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Picasso Baby
Jay-Z Lyrics


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I just want a Picasso, in my casa
No, my castle
I'm a hassa, no I'm a asshole
I'm never satisfied, can't knock my hustle
I wanna Rothko, no I wanna brothel
No, I want a wife that fuck me like a prostitute
Let's make love on a million, in a dirty hotel
With the fan on the ceiling, all for the love of drug dealing
Marble Floors, gold Ceilings
Oh what a feeling, fuck it I want a billion
Jeff Koons balloons, I just wanna blow up
Condos in my condos, I wanna row of
Christie's with my missy, live at the MoMA
Bacons and turkey bacons, smell the aroma

Oh what a feeling
Picasso Baby, Ca Picasso baby
Ca ca Picasso Baby, Ca ca Picasso baby
Oh what a feeling
Picasso Baby, Ca Picasso baby
Ca ca Picasso Baby, Ca ca Picasso baby

It ain't hard to tell
I'm the new Jean Michel
Surrounded by Warhols
My whole team ball
Twin Bugattis outside the Art Basel
I just wanna live life colossal
Leonardo Da Vinci flows
Riccardo Tisci Givenchy clothes
See me throning at the Met
Vogueing on these niggas
Champagne on my breath, yes
House like the Louvre or the Tate Modern
Because I be going ape at the auction
Oh what a feeling
Aw fuck it I want a trillion
Sleeping every night next to Mona Lisa
The modern day version
With better features
Yellow Basquiat in my kitchen corner
Go ahead lean on that shit Blue
You own it

Oh what a feeling
Picasso Baby, Ca Picasso baby
Ca ca Picasso Baby, Ca ca Picasso baby
Oh what a feeling
Picasso Baby, Ca Picasso baby
Ca ca Picasso Baby, Ca ca Picasso baby

I never stuck my cock in the fox's box but
Damned if I ain't open Pandora's box
They try to slander your man
On CNN and Fox
My Mirandas don't stand a chance, with cops
Even my old fans like old man just stop
I could if I would but I can't
I'm hot, and you blow
I'm still the man to watch, Hublot
On my left hand or not
Soon I step out the booth
The cameras pops niggas is cool with it
Till the canons pop
Now my hand on the Bible
On the stand got your man in a jam, again
Got my hands in cuff
I'm like god damn enough
I put down the cans and they ran amok
My hairpin pierce skin, ruptures spleens
Cracks ribs, go through cribs, and other things
No sympathy for the king, huh?
Niggas even talk about your baby crazy
Eventually the pendulum swings
Don't forget America this how you made me
Come through with the 'Ye mask on
Spray everything like SAMO
I won't scratch the Lambo
What's it gon take
For me to go
For you to see
I'm the modern day Pablo
Picasso baby

Overall Meaning

In “Picasso Baby,” Jay-Z expresses his desire for wealth, luxury, and cultural sophistication. He references artwork, artists, and high-end brands throughout the song, using them as symbols of success and privilege. The opening lines, “I just want a Picasso, in my casa / No, my castle” reveal his aspiration for a lavish lifestyle filled with artistic treasures. However, he is also aware of the public perception of his wealth and persona, as he declares “I’m a hassa, no I’m an asshole” which shows that he has been judged for his personality, decisions and the entertainment industry.


The rap references several influential artists such as Rothko, Jeff Koons, Leonardo da Vinci, and Basquiat, as well as famous institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), The Tate Modern, and The Louvre. This emphasizes his desire for cultural capital and appreciation for fine arts. He also boasts about his success in the music industry and his influence, comparing himself to Jean Michel Basquiat, an iconic, yet tormented artist who transformed the art world in the 1980s.


In summary, “Picasso Baby” is a song about ambition, wealth, power, and the pursuit of cultural refinement. Jay-Z may be exposing a materialistic, self-centered worldview that suggests that the accumulation of wealth and luxury goods is a way of life.


Line by Line Meaning

I just want a Picasso, in my casa
I desire artistic luxury


No, my castle I'm a hassa, no I'm a asshole
I am a wealthy and powerful man who can't be told what to do


I'm never satisfied, can't knock my hustle
I am always craving more success and wealth


I wanna Rothko, no I wanna brothel
I want more than just artistic luxury, I also desire physical pleasure


No, I want a wife that fuck me like a prostitute Let's make love on a million, in a dirty hotel
I want a lover who is sexually insatiable and willing to engage in hedonism


With the fan on the ceiling, all for the love of drug dealing Marble Floors, gold Ceilings Oh what a feeling, fuck it I want a billion
I look back at the illicit ventures of my past and want to make even more money


Jeff Koons balloons, I just wanna blow up Condos in my condos, I wanna row of Christie's with my missy, live at the MoMA Bacons and turkey bacons, smell the aroma
I desire to own and flaunt the most extravagant artistic and material possessions available


It ain't hard to tell I'm the new Jean Michel Surrounded by Warhols My whole team ball
I see myself as an artistic and cultural icon, and I am surrounded by similar wealthy and successful individuals


Twin Bugattis outside the Art Basel I just wanna live life colossal
I am living a life of unimaginable luxury and success


Leonardo Da Vinci flows Riccardo Tisci Givenchy clothes See me throning at the Met Vogueing on these niggas Champagne on my breath, yes
I am successful and respected in the art world, and I am aware of my own luxurious lifestyle


House like the Louvre or the Tate Modern Because I be going ape at the auction Oh what a feeling Aw fuck it I want a trillion
I am addicted to the thrill of owning more and more luxury and art


Sleeping every night next to Mona Lisa The modern day version With better features Yellow Basquiat in my kitchen corner Go ahead lean on that shit Blue You own it
I own incredible works of art, and my home is my personal museum


I never stuck my cock in the fox's box but Damned if I ain't open Pandora's box They try to slander your man On CNN and Fox My Mirandas don't stand a chance, with cops Even my old fans like old man just stop
I have opened myself up to the consequences and criticisms that come with my rise to success


I could if I would but I can't I'm hot, and you blow I'm still the man to watch, Hublot On my left hand or not
I am confident in my own success and influence


Soon I step out the booth The cameras pops niggas is cool with it Till the canons pop Now my hand on the Bible On the stand got your man in a jam, again Got my hands in cuff I'm like god damn enough
I am aware of the consequences of my past mistakes and legal troubles, but I am still seeking success


I put down the cans and they ran amuck My hairpin pierce skin, ruptures spleens Cracks ribs, go through cribs, and other things No sympathy for the king, huh? Niggas even talk about your baby crazy Eventually the pendulum swings Don't forget America this how you made me
I have been violent and successful, and my critics cannot deny my rise to fame and fortune


Come through with the 'Ye mask on Spray everything like SAMO I won't scratch the Lambo What's it gon take For me to go For you to see I'm the modern day Pablo Picasso baby
I am a modern-day artistic icon and cultural figure, and I am unapologetic about my power and success




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADRIAN YOUNGE, CHRIS GODBEY, GARLAND WAVERLY MOSLEY, JEROME HARMON, SHAWN C CARTER, TIMOTHY Z. MOSLEY, TOMMASO COLLIVA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Strengthside

man this made me feel something. :)

@prodtonio

Like what

@youreacrackhead8887

Hell yeah. I wish my lips could rap like Jay-Z lips dude a legend

@nycg801

Better make sure it’s good

@darrenscott6982

Made me feel Cringe but to Jay Z might be the greatest thing someone ever did according to his ego.

@davidgarcia-rv3fs

Luciferian energies

6 More Replies...

@Jonathan-wy1bt

The real art is the diverse crowd enjoying a moment together.

@BenPikeTheActor

Dope. It was touching to see Michael K Williams. RIP.

@tubbyleak3240

JAY Z DANCING WITH A WITCH, MAN Y'ALL CRAZY

@skylamei

God please stay with us and protect us from all this evil that is coming to light. 🙏

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