Run This Town
JAY Z Lyrics

Feel it comin' in the air (yeah)
Sense that something big is about to happen

And the screams from everywhere (yeah)
The excitement and anticipation is palpable

I'm addicted to the thrill (I'm ready)
Thrives on adrenaline and taking risks

It's a dangerous love affair (what's up?, C'mon)
The excitement comes with a fair share of risk and danger

Can't be scared when it goes down
Fearlessness is key in high stakes situations

Got a problem, tell me now (what's up?)
Address any issues or challenges head on

Only thing that's on my mind (Whats up)
Focusing on the goal of being in control

Is who's gonna run this town tonight (what's up?)
Who will come out on top and be in charge

This is Roc Nation, pledge your allegiance
This is a powerful organization with a strong sense of loyalty

Get ya'll black tees on, all black everything
Dress code for the team is unified and fierce

Black cards, black cars, all black everything
Wealth and status is on full display

And our girls are blackbirds, ridin' with they Dillingers
Our women are strong and independent, like Bonnie and Clyde

I'd get more in depth, if you boys really real enough
Authenticity and toughness is crucial to be a part of this group

This is la familia, I'll explain later
We are a family, our bond and connection is deep

But for now let me get back to this paper, I'm a couple bands down
Gotta stay busy and focused on making money, despite setbacks

And I'm tryin' to get back
Trying to regain lost momentum and success

I gave the other grip, I lost a flip for five stacks
Lost some money to a rival, but willing to keep gambling

Yeah I'm talkin' five comma's, six zeros, dot zeroes here it go,
Talking about seriously high amounts of money

Back to runnin' circles 'round niggas, now we squared up, hold up
Back in control and ready to dominate the competition

Life's a game but it's not fair
Acknowledges that life is a competition, but it's not necessarily a level playing field

I break the rules so I don't care
Willing to bend or break the rules to come out on top

So I keep doin' my own thing
Staying true to oneself and not letting others dictate actions

Walkin' tall against the rain (what's up?)
Facing challenges head on with confidence

Victory's within the mile
Success is within reach

Almost there, don't give up now (what's up?)
Keep pushing and persevering to achieve goals

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, heyy
Chanting and rallying cry to pump up energy and excitement

You can call me Caesar, in a dark Czar
Comparing himself to powerful and respected historical figures

Please follow the leader, So Eric B. We are
A call to follow the leader and be part of an elite group

Microphone fiend, it's the return of the God, peace God
A confident claim of being the best and a rap god

(Ah! Ah!) And ain't nobody fresher, I'm in Mason
Brags about style and fashion sense

Martin Margiela
Name dropping designer brand to reinforce high status

On the tape we're screamin' fuck the other side, they jealous
Taunting and challenging competitors

We got a banquet for the broads, they got a table for of fellas
Showing off wealth and celebrating with women

And they ain't spending no cake
The competition can't keep up with spending

They should throw they hand in
They should give up and accept defeat

'Cause they ain't got no spades
Playing on the card game metaphor to suggest the competition has nothing to compete with

My whole team got dough
Emphasizing group success and wealth

So my banquette is looking like millionaires' row
Displays opulent wealth and luxury

It's crazy how you can go from being Joe Blow
Reflecting on success and how quickly things can change

To everybody on your dick, no homo
Attention and admiration from others can quickly follow success

I bought my whole family whips, no Volvo's
Spending money on expensive cars for family members

Next time I'm in church, please no photos
Asking for privacy and reverence in religious settings

Police escorts, everybody passports
Displays status and power, with resources to travel anywhere

This the life that everybody ask for
Acknowledging that the lifestyle is highly coveted and desirable

This a fast life, we are on a crash course
The lifestyle is high speed and high risk

What you think I rap for, to push a fucking Rav-4?
Rhetorical question about the purpose of his success and fame

But I know that if I stay stun-ting
If he keeps showing off and flaunting wealth, he will only attract people who want to use him

All these girls only gonna want one thing
Girls will only want him for his wealth, not because of who he is

I could spend my whole life good will hunting
Could spend a lifetime finding authentic relationships

Only good gon' come is as good when I'm coming
The only good he can trust is his own success

She got a ass that'll swallow up a g-string
Objectification of women and sexualization

And up top, uh, two bee stings
Continuation of sexualization

And I'm beasting, off the Riesling
Acting wild and crazy, fueled by alcohol

And my nigga just made it out the precinct
Celebrating a friend getting out of jail

We give a damn about the drama that you do bring
Not caring about competitors or their drama

I'm just trying to change the color on your mood ring
Trying to influence or dominate the competition

Reebok, baby, you need to drop some new things
As a powerful figure, demanding changes from brands

Have you ever had shoes without shoe strings?
Suggesting superior status and preference

What's that 'Ye? Baby, these heels
Kanye West responds to previous line, bragging about high heels

Is that a may? What?
Jay Z misunderstands and questions what Kanye means

Baby, these wheels
Kanye clarifies that he is talking about his car

You trippin' when you ain't sippin', have a refill
Encouraging Jay Z to keep drinking and enjoying the night

You feelin' like you runnin', huh? Now you know how we feel, (what's up?)
Gloating about success and power, and questioning competitors

We gonna run this town tonight!
Final declaration of dominance and control

What's up?!
Rhetorical question and challenge to competition