Let me first say that the Jay-Z/Kanye West collabo is truly special. Kanye, the talented producer and MC is the most artistic cat in the rap game and Jay is one of (if not THE) greatest lyricist the rap game has ever heard. They both are at their best on “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” remix. They both just “get it” when it comes to creating music that entertains and inspires. Frankly, I could get in-depth on Kanye’s lyrics in this remix because his words are just as profound as Jay’s. But while Kanye’s rhymes actually fit the premise of the song, Jay-Z goes “off-topic” yet manages to deliver one of the best lyrical performances about having the will to succeed in the midst of uncertainty.

Read the lyrics while you listen to Jay’s verse:
(*Jay starts rhyming around 2:25)

“The chain remains, the game is intact
The name is mine, I’ll take blame for that
The pressure’s on but guess who ain’t gon’ crack
Haha, pardon me, I had to laugh at that
How could you falter when you’re the Rock of Gibraltar?
I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water
This ain’t no tall order, this is nothing to me
Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week
I do this in my sleep
I sold kilos of coke
I’m guessing I can sell CDs
I’m not a businessman
I’m a business, man
Let me handle my business, damn
Kanyeez you got me, Freeway then Foxy
YG’s, Tiar’, ‘merie, Peedi watch me
Bleek could be one hit away his whole career
As long as I’m alive he’s a millionaire
And even if I die he’s in my will somewhere
So he could just kick back and chill somewhere
Oh yeah, he don’t even have to write rhymes
The Dynasty like my money, last three lifetimes
Shirley Bassey’s in the rear saying exactly
What I been saying practically my whole career
A diamond is forever, I been mining this forever
Now the Louis Vuitton Don’s timing couldn’t be better
People lined up to see the Titanic sinking
Instead we rose up from the ash like a phoenix
If you waiting for the end, the Dynasty sign
And what seem like forever is a mighty long time

“Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)”
Jay-Z

We’re going to get into these lyrics but I think it’s important that before we do, we put these lyrics in proper context.

Kanye West released the “Late Registration” album that this song is on in late summer of 2005. By this time, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding Roc-a-fella Records as a label. Of course, “the Roc” was (and is) more than just a record label, it was a movement. The end of the partnership between Jay, Damon Dash, and Kareem ‘Biggs’ Burke took the industry and fans by storm and had everyone (including Roc-a-fella artists) choosing sides (Jay vs. Dash & Biggs).

Jay faced (and continues to face) plenty of criticism during this time. Some questioned his business acumen, some questioned if his artistry would falter or flourish without Dash & Biggs and some questioned his character in regards to why and how his business and personal relationship with Dash & Biggs became strained and ultimately ended.

I think it’s safe to say that after Jay, Kanye West was the Roc’s most bankable star, the one with the greatest talent AND potential. West’s “Late Registration” album was a huge success and the original Diamonds from Sierra Leone song was the album’s first single and a nice hit.

So you know he had to do a remix!

And who better to put on the remix then the “God MC” himself…

At the time of the release of the remix, Jay hadn’t released anything “official” on the solo tip (we won’t count the “Unfinished Business” album he did with R. Kelly) since “The Black Album” in late 2003. It would be another year before the release of his “come back from retirement” album, “Kingdom Come”.

So, here is Jay, in 2005, “in his retirement” going all in on the remix of one of the biggest songs of that summer…

And he kills it!!

By the way, we’ve heard Jay’s foes (and former ones like Nas), critics and your everyday Jay-Z haters claim that Hov is known to get “murdered” lyrically by other MCs he collaborates with. I, of course, think those claims are way overstated. In fact, in my opinion, most of his collaborations are complete contrasts to those claims.

Remember what Kanye stated on “Big Brother”, his ode to Jay off West’s “Graduation” album?

“On that “Diamonds” remix I swore I spazzed
Then my big brother came thru and kicked my ass”

To be fair, Kanye definitely held his own on the “Diamonds” remix but the point is Jay always “shows up” lyrically and I think his presence in the studio (or just the fact that he’s featured in the song) motivates and inspires his collaborators to bring their A-game.

Now, let us go all in and break down the lyrics in his verse…

The chain remains, the game is intact
The name is mine, I’ll take blame for that
The pressure’s on but guess who ain’t gon’ crack
Haha, pardon me, I had to laugh at that

Jay rhymes about how “the chain remains” which sounds like a double entendre referring to the diamond encrusted platinum Roc-a-fella logo hanging from a necklace or/and the roster of artists who are linked together in solidarity.

He’s stating that in spite of doubts, the Roc movement that he co-founded, anchored and lead is still strong and moving forward. I like the way he rhymes that “the game is intact” because he’s telling us that the hustle is untouched and not impacted in such a way to alter the course of the movement. Jay could’ve abruptly stopped rhyming after the very first line and he would have proved his point while giving us something to think about in regards to our own lives.

But he continues taking responsibility for what some saw as, let’s just say “unethical” conduct when he obtained the rights to use the Roc-a-fella name. He acknowledges the pressure for the Roc movement to succeed without the co-leadership of Dash & Biggs but lets us all know that he has no intention of “cracking”.

Jay’s tone when he makes this statement is confident without any shred of doubt. So, in the midst of doubts by foes, critics, haters, fans, the music industry and artists apart of the Roc movement, Jay sounds completely convinced that success will continue and grow.

I know from experience that it’s extremely difficult to be optimistic when you’re in an atmosphere permeated by doubt. Jay is so optimistic that he laughs off even the suggestion that he wouldn’t be able to perform both as an artist and a hustler under intense scrutiny and criticism.

I think we can all benefit from having that kind of steadfast optimism.

Let’s move on…

How could you falter when you’re the Rock of Gibraltar?
I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water

One of the things I like about Jay’s lyrical prowess is his ability to make smart cultural references. What do I mean by this? Well, a favorite technique used by MCs is to inject pop culture references in their lyrics but Jay’s references accentuates his insight in the context of the rhyme and causes even the most thought provoking listener to actually think.

Imagine actually thinking while listening to music??

(I’m being sarcastic of course)

Follow me now as I attempt to reveal the genius in this line…

When I first heard this song when it came out 5 years ago, I have to admit that I didn’t catch the double entendre and I didn’t know what the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ is, therefore, I didn’t fully grasp what Jay was saying in the line.

But since I have a “trained ear” that intently listens for profound insight in any shape or form I sought out clarity.

In this line, Jay asks a rhetorical question. The word, “falter” caught my attention.

Falter: to walk unsteadily; to hesitate in purpose or action.

I wanted to find out what the heck is the “Rock of Gibraltar”?

It’s basically a very massive rock made of limestone located at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea. It was used as fortress against the Germans in World War II. You can read more about it, but here’s the key point: the Rock of Gibraltar is a symbol of strength.

“Despite long sieges it seemed that there was nothing that could destroy the Rock or its people. This history has inspired the saying, “solid as the Rock of Gibraltar”, which is used to describe a person or situation that cannot be overcome and does not fail.” (from Wikipedia)

Ok, still with me?

In the next line he states that he “had to get off the boat so that he “could walk on water”, which is a biblical reference, a miracle performed by Jesus Christ.

Is it all coming together now?

The double entendre is:

The act of walking on water without faltering. (a miracle performed by Jesus)

and

Having faith and fortitude to be able to overcome any challenge without wavering.

Now, remember the context of this line as it relates to what Jay was going through at the time.

I truly believe that this line can change the way you and I think about and confront the uncertainties of the future.

But Jay has much more to say…

This ain’t no tall order, this is nothing to me
Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week

When it comes down to it, challenges you face in life is only as difficult as you see them. It’s not about being naïve it’s about self-empowerment. Many of us get defeated by difficult challenges in our lives or try to run from even having to confront them because we lack faith and fortitude.

And the challenges or the goals that we deem to be “impossible” to overcome or achieve keep us in a permanent state of fear and self-doubt.

Taking just a day to achieve the difficult and just a week to achieve the impossible is not to be taken literally of course. But Jay’s statement reveals the significance he attaches to “inner strength” (mind, heart and soul) to overcome challenges and achieve greatness.

We all need that inner strength if we want to have great things happen in our lives.

Let’s continue…

I do this in my sleep
I sold kilos of coke, I’m guessing I can sell CDs

Jay rhymes that his experiences in the drug game gives him confidence that he can have continued success in the rap game. I don’t think he’s saying that because he was a drug dealer, he has what it takes to succeed in the corporate game.

Once again, it’s the mindset that makes all of the difference in terms of the outcome. On the one hand, he’s stating that the overall conditions of the drug game are higher risk than what he would ever go through in the rap music/corporate game. But on the other hand, Jay understands that being successful in different circumstance requires the valuable skill of adaptability.

How can your past successes serve as powerful assets in your present and future endeavors?

I’m not a businessman
I’m a business, man
Let me handle my business, damn

This is one of Jay’s more popular rhymes, a favorite among the mainstream media like Forbes. I’m in the Internet marketing field and I study branding. This lyric is about creating a brand from your ideas, your goals, your image, etc.

Jay states that he’s more than just a businessman, he’s a business, a brand. But branding doesn’t only apply to artists in the entertainment industry or a business selling widgets. Self-promotion plays a major role in professional success for you and I.

You, are a brand, and your brand makes you either an asset or a liability in your career, in your community in organizations that you’re apart of, etc.

Kanyeez you got me, Freeway then Foxy
YG’s, Tiar’, ‘merie, Peedi watch me

I don’t want to completely glaze over this line but Jay is simply giving us the line-up of artists apart of the Roc movement at that time.

I like these lyrics here…

Bleek could be one hit away his whole career
As long as I’m alive he’s a millionaire
And even if I die he’s in my will somewhere
So he could just kick back and chill somewhere
Oh yeah, he don’t even have to write rhymes
The Dynasty like my money, last three lifetimes

These lyrics reveal the strong loyalty that Jay and Memphis Bleek have for each other. If you remember, Bleek came in the rap game as Jay’s protégé’. It’s my understanding that Jay took Bleek on the road with him when he was just 15 years old. Bleek is in his early 30’s, around my age, so we’re talking about a mentor/protégé relationship that goes back almost 20 years.

I was watching Jay-Z’s live performance at Radio City Hall the other night and Bleek was right there joining Jay on stage, backing him up on several songs.

It seems like their bond is still going strong…

The best way I would describe Bleek is he’s a talented MC with incredible potential that never had that breakthrough (like Jay had with “Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life) to take his career to the next level.

Bleek is solid, not great, but he comes across as the kind of MC (and guy) that you would want with you in a foxhole.

Bleek has always been “one hit away his whole career” but Jay makes a statement that shows not only his loyalty to Bleek, he shows his gratitude and respect for Bleek’s loyalty to him.

Jay states that because of the bond he and Bleek have for each other, he’ll make sure that Bleek is financially secure even if he’s no longer here. This lyric is about bonding, loyalty, gratitude and security. While some alleged that Jay is self-centered, his bond with Bleek clearly shows how much he values loyalty. Now I don’t know if these lyrics are factual and actually reflect Jay’s thinking and actions regarding his relationship with Bleek. It’s the spirit of the lyrics that can have an impact on how we look at our own relationships.

Here’s more…

Shirley Bassey’s in the rear saying exactly
What I been sayin’ practically my whole career
A diamond is forever, I been mining this forever
Now the Louis Vuitton Don’s timing couldn’t be better

Ms. Bassey sings that “Diamonds are forever” in the background while Kanye and Jay-Z get their rhyme on. Here, it sounds like Jay is making a vow to succeed long-term.

The “mining/diamonds” double entendre is clever and fits nicely with the statement Jay is making about his vision and commitment to the movement he leads.

Jay rhymes that Kanye’s emergence came at the “perfect time” because West has shown that he’s clearly a force to be reckoned with in his own right in the music game.

Which just makes the movement stronger…

People lined up to see the Titanic sinking
Instead we rose up from the ash like a phoenix

Jay tell us that critics, detractors, enemies, the industry and maybe even so-called allies want to see the movement fail and end (that can still be said to this day, by the way). But instead of “sinking” the movement, led by the “God MC” himself, “rose like a phoenix.

This line is incredibly insightful…

“The Titanic was the largest passenger steamship in the world when she set off on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York” (from Wikipedia).

It was “designed by some of the most experienced engineers and used some of the most advanced technologies available at the time” (from Wikipedia).

In other words, the ship was the strongest, the most powerful and the most formidable. This could very well describe Roc-a-fella’s dominance in the rap game during the several years leading up to the Diamonds remix. When Jay rhymes about people “lining up” to see the Titanic sinking, it reflects the desire for others to see the Roc fail.

Don’t be stunned when you come to the realization that some want to see you fail. If you’re successful but faced with tough challenges that threaten your downfall there will be some who would rather “line up” to watch you fail then support your efforts.

A phoenix that rises from the ashes symbolizes a rebirth. Jay tells us that in the midst of doubt, he and the Roc had a sense of renewal destined to be reborn as a even more powerful movement.

As of right now in 2010, this rebirth seems to be embodied by Jay’s Roc Nation.

In the midst of struggle and uncertainty in your life do you have the power, faith and fortitude to rise from the ashes like a phoenix?

Here are the last lines…

If you waiting for the end, the Dynasty sign
And what seem like forever is a mighty long time

Basically, Jay is stating:

You can hope for our downfall but we’re going to keep rising and keep moving forward.

We should become emboldened by the challenges we face in our lives and use pure determination to overcome and succeed.