I read an excerpt from Dream Hampton’s cover story in the upcoming issue of Ebony magazine about the relationship between Beyonce’ and Jay-Z. In my new book, “I Will Not Lose!”, I write about how Jay’s lyrics about relationships (including the song“ Bonnie and Clyde ‘03” which featured Beyonce’) reveal what it takes to be one half of a power couple with the one that you love. Romantic relationships don’t always get the kind of commitment that it deserves. I’m not talking about in terms of quality time, communication, or fidelity. I’m speaking more about the importance for couples to invest in each other’s personal and professional pursuits and how doing so enriches the relationship.

On “Bonnie & Clyde”, Jay-Z rhymes, “I’m mashing the gas. She’s grabbing the wheel. It’s true to the heart.” Relationships work best when both people work in concert with each others’ efforts. This lyric is a clever metaphor about having drive and moving forward in life’s journey- together. It’s one thing to claim love and devotion to that special someone. But relationships are a true partnership. To take it to the next level, especially when chasing ambition, you have to genuinely support each other’s hustle AND work together.

There are two quotes from Jay-Z that I want to share with you, one from the Lenny Kravitz-featured song, “Gun and Roses” and the other from his memoir, Decoded. I think the best way to illustrate the insight in these quotes is to give you a sports analogy. Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. He was a highly skilled player who could do it all; shoot, pass, rebound, play defense. But as great as he was as a player, he was far from perfect. In fact, he was often lucky. Many of the phenomenal shots he made throughout his career he could not do twice. The most skilled player is often the luckiest.

You can never have too much skill in your hustle. Mastery of craft gives you a powerful advantage as you move forward in your life. Some people seek fortune, fame (even if it’s just popularity in your ‘hood) and gratification without being willing, ready and able to master the drive that can get them to their desired destination. We saw Jordan’s great performances on the basketball court on game day. But what we never saw was all of the hard work before, during and after practice that made Jordan the player he was. In any given game, Jordan’s hard work before tip-off paid off in ways that he couldn’t plan. Because he played with skill, oftentimes, good luck happened.

“They say when you play with skills, good luck could happen.”
–Guns and Roses

“Without work, the magic won’t come.”
-Decoded

There were moments on the basketball court when Jordan was in a zone. It’s as if he couldn’t miss a shot! When an athlete is in a zone, he’s playing with skill-and luck. But as Jay states in his memoir “Decoded”, you won’t reach your full potential “without work”. But he goes further than that. The harder you work the more you put yourself in the position to do extraordinary things.

Working hard to master your skill is a tried and true formula for success. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Even the most ambitious person can accomplish things greater than expectations and way beyond imagination. When you work hard and play the game of life with skill-good luck happens and the magic comes.

One of the best verses I’ve ever heard was on a song featured on an album that many consider to be the weakest in Jay-Z’s Blueprint trilogy. I’ve stated before that Blueprint 2 is not one of my favorite Jay-Z albums. But here’s the thing: the album is still better than most rap artists’ best effort. The record, “Hovi Baby”, produced by Just Blaze (and the ‘Blazettes, lol), is on disc one, ‘The Gift’ and is one of my favorite songs on Blueprint 2. I have so many favorite Jay-Z verses, but verse 2 from “Hovi Baby” is definitely in my top 5. On “Hovi Baby” Jay’s performance gives us a front row seat to his lyrical prowess but also shows us how the right mindset can help us accomplish what seems completely out of reach.

Here are the lyrics in the second verse from “Hovi Baby”:

“I’m so far ahead of my time
I’m bout to start another life
Look behind you, I’m ‘bout to pass you twice
Back to the future, gotta slow up for the present
I’m fast, niggas can’t get past my past
How they propose to deal with my perfect present?
When I unwrap “The Gift & the Curse” in one session
Ain’t no living person can test him
Only two resting in heaven can be mentioned in the same breath as him
Seven straight summers, critics might not admit it
But nobody in rap did it, quite like I did it
If you did it, I done it before, you get it, I had it
Got mad at it and don’t want it no more
And that goes for everything from flipping that raw
Flipping whores, flipping vocal chords,
Don’t get it twisted
Get it right
Did it different
Did it better
Did it nice
Did the impossible
Then did it twice (get it right)”

“Hovi Baby”
Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse
Jay-Z

Before we get into discussing the lyrics from this hot verse, let me just say that though it was a solid double-album, I think Blueprint 2 suffered in terms of how it was received, facing the same obstacle the “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1” album had: Being the follow-up effort to a classic album.

“In My Lifetime, Vol. 1” was the follow-up to Jay’s debut, “Reasonable Doubt” and “Blueprint 2” was the following up to “Blueprint”. Both “Reasonable Doubt” and “Blueprint” are both considered classic albums respectively and the expectations were so high for the follow-ups that it was damn near impossible to meet them.

Still, Jay doesn’t disappoint lyrically on Blueprint 2 and he’s at the peak of his lyrical prowess on “Hovi Baby”.

Now let’s get into the discussion about the second verse…

I’m so far ahead of my time
I’m bout to start another life
Look behind you, I’m bout to pass you twice

In this verse (in fact, in the entire song), Jay-Z is full of swagger, he’s brimming with confidence but while the “untrained” ear hears pure arrogance, I hear just another verse from the ‘God MC’ that gives us insight on how to fulfill our ambitions.

Jay rhymes that he’s ahead of his time. Now what does this mean? Well, “being ahead of your time” means that your vision, your mindset, your ideas, your actions signify a level of insight above and beyond what everyone else is thinking and doing.

When Jay rhymes about “starting another life” or “passing you twice” he’s being clever, but he’s simply connecting those lines with the first line. He’s stating that his life’s journey and purpose is far ahead of what most have or will ever experience. The statement is somewhat of self-affirmation but it’s supported by the “fruits of his labor”, if you will.

The double entendre, “look behind you, I’m bout to pass you twice” is on point. If we look at life as a race (which in some ways it is a type of race; a marathon), are you being passed by? While others grow, develop, mature, awaken, change and transform…are you still the same?

Or are you ahead of your time?

Do you genuinely feel that there’s a greater purpose to your life that you may not even fully understand?

These are questions you AND I need to answer honestly because we can’t get to where we want to go if we’re not moving.

Let’s keep it moving…

Back to the future and gotta slow up for the present
I’m fast, niggas can’t get past my past
How they propose to deal with my perfect present?
When I unwrap “The Gift & the Curse” in one session

Here, Jay continues the wittiness as he rhymes about going “back to the future” and “slowing up for the present” and these lyrics reinforce his claim to be ahead of his time. Clearly, he knows where he’s going but his future will be determined and defined by his past and the here and now.

When he rhymes that “niggas can’t get past his past” it may come across as simply a boast aimed at his competitors, but the statement actually reflects how many hinder their own growth and development while others flourish.

Jay brilliantly uses a double entendre WHILE asking a rhetorical question that I think is applicable to how his music has been received by foes, his critics, the “mainstream” audience and even the majority of his fan base.

If we can’t get “past his past”, how can we “deal” with or fully absorb the insights found in his music?

Basically, he’s saying that many are not “ready” (think: “Get your mind right”) for the messages he’s been artistically sending us going back to the very beginning.

The “perfect present” line is yet another great double entendre. If you can’t get “past his past” then how the hell are you going to “get it” when you unwrap his “perfect present”?

Wow.

Understand this dynamic in your own relationships. If you’ve grown in your life both personally and professionally, it’s likely there are those in your life who are stagnant in their own lives and can’t get “past your past” which is why they can’t deal with your “perfect” (and evolving) present.

Here’s the next line…

Ain’t no living person can test him
Only two resting in heaven can be mentioned in the same breath as him

Jay rhymes about his game being unmatched, basically saying that he’s a living legend; his legacy has been solidified and that only “two resting in heaven” can be compared to his status.

Neither you or I may ever be compared to Biggie or Pac, but we’re all inspired and influenced by others in our respective hustles. When you find your way in life, get in a zone, and really start to fulfill your goals, you could one day be compared to and “mentioned in the same breath” with those you once aspired to be like.

It’s the ultimate sense of accomplishment and validation.

In other words, it’s the feeling you get when you know you’ve arrived.

Let’s continue…

Seven straight summers, critics might not admit it
But nobody in rap did it, quite like I did it
If you did it, I done it before, you get it, I had it
Got mad at it and don’t want it no more

Jay rhymes that his reign on top of the rap game has been dominant, and most importantly, consistent for “seven straight summers”.

(Of course, “Blueprint 2” was released 8 years ago. It’s now 2010 so it’s clear that Jay has been fairly consistent since then).

The next few lines find Jay turning on the wit comparing his success with others in the rap game:

“Nobody in rap did it, quite like I did it”

I think even Jay’s toughest critics and most formidable foes would concede that no other MC has had the kind of meteoric rise PLUS longevity that Jay has managed to pull off.

“If you did it, I done it before, you get it, I had it. Got mad at it and don’t want it no more.”

I’m sure Jay is talking to MCs who came in the game after him, who are trying to make a name for themselves. Jay is simply stating that he’s “been there and done that”.

Remember: You may be on either side of this equation. Maybe you’re the one with the experience and the know-how or maybe you’re the guy (or gal) trying to make your mark in the game. But always be conscious of the impact both knowledge and experience has in your pursuit of success and legacy.

And that goes for everything from flipping that raw
Flipping whores, flipping vocal chords

This line is simply about versatility. It’s cool to specialize but being able to adapt to circumstances based on where you are physically and mentally in your life is essentially mastering the art of the hustle.

Here are the last lines…

Don’t get it twisted
Get it right
Did different
Did it better
Did it nice
Did the impossible
Then did it twice (get it right)”

The ending to this verse is my favorite part and when you consider its context, personally, it’s one of the best lyrics I’ve ever heard.

The lyrics really speak for themselves with Jay telling fans, foes, critics, etc. that his hustle and prowess, whether in the music game, drug game, corporate game… whatever- is at a whole ‘nother level.

But the genius of these lyrics is not just in the delivery and wit of the rhyme, it’s also in how it can be applied to our pursuit of success.

Don’t simply take these lines with a ‘Me vs. You’ mindset, instead, apply this lyrics as ‘My present struggle vs. My future triumph.’

What do I mean?

Consider the struggles you’re going through now. What can you do to overcome these struggles? If you’re heading down the wrong path, how can you change direction?

These lyrics can serve as a springboard to your optimism, persistence and determination to not only overcome your struggle but to experience a level of success and accomplishment above and beyond what you once considered impossible.

See, often times, our goals seem so out of reach that in our minds they become impossible to accomplish. While it’s true that these goals may indeed be tremendous challenges, we can make great things happen if we just…

Do things different…

Do things better…

Do things ‘nice” (perform with skill and thoroughness)

Then, once we’re able to achieve what we perceived to be “impossible”…

We’ll do it twice…

And then again, and again, and again…

If we change our mindset, we change our actions, which changes our conditions.

Don’t get it twisted…

GET IT RIGHT!!!

“I see I said, jealousy I said
Got the whole industry mad at me I said
Then B.I. said, “Hov’ remind yourself
nobody built like you, you designed yourself”
I agree I said, my one of a kind self
Get stoned every day like Jesus did
What he said, I said, has been said before
“Just keep doin your thing,” he said, say no more.”

“A Dream”
Blueprint 2

In this lyric, Jay-Z is having a dream and in the dream he’s having a conversation with Biggie about the music industry.

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

Whether you’re successful or striving for success there will be those close to you and those standing from a distance that will be critical and jealous of your ambitions.  That comes with the territory.  Ambition breeds envy unfortunately.  Still, ‘remind yourself” that you “designed yourself”; meaning, you hold the ‘blueprints” to the life you want to build.  We all are one of a kind in our own sight. Be prepared for jealousy and evny but regardless of it all just keep doing what’s best for you…

“Say no more.”