8 Miles And Runnin'
Freeway; Jay-Z Lyrics
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Jay Z, Freeway, 8 Miles,
Let's go
8 miles and running, got my 7 album droppin',
And my 8 album coming,
Feedin' a thousand growling stomachs,
But I could rewind the counter ta back, back,
People said I would amount to nothing,
That I had time for nothing,
Said I wasn't from the velars
Or the sellers by your gunman,
I can see the folks now he got what he had coming,
Now that my 8th album's coming,
Everybody smiling wanting something,
Claiming that they done something for em,
Got Jay Z and pom poms in they whole uniforms,
Claiming they be running and telling everybody like Martin Lawrence,
About how hot my rap performance was before I was who I was,
Claimin' that they threw it up before I threw it up, you what
Where was you before I blew this up,
I didn't see you in the courtroom when everyone was suein' us,
I didn't see you in all black when everybody was suitin' up,
Back on the block, kickin' it in and it was no you with us
8 miles and running, got my 7 album droppin',
And my 8 album coming,
Feedin' a thousand growling stomachs, freaks
6 miles and running got my fist straight poppin',
And my first album coming feedin' 20 promises I made
6 miles and running in the Pontiac,
6 thousand 86 trans mic shift,
While the engine run,
Anyone turn around
And give me one more chance,
Let em smoke and scream em one more grams,
So I'm a bring them, homie, son and my pop,
Stick close to my momma, keep toasters for drama,
Mix a lot with my son, my son growin' and he learnin' a lot,
That's what I'm toastin', that's what I'm burin', so pop,
Right on your own, rell 'em nigga, tell 'em nigga,
Its like a biblical scripture,
Look back turn to salt like the sinners
And most y'all heartless and self-centered
Like me shaggin', me shack,
Set up your brother cause you tell us nigga,
Heat back, uh, like, you never love for never
And cops watch every step, 6 miles and running
Dodge in every trap, the rap ginger bread man,
Cherish every precious breath, stat pick a second gat
Uh
8 miles and running, got my 7 album droppin',
And my 8 album coming,
Feedin' a thousand growling stomachs, freaks
6 miles and running got my fist straight poppin',
And my first album coming feedin' 20 promises I made
Back when nobody would find me a talent,
Nobody would sign me, nobody believed in me,
Nobody but mommy blindly, but how could she deny me,
Me being the youngest friend to come up out of her,
Tell me, she got every love for me,
When niggas would worn me the industry shun me,
That's why I'm taking all the industries money,
Revenge is sweet honey, we run this,
Young is the illest, free is the future,
Beans and bleekers right now,
We can see our 8 miles nigga
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Jay-Z's song 8 Miles and Runnin' tells the story of his rise to fame and success despite the odds and the obstacles he faced throughout his journey to stardom. The song is a collaboration between Jay-Z and Freeway, and it starts with the classic Renegade beat. "8 Miles and running, got my 7 album droppin', and my 8 album coming" is Jay-Z boasting about his success in the industry, with his seventh album just released and his eighth on the way. He acknowledges the struggles and doubters he faced before gaining the support of his loyal fans.
In the following lines, Jay-Z reflects on his early days in the rap game where nobody would sign him and that nobody believed in him, except his mother, who had every love for him. Jay-Z then went on to take revenge on the industry that shunned him by taking all of their money. He proclaims, "we run this", indicating that he and his team are on top of the rap game, and nothing can stop them now.
The lyrics also mention Freeway's success in the industry as he raps about being six miles and running, featuring a Pontiac that represents his rise to fame from the streets. The song celebrates the success of both artists and serves as an inspiration to anyone chasing their dreams, despite the obstacles they might face.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah Renegades is back and the beat is sick,
Renegades is back on the scene with a sick beat
Jay Z, Freeway, 8 Miles,
Jay Z and Freeway are featured on the track titled 8 Miles
8 miles and running, got my 7 album droppin',
I am currently releasing my 7th album while also working on the 8th, despite previous doubts about my talent and success
And my 8 album coming,
I am in the process of creating my 8th album
Feedin' a thousand growling stomachs,
My music is resonating with and providing for a large and passionate fanbase
But I could rewind the counter ta back, back,
I look back at my past struggles and successes
When it was now or nothing,
I faced a deciding moment in my career where I had to make it big or not at all
People said I would amount to nothing,
Many people doubted my potential for success
That I had time for nothing,
People believed that I was not dedicated enough to succeed
Said I wasn't from the velars
People claimed that I did not come from a privileged background
Or the sellers by your gunman,
Others doubted my connection to or involvement with dangerous and influential individuals
I can see the folks now he got what he had coming,
Those who doubted me are now witnessing my success and achievement
Now that my 8th album's coming,
My 8th album is currently in the works
Everybody smiling wanting something,
Many people are trying to associate themselves with my success in hopes of personal gain
Claiming that they done something for em,
Others are falsely taking credit for contributing to my success
Got Jay Z and pom poms in they whole uniforms,
People are trying to associate themselves with Jay Z and myself as if we are their team or cause
Claiming they be running and telling everybody like Martin Lawrence,
People boast and spread lies about their involvement with my success like Martin Lawrence did in the movie 'Nothing to Lose'
About how hot my rap performance was before I was who I was,
Others claim to have witnessed and recognized my talent before I became successful
Claimin' that they threw it up before I threw it up, you what
Others claim to have supported and promoted me before I made it big
Where was you before I blew this up,
Those who are now trying to associate themselves with my success were nowhere to be found before I became successful
I didn't see you in the courtroom when everyone was suein' us,
Those who claim to have supported me were not present during legal battles and disputes in my career
I didn't see you in all black when everybody was suitin' up,
Others were not present or supportive during important and stressful moments in my career
Back on the block, kickin' it in and it was no you with us
Those who now try to associate themselves with my success were not part of my original community or support system
6 miles and running got my fist straight poppin',
I am continuing to make music and succeed with the same level of passion and energy as before
And my first album coming feedin' 20 promises I made
My debut album is coming and will include material that fulfills certain promises I made to my fans
6 miles and running in the Pontiac,
I am driving in a Pontiac while continuing my career
6 thousand 86 trans mic shift,
My car has a specific transmission and shifting system, which may be indicative of my attention to detail and commitment to craft
While the engine run,
The car is currently in use and functional
Anyone turn around
Anyone who turns around or criticizes my work
And give me one more chance,
May reconsider or change their opinion of me
Let em smoke and scream em one more grams,
I am willing to give detractors one more chance while also indulging in some vices
So I'm a bring them, homie, son and my pop,
I will bring my close friends and family members with me during my rise to success
Stick close to my momma, keep toasters for drama,
I will always stay close to my mother and am prepared to defend myself and my loved ones against adversity
Mix a lot with my son, my son growin' and he learnin' a lot,
I am spending time with my son and teaching him valuable lessons as he grows
That's what I'm toastin', that's what I'm burin', so pop,
I am celebrating my success and progress while also acknowledging and forgetting my past struggles
Right on your own, rell 'em nigga, tell 'em nigga,
I will prove myself and succeed on my own, despite criticism and doubt from others
Its like a biblical scripture,
My story and career can be compared to a tale from the Bible
Look back turn to salt like the sinners
I will not dwell on my past struggles or negative experiences, but instead continue to move forward and progress
And most y'all heartless and self-centered
Many individuals in the industry lack empathy and focus solely on their own success
Like me shaggin', me shack,
I am focused and determined in my career like a dog chasing after a bone
Set up your brother cause you tell us nigga,
Individuals may betray or manipulate their own family members or friends for personal gain
Heat back, uh, like, you never love for never
Those who betrayed me or showed no support will receive no love or attention from me in the future
And cops watch every step, 6 miles and running
My success may make me a target for law enforcement or judgement from those in power
Dodge in every trap, the rap ginger bread man,
I am agile and able to avoid obstacles and pitfalls in my career, like the Gingerbread Man in the fairy tale
Cherish every precious breath, stat pick a second gat
I value every moment of my life and will defend myself using any means necessary
Back when nobody would find me a talent,
Previously, nobody saw any potential in my talent or work
Nobody would sign me, nobody believed in me,
I faced doubt and rejection from the industry and those around me
Nobody but mommy blindly, but how could she deny me,
My mother was the only one who had complete faith in my abilities and talent, which I am thankful for
Me being the youngest friend to come up out of her,
I am my mother's youngest child to achieve success in my career
Tell me, she got every love for me,
My mother has unconditional love and support for me despite any struggles or challenges we have faced
When niggas would worn me the industry shun me,
Others would discourage me and warn me of the industry's harshness and dislike of my work
That's why I'm taking all the industries money,
I am motivated to succeed and prove others wrong by taking the industry's money through my work
Revenge is sweet honey, we run this,
Achieving success and proving others wrong is a satisfying form of revenge
Young is the illest, free is the future,
Youth and freedom are powerful and valuable assets in my career and future
Beans and bleekers right now,
Beans and Bleek, two of my close friends and collaborators, are currently involved in my career
We can see our 8 miles nigga
We can envision and achieve even greater success and achievement in the future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, LESLIE PRIDGEN, LUIS RESTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind