Intro lyrics - Jay Z

"Man I worked for one of the biggest companies in New York City.

He didn't own his own company. White man owned it, so they owned him. Nobody owns me though."

(Your gangster is not defined) 

Your gangster is not defined by how low your jeans fall by your waist, but more how your genes stand over his expectations. Never forget where you came from. 

(Your gangster)

Your gangster is not defined by how many rocks are in your watch, but rather how many rocks you move while on your watch.

(Gangsters, hustlers, republicans, democrats, pimps and hoes.)

Conservatives, labor, the seller, the buyer, the product, the producer.

(See you are what you are in this world.)

The gangster is absorbed and adored by those that don't understand the laws that govern gangsterment.

(Gangsterment)

Gangsterment allows you to make up your own laws and create brand new words.

Gangster mentality.

(Gangster mentality, an American way created by the white, mastered by the black, and absorbed by the fiends, taxed by the governmentality, charted by forbes.

If you believe in Jay-Z then you too can be a gangster.)

The you too can be a gangster by any means necessary. By any means necessary, by owning that dream. I mean it's a long walk to freedom but, while deep,

deep, deep inside the bush.

(The war on terror screams, damn it feels good)

Damn it feels good to be a gangster.

(To be a gangster swagger is not a must, it's a liability, a cliche, a bad suit, cut the bullshit. You know if it wasn't for this, there would be no that.)

Which we call, the American Gangster.

Pray lyrics - Jay Z (feat. Beyonce)

[Beyonce talking]

Delivery me from my enemies oh god

Defend me from those that rise up against me

Deliver me from the work of inequities 

the savior from the blood of me

[Jay-Z - Verse one]

look, mind state of a gangster from the 40's

meet the vicious mind of Motown's Berry Gordy

turn crack rocks into a chain of 40/40's

sorry my jewelery so gordy

slid into the party with my new pair of Maury's

America meet the gangsta Shawn Corey

hey young world wanna hear a story?

close your eyes and you could pretend your me

a cut from the cloth of the Kennedy's

Frank Sinatra having dinner with the Genovese

this is the genesis of a nemesis

mother America's not witnessing

the Harlem renaissance birthed black businesses

this is the tale of lost innocences as the incents burn

and the turn tables turn and that Al Greens plays

i see my mother's afro as momma taps her toes as she rolls her jays

and my poppa just left the house, in search of the killer of my Uncle Ray

and she's trying to calm my nerves, as i observe this is just one day

and what tomorrow has in store we could never be sure so all we can do is

Pray

[Beyonce Talking]

Because of your strength

while i walked upon the 

for god is my defense

[Jay-Z]

as i head towards my home room I observe the rooms though needles on the ground

I hear a car go vrooom drug dealer in the BM with the top down

as the girls start to giggle I ask why you laugh they say "you too little"

one day you'll understand when you become a man 'bout things you have to get you

fast forward freeze frame on my pistol

fist full of dollars ignorance is so blissful

I didn't choose this life this life chose me

around here is the shit that you just do

I just left school, the same BM is pulled over by the boys dressed blue

they had they guns drawn screaming just move

unless there something else you suggest we can do

he made his way to the trunk, opened it like a huh

a treasure chest was removed

cops said he'll be back next month

what we call corrupt he called paying dues

now when the rules is blurred as they hears a what am I to do

but pray, pray the lord forgive me

pray guys goodbye for what I'm about go through

Pray

[Beyonce Talking]

Delivery me in thy righteousness 

it cause me to escape and climb thy air until i am

Save me lord

[Jay-Z]

anyway there's oppression the drug profession

flourishes like beverages refreshing

sweet taste of sin everything I've seen made me everything I am

bad drug dealer or I victim I beg

what came first moving chickens or the egg 

this is why I be so fresh I'm trying to beat life

because I can't cheat death

the truth is the shamelessness ain't stainless is that aim this is 

you know who's game this is

move coke like Pepsi it don't matter what the brand name is

I stand behind mine everything I do I'm a man behind mine

I'm not a angel I'm sure but every night before I lay

I drop my knees to the floor and I pray

[Beyonce Talking]

The name shall endure forever

The name shall continue as long as the sun will

Men shall be blessed in him

All nations shall call him blessed

In your name I pray

For you blessings

American Dreamin' lyrics - Jay Z

Dreamed of you this morning

Then came the dawn, and I thought you were here with me

If you could only see

How much i love you

That's all that's all that's all baby

Oh no, I'll never give up on you

I never felt that before

But there's always....

That's all that's all...

This is the shit you dream about with the homie steamin' out

Back-back-backing them Beemer's out

Seems as our plans to get a grant

Then go off to college, didn't pan or even out

We need it now, we need a town

We need a place to pitch, we need a mound

For now, I'm just a lazy boy

Big dreaming in my La-Z-Boy

In the clouds of smoke, been playin' this Marvin

Mama forgive me, should be thinkin' bout Harvard

But that's too far away, niggas are starving

Ain't nothin' wrong with aim, just gotta change the target

I got dreams of baggin' snidd-ow the size of pillows

I see pies everytime my eyes clidd-ose

I see rides, sixes, i gotta get those

Life's a bitch, I hope not to make her a widow

[Chorus:]

Oh no, I'll never give up on you

I never felt that before

Its just American dreamin'

Oh no, I'll never give up on you

I never felt that before

Its just American dreamin'

Oh no, I'll never give up on you

I never felt that before

American dreamin'

But there's always....

That's all that's all...

Now see, the life's right there

And it seems right there

Its not quite near,

And its not like we're professionals movin' the decimals

Know where to cop? Nah! got a connect? No!

Who under Heaven know how to be successful

Need a Personal Jesus, I'm in Depeche Mode

They say its celestial, its all in the stars

It's like Tony LaRussa

On how you play your cards

You all ain't fucking with me!

The ironies are

And at all costs better before he was bars

Now lets start, on your mark

Get set, lets go-get out the car!

Going in circles, its a vicious cycle

This is a crash course, this ain't high school

Wake up, Muttley, you're dreamin' again

Your own reality show, the season begins

[Chorus]

Step One in this process, scramble up in your projects

And head to the heights where big coke is processed

You gotta convince 'em that you not from the Precinct

Please speak slow, cause he no speakey no English

If he takes a liking after a couple of trips

If your money is straight, he's gonna give you consignment

You're now in a game where only time can tell

Survive the droughts, i wish you well...

Survive the droughts? I wish you well?

How sick am i? I wish you HEALTH

I wish you wheels, i wish you wealth

I wish you insight so you could see for yourself

You could see the signs, when the jackets is schemin'

And the cops is comin', you could read they mind

You could see from behind, you could redefine

The game as we know it, one dream at a time

I'm American dreamin'

[Chorus]

Hello Brooklyn 2.0 lyrics - Jay Z (feat. Lil Wayne)

[Chorus - Lil Wayne:]

Hello Brooklyn how you doing? where you going? can I come too

And if I can I'm a be your man you could be my lady

And have my baby and drive my cars and drive me crazy

Wherever you going baby girl just take me 'cause I'm so taken

If you taken I'm just sayin' baby I'm just sayin'

[Jay-Z]

Like a momma you birth me Brooklyn you nursed me schooled me wit Hard knocks better than Berkeley

they say you murked me by the time I was 21 that shit disturbed me but you never hurt me Hello

Brooklyn if we had a daughter guess what I'm a call her Brooklyn Carter when I left you for

Virginia it didn't offend your 'cause you no I only stepped out to get dinner and now I'm eating so

much I bought extra so much doe the dinner's now turn in to Breakfast I only roll Lexus to Hug

your road I love your corners I'm half your soul

[Chorus - Lil Wayne]

[Lil Wayne]

Hello Brooklyn what's your story she said she eating on the run But she ain't "Nore"

She said she got a man but he ain't worried but baby I'm a have to rob 'em like "Horry" she

said She love B.I.G and she like Tupac and when I said JAY-Z she said it's the roc but I'm a

leave it like dis like dis like that where Brooklyn at? where Brooklyn at?... Have you seen her?

and if she tell you somethin' you better believe her she told me she like my New Orleans Demeanor

and so I said goodbye Katrina

[Hook - Lil Wayne:]

And Hello Brooklyn b-b-baby you are the sweetest thing eyes

Can see I said Hello Brooklyn but baby I hope you

you never say goodbye to me I said Hello Brooklyn b-b-Baby

you are so damn fine to me and I remember the time, place, &

The weather on the day you said hi to me

and I say hello Brooklyn

[Jay-Z]

Brooklyn you crazy look how you made me razor blades in my mouth walk around behaving all demented

black Hoodies and timberlanded always scheming you see the gleam

On that niggas pendent Hello Brooklyn you bad influence look what you had me doing but I ain't mad

at you look at my attitude it says my life's too real pick up my ice grill baby I'm cold as ice

like I'm from Brownsville but my Bed's in the stuy though while I flatting your bush till we smoke a

C.I what up 2 the boy B.I you no I handle B.I I don't have steps on the caine ask the dreads about I

how you want so she likes it hard co... so I grind slow illa den outta square mall back in the 9.0'

my find hoe we got some victims to catch so in a couple years I'm a bring you some Nets

[Chorus - Lil Wayne]

[Hook - Lil Wayne]

No Hook lyrics - Jay Z

Poor me, dad was gone, finally got my dad back

Liver bad he wouldn't live long, they snatched my dad back

Guidance I never had that, streets was my second home

Welcomed me with open arms provided a place to crash at

A place to study math at, matter fact I learned it all

Burnt it all this music is where I bury the ashes at

Flash back not having much, not having that

Had to get some hollerest you can holla back at

Holla that my Jewish lawyer do enjoy the fruit of within my cash stack

Just in case a nigga got to use his rat-ta-ta-ta-tat

Own boss own yawt, masters, slave

The mentality I carry with me to this very day

Fuck rich let's get wealthy who else gonna feed we

If I need it I'm gonna get it however God help me

(And I don't need no hook for this shit!!!!)

I'm so for sure is known for sure

Stay out of trouble, momma said as momma sighs

Her fear her youngest son being victim of homocide

But I got to get you out of here momma or I'm gonna -- die

Inside -- and either way you lose me momma so let loose of me

I got the rain our direction'll soon change

To live and die in N.Y. in the hustle game

Hustle cane, hustle clothes or hustle music

But hustle hard in any hustle that you pick

Skinny nigga toothpick but, but I do lift

Weight like I'm using roids Rolls Royce

Keep my movements smooth while maneuvering

Through all the manuers in the sewers that I grew up in

Choices we make trying to escape

(And I don't need no hook for this shit!!!)

This is not for commercial usage

Please don't categorize this is music

Please don't compare me to other rappers

Compare me to trappers I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris

And Luda's my dude I ain't trying to diss

Like Frank Lucas is cool but I ain't trying to snitch

I'm gonna follow the rules no matter how much time I'm gonna get

I'm gonna live and die with the decisions that I'm gonna pick

So fuck the haven for cave in, that's why we don't speak

Made men ain't supposed to make statements

End of the story I followed the code cracked the safe

Other niggas ain't in the game so they practice hate

Leave that boy Hov alone why don't you

You don't have to if you don't want to but don't say I didn't warn you

Oh (And I don't need no hook for this shit!!!)

Roc Boys (And The Winner Is...) lyrics - Jay Z

And the winner is Hov...my man? SPEECH!

First of all I wan' thank my connect

The most important person with all due respect

Thanks for to duffle bag, the brown paper bag

The Nike shoe box for holding all this cash

Boys in blue who put greed before the badge

The first pusher whoever made the stash

The Roc Boys in the building tonight

Oh what a feeling I'm feeling life

Thanks to the lames, niggas bad aim

Thanks to a little change I tore you out the game

Bullet wounds will stop your bafoonery

Thanks to the pastor rapping at your eulogy

To Lil Kim and them, you know the women friend

Who, carry the work cross state for a gentlemen

Yeah, thanks to all the hustlers

And most importantly you, the customer

[Chorus: Jay-Z (Kanye West)]

The Roc Boys in the building tonight

Oh what a feeling, I'm feeling life

You don't even gotta bring ya paper out

We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house

(We in the house, hou-, hou-)

The Roc Boys in the building tonight

Look at how I'm chilling, I'm killing this ice

You don't even gotta bring ya purses out

We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house

(We in the house, hou-, hou-)

(We in the house, hou-, hou-, HEY)

Let ya hair down baby, I just hit a score

Pick any place on the planet, pick a shore

Take what the Forbes figure, then figure more

Cause they forgot to account what I did with the raw

Pick a time, lets pick apart some stores

Pick a weekend for freaking for figure fours

I figure frauds never hit a lick before

So they don't know the feeling when them things get across

Put ya hand out the window, feel the force

Feel the Porsche, hit the frost

Ice cold, jewels got no flaws

Drop got no top, you on the top floor

Pink Rosay, think OJ

I get away with murder when I sling yay

Niggas got less steps then Britney

That means it ain't stepped on, dig me?

[Chorus (with overlapping 3rd verse towards end)]

Red Porsches, rare portraits

Red glocks if you dare come near the fortress

This apple sauce is from the apple orchid

This kinda talk is only reserved for the bosses

Which means I get it from the ground

Which means you get it when I'm around

Rich niggas, black bar mitzvahs

Mazel tav, it's a celebration bitches, la heim

I wish for you a hundred years of success but it's my time

Cheers, toast to crime

Number one b-boy, chain nigga rhyme

[Chorus x3]

Sweet, let that ride out!

Bring the horns back in, yeah

This is black super hero music right here baby

American Gangsta

Taking flight, coming to a town near you

Soon as I touch down I just want ya'll to start playing the horns like...

Hovies home...Lukey baby

Hahahahaha...ow!

Sweet lyrics - Jay Z

[1st Verse:]

Sweet!

And still there's pain

If I would have grew up to be a doctor, my nephew would have grew up to do the same

But since I grew up through the game, and my influence is the same

And my therapy is music, they ask if you ashamed

And though I wish I could separate, two things, 

I cannot, so my answer to you remains

I can walk down the hall or mirrors, in Versailles

And be so satisfied when I look a myself in the eyes

No shame, no sir, just big boats and tearing the coast up

Tight coup like I'm wearing the roadster,

For any coup I'm bear hugging the holster.

[Chorus:]

Hov, alright, alright

And that may not be

What you call perfect

But, but it's my life

The life, the life, the life

Once again it's the life

[2nd Verse:]

So I make no apologies

Crooked policies 

So a G a nigga gotta be

We playing for property, no monopoly

So I'll pass go and let my nephew follow me

They say the child shall lead, 

So I take it far as I can, and then we shall see

Shall we dance with the devil, for a beat

I pray to God I ain't got two left feet

Do the hustle, put keys in the street

Then I'm ballroom dancing, ke-ke'ing in the suite

Sweet. 

BB's on the feet, TV's in the seat 

Enemies on the creep

It's so corrupt

Soak it up

It's a lesson, never fuck up

One day you're up, next day you're down

Long as you stay the same, it will come back around

[Chorus]

[3rd Verse:]

I'm even better, I'm eating better

Best thing about it is, my niggas eating together

With each endeavor

We reaching levels, niggas ain't seen in like forever

I'm hyman roth I make all my partners rich

I can vouch for you, if you ain't a part of this

So pardon me as I pave my wrist

As I parlay my chips, Hov!

Alright, alright, American Gangster, ganster, business like I'm white

But I'm not, I'm just bright

So fly with no fear of the flight

So if y'all hear my plight

And if you think you can make it this far without a fight

Couple mistakes here and there, not always right

But I'm always real, that's how I sleep at night

[Chorus]

I Know lyrics - Jay Z

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

I know what you like

Everything you love

I know what you like

Everything you love

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

I know what you like ....HOV

Baby you love ....HOV

Baby you love ....HOV

Baby you like ....HOV

Uh-

She wants that old thing back

Uh- uh- uh-

She want those Heroin tracks

She likes me

She fiends for me nightly

She leans for me

Morning she rush for my touch

This is about LUST

Cold sweats occur when I'm not with her

My presence is a must- must- must-

Bonita Applebum, i gotta put you on

If i didn't when we cuttin' the feeling would be too strong

In any form, I'm giving you sweet dreams

That Sugar Hill, she call me her sweet thing

That Black Rain that take away your pain

Just for one night, baby, take me in vein

Now that feelin' got you trippin'

You no wanna feel no differently

Said lust has got you itchin'

Nose wide open and its' drippin' -eh -eh -eh -eh

I know what you like, i am your prescription

I'm your physician, I'm your addiction

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

I know what you like

Everything you love

I know what you like

Everything you love

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

I know what you like ....HOV

Baby you love ....HOV

Baby you love ....HOV

Baby you like ....HOV

I am so DOPE

Like Louboutin's with the red bottoms

You gotta have 'em, you glad you got 'em

Like every color Giuseppe's, your guilty pleasure is me

Its so much fun, you shun therapy

Although it never be, the feeling is fleeting

Shopping's like coppin', you constantly need it

I'm never around, you constantly seek it

You'll never be down, i know where your peak is

9 1/2 weeks is better than 12-steps

I keep tryin' to remind you to keep tellin' yourself

Now your conscience is interfering, like "Better yourself!"

Like you better get help

But when that medicine's felt?

We're back together

Don't ever leave me

Don't ever let 'em tell you that you'll never need me

My China White, 'til we D.O.A.

Its Montego forever, baby, lets get away....

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

I know what you like

Everything you love

I know what you like

Everything you love

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

I know what you like ....HOV

Baby you love ....HOV

Baby you love ....HOV

Baby you like ....HOV

How could you leave me?

I thought that you needed me!

When the world got too much and you pleaded with me--

Who helped you immediately?

How speedy of me!

How could you deny me so vehemently?

Now your body is shakin' trying to free it of me

And your soul is in control, trying to lead it from me

And your heart no longer pledge allegiance to me

Damn, I'm missing the days when you needed the D

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

I know what you like

Everything you love

I know what you like

Everything you love

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

And I Know And I Know

I know what you like ....HOV

Baby you love ....HOV

Baby you love ....HOV

Baby you like ....HOV

Party Life lyrics - Jay Z

Oh...

I like the party life...

Break Out The Red Lights

The city in bright lights

Welcome To The Party Life

These girls dressin' skintight...

Welcome to the 70's--Sweet!

Ordered some Patreezy

While talkin' to this breezy

Brushin' off my three-piece, I make this look too easy

So tall and lanky, my suit?

It should thank me

I make it look good to be this hood,

Meyer Lansky mixed with lucky lefty

Gangster, effortlessly

Poppa was a rolling stone-its in my ancestry

I'm in a whole 'nother league, niggas never catch me

And I sport fly shit, I should win the ESPY

(Baby I, I said I sport fly shit, I should win the Espy....

I'm really in another league, babe.......

I got a slick mouth, you might wanna roll with me,)

I'm on her bra strap, she's on my dick

Ain't nothin' wrong with that, that's my bitch

I be the boss of that, I'm on her shit

So all you niggas fall back, I'll split ya wig

She's my little quarterback ....ya dig?

Cause I'm all that in the sack ....ya, ya dig?

I spoiled her

Foiled it if you fakin', Jack

She's used to million-dollar vacations

Fuck you all gonna do with that?

When you're blue

You got nothin' to do

(Ay, baby, see,....

When you're used to Filet Mignon,)

Head into the party life

(Its kinda hard to go back to Hamburger Helper...)

If you're feelin' low

We got to go

(Its your choice though, baby....)

Get into the party life

Is you rollin' rollin' rollin'?

(Yeah, baby....)

Is you headin' to the party life?

(Is you rollin'?

You can stall out or ball out....)

Is you rollin' rollin' rollin'?

Is you headin' to the party life?

(Make a choice....

Its so gangster, baby....)

Is you rollin' rollin' rollin'?

Sippin' on my vino

Got me cooler than Pacino

When DeNiro put together my real life its like CASINO

They should pay me for some B-roll

Takin' G-strolls through the ghee-to

When rap-p-p-pid fire's just a necessary evil

Hola Hovito', cooler than zero

B-low fresh one blade, no chemo

Art with no easel

Please, its no equal

Ya boy's off the wall, these other niggas is Tito

Oh...

I like the party life

The city in bright lights

These girls dressin' skintight...

(Damn,.....

Ay baby, I said I'm, I'm Off The Wall, I'm like a...

young Michael Jackson, these other niggas is Tito....

Shout out to Randy, Real Talk!)

When you're blue

You got nothin' to do

(I'm gonna just let this ride out...)

Head into the party life

(I might let it ride out for like 7 minutes, you can groove to it, whatever)

If you're feelin' low

We got to go

(Lets two-step....aaow!)

Get into the party life

(Guru, turn the lights down, lets keep it smooth...

This that shit you roll up, like a little tight J to...

Sip ya little wine...)

Is you rollin' rollin' rollin'?

Is you headin' to the party life?

Is you rollin' rollin' rollin'?

Is you headin' to the party life?

(whatever your vice is, you know?

Whatever YOU like to do...get into yo' comfort zone, baby....

Get into yo' comfort zone.....uh huh)

When you're blue

You got nothin' to do

(Head into the party life.....)

Head into the party life

If you're feelin' low

We got to go

(I don't even want it to stop, tho, forreal tho...)

Get into the party life

Step into my bedroom

I call it the Red room

C-cause it gets h-h-hot-t-t

I trust you gonna like it

See, why are we talkin' all this fly shit?

C-c-c-c-cause I'm the flyest

Hovito, baby

No equal, baby

So, petite n' gold

Let the beat go

Now I'm eatin' gold, baby

Hovito, baby

No equal, baby

So, petite n' gold

Let the beat go

Now can we go crazy?....

(Ooh!!!......)

When you're blue

You got nothin' to do

Head into the party life

If you're feelin' low

We got to go

Get into the party life.....

(Yo...nothin' in the world makes me sadder than to see a lonely girl....)