No Hook
JAY Z Lyrics

Most important thing in business is honesty, integrity
To succeed in business, one must prioritize honesty, integrity, hard work, and family values, and never forget where one comes from.

Poor me, dad was gone, finally got my dad back
The artist had a difficult childhood with his father absent but was later reunited with him, only to have him taken away again due to poor health.

Guidance? I never had that, streets was my second home Welcomed me with open arms provided a place to crash at A place to study math at, matter of fact, I learned it all Burned it all, this music is where I bury the ashes at
The artist lacked guidance in his youth but found refuge in the streets, which provided him with shelter, education, and a sense of belonging. However, he left that life behind and used music as a way to transform his past struggles into something positive.

Flash back, not having much, not having that Had to get some challah bread so you can holla back and Holla at my Jewish lawyer to enjoy the fruit of letting my cash stack
The artist recalls a time of financial hardship when he could not afford food or basic necessities, but he worked hard to earn money and eventually relied on a trustworthy Jewish lawyer to help him manage his wealth.

And just in case a nigga gotta use his rat-tat-tat-tat
Despite his success, the artist remains aware of the violent realities of the world and keeps his guard up.

Own boss, own your masters, slaves The mentality I carry with me to this very day
The artist values independence and control over his own work and legacy, and rejects any system that takes advantage of artists' talents and labor.

Fuck rich, let's get wealthy, who else gon' feed we? If I need it, I'ma get it however, God help me
The artist rejects the superficial allure of being 'rich' and instead focuses on building true wealth and success, while recognizing that he may need to do whatever it takes to achieve it, with faith in God's guidance.

And I don't need no hook for this shit
The artist is so confident in his message and delivery that he does not require a catchy hook to draw in listeners.

I'm so fo' sho', it's no facade 'Stay outta trouble,' mama said as mama sighed Her fear, her youngest son be a victim of homicide But I gotta get you outta here mama, or I'ma die, inside And either way, you lose me mama so let loose of me I got the rein our direction will soon change To live and die in N.Y. in the hustle game
The artist is genuine in his demeanor and seeks to avoid trouble, despite his mother's fear that he may become a victim of violence. He understands that the only way to succeed and survive is to leave his current environment and pursue a new direction, with the goal of achieving success on his own terms.

Hustle 'caine, hustle clothes, I hustle music But hustle hard in any hustle that you pick Skinny nigga, toothpick, but, but I do lift Weight like I'm using 'roids Rolls-Royce keep my movements, smooth while maneuvering Through all the manure in the sewer that I grew up in Choices, we make tryna escape
The artist has hustled in various ways, from selling drugs to selling clothes to selling music, and emphasizes the importance of working hard in any chosen field. Despite his small stature, he works hard to prove himself and is able to navigate difficult situations with ease, always with the aim of leaving his past behind.

This is not for commercial usage Please don't categorize this as music Please don't compare me to other rappers Compare me to trappers, I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris And Luda's my dude, I ain't tryna diss Like Frank Lucas is cool, but I ain't tryna snitch I'ma follow the rules no matter how much time I'ma get I'ma live and die with the decisions that I'ma pick So fuck DeHaven for caving, that's why we don't speak Made men ain't supposed to make statements End of the story, I followed the code, cracked the safe Other niggas ain't in the game so they practice hate Leave that boy Hov alone, why don't cha? You don't have to if you don't want to But don't say I didn't warn ya
The artist is making a statement with this song and rejects the commercialization of art. He prefers to be seen as a 'trapper' rather than a rapper, drawing a comparison to the infamous drug lord Frank Lucas. He does not want to be associated with those who 'snitch' or break the rules, but rather follows a strict code of conduct. Finally, he addresses those who try to bring him down and warns them of the consequences of doing so.