J Dilla was known as a "producer's producer", and was highly regarded by better known producers such as Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Pharrell Williams (who named him as his favourite producer). Many considered him as a musical genius. [2][3][4] A large catalogue of his work, mostly unused beats, remains unreleased, and in some cases have been freely passed around through the internet, impressing enthusiasts and adding to his cult-status.
Make’em NV
J. Dilla Lyrics
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("Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!")
Let's do it, worldwide, show that shine
Get the cash, and flash like Kodak blind 'em
If I get the urge to splurge or bling I do it
It's nobody's concern, they ain't got a thing to do with this
Shut the fuck up~! Please believe
I had the boy kneed, out in Philly freeze the sleeves
The first piece, worshipped by the set of thieves with cheese
And haters think I ain't peep they steeze
Don't think I don't got, peeps that'll squeeze the things
And tryin to be M.O.P. you'll be D.O.A
Me and my mans and them roll deep (peep)
And we don't play those games, no chain tuckin
Only congratulate if you hate fuck y'all
Rock City down here in the D
Bling bling, it's time to make 'em envy ("make 'em envy!")
Let's do it
("Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!") Yeah
Real niggas only ("Them jewels... make 'em envy!")
Let's go, Ruff - Draft {*"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"*}
Yeah {*"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"*}
Yo I'm like if you hot in 'em what you buyin 'em for?
Get your shine on, it's time to blind 'em all
Don't worry 'bout the haters you can shake they ass
When they can't get they taste of the cake they mad
And these backpackers wanna confuse it
Niggas is icey ain't got nothin to do with the music
So hater mind your biz and get your own
You know what, time it is we get that glow
Better get your bitch before we hit that dough
We too sick, clique crew thick like colds
And you can respect it or SUCK IT~!
I'm in the booth, chain swingin, soundin like extra percussion
I'm tellin ya cousin, rock your jewels
If anything tucked, there's the pop in full
Just to let 'em know you ain't friendly
Let's sparkle baby, make 'em envy ("make 'em envy!")
Yeah ("Them jewels, make 'em envy!")
Top, dollars, flaunt {*"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"*}
Shake the haters {*"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"*}
We gon', keep it movin like {*"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"*}
Ruff Draft, can't change me
Cause I'mma be a nigga with ice
It's plain to see, you can't change me
Cause I'mma be
In J. Dilla's song Make’em NV, the artist is confidently embracing the luxurious lifestyle that comes with success. He begins by stating that only real people can relate to his message and then encourages his listeners to show off their wealth and shine worldwide. For him, spending money on jewelry is a way of expressing himself, and he doesn't care about other's opinions. He boasts about making a guy kneel in Philly and his gangsta love being compared to Eve and Keys. He also mentions that he knows people who would use violence in case someone tries to steal from him. Dilla believes that only people who are envious of him insult him, and he doesn't pay attention to them. The song's chorus repeats the line "Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!" to drive home the message that flaunting your wealth can make others jealous and envious.
The second verse encourages people to ignore haters and focus on getting their own wealth. Dilla feels that spending money on jewelry is an excellent investment because it can blind his detractors and make them regret their hate. He states that even backpackers are envious of his "icy" look and suggests that haters should mind their own business. He urges listeners to get their "glow" and ignore anyone who criticizes them. Dilla's final message is that he won't change, and he'll always be a person with ice, and that's plain to see.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, real niggas only
I only associate with true, authentic individuals.
"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"
Show off your expensive jewelry to make others jealous.
Let's do it, worldwide, show that shine
Let's flaunt our wealth on a global scale.
Get the cash, and flash like Kodak blind 'em
Acquire money and use it to impress others with your flashy displays of wealth.
If I get the urge to splurge or bling I do it
I indulge in expensive purchases whenever I feel like it.
It's nobody's concern, they ain't got a thing to do with this
My spending habits are my own business and no one else's concern.
Shut the fuck up~! Please believe
Stop talking and listen to what I'm saying.
I had the boy kneed, out in Philly freeze the sleeves
I had someone punished in Philadelphia and had the sleeves of their shirt frozen.
Givin the gangsta love like Eve and Keys
I show love and respect to fellow gangsters like Eve and Alicia Keys.
The first piece, worshipped by the set of thieves with cheese
My first piece of jewelry has gained recognition and respect from a group of wealthy thieves.
And haters think I ain't peep they steeze
My haters think I'm not aware of their attempts to copy my style.
Don't think I don't got, peeps that'll squeeze the things
Don't forget that I have friends who will use force to protect me and my possessions.
And tryin to be M.O.P. you'll be D.O.A
If you try to imitate the rap group M.O.P., you will face certain death.
Me and my mans and them roll deep (peep)
My friends and I travel in large groups.
And we don't play those games, no chain tuckin
We take ourselves seriously and never hide our jewelry.
Only congratulate if you hate fuck y'all
I only accept congratulations from those who truly hate me.
Rock City down here in the D
Detroit, also known as Rock City, is where I come from.
Bling bling, it's time to make 'em envy ("make 'em envy!")
It's time to show off our jewelry and make others jealous.
"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!" Yeah
Once again, show off your jewelry to make others envious.
Real niggas only ("Them jewels... make 'em envy!")
I only associate with true, authentic individuals who can afford to flaunt their wealth.
Let's go, Ruff - Draft {*"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"*}
Let's move forward with our plan to impress others with our expensive jewelry.
Yo I'm like if you hot in 'em what you buyin 'em for?
Why bother buying expensive jewelry if you don't plan on wearing it and showing it off?
Get your shine on, it's time to blind 'em all
It's time to show off your flashy jewelry and make others want to look away due to its brightness.
Don't worry 'bout the haters you can shake they ass
Stop paying attention to your haters and focus on flaunting your wealth.
When they can't get they taste of the cake they mad
When your haters can't enjoy the same luxuries you can afford, they become upset and envious.
And these backpackers wanna confuse it
These so-called 'backpackers' in the rap industry try to downplay the importance of showing off your wealth.
Niggas is icey ain't got nothin to do with the music
People who show off their wealth, like myself, are not necessarily better musicians, but they have more money to spend on expensive jewelry.
So hater mind your biz and get your own
Haters should focus on their own lives and stop worrying about my spending habits.
You know what, time it is we get that glow
It's time to show off our flashy jewelry and make others envious.
Better get your bitch before we hit that dough
Make sure you secure your partner before I make more money and buy even more expensive jewelry.
We too sick, clique crew thick like colds
My group is too impressive and intimidating to be taken down by anyone else.
And you can respect it or SUCK IT~!
You can either appreciate my wealth and success or deal with it and move on.
I'm in the booth, chain swingin, soundin like extra percussion
When I rap in the recording booth, the sound of my jewelry hitting each other adds to the beat of the music.
I'm tellin ya cousin, rock your jewels
I'm giving you advice, cousin: show off your own wealth and jewelry.
If anything tucked, there's the pop in full
If anyone tries to hide their own jewelry or possessions, they will be met with force from me and my friends.
Just to let 'em know you ain't friendly
Show off your jewelry to let others know that you're not someone to mess with.
Let's sparkle baby, make 'em envy ("make 'em envy!")
Let's show off our jewelry and make others jealous once again.
Top, dollars, flaunt {*"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"*}
Show off your expensive jewelry in order to attract attention and make others envious.
Shake the haters {*"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"*}
Ignore your haters and keep showing off your wealth and flashy jewelry.
We gon', keep it movin like {*"Them jewels you rock, make 'em envy!"*}
We'll continue to impress others with our wealth and flashy displays of jewelry.
Ruff Draft, can't change me
No matter what happens or what people say, I'll always be true to myself.
Cause I'mma be a nigga with ice
I'll always be someone who shows off their wealth and expensive jewelry.
It's plain to see, you can't change me
I'm very open about who I am and what I represent, and no one can make me change.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES DEWITT YANCEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind