The track peaked at #63 on the Billboard “Hot 100” chart. Rolling Stone magazine named it the best song of 2007.
Hov explained the celebratory nature of the track in an interview with XXL magazine in October 2007:
"I represent hip-hop first and foremost. Like, when I go into a Biggie zone or Em zone or anybody else I mean, that’s what it’s about. I mean, I can rap. I’m not doing that ‘cause I’m at a lost for fuckin’ words. I’ve said a lot of words in my career. I got my words. I used vehemently in a rhyme, you know. I got a lot of words. I got a vast vocabulary. But when I heard the record, I was like, this shit sounds like a celebration, right. So that’s what it was."
"I had all this real subject matter on American Gangster and I wanted the story arc to have that celebratory moment. You’ve reached the height of everything. The horns made me feel like I was winning a Grammy. It’s about capturing the rise of your power. The height of your career. To be blindly successful. I wanted to encapsulate all those feelings at that moment when everything is going well, before it all falls apart."
Sean “Puffy” Combs produced the track alongside Sean C & LV, a duo affiliated with his Hitmen production team.
The three spoke with XXL magazine about the track in October 2007:
Puff: The ‘Roc Boys’ is crazy. It’s one of them urgent tracks. We all love the tracks that Hov does that are urgent. That really as soon as the needle hits it it just takes you on a journey. As soon as the needle hits it, it just feels like you just driving non-stop. The way these horns is playing it’s just… It’s also a different sounding joint for Jay. But it’s not too much of a departure where you can’t recognize the flavor it.
LV: That was the first joint we did after we heard the first two of our songs [Jay recorded]. So me and Sean C. were excited. After we heard ‘Sweet’ and ‘No Hook.’ We was like, ‘Oh, shit!’ We got mad amped and that’s how we came up with ‘Roc Boys.’ Coincidentally, Jay heard it and was on the same vibe like it was a celebration. That was one we made specifically for him. We wanted it to be that joint… You ever hear a joint on another nigga’s album like, ‘Damn I wish did that beat?’
Sean C: That was something we didn’t have already. We did that for Jay. That was during that time after ‘Sweet’ and ‘No Hook.’ We was like ‘We got to get a bunch of records on there.’ We went shopping and just started chopping more stuff up and that was one of the joints that came out of that. I’m excited to hear what people are gonna say about it. It don’t sound like any records that are out right now so I’m psyched to hear what people are gonna say about that shit.
The music video for “Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)…” was recorded at Jay’s 40/40 Club in Manhattan. It was directed by Chris Robinson and styled by Hov’s longtime stylist June Ambrose.
"‘Roc Boys’ is the height of celebration. You can’t celebrate by yourself, so I invited all these great people to be a part of the video. It just felt like a celebration… It was natural."
This song samples “Make the Road by Walking” by the Menahan Street Band.
Roc Boys ...
JAY-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My man
Speech
First of all, I wanna thank my connect
The most important person, with all due respect
Thanks to the duffel bag, the brown paper bag
The Nike shoe box for holding all this cash (okay)
The first pusher whoever made the stash (okay)
The Roc Boys in the building tonight (hey)
Oh, what a feeling, I'm feeling life (hey)
Thanks to the lames, niggas with bad aim
Thanks to a little change, I tore you out the game
Bullet wounds will stop your buffoonery
Thanks to the pastor rapping at your eulogy
To Lil' Kim and them, you know the women friend
Who carry the work cross state for a gentlemen
Yeah, thanks to all the hustlers
And most importantly you, the customer
The Roc Boys in the building tonight (hey)
Oh, what a feeling, I'm feeling life (hey)
You don't even gotta bring your paper out
We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house (we in the house, hou', hou')
The Roc Boys in the building tonight (hey)
Look at how I'm chilling, I'm killing this ice (hey)
You don't even gotta bring ya purses out
We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house (we in the house, hou', hou')
(We in the house, hou', hou', hey)
Let your hair down, baby, I just hit a score
Pick any place on the planet, pick a shore
Take what the Forbes figured, then figure more
'Cause they forgot to account what I did with the raw
Pick a time, let's pick apart some stores
Pick a weekend for freaking for figure fours
I figure frauds never hit a lick before
So they don't know the feeling when them things get across
Put your hand out the window, feel the force
Feel the Porsche, hit defrost
Ice cold, jewels got no flaws
Drop got no top, you on the top floor
Pink Rosé, think OJ
I get away with murder when I sling yay
Heroin got less steps than Britney
That means it ain't stepped on, dig me?
The Roc Boys in the building tonight (hey)
Oh, what a feeling, I'm feeling life (hey)
You don't even gotta bring your paper out
We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house (we in the house, hou', hou')
The Roc Boys in the building tonight (hey)
Look at how I'm chilling, I'm killing this ice (hey)
You don't even gotta bring ya purses out
We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house (we in the house)
Red Porsche's, rare portraits (we in the house)
Rare guns if you dare come near the fortress (we in the house)
This apple sauce is from the apple orchid
This kinda talk is only reserved for the bosses
Which means I get it from the ground
Which means you get it when I'm around
Rich niggas, black Bar Mitzvahs
Mazel tov, it's a celebration bitches, l'chaim
I wish for you a hundred years of success but it's my time
Cheers, toast to crime
Number one D-boy, shame he could rhyme
The Roc Boys in the building tonight (hey)
Oh, what a feeling, I'm feeling life (hey)
You don't even gotta bring your paper out
We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house (we in the house, hou', hou')
The Roc Boys in the building tonight (hey)
Look at how I'm chilling, I'm killing this ice (hey)
You don't even gotta bring ya purses out
We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house (we in the house, hou', hou')
(We in the house, hou', hou', hey)
The Roc Boys in the building tonight
Oh, what a feeling, I'm feeling life
You don't even gotta bring your paper out
We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house (we in the house, hou', hou')
The Roc Boys in the building tonight
Look at how I'm chilling, I'm killing this ice
You don't even gotta bring ya purses out
We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house (we in the house, hou', hou')
(We in the house, hou', hou', hey)
Sweet
Let that ride out
Bring them horns back, yeah
This is black superhero music right here, baby
American Gangster
Taking flight, coming to a town near you
Soon as I touch down, just want y'all to start playing the horns like
Hovi's home
Lukey, baby
Ow
In Jay-Z's song "Roc Boys," the rapper uses his platform to thank the people who helped him become successful in the music industry. He begins by thanking his "connect," aka his supplier, for providing him with drugs to sell. He then thanks the police who were corrupt and put "greed before the badge," as their dishonesty allowed him to continue his illegal activities. Jay-Z also recognizes the first pusher who ever made a stash and paved the way for him to become successful. He thanks all the hustlers who created the environment needed for him to thrive, as well as the customers who bought his drugs.
Jay-Z also brags about his riches and the luxuries it allows him to indulge in. He boasts about having enough money to take anyone anywhere in the world and shows off his expensive taste in jewelry and cars. He references O.J. Simpson and his infamous murder trial, stating that he too can get away with murder, figuratively, when he sells drugs. He ends the song by declaring himself the number one drug dealer and rapper, proving that he's at the top of the game.
Overall, the song glorifies drug dealing and criminal activity while thanking those who made it possible for Jay-Z to become successful. It also showcases Jay-Z's confidence and ego, flaunting his wealth and status.
Line by Line Meaning
And the winner is Hov
Jay-Z has won and he is known as Hov
My man
Jay-Z is addressing someone close to him
Speech
Jay-Z is about to give a speech
First of all, I wanna thank my connect
Jay-Z is thanking his drug supplier
The most important person, with all due respect
Jay-Z considers his drug supplier to be the most important person in his business
Thanks for to duffel bag, the brown paper bag
Jay-Z is thanking his supplier for providing him with bags to carry their drug money
The Nike shoe box for holding all this cash (okay)
Jay-Z is thanking his supplier for providing him with a shoe box to hold their drug profits
Boys in blue who put greed before the badge (okay)
Jay-Z is acknowledging corrupt police who are more interested in money than upholding the law
The first pusher whoever made the stash (okay)
Jay-Z is acknowledging the first person who started the drug trafficking business
The Roc Boys in the building tonight (hey)
Jay-Z and his crew, the Roc Boys, are present at the event
Oh, what a feeling, I'm feeling life (hey)
Jay-Z is experiencing a sense of joy and fulfillment from his success
Thanks to the lames, niggas bad aim
Jay-Z is thanking his rivals for being incompetent and having bad aim while attempting to shoot him
Thanks to a little change, I tore you out the game
Jay-Z is expressing gratitude for the power that money has given him to eliminate his competition
Bullet wounds will stop your buffoonery
Jay-Z is warning his enemies that their foolish behavior will ultimately get them killed or seriously injured
Thanks to the pastor rapping at your eulogy
Jay-Z is thanking the pastor who will deliver his enemies' eulogies when they die
To Lil Kim and them, you know the women friend
Jay-Z is addressing his female associates who help him transport drugs across state lines
Who, carry the work cross state for a gentlemen
Jay-Z is acknowledging the women who transport drugs for him, often across state lines
Yeah, thanks to all the hustlers
Jay-Z is thanking everyone involved in the criminal underworld
And most importantly you, the customer
Jay-Z is acknowledging that his drug enterprise would not be possible without the buyers
You don't even gotta bring your paper out
Jay-Z is telling his customers that he will provide them with free drinks
We the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house (we in the house, hou', hou')
Jay-Z and his crew are the top drug dealers in the city and they are celebrating by providing free drinks
Look at how I'm chilling, I'm killing this ice (hey)
Jay-Z is showing off his wealth by highlighting his expensive jewelry
You don't even gotta bring ya purses out (We in the house, hou', hou', hey)
Jay-Z is telling the women present that they do not have to bring their wallets, as everything is free
Let your hair down baby, I just hit a score
Jay-Z is telling the women present to relax and enjoy themselves as he has just made a large amount of money
Pick any place on the planet, pick a shore
Jay-Z has the money to travel anywhere in the world
Take what the Forbes figure, then figure more
Jay-Z has more money than what is reported in Forbes magazine
'Cause they forgot to account what I did with the raw
Jay-Z is implying that his actual wealth is greater because he has earned money through illegal means
Pick a time, lets pick apart some stores
Jay-Z has the ability to go on shopping sprees whenever he wants
Pick a weekend for freaking for figure fours
Jay-Z is suggesting that they spend the weekend engaging in sexual activities
I figure frauds never hit a lick before
Jay-Z is saying that his rivals have never successfully stolen from him
So they don't know the feeling when them things get across
Jay-Z is saying that his rivals do not understand the satisfaction he feels when he successfully sells drugs
Put your hand out the window, feel the force
Jay-Z is telling anyone listening to feel the power of his car's engine
Feel the Porsche, hit defrost
Jay-Z is telling anyone listening to experience the luxury of his Porsche, including turning on the defrost function
Ice cold, jewels got no flaws
Jay-Z's jewelry is of the highest quality and has no imperfections
Drop got no top, you on the top floor
Jay-Z's car convertible does not have a top and he is driving to the top floor of a building
Pink Rose, think OJ
Jay-Z is drinking pink champagne and making a reference to O.J. Simpson in his infamous car chase
I get away with murder when I sling yay
Jay-Z is saying that he is able to get away with selling drugs, even though it is a crime
Heroin got less steps than Britney
Jay-Z is saying that the process of making and selling heroin is less complicated than Britney Spears' dance routines
That means it ain't stepped on, dig me?
Jay-Z is saying that the heroin he sells is pure and not mixed with other substances
Red Porsche's, rare portraits
Jay-Z is driving a red Porsche and has expensive paintings in his possession
Rare guns if you dare come near the fortress
Jay-Z is warning others not to approach his fortified territory, or they will face his rare and dangerous weapons
This apple sauce is from the apple orchid
Jay-Z is enjoying a gourmet applesauce that comes from a high-end orchid
This kinda talk is only reserved for the bosses
Jay-Z is saying that his luxurious lifestyle and expensive possessions are only attainable by those in charge
Which means I get it from the ground
Jay-Z is saying that he has earned his money from the streets
Which means you get it when I'm around
Jay-Z is saying that others can only benefit from his wealth while he is present
Rich niggas, black Bar Mitzvahs
Jay-Z is celebrating the success of his fellow wealthy African Americans
Mazel tov, it's a celebration bitches, l'chaim
Jay-Z is congratulating his friends and expressing a toast to life
I wish for you a hundred years of success but it's my time
Jay-Z is wishing his friends long-lasting success but asserting that he is currently the most successful
Cheers, toast to crime
Jay-Z is acknowledging that his wealth has come from illegal activities and raising a toast to that fact
Number one d-boy, shame he could rhyme
Jay-Z is acknowledging his status as the top drug dealer but also recognizing his skill as a rapper
Let that ride out
Jay-Z wants the music to continue playing
Bring the horns back, yeah
Jay-Z wants the horn section of the song to play again
This is black super hero music right here, baby
Jay-Z is claiming that his music is powerful and iconic, like that of a superhero
American Gangster
Jay-Z is referencing the movie 'American Gangster,' which is loosely based on his life story
Taking flight, coming to a town near you
Jay-Z is indicating that he is traveling to different locations for concerts and tours
Soon as I touch down, just want y'all to start playing the horns like
Jay-Z wants his fans to be ready to hear his music as soon as he arrives in their town
Hovi's home
Jay-Z is known by the nickname 'Hovi' and is telling his fans that he has returned home
Lukey, baby
Jay-Z is addressing someone close to him named 'Lukey'
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: David Guy, Delano Matthews, Gabriel Roth, Homer Steinweiss, Leon Michels, Levar Coppin, Michael Deller, Sean Combs, Shawn Carter, Thomas Brenneck
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DrBeauHightower
I remember being so happy when I saw Nas and Jay together in this video
@awesome_urch
Pls, point me to that time in the video
@slimjimmy4070
Plus the song they did together on this album
@QiLow105
And why is that important to you in the first place?
@moseskabiito7125
Was there bad blood between them?
@DrBeauHightower
@@moseskabiito7125 you serious?
@msc.danielagbogbo6708
The next time you play this sound, may you be a millionaire. We move.
@ghariiscool
🙏🏽
@kingtrexx1236
omo iya mi 🇳🇬
@user-pr8en4uc7k
💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽