A native of Queens, New York, DJ Envy was tutored by neighborhood acquaintance DJ Clue?,[2] who introduced him to the mixtape circuit in the mid-90's. He quickly climbed up the ranks, and by the early 2000 he was peddling the latest freestyles and exclusives for big-name rappers like Jay-Z, 50 Cent and The L.O.X.. Since his reputation was so esteemed Sony sign him to their affiliate label Desert Storm Records. In 2003, he released his commercial debut album entitled The Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party, Vol. 1.
Envy's big break on the radio came when he mixed once a month for Hot 97's show called "Takin' it to the Streets", hosted by Angie Martinez from 12 a.m.-4 a.m., but later filled in when Angie Martinez got pregnant.[3] He then co-host Hot 97's morning show with Miss Jones from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. daily. His run on the morning show ended in July 2008 when Miss Jones moved to Philadelphia. Envy spinned on his own mixshows on Hot 97 called "The People's Mix" on Saturdays from 12pm to 2pm and "The People's Choice Hit List" on Sundays 5pm to 8pm. He had a segment on Hot 97 titled "New at 2", where he played the newest hits from 2 to 2:30 p.m. He currently hosts Hip-Hop Nation's afternoon show on Sirius XM Radio on weekdays 5 pm – 10 pm EST and on weekends he does a show from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Power 105.
On Monday December 6, 2010, DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha God began hosting the morning show on Power 105 as The Breakfast Club.
Envy has made appearances on various television shows like 106 & Park, Entourage and Tha Corner, which he hosts on the Music Choice channel.[3] He was featured in the 2006 film Blood of a Champion, credited as Shadow's enemy friend. and Lil Mama WSHH video as well[4]
On March 21, 2010, DJ Envy took over as host of MTV2's Sucker Free Countdown.
H.O.V.A
DJ Envy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Album: Blok Party Vol. 1
Song: H.O.V.A.
Typed by: OHHLA Webmaster DJ Flash
[Jay-Z] + (DJ Envy)
Yo uh, dim the motherfuckin lights and the studio shades! (Yeah)
Skane Dollar (The People's Choice) Let's get this one (DJ Envy!)
(New Jay-Z!) It's Young, c'mon!
That shit sound like some superhero music right there (okay)
Sound like my theme muh'fucking song right there
(Desert Storm Mixtape, Volume 1) I like this one
I can groove to this one; Skane Dollar where we at? Clue!
Desert Storm, yeah, let's get it (whaaaaaaaaaaaat?)
[Jay-Z]
Watch on arm, rims on tire
Hov' in the studio, the roof's on fire {Yeah!}
S. Carter kicks on my feet {Woo!}
Roc-A-Wear on my leg, Envy on the beat
I made my first mill' off papi on the hill
I made in the rap game speakin on the reels (that's real)
I'm bling cause I passed the statute of limitation
and I'm makin too much money to be goin to jail (hell nah)
Who else you know on probation
leave the country for a month to go on vacation? (*laughing*)
Listeners, get your brain on drugs
Listen up, it's the flawless like cocaine dust
Her-on hero, do any thing for dinero
Like Joe Pesci, Hov' is so deadly
In the middle of the ocean, racin on jet skits (*PYOOM!*)
Get your mind right or get it on your left sleeve {ENVY!}
S.C., Jay-Z, either or
Young Hova, Big Homie, read 'em off
Daddy is home, niggaz are scared {Yup!}
Way before I put the key in the door
Ain't no other kings in this rap game, you kiddin?
Nuttin but my children, one shot, they disappearin
.. I'm on a whole 'nother level
I don't take your Jacob watch, I just screw off the bezel
[Jay-Z] + (DJ Envy)
Young.. Young's in the building! Desert Storm!
It's the Roc! (DJ Envy) This is what we do about this time of year
(Blok Party.. Desert Storm mixtape) Yeah (Volume 1)
Sho' nuff! Gangsta.. (c'moN!)
[Jay-Z]
Rapper/slash, murderer/slash
Punk muh'fuckers I will murder your ass
Gangster somebody soon to be dad
"Blueprint 2" homie, junior is mad
Mad cause his new son sound a little better
Knock a little harder, show the growth in his father
Similar in robberies, damn you gotta love it
All that spells in the air in better music for the public
[Jay-Z] + (DJ Envy)
Gotta love it (You gotta love it) Young!
Desert Storm - it's the Roc! It's what we do, beotch!
(Fat shout, whole Roc-A-Fella, Dame Dash)
I'm just fuckin with 'em (Big Topper, Jay-Z)
Skane-o! It's five in the mornin, let's get out of here
Let's burn..
(Desert Storm, Epic! Switch it up!)
In DJ Envy's song "H.O.V.A", the chorus features the infamous voice of Jay Z. The rapper starts off by telling the listeners to dim the lights, as he delivers a powerful and almost superhero-like performance. The track features a heavy beat, combining different elements such as the sound of clapping and an occasional automobile engine sound. Jay Z starts his verse by rapping about his rolex, custom rims, and S. Carter kicks on his feet. He mentioned that he made his first million dollars from his drug business and then switched to his current music career, where he talks about his experiences on tours around the world. He then brags about his life, how he’s above laws and the police because of his wealth, and is living a lavish lifestyle without any worries.
In addition to the above, one could interpret the lyrics of "H.O.V.A" as sharing Jay Z’s journey from the time he was involved in selling drugs in the streets to becoming a very wealthy and renowned rapper. He expresses his success and grind through 'The Blueprint 2' and how he is hustling to get better each day. The song is a perfect example of Jay Z’s high energy and passion, fueled by the beat of the music. It is also a testament to what is possible when one works hard and perseveres towards their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Watch on arm, rims on tire
Jay-Z is wearing a nice watch and has his car rims upgraded
Hov' in the studio, the roof's on fire {Yeah!}
Jay-z is in the studio and the environment is hot with energy
S. Carter kicks on my feet {Woo!}
Jay-Z is wearing shoes from his own brand, S. Carter
Roc-A-Wear on my leg, Envy on the beat
Jay-Z is wearing jeans from his own clothing line, Roc-A-Wear and DJ Envy is providing the beat for his music
I made my first mill' off papi on the hill
Jay-Z made his first million from drug dealing
I made in the rap game speakin on the reels (that's real)
Jay-Z made money through his rap career by speaking truthfully
I'm bling cause I passed the statute of limitation
Jay-Z can show off his wealth and success because the law can no longer prosecute him for his past crimes
and I'm makin too much money to be goin to jail (hell nah)
Jay-Z is not willing to go to jail despite his past criminal activities because he is making too much money now
Who else you know on probation
Jay-Z is questioning if anyone else is in the same situation as him, serving probation
leave the country for a month to go on vacation? (*laughing*)
Jay-Z is laughing at the fact that he can leave the country for a month-long vacation despite being on probation
Listeners, get your brain on drugs
Jay-Z wants his listeners to get high so they can understand and appreciate his music better
Listen up, it's the flawless like cocaine dust
Jay-Z's music is described as flawless like cocaine dust
Her-on hero, do any thing for dinero
Jay-Z is portraying himself as a hero and he is willing to do anything for money
Like Joe Pesci, Hov' is so deadly
Jay-Z is comparing himself to Joe Pesci, an actor known for playing dangerous mafia characters
In the middle of the ocean, racin on jet skits (*PYOOM!*)
Jay-Z is racing on jet skis in the middle of the ocean
Get your mind right or get it on your left sleeve {ENVY!}
Jay-Z wants his listeners to get their minds straight or else they will end up with a tattoo on their left arm (left sleeve) with DJ Envy's name
Ain't no other kings in this rap game, you kiddin?
Jay-Z is saying there aren't any other kings in the rap game besides him, and he thinks it's ridiculous if anyone believes differently
Nuttin but my children, one shot, they disappearin
Jay-Z is saying he is the only one who dominates the rap game and he has control over other rappers' careers
.. I'm on a whole 'nother level
Jay-Z is on a higher level of success than anyone else in the rap game
I don't take your Jacob watch, I just screw off the bezel
Jay-Z is so rich, he doesn't steal other people's watches, he just screws off the expensive part (bezel)
Rapper/slash, murderer/slash
Jay-Z is a rapper and also capable of committing murder
Punk muh'fuckers I will murder your ass
Jay-Z is threatening to kill anyone who disrespects him
Gangster somebody soon to be dad
Jay-Z is a gangster and about to become a father
"Blueprint 2" homie, junior is mad
Jay-Z's son is angry over his father's album, The Blueprint 2
Mad cause his new son sound a little better
Jay-Z's son is jealous because his newborn brother sounds better than him
Knock a little harder, show the growth in his father
Jay-Z is telling his son to work harder to showcase his growth and improvement
Similar in robberies, damn you gotta love it
Jay-Z is proud of his son for being similar to him in terms of robbing other rappers' careers
All that spells in the air in better music for the public
Jay-Z's son's success in robbing other rappers results in better music for the public to enjoy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, SHAWN C CARTER, EDWARD HINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind