Can I Live
JAY-Z (feat. Memphis Bleek) Lyrics

Yeah, yeah Roc-A-Fella
Introduction to the song

We invite you to, something epic y'all know?
Invitation to experience something great

Well we hustle out of a sense of, hopelessness
The artists feel like they have no other choice but to hustle

Sort of a desperation
Desperate situation leads to their hustle

Through that desperation, we 'come addicted
Desperation leads to addiction to hustle

Sorta like the fiends we accustomed to serving
The artists understand what it's like to be addicted to something

But we feel we have nothing to lose
Their desperation makes them feel like they have nothing to lose by hustling

So we offer you, well, we offer our lives, right
The artists are willing to put everything on the line to succeed

What do you bring to the table?
Asking the listener what they bring to the table in this hustle

While I'm watching every nigga watching me closely
People pay attention to and are envious of the artist's success

My shit is butter for the bread they wanna toast me
The artist's success makes others want to celebrate them

I keep my head, both of them where they supposed to be
The artist keeps a level head amidst all the attention

Hoes'll get you sidetracked then clap from closed feet
Women can be a distraction and cause danger to the artist

I don't sleep, I'm tired, I feel wired like codeine, these days
The artist is constantly working and doesn't have time to rest

A brother gotta admire from four fiends away
The artist's success is so great, even those who sell drugs for a living respect it

My pain wish it was quick to see, from selling 'caine
The artist's past involvement in drug selling has caused them pain

Til brains was fried to a fricassee, can't lie
The effects of drug selling on the artist have been severe

At the time it never bothered me, at the bar
The artist didn't realize the harm of drug selling until later on

Getting my thug on properly, my squad and me
The artist is indulging in thug culture with their friends

Lack of respect for authority, laughing hard
The artist doesn't have respect for authority figures and finds it amusing

Happy to be escaping poverty, however brief
The artist is happy to have escaped poverty, even if it's not a permanent solution

I know this game got valleys and peaks, expectation
The artist acknowledges that success in the music industry is not always consistent

For dips, four percent pertation we stack chips, hardly
The artist saves their earnings for down times in their career

The youth I used to be, soon to see a mill'in
The artist is proud of their success and their journey to it

No more, Big Willie my game has grown prefer you call me William
The artist has matured and wants to be addressed by their given name

Illin' for revenues, grateful dim the light
The artist is thankful for their success and tries to keep a low profile

Channel 7 news, round seven jewels, hand getting the mic
The artist is receiving attention for their success and has received numerous accolades

Forgetting all I ever knew, convenient amnesia
The artist has forgotten their past struggles and adopts a new lifestyle

I suggest you call my lawyer, I know the procedure
The artist knows their rights and suggests legal representation

Lock my body can't trap my mind, easily
The artist cannot be taken down easily

Explain why we adapt to crime
The artist wonders why crime is so prevalent in society

I'd rather die enormous than live dormant that's how we on it
The artist would rather die successful than live an uneventful life

Live at the main event, I bet a trip to Maui on it
The artist is confident in their success and willing to place bets on it

Presidential suites my residential for the weekend
The artist is living a luxurious lifestyle

Confidentially speaking in codes since I sense you peeking
The artist is aware of others watching them and speaks in secret language

The INXS rental, don't be fooled my game is mental
The artist's success is not determined by material possessions

We both out of town dog, what you trying to get into?
The artist is asking what the listener wants to do while they're both away from home

Viva, Las Vegas, see ya, later at the crap tables
The artist is going to Las Vegas to gamble

Meet me by the one that starts a G up
The artist wants to meet at a specific spot in Las Vegas

This way no fraud Willie's present gambling they re-up
The artist is avoiding dishonest people while gambling

And we can have a pleasant time, sipping margaritas
The artist wants to have a good time enjoying drinks

Yeah, can I live?
The artist is asking if they can continue living their luxurious lifestyle

My mind is infested, with sick thoughts that circle
The artist's thoughts are consumed with negativity

Like a Lexus, if driven wrong it's sure to hurt you
The artist's negative thoughts can cause them harm

Dual level like duplexes, in unity, my crew and me
The artist and their team work together to achieve success

Commit atrocities like we got immunity
The artist and their team have committed wrongdoings without facing consequences

You guessed it, manifest it in tangible goods
The artist's success is reflected in their material possessions

Platinum Rolexed it, we don't lease
The artist owns everything they have, including their expensive watch

We buy the whole care, as you should
The artist purchases expensive cars rather than leasing them

My confederation, dead a nation, EXPLODE
The artist's team has defeated their competition and has become powerful

On detonation, overload the mind of a said patient
The artist's success has affected the minds of jealous people

When it balls to steam, it comes to it
When things get tough, the artist and their team will handle it

We all fiends gotta do it, even righteous minds go through this
Everyone has their own struggles and must do what they can to get by

True this, history school us to spend our money foolish
Society has taught us to spend our money carelessly

Bond with jewelers and, watch for intruders
The artist has formed relationships with jewelers and must watch out for those trying to steal from them

I stepped it up another level, meditated like a Buddhist
The artist has moved up to another level of success and has found peace through meditation

Recruited lieutenants with ludicrous, dreams of
The artist has brought on new team members with big dreams

Getting cream let's do this, against T-D-S
The artist's team is ready to take on any and all competition

So I keep one eye open like, C-B-S, ya see me
The artist is always aware of their surroundings and potential danger

Stressed right? Can I live?
The artist is under a lot of pressure and asks if they can continue living their successful lifestyle

Can I live?
Repeating the question of whether the artist can continue living their luxurious lifestyle

Can I live?
Continuing to ask if they can continue living a successful life

Can I live?
Final question of whether the artist can keep living their successful lifestyle

Roc-A-Fella y'all
Closing statement identifying the record label the artist belongs to