Run This Town
Jay-Z Lyrics

Feel it comin' in the air (yeah)
I sense something big is about to happen

And the screams from everywhere (yeah)
I hear excitement and anticipation all around me

I'm addicted to the thrill (I'm ready)
I crave the excitement of taking risks

It's a dangerous love affair (what's up? C'mon)
Despite the risk, I can't resist the allure of power and success

Can't be scared when it goes down
I have to stay strong and not let fear control me

Got a problem, tell me now (what's up?)
If there's an issue, let's address it head on

Only thing that's on my mind (What's up)
My singular focus is on taking control

Is who's gonna run this town tonight (what's up?)
Whoever takes the reins will be the one to call the shots tonight

We gonna run this town
We will assert our power and control in this city

We are, yeah I said it, we are
We are a powerful force to be reckoned with

This is Roc Nation, pledge your allegiance
We represent a united front with the same goals

Get ya'll black tees on, all black everything
We're all in this together, dressed in our unified attire

Black cards, black cars, all black everything
We represent luxury and success, all showcased in the color black

And our girls are blackbirds, ridin' with they Dillingers
Our female companions are just as strong and independent as we are

I'd get more in depth, if you boys really real enough
I would elaborate further if anyone doubts our authenticity

This is la familia, I'll explain later
We're all part of this family, but we can discuss details later

But for now let me get back to this paper, I'm a couple bands down
I need to get back to work, I'm a little short on cash

And I'm tryin' to get back
I'm working hard to get back to where I was

I gave the other grip, I lost a flip for five stacks
I lost a coin toss for a significant amount of money

Yeah I'm talkin' five comma's, six zeros, dot zeroes here it go
I'm talking about a loss of $50,000

Back to runnin' circles 'round niggas, now we squared up, hold up
I'm back to being in charge, and now I'm ready to face my competition head on

Life's a game but it's not fair
Life is unpredictable and sometimes unfair

I break the rules so I don't care
I do what I have to do to succeed, regardless of the rules

So I keep doin' my own thing
I'll continue to do what I believe is best for me

Walkin' tall against the rain (what's up?)
I will stand strong even when faced with adversity

Victory's within the mile
Success is close, it's just a matter of reaching it

Almost there, don't give up now (what's up?)
We're almost at our goal, let's stay motivated and keep going

Is who's gon' run this town tonight (what's up?)
The question is, who will come out on top and have control over the city tonight?

You can call me Caesar, in a dark Czar
I'm the ruler of this city, with power and authority

Please follow the leader, So Eric B. We are
We are a united team following our leader, Eric B

Microphone fiend, it's the return of the God, peace God
I'm a master of my craft, and I'm back to remind everyone of my greatness

(Ah! Ah!) And ain't nobody fresher, I'm in Mason
Nobody is as cool and fresh as me, dressed in my Mason clothes

Martin Margiela
I also wear the latest designs from Martin Margiela

On the tape we're screamin' fuck the other side, they jealous
On my recording, we're calling out our competition and their jealousy of us

We got a banquet for the broads, they got a table for of fellas
We're living luxuriously, while others are not on our level

And they ain't spending no cake
They're not spending any money

They should throw they hand in
They should give up and stop trying to compete with us

'Cause they ain't got no spades
They don't have what it takes to beat us

My whole team got dough
My entire team is financially successful

So my banquette is looking like millionaires' row
Our table looks like that of millionaires due to our wealth

I break the rules so I don't care (what's up?)
I'll do whatever it takes to succeed

Walkin' tall against the rain
I'll stand strong even when things are difficult

Victory's within the mile (what's up?)
We're close to achieving our goal, let's stay motivated

Almost there, don't give up now
We're almost at our goal, let's keep pushing

Is who gon' run this town tonight (what's up?)
The question is, who will be in charge of the city tonight?

It's crazy how you can go from being Joe Blow
It's amazing how quickly you can go from being unknown to being famous

To everybody on your dick, no homo
Everyone wants to be associated with you and take advantage of your success

I bought my whole family whips, no Volvo's
I bought my entire family luxury cars, not just a regular Volvo

Next time I'm in church, please no photos
I'd prefer not to have my picture taken when I'm at church

Police escorts, everybody passports
We have police escorts and everyone has their passport ready for travel

This the life that everybody ask for
This is the lifestyle that everyone dreams of having

This a fast life, we are on a crash course
This lifestyle is fast-paced and could be dangerous

What you think I rap for, to push a fucking Rav-4?
I didn't become a rapper just to afford a mediocre car like a Rav-4

But I know that if I stay stun-ting
I know that if I keep showing off my success

All these girls only gonna want one thing
All these women will only be interested in me for my wealth and status

I could spend my whole life good will hunting
I could spend my whole life searching for true love and companionship

Only good gon' come is as good when I'm coming
I know that only good things will come to me when I'm at my best

She got a ass that'll swallow up a g-string
She has a large buttocks that could make a G-string underwear disappear

And up top, uh, two bee stings
While she's curvy down below, she has small breasts

And I'm beasting, off the Riesling
I'm enjoying myself and drinking wine

And my nigga just made it out the precinct
My friend just got out of jail

We give a damn about the drama that you do bring
We don't care about the drama you're bringing to the table

I'm just trying to change the color on your mood ring
I'm trying to make you feel better and improve your mood

Reebok, baby, you need to drop some new things
Reebok needs to release new products to stay relevant

Have you ever had shoes without shoe strings?
Have you ever owned shoes that don't require laces?

What's that 'Ye? Baby, these heels
These are designer women's shoes

Is that a may? What?
Is that a new model of Mercedes-Benz car?

Baby, these wheels
These are my expensive car's wheels

You trippin' when you ain't sippin', have a refill
Don't lose your mind when you're not drinking, have another drink

You feelin' like you runnin', huh? Now you know how we feel, (what's up?)
Now you know what it feels like to be on top, like we do

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Interjection expressing excitement

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Interjection expressing excitement

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, heyy, (what's up?)
Interjection expressing excitement, followed by the question, "What's up?"

Is whos gon' run this town tonight?
Who will be in control of the city tonight?