Problems
A.Z. Lyrics

If you're having girl problems I feel bad for you son
The artist sympathizes with those who are having struggles with women.

I got ninety-nine problems but a bitch ain't one
Despite having many issues, the artist is not burdened by issues with women.

I got the rap patrol on the gat patrol
The artist is being watched by both law enforcement and enemies.

Foes that want to make sure my casket's closed
There are people who wish to harm the artist and bring about his death.

Rap critics that say he's "Money, cash, hoes"
Critics accuse the artist of only caring about material possessions and women.

I'm from the hood, stupid, what type of facts are those?
The artist comes from a rough neighborhood and refutes the critics' claims.

If you grew up with holes in your Zapatos
If you grew up poor.

You'd celebrate the minute you was having dough
Those who grew up impoverished would be thrilled to have money.

I'm like, "Fuck critics" you can kiss my whole asshole
The artist is disregarding his critics.

If you don't like my lyrics, you can press fast forward
If someone dislikes the content of the music, they are free to skip it.

Got beef with radio if I don't play they show
The artist has a contentious relationship with radio stations.

They don't play my hits, well, I don't give a shit, so
The artist is not concerned if his music is not played on the radio.

Rap mags try and use my black ass
Some publications try to use the artist's race to their advantage.

So advertisers can give 'em more cash for ads, fuckers
Publications are using the artist to make more money through ads.

I don't know what you take me as
The artist is unsure how people perceive him.

Or understand the intelligence that Jay-Z has
People do not recognize the artist's intelligence.

I'm from rags to riches, niggas I ain't dumb
The artist has come from poverty and has intelligence despite what critics may say.

The year's '94 and my trunk is raw
The year is 1994 and the content (likely illegal drugs) in the artist's car is pure.

In my rearview mirror is the motherfucking law
The artist sees law enforcement following them.

I got two choices y'all, pull over the car or
The artist has two options: pull over or flee.

Bounce on the devil, put the pedal to the floor
The artist chooses to flee.

Now I ain't trying to see no highway chase with Jake
The artist does not want a high-speed chase with law enforcement.

Plus I got a few dollars I can fight the case
The artist can afford lawyers to defend themselves in court.

So I, pull over to the side of the road
The artist chooses to pull over to avoid a high-speed chase.

I heard, "Son, do you know why I'm stopping you for?"
Law enforcement is questioning why they stopped the artist.

"'Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hat's real low
The artist believes they were stopped because of their appearance.

Do I look like a mind reader, sir? I don't know
The artist does not understand why they were stopped.

Am I under arrest or should I guess some more?"
The artist is unsure of their legal status.

"Well you was doing fifty-five in a fifty-four" (uh huh)
The artist was pulled over for speeding.

"License and registration and step out of the car"
The artist is being asked to provide identification and exit the vehicle.

"Are you carrying a weapon on you, I know a lot of you are"
Law enforcement assumes that the artist is carrying a weapon based on racial profiling.

I ain't stepping out of shit, all my papers legit
The artist refuses to step out of the car, but has legal documentation.

"Well do you mind if I look around the car a little bit?"
Law enforcement requests permission to search the car.

Well my glove compartment is locked, so is the trunk in the back
The artist informs law enforcement about locked compartments.

And I know my rights so you goin' need a warrant for that
The artist knows their legal rights and insists that law enforcement needs a warrant to search the car.

"Aren't you sharp as a tack? You some type of lawyer or something?"
Law enforcement admires the artist's legal knowledge.

"Somebody important or something?"
Law enforcement believes the artist is someone of significance.

Well, I ain't passed the bar, but I know a little bit
The artist did not become a lawyer, but has a basic understanding of law.

Enough that you won't illegally search my shit
The artist is confident that law enforcement will not illegally search their car.

"Well we'll see how smart you are when the K-9 come"
Law enforcement threatens to bring in a drug-sniffing dog.

Now once upon a time not too long ago
The artist tells a story from their past.

A nigga like myself had to strong-arm a ho
The artist had to use physical force with a woman.

This is not a ho in the sense of having a pussy
The woman involved was not a prostitute.

But a pussy having no goddamn sense try and push me
The woman was foolish for trying to mess with the artist.

I tried to ignore 'em, talk to the Lord
The artist attempted to avoid confrontation and pray.

Pray for 'em, 'cause some fools just love to perform
The artist prayed for the foolish woman involved.

You know the type, loud as a motorbike
The woman was loud and obnoxious.

But wouldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight
Despite their loudness, the woman was not confrontational.

The only thing that's goin' happen is I'ma get to clapping and
The only foreseeable outcome would be the artist using force.

He and his boys goin' be yapping to the Captain
The woman and her friends would complain to the police.

And there I go trapped in the Kit-Kat again
The artist would end up trapped in the criminal justice system.

Back through the system with the riff-raff again
The artist would be back in jail with other criminals again.

Fiends on the floor scratching again
Addicts would be scratching on the ground.

Paparazzi's with they cameras, snapping 'em
The media would report on the artist's issues.

D.A. tried to give a nigga shaft again
The District Attorney tried to screw over the artist again.

Half a mil' for bail 'cause I'm African
Bail was set at a high price because of the artist's race.

All because this fool was harassing them
The entire situation escalated because of the foolish woman.

Trying to play the boy like he's saccharine
The woman was attempting to manipulate the artist.

But ain't nothing sweet 'bout how I hold my gun
The artist's use of force was not sweet or polite.

I got ninety-nine problems being a bitch ain't one, hit me
Despite many struggles, having issues with women is not one of them.