One of the handful of DJs to make the jump from mixtapes to the major label… Read Full Bio ↴One of the handful of DJs to make the jump from mixtapes to the major labels, DJ Clue? hooked up with Jay-Z's Roc-a-Fella Records camp for a bit in the late '90s, then moved on to his own camp, Desert Storm Records.
The Queens native built his reputation with street-level mixtapes and quickly became one of the city's leading DJs, graced with the latest tracks by the biggest names. Popular New York hip-hop station Hot 97 brought him aboard for a while in the late '90s alongside fellow DJ heavyweight Funkmaster Flex. The air time furthered his reputation, and Jay-Z in turn invited him to join forces with Roc-a-Fella, which released Clue?'s major-label debut, The Professional (1997). The album featured primarily exclusive tracks, each boasting one of New York's top rappers, everyone from Nas and Mobb Deep to DMX and Ja Rule.
A second volume followed in 2000, and in the meantime Clue? toured with Roc-a-Fella in support of Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life album as documented on Backstage (2000). He then parted ways with Roc-a-Fella and embarked on his own path, establishing Desert Storm Records and debuting Fabolous in 2001. Years later, once Jay-Z ascended to the position of president of Def Jam, Clue? recorded The Professional, Pt. 3 (2006).

Freestyle
DJ Clue Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm so far ahead of my time
I'm 'bout to start another life
Look behind you I'm 'bout to pass you twice
Back to The Future
Gotta slow up for the present I'm fast
Niggas can't get past my past
How you propose a deal
With the perfect present?

When I unwrap The Gift &
The Curse in one session?
Ain't no living person can test him
Only two resting in Heaven can be mentioned
In the same breath as him
7 straight summers critics might not admit it
But nobody in rap did it quite like I did it
If you did, I done it before
You get it, I had it
I got mad at it, I don't want it no more
And that comes from everything
From flippin' that raw
Flippin' whores, flippin' vocal cords
Don't get it twisted, get it right
Did it different, did it better, did it nice
Did the impossible, and then I did it twice
Young!

Young HO, fresh from Italy
Trip financed by my best ability
Same one helped me in extra realty
For my mom, for my nephews
A bunch of lil' me's
Flip flop by Versace, hip-hop got me here
Music made me a millionaire, yeah
Multi for what's inside of here
Inside my heart, besides that, I'm smart
Prepare poems with a passion
At the same time cash in
Took the best of both
Worlds minus the madness
Though controversy follows me
Everywhere I dock everything I hear I block
Out like the jealous clouds do the sun
Then I sit back and recline
Since my shine has shone
And then sure nuff bust out something
Foreign with the doors up
Maybe the lilac Porsche
The lavender Retriever
I only bring my homies back purple reefer
I only smoke in Ibiza in Capri
Somewhere foreign that you need your visa
Yup, Hovi's home but it's like I never left
I had the global phone
Yup, yeah I stayed in touch
I heard y'all back home complaining
Y'all complain too much so hateful
Bunch of dudes I put on
Out there acting so ungrateful
But daddy's home
And he brought the forty autie matie chrome
For all the chatty-chatty y'all been doing

While y'all was running your mouth
Complaining about Summer Jam
I was in flip-flops in the South of France
See how it flip-flops with the number
One station for hip-hop and r&b?
You thought Summer Jam was starring
You? It was starring me
Even in my absence, my presence is felt
That gotta tell you I'm the king, dog
If nothing else i'm on another continent
You still ain't content
I'm in the Mediterranean
You still ain't vent

Explain to me why I want to be you again
You on the radio crying, I'm learning to swim

Overall Meaning

In the song, DJ Clue - Man On Fire's song Freestyle, the artist is emphasizing his skills as an old school rapper and showcasing his confidence in his abilities. In the first verse, the artist compares himself to the late rapper Lisa Lopez, stating that he also burns like she did. He also goes on to talk about his ability to stay relevant and maintain his popularity despite changing trends in the rap industry. The second verse highlights the artist's nonchalance towards his haters and emphasizes his determination to stay on top of the industry regardless of any obstacles. In the third verse, the artist shows his sharp wit and ability to play with words as he describes how superior his skills are compared to other rappers by saying that they "sound funny" when they try to rap like him.

Overall, the song's lyrics showcase the artist's pride in his skills, determination to stay on top, and confidence in his craft above all else. It's a song that shows the enduring strength of the old-school rap culture and the ability of the artist to adapt along with changing trends.

Line by Line Meaning

Old school, new school need to know this
Both old and new generations of hip-hop enthusiasts should recognize and appreciate my skills as a rapper and DJ.

I burn like Left Eye Lisa Lopez
I am incredibly talented and passionate like the late Lisa Lopes from TLC.

Burn slow like blunts of hydro
My talent shines consistently and gracefully like marijuana smoked slowly in a blunt.

Jigga Man, BK shit, why'all know
I am Jay-Z, representing Brooklyn's hip-hop culture, and you already know this.

Jigga Man, ya heard? the fugitive...
I am Jay-Z, known as the fugitive, and you have heard my music before.

Allow me to spit on this Clue shit
Let me show off my rap skills on this Clue-produced beat.

Allow me to thank the people for all of their support, and your prayers
I appreciate all of the support and well wishes from my fans, friends, and family.

And all the people that prejudge me, fuck you, suck my dick...
To anyone who judges me unfairly, I do not have any respect for you and I do not care about your opinion.

D.A. act like a nigga starvin' for Jay
The District Attorney seems to be overly eager and hungry to prosecute me, Jay-Z.

If they lock me in a cage, fuck it, party away
Even if I end up in prison, I will not let it affect my spirit or my ability to have fun.

I'm still hot, I'm still S dot ya'll
I am still a successful and talented rapper despite any obstacles or criticisms.

Still got Millions buried in the sock drawer
I have a lot of money and assets hidden away for safekeeping.

Still holdin' my own on the corner nigga
I am still respected and successful in the hip-hop industry, even on the streets.

What can't kill me can only make me stronger nigga
Any adversity or challenges I face only make me more resilient and successful.

And when I get back home
When I return from my current legal troubles or travels.

Get your ass up out the throne
Get ready to relinquish your power or position.

It's just goin' back to the way shit was
Things are returning to a previous state, possibly a time of strife or struggle.

I'ma stay hot no matter what my shit does
My talent and success will continue, regardless of any failures or irrelevant criticism.

I could drop a straight dud, I'ma stay up
Even if I release a bad album or song, I will not be deterred or defeated.

Niggas tryin' to break my will
People are attempting to weaken or demoralize me.

You know that ain't my steel
Those attempts will not be successful because it is not part of my nature or character.

I'm Destiny's Child, my fate's been sealed
I am destined for greatness, and my fate has already been predetermined.

You're dealin' with a higher power
My talent and success is greater than normal human limits, possibly divinely influenced.

I'm like Dwight Eisenhower
I am powerful and influential like the famous American president, Dwight D. Eisenhower.

My life can move a thousand miles and hour
My life is incredibly fast-paced and exciting, moving at breakneck speeds.

As my world turns like the wheels on a bicycle spoke
My life and career continue to spin and progress, much like the wheels on a bicycle.

It's much deeper than a soap, it's a constant drama series
My life and career is more complex and intricate than a simple soap opera, it is like a never-ending drama series.

All they see is money, they want me to blind the jury
Many people only see me for my wealth and power, and want me to manipulate or deceive others for my own gain or benefit.

All this bullshit can make the mind weary
All the negativity, gossip, and criticism can be exhausting and overwhelming.

But my theory is the sun shines clearly
However, I remain optimistic and positive, believing that lighter and brighter times are ahead, like a clear sunny day.

Now everybody want to rhyme like Hov'
Many rappers are trying to emulate my unique style and flow as a rapper.

'Cause I rhyme like I be rhymin' in the Rov'
I am incredibly skilled and polished as a rapper, much like how I drive my luxury car, a Rover.

Climbin' in them hoes
I am enjoying the attention and adoration of many women.

My minds like the diamonds, I'll blind you at them shows
My rap skills and intelligence are bright and dazzling, and will leave a lasting impression on my audiences.

I don't shine, I glow
I do not just simply shine, I radiate brilliance and excellence.

I remind you of that dough
My wealth and success is unmatched and unforgettable.

Don't I? Murder niggas won't I?
I have incredible talent and skill as a rapper, and I am not afraid to use it aggressively.

My persona, hustler turned rapper, smell the crack aroma
My identity as a powerful and successful rapper is rooted in my history and experience as a hustler and drug dealer.

Send shots like toma! in any language
I am a powerful and explosive rapper, who can impress and command audiences globally.

Leave niggas in a coma when I'm bangin' that Fifth
My music and flow is so intense and powerful, it can metaphorically leave people stunned or incapacitated.

Get chicks lit off Coronas and bamboo spliffs
My influence and charisma as a performer can attract and entertain many women, often with alcohol and marijuana.

And get the camcorder to camcord their hand movements
I am confident and playful enough to document and remember my successful and romantic encounters with women.

And for what? ya'll actin' like ya'll better than Hov'
Many people are acting as if they are greater or more talented than me, Jay-Z, which is not true.

Ya'll niggas should open up for the Letterman show
You all should pursue basic, mediocre careers rather than trying to compete with my exceptional talent and success.

Niggas is funny
Many people are amusing and entertaining, often with their misguided opinions or actions.

All I do is get money and ya'll niggas sound funny to me
My focus and success on making money is unmatched and admirable, while many others seem comical or trivial in comparison.

I'm at the forefront of this rap shit, truth is truth
I am the leader and innovator of the entire hip-hop industry, and my excellence cannot be denied or questioned.

Look around at all the platinum, proof is proof
My many successful and financially lucrative projects and albums prove my exceptional talent and success as a rapper.

Listen to how niggas is rappin', that's do to who?
Many rappers today have copied and imitated my unique style and flow, which just proves how influential and respected I am as an artist.

But I'ma let niggas live 'cause it's beautiful
I will not try to control or censor my imitators, because it is simply proof of my power and influence in the rap world.

Live niggas...
I am addressing all my fellow, talented and successful hip-hop artists.

Jigga Man ya heard? Clue...Duro...
This is a final shout-out to Jay-Z, DJ Clue, and Duro, acknowledging their skills and contributions to the rap world.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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