how the drug game has “valleys and peaks” and because of this he and his crew hustle in the pursuit of the best but are well-prepared for the worst.

Now this is a mindset that we all can definitely use in our own lives.

We all will experience ups and downs in life. It’s vital that we anticipate the “dips” that will no doubt happen in our lives. The “dips” (setbacks) that can occur in our lives often happen suddenly without warning but if we realize this we can prepare ourselves.

In this lyric, the “dips” Jay rhymes about is of a financial nature. We don’t have to be in the drug game to adopt this mindset. We should prepare ourselves financially for setbacks that could come in the form or lay-offs, unemployment, bad investments, heavy debt, foreclosure, etc. In a rhyme about his life in the drug game, Jay has given us sound financial advice.

This lyric tells us that especially during good times we must always anticipate the bad times and be fully equipped and prepared to successfully ride out the storms that are likely to occur at various times throughout our lives.

You know, I enjoy most of Jay-Z’s music. I’m a loyal fan but I can also be tough because I expect so much of him lyrically. I thought “Blueprint” was a classic. The “Black Album” was a great album. “American Gangster” was an outstanding concept album that got slept on. “Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life” was a breakthrough album that really established Jay as a superstar. “Blueprint 3”, Jay’s latest album, shows that he’s still got it. But Jay-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt is still in my mind his greatest album and one of the greatest Hip-Hop albums of all time. “D’Evils” is one of the best songs on that album.

Here are the lyrics from verse 1 off “D’Evils”:

This shit is wicked on these mean streets
None of my friends speak
We’re all trying to win, but then again
Maybe it’s for the best though
Cause when they’re seeing too much
You know they’re trying to get you touched
Whoever said illegal was the easy way out
Couldn’t understand the mechanics
And the workings of the underworld, granted
Nine to five is how to survive
I ain’t trying to survive
I’m trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot
Life ills, poison my body
I used to say ‘fuck mic skills’
I never prayed to God
I prayed to Gotti
That’s right it’s wicked, that’s life I live it
Ain’t asking for forgiveness for my sins, ends
I break bread with the late heads
Picking their brains for angles on
All the evils that the game’ll do
It gets dangerous, money and power is changing us
And now we’re lethal, infected with D’Evils…

D’Evils is a song about how the drug game and the pursuit of money and success within the drug game can turn loyal friends/partners into brutal enemies. The illicit drug game may be a world that you don’t live in but this powerful verse can have an impact on your life…

(Listen to 1st verse)

Let’s begin analyzing this verse…

This shit is wicked on these mean streets
None of my friends speak
We’re all trying to win, but then again
Maybe it’s for the best though
Cause when they’re seeing too much
You know they’re trying to get you touched

Life hustling on the streets can become so treacherous that even friends can virtually become strangers; fierce enemies. I like how Jay states that “we’re all trying to win.” That’s how it is in life regardless of your ambitions or goals.

Everyone wants to win in life but often times when someone wins someone else loses. On the streets losing often means death.

Jay claims that it’s for the best that so-called friends no longer speak because on the streets you’re at great risk when people know too much about you and your hustle.

This is my favorite part of this verse…

Whoever said illegal was the easy way out couldn’t understand the mechanics
And the workings of the underworld, granted
Nine to five is how to survive, I ain’t trying to survive
I’m trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot

People who think participating in illegal activity is the easy way out just don’t realize the level of fear, stress, nerves and risk involved in illegal activity. Failure when it comes to illegal activity could mean lengthy prison time or death.

Illegal acts are not taking the easy way out by any means.

Now, let me be clear: In no way am I condoning illegal activity. I’m not suggesting that being involved in illegal activity is somehow noble but clearly- people who engage in illegal activity are not living a care-free life. The criminal lifestyle is hard and daunting.

Jay is saying that there’s more to making the choice to live a criminal lifestyle and the lifestyle itself than law-abiding citizens will ever realize. Truth is, there’s a complexity within the “workings of the underworld” that is fortunately avoided by those of us who live law-abiding, rather simple lifestyles.

Let’s go down to the last lines in the verse…

I break bread with the late heads
Picking their brains for angles on
All the evils that the game’ll do
It gets dangerous, money and power is changing us
And now we’re lethal, infected with D’Evils…

Jay rhymes about “breaking bread” with the older, wiser hustlers, “picking their brains” on the ins-and-outs of the drug game. Jay makes the poignant point that the drug game is dangerous and that money and power changes people in very lethal ways- this process he characterizes as being “infected with D’Evils”.

How can we apply this verse to our lives?

I think this is just another one of Jay’s rhymes that are cautionary in nature opposed to inspirational. Cautionary tales are just as if not more insightful than inspirational tales because understanding what not to do is pivotal to reaching the pinnacle of success.

I think this verse can be effective in giving up some real perspective on how our lives can be “infected” by “D’Evils”; our desires that have the ability to undermine what’s in our best interests. In this life, we’re all trying to win and because of this we end up competing against each other for the best jobs, housing, cars, spouses, etc. A key factor in obtaining success is seizing opportunity.

We all make choices in life that we have to live with. Understand the “mechanics” of and the inner “workings” within the lifestyle that you choose. Don’t live your life just to survive, live it to the limit and love it.

Look to older, wiser and more experienced people for guidance. As your life matures you will change as a person. Success brings about the greatest change that one can have in life. “D’Evils” can infect any of us regardless of our age, where we live, what we do or how we think.

As I stated before, I think “D’Evils” is simply the things in our lives that makes our conditions worst and these are things that we often seek out unaware or unconcerned with how these things can changes us. Don’t get corrupted by your own desires because “D’Evils” will destroy your relationships and could ultimately destroy your life.

Let me first start off by saying that I’m really glad that Jay and Nas squashed their now infamous, legendary beef because it opened the door for what I think all lyrical enthusiasts such as myself was salivating for: collaborations by Jigga man and Esco; two of the greatest lyricists of all time in Hip-Hop. I hope they will collaborate more in the future. Both MCs spit pure fire on this record. Anyone who questions Jay’s lyrical genius need only to listen to his verse on “Black Republican” as proof of why he is one of the best.

Here’s the lyrics in Jay-Z’s verse off “Black Republican”:

Huddlin over the oven, we was like brothers then
Though you was nothin’ other than a son of my mother’s friend
We had governin’, who would of thought the love would end
Like ice cold album, all good things
Neva thought we sing the same song that all hood sang
Thought it was all wood-grain, all good brain
You wouldn’t bicker like the other fools talk good game
Neva imagine all the disasters that one good reign
Could bring…
Should blame, the game, and I could
It’s kill or be killed, how could I refrain?
And foreva be in debt, that’s neva a good thing
To the pressure for success can put a good strain
On a friend you call best, and yes it could bring
Out the worst in every person, even the good and sane
Though we rehearsed, it’s just ain’t the same
When you put in the game at age sixteen
Then you mix things: like cars, jewelry, and miss things
Jealousy, ego, and pride, and this brings
It all to a head like coin, cha-ching
The root of evil strikes again, this could sting
Now the team got beef between the post and the point
This puts the ring in jeopardy – indefinitely

“Black Republican” (off Nas’s Hip-Hop is Dead album)

Jay’s verse is about (that’s right!) drug dealing, of course! Jay’s use of metaphor in this verse may just be the best I’ve ever heard.

I think this verse is much more cautionary than inspirational. What he does in this verse is tell a story that really gives the listener an insight into the root causes of the rise and eventual fall of a criminal enterprise.

The story he tells is actually happening in inner cities throughout the U.S. and around the world.

Here’s a summary of the story: Jay is a partner in the drug game with another hustler. They grew up together. They were tight; best friends who started getting money together in the drug trade. But tension and conflict develops in their relationship due to debt, jealousy, etc. which threatens their livelihood and their lives.

The verse is really quite typical of Jay and the subject matter is pretty common within his work and many (probably too many) MCs. But Jay takes an all too common theme in Hip-Hop music to another level…

Let’s look into the verse deeper…

We had governin’, who would of thought the love would end..

This line reveals that the relationship between the two was a partnership built on order, discipline, and organization. That is kind of rare particularly in the black underworld which Jay-Z states in the next line of the verse:

Neva thought we sing the same song that all hood sang

We don’t see as much organization within the black criminal underworld as we have seen from Italians, Hispanics, Irish, Asians, etc. The “same song” that Jay is referring to is total disorder and distrust that essentially brings down criminal enterprises.

Let’s keep it moving…

Neva imagine all the disasters that one good reign
could bring..
Should blame, the game, and I could
It’s kill or be killed, how could I refrain?

In the criminal underworld there’s violence and it ultimately comes down to you either kill or get killed…or get out if you’re lucky.

And foreva be in debt, that’s neva a good thing

Jay’s got that right! You definitely don’t want to be indebted to anyone forever. Although it’s not good to be indebted to anything forever which may be the larger point that Jay is making. The gang culture is an example of how once you get involved – you don’t get out. In spite of the perceived “perks” of the drug trade, being in the game is ultimately a burden.

Let’s continue…

To the pressure for success can put a good strain
On a friend you call best, and yes it could bring
Out the worst in every person, even the good and sane

I think Jay makes a good point here. Pressure is a good motivator. It can be a strain on you mentally and physically but when the pressure is from the pursuit of success then it’s worth it.

But also, pressure puts a strain on relationships. It’s one of the reasons why many believe that you don’t mix friendship with business. And when we’re talking about criminal business; the nature of the operation essentially guarantees conflict.

Let’s dig further…

Though we rehearsed, it’s just ain’t the same
When you put in the game at age sixteen
Then you mix things: like cars, jewelry, and miss things
Jealousy, ego, and pride, and this brings
It all to a head like coin, cha-ching
The root of evil strikes again, this could sting

Most get into the drug trade at a young age. Here, Jay rhymes about how “rehearsing” isn’t the same as the real thing. And when you’re young (and poor) and gain access to cars, jewelry and women (miss things), it can turn your life upside down. What you think you want can sometimes be what destroy you.

Success (and the trappings that come with it) begets jealousy, ego, pride, etc. and it all results in conflict, which in the drug trade could prove to be deadly.

Clever line here…

The root of evil strikes again, this could sting

Jay is referring to how money (the root of evil) is often what causes painful conflict among people.

Jay ends the verse with this great metaphor…

Now the team got beef between the Post and the Point
This puts the ring in jeopardy – indefinitely

Jay is comparing the conflict between he and his partner with players’ positioning and movement and ultimate objective on the basketball court.

To follow, view this diagram of a b-ball court

The Point on a basketball court is the top of the key. The High Post surrounds either side of the free throw line and the Low Post is either side of the foul line even with the basketball hoop. The ring is the basketball hoop. (Jay could be saying, “This puts the reign (not ring) in jeopardy but the metaphor still fits)…

“Beef” between the Point and the Post in basketball could mean being shut down defensively or players at those positions on the court not being on the same page offensively.

When a team has the ball, the goal is to score, which is of course done by throwing the basketball into the hoop (ring). A team can score more easily and frequently when they can get the ball to a player on the post (higher percentage shot). The average team will struggle when they can’t get the ball inside and have to rely too much on outside shooting.

Now it’s not my intention to give a basketball clinic in this writing piece because I’m far from a b-ball expert but Jay brilliantly uses a basketball metaphor when rhyming about beef in the drug game.

But keep following me here…

What Jay-Z is saying is that in the drug trade beef between “players” on the same team puts the success (and mere existence) of a criminal enterprise in jeopardy- indefinitely.

How can this verse be applied to our lives?

Well, I think that we should have a clear understanding of the dynamic that exists in both our personal and professional relationships. There is pressure to succeed and we will face it and feel it from others and ourselves. Success of any kind can (and mostly likely will) generate jealousy and conflict. This is largely due to ego and pride.

Don’t become seduced or intoxicated by success and its trappings. The “root of evil” is not just a factor in the drug trade but in almost every aspect of life. Beef of any kind with anyone over anything can put your interests and/or your overall well being in jeopardy.

If you’re dealing with any sort of conflict in your life right now, Jay’s verse on “Black Republican” put things in perspective.

Jay-Z is a master at metaphors and double entendres and this rhyme (along with the one I’m going to blog about in the next couple of days or so) demonstrates his genius at using metaphors to make a profound point. Before I continue, let me just say that the falling out between Jay and Beans depresses me; not literally mind you, but the point is, I thought those two had incredible chemistry together. Jay was obviously the anchorman on the Roc but Beans was Jay’s right-hand man and I still believe this today: Beans has the most raw talent of any MC that I’ve ever heard.

Here’s the lyrics in Jay-Z’s last verse off “It’s On”:

See, what you’ve got here’s a full-blown twister
You’re nothing but hot air
It’s not fair
The reason why we lead the pack
This is a marathon
You start off fast then you’re wheezing in the back
So even if I slack, I got enough leeway
To put out “The Reason” by the Mac
Philadelphia Freeway
And I’m back, without leaving
I’m here, but you can’t see him
I gave you the Blueprint but you can’t be him

“It’s On”
From Beanie Siegel’s “The B. Coming” album

By the way, I personally think Beans made a critical mistake publicly dissing Jay in public and on what seems like 100 diss songs (and I’ll go into more why I feel that way one day in the future).

But anyway, in this song Jay and Beans is basically saying, “We, the Roc, are the truth. We’re a movement that’s moving at a higher level. We can’t be stopped.”

Beans is really in rare form on this record. Some fans and critics claim that Jay often gets “murdered” on collaborations. Of course, I disagree with that. As great as Jay is lyrically, he doesn’t have a dynamic voice or style. He’s not the loudest or most aggressive MC. But in any given Jay-Z collabo, he’s almost always the most skilled, the most confident, the most experienced and the most insightful MC.

Let’s examine this lyric…

See, what you’ve got here’s a full-blown twister
You’re nothing but hot air…

Jay-Z compares his crew to a full-blown twister. A twister is just another name for a tornado, which is basically a very violent windstorm. While Jay says his crew is a full-blown twister, YOU (meaning his rivals) is “nothing but hot air”…

Check out Jay’s cleverness: “Hot air” in a literal sense cannot compare to a “full-blown twister”. But the term “hot air” is also slang meaning: empty, exaggerated talk. So what Jay is saying is that his crew is the “real deal” while his rivals are just full of talk with no action or bark with no bite.

Let’s continue…

“The reason why we lead the pack, this is a marathon
You start off fast then you wheezing in the back”

Jay uses another metaphor to describe his crew’s reign over Hip-Hop at the time. A marathon is of course a long race. He’s comparing the rap game to a marathon. The rap game is not a sprint. In a sprint, it’s important to have a great start and to go as fast as you can right through the end because a sprint is a very short race.

But because the rap game is a marathon, it’s about endurance and stamina. So Jay is saying that his crew “leads the pack” in the marathon that is the rap game because others “start off fast” and end up “wheezing in the back”; they lack the ability to endure. They have no conditioning. They seek overnight success instead of longevity in the game.

Let’s keep it moving…

So even if I slack, I got enough leeway
To put out “The Reason” by the Mac, Philadelphia Freeway…

What Jay-Z is saying here is that his crew picks up each other’s slack.

Lastly…

And I’m back, without leaving
I’m here, but you can’t see him
I gave you the Blueprint
But you can’t be him

This is simply a clever play on words by Jay yet it’s a powerful statement in which Jay claims that he’s at such a higher level than his rivals that what he says and does is completely over their heads (which I think could be said about even some of his most loyal fans as well). Finally, Jay states that even with him giving his competitors “the blueprint” to success in the rap game, he still can’t be compared or replaced.

Now, how can this lyric be applied to you and I?

Don’t be full of talk and no action. Talk is cheap. It’s what you do that will make the greatest impact on your life. Life is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Seek stability in your life and don’t get seduced by overnight, short-term success. Seek longevity in your all of the goals that you set.

In conclusion, others can give you support, guidance and inspiration. But your own determination should be your greatest source of motivation to succeed. Others may give you the blueprint but you will have to find you own way, blaze your own path.

I had to put this entire verse of Jay-Z’s freestyle from DJ Clue’s “Professional Pt. 2” album because I think this is one of those deep verses that get’s overlooked, yet really gets into his mindset. On the surface, it’s just another freestyle by Jay but when we dig deeper, this freestyle says more about life if we would only listen. This freestyle was conceived and recorded by Jay-Z I believe during the time when he was going through some legal issues with New York’s finest (the infamous Lance “Un” Rivera stabbing). I won’t go into all of the details (because, frankly, I wasn’t actually there and don’t know exactly what happened), but the point is, Jay was being charged with a crime and faced possible jail time.

Here’s the lyrics to Jay-Z’s freestyle off DJ Clue’s Professional Pt. 2 album:

“D.A. act like a nigga starvin’ for Jay
If they lock me in a cage, fuck it, party away
I’m still hot, I’m still S dot ya’ll
Still got millions buried in the sock drawer
Still holdin’ my own on the corner nigga
What don’t kill me can only make me stronger nigga
And when I get back home
Get your ass up out the throne
It’s just goin’ back to the way shit was
I’ma stay hot no matter what my shit does
I could drop a straight dud, I’ma stay up
Niggas tryin’ to break my will
You know that ain’t my steel
I’m Destiny’s Child, my fate’s been sealed
You’re dealin’ with a higher power
…like Dwight Eisenhower
My life can move a thousand miles and hour
Reflect me folks
As my world turns like the wheels on a bicycle spoke
It’s much deeper than a soap, it’s a constant drama series
All they see is money, they want me to blind the jury
All this bullshit can make the mind weary
But.., my theory is the sun shines clearly”

Freestyle (From DJ Clue’s “Professional Pt. 2” album)

Jay shows defiance toward the entire situation. He shows what I referred to in an interview I did with Cedric Muhammad for an AllHipHop.com column as stubborn confidence. He’s basically saying, “Look, D.A., the movement won’t stop if you lock me up.” Jay tells the culture to keep doing what we’ve always done (“party away”) and warns those gunning for his spot that when he comes home, he’ll be back on top.

I like how Jay rhymes about “staying up” even if he drops a “straight dud”. I also think it’s deep when he rhymes about being “Destiny’s Child”…

No matter what the circumstances, we must “stay up”. Don’t give others the pleasure in celebrating your setbacks. You will succeed and you will fail but your destiny is in your hands. You will make some good choices in life and some bad choices. But through it all, shoot for that same kind of stubborn confidence that Jay revealed in the freestyle in your own life. Be defiant; against people or things that want to see you fail. Adversity can break you or it can make you. Become stronger through your struggle.

Lastly, Jay rhymes about how he lives in the fast lane and that his life is like a “constant drama series” and how all of the ‘bullshit can make the mind weary”…

Neither you or I may live our lives as hectic as Jay’s, nevertheless, our lives can be drama filled at times or all of the time. Drama not only wears on your physical condition, it also wears on your mind. The experiences that you go through impact your mind. But here’s what Jay says…

“My theory is the sun shines clearly.”

What I think Jay-Z is saying with that line is that when you’re enlightened, you’re able have “moments of clarity” (another great Jay-Z record) in your life. The “sun” he refers to in the rhyme is the insight one needs in order to see issues, events and circumstances that occur in life for what they really are.