In an interview with XXL magazine Hov elaborated on his tribute to The Ruler:
I don’t think Slick Rick had enough material. It was unfair that he didn’t get a chance to really be home in the studio and really do that again. So you gotta understand why he’s not there. The Great Adventures of Slick Rick is one of the greatest albums ever made. The Storyteller was brilliant on that. I like to pay homage. I love the culture. I really love the culture. Even to a fault. Sometimes I’m criticized for it. That’s one of the big things. You gotta pay respect to the culture.
The Ruler's Back
JAY-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh-huh uhh, uhh, uhh
Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!
I am back niggas
Ha ha ha ha ha
Uh-oh, uh-oh woo!
Ladies and gentlemen
I wanna thank everybody out there for they purchase
I surely appreciate it, woo!
What you about to witness is my thoughts
Just my thoughts man, right or wrong
Just what I was feeling at the time, uhh
You ever felt like this, vibe with me
Walk with a nigga man, just vibe with me
Yo, gather round hustlers
That's if you still livin'
And get on down to that ol' Jig rhythm
Here's a couple of jewels to help you get through your bid in prison
A ribbon in the sky, keep your head high
I, Young 'Vito, voice of the young people
Mouthpiece for hustlers, I'm back motherfuckers
Your reign on the top was shorter than leprechauns
Y'all can't fuck with Hov', what type of X y'all on?
I got great lawyers for cops so dress warm
Charges don't stick to dude, he's Teflon
I'm too sexy for jail like I'm Right Said Fred
I'm not guilty, now gimme back my bread
Mr. District Attorney, I'm not sure if they told you
I'm on TV everyday, where the fuck could I go to?
Plus Hov' don't run, Hov' stand and fight
Hov' a soldier, Hov' been fightin' all his life so
What could you do to me? It's not new to me
Sue me? Fuck you, what's a couple dollars to me?
But you will respect me, simple as that
Or I got no problem goin' back
I'm representin' for the seat where Rosa Parks sat
Where Malcolm X was shot, where Martin Luther was popped
So off we go, let the trumpets blow
And hold on, because the driver of the mission is a pro
The ruler's back
Uhh, uh-huh uhh uhh
I am back niggas
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Turn the motherfuckin' music up
The ruler's back
I am back niggas
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Well, in these times, well at least to me
There's a lot of rappers out there tryin' to sound like Jay-Z
I'll help you out, here's what you do
You gonna need a wide lens 'cause that's a very big shoe
And you got a couple of beans and you don't have a clue?
You situation is bleek, I'ma keep it real 'cause
Fuckin' with me, you gotta drop a mil'
'Cause if you gonna cop somethin' you gotta cop for real
Don't only talk it, walk like it
From the bricks to the booth
I could predict the future like Cleo the psychic
You can't date skee-os and wife it
And you can't sell me bullshit, we know the prices
So what your life is?
We gon' roll 'til the wheels fall off, y'all muh'fuckers check the tires
Off we go, let the trumpets blow
And hold on, because the driver of that Bentley is a pro
The ruler's back
Uhh, uhh
I am back niggas
Feels good! Ha
Pah, holla at me!
The ruler's back
Yeah, woo!
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Now bounce, come on bounce
Uhh, woo! Woo!
Bounce, come on bounce
Uhh, uhh, yeah, yeah
Bounce, come on bounce
Uhh, yeah, just my thoughts ladies and gentlemen
Just what I'm feelin at the time, you know what I mean?
Knahmean?
Jay-Z's "The Ruler's Back" is a song where the rapper brings his own personal style to the table, professing his comeback and reign as a ruler. The opening lines of the song feature the artist exclaiming his return, commanding attention through his confident and commanding voice. The lyrics describe Jay-Z as a street hustler who is back to share his thoughts and insights with his audience.
The song incorporates his experiences and understanding of life as a black man, referencing the legacies of influential figures such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks. Jay-Z utilizes his rhymes to express his experiences and convey the message that he is the king of his own empire. He evokes the sounds of trumpets to emphasize his supremacy, and calls out other rappers who try to sound like him, warning them not to copy his style.
In summary, "The Ruler's Back" is a proclamation of Jay-Z's strength and resilience, and his sense of purpose in representing black culture as a powerful force to be reckoned with.
Line by Line Meaning
I am back niggas
Jay-Z is announcing his return to the rap game
What you about to witness is my thoughts
The upcoming verses are Jay-Z's personal thoughts and feelings
Just my thoughts man, right or wrong
Jay-Z acknowledges that his thoughts may not be universally agreed upon
You ever felt like this, vibe with me
Jay-Z invites the listener to relate to his experiences
Here's a couple of jewels to help you get through your bid in prison
Jay-Z offers advice to those serving time in prison
Your reign on the top was shorter than leprechauns
Jay-Z asserts his superiority over other rappers
Y'all can't fuck with Hov', what type of X y'all on?
Jay-Z questions the skills of other rappers who try to compete with him
Charges don't stick to dude, he's Teflon
Jay-Z boasts of his legal protection and ability to avoid conviction
I'm too sexy for jail like I'm Right Said Fred
Jay-Z humorously suggests that he is too attractive for prison
Mr. District Attorney, I'm not sure if they told you
Jay-Z addresses the prosecutor directly
I'm on TV everyday, where the fuck could I go to?
Jay-Z questions the likelihood of him committing a crime
But you will respect me, simple as that
Jay-Z demands respect from those who oppose him
Or I got no problem goin' back
Jay-Z warns that he will retaliate if disrespected
I'm representin' for the seat where Rosa Parks sat
Jay-Z honors the legacy of Rosa Parks and civil rights activism
So off we go, let the trumpets blow
Jay-Z is ready to proceed with his music and career
Well, in these times, well at least to me
Jay-Z is discussing the state of the rap industry
There's a lot of rappers out there tryin' to sound like Jay-Z
Jay-Z observes that many rappers are imitating his style
I could predict the future like Cleo the psychic
Jay-Z boasts of his ability to see trends in the rap industry
So what your life is?
Jay-Z questions the authenticity of other rappers' lifestyles
We gon' roll 'til the wheels fall off
Jay-Z and his crew will continue their success until the very end
Now bounce, come on bounce
Jay-Z encourages the listener to dance and enjoy the music
Just my thoughts ladies and gentlemen
Jay-Z reiterates that these are his personal thoughts and opinions
Just what I'm feelin at the time, you know what I mean?
Jay-Z emphasizes that his lyrics reflect his immediate emotions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Shawn C Carter, Phillip L Hurtt, Walter B Sigler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind