Open Letter
JAY Z Feat. COMMON Lyrics
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Goddammit
Let this shit knock
I done turned Havana to Atlanta
Guayabera shirts and bandanas
Every time you think they got me I switch the plan up
Bulletproof this, radio scanners
You gettin' too much bread, they try to jam you
Boy from the hood but got White House clearance
Sorry y'all, I don't agree with y'all appearance
Politicians never did shit for me
Except lie to me, distort history
Wanna give me jail time and a fine
Fine, let me commit a real crime
I might buy a kilo for Chief Keef
Out of spite, I just might flood these streets
Hear the freedom in my speech
Got an onion from Universal, read it and weep
Would've brought the Nets to Brooklyn for free
Except I made millions off it, you fuckin' dweeb
I still own the building, I'm still keeping my seat
Y'all buy that bullshit, you'd better keep y'all receipt
Obama said "chill, you gonna get me impeached"
But you don't need this shit anyway
Chill with me on the beach
[Hook: Swizz Beatz]
Y'all gon' learn today
Y'all almost want to start a revolution
You know whenever I'm threatened, I start shooting, bark
Catch a body, head to Houston
I'm in Cuba, I love Cubans
This communist talk is so confusing
When it's from China, the very mic that I'm using
Idiot wind, the Bob Dylan of rap music
You're an idiot, baby, you should become a student
Oh, you gonna learn today
Where the fuck have you been
The world's under new management
The new role model, fuck this Zoolander shit
[Hook: Swizz Beatz]
Y'all gon' learn today
The song "Open Letter" by JAY Z Feat. COMMON was released as a response to the controversy surrounding JAY Z's trip to Cuba with his wife Beyoncé in 2013. The song is a classic JAY Z track that boasts of his success while also touching on political themes. The lyrics start with JAY Z talking about his trip to Cuba and how he turned Havana into Atlanta. He then goes on to talk about how he is always one step ahead of his detractors who try to bring him down. JAY Z also touches on the topic of politicians and how they have never done anything for him except lie to him and distort history.
Furthermore, he talks about his ownership of the Nets basketball team and how he would have brought them to Brooklyn for free, except he made millions from the deal. JAY Z also touches on the topic of freedom and how he got an onion from Universal that made him weep. He ends the song by dismissing the controversy surrounding his trip to Cuba and inviting everyone to chill with him on the beach.
Overall, "Open Letter" is a classic JAY Z track that combines his signature braggadocio with real-world issues. The song is an excellent example of JAY Z's talent for weaving personal experiences with social commentary.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen
Addressing the audience
Goddammit
Exclaiming with frustration
Let this shit knock
Requesting to let the music play
I done turned Havana to Atlanta
I have successfully changed locations
Guayabera shirts and bandanas
Referring to his new fashion style
Every time you think they got me I switch the plan up
I am always ahead of the game and never get caught
Bulletproof this, radio scanners
Taking extra measures for protection
Ballin' 'til they ban us
Continuing to be successful until they try to stop us
You gettin' too much bread, they try to jam you
When you are successful, others try to bring you down
Boy from the hood but got White House clearance
A person from a poor background who achieved political access
Sorry y'all, I don't agree with y'all appearance
Unwilling to conform to traditional norms
Politicians never did shit for me
Being critical of politicians and their lack of accomplishments
Except lie to me, distort history
Politicians have lied and manipulated the truth
Wanna give me jail time and a fine
Being threatened with legal consequences
Fine, let me commit a real crime
Implying the legal system is flawed and corrupt
I might buy a kilo for Chief Keef
Referencing a controversial rapper and drug use
Out of spite, I just might flood these streets
Possibly engaging in illegal activity as revenge
Hear the freedom in my speech
Believing in the power of free speech
Got an onion from Universal, read it and weep
Receiving confidential information and challenging others to prove him wrong
Would've brought the Nets to Brooklyn for free
Indicating wealth and superiority
Except I made millions off it, you fuckin' dweeb
Boasting about financial success
I still own the building, I'm still keeping my seat
Stating ownership and refusing to step down
Y'all buy that bullshit, you'd better keep y'all receipt
Disrespecting those who believe in false information
Obama said "chill, you gonna get me impeached"
Claiming to have caused concern for the President
But you don't need this shit anyway
Dismissing the need for approval or validation
Chill with me on the beach
Inviting the audience to relax and enjoy life
Y'all gon' learn today
Warning the audience of imminent lesson
Y'all almost want to start a revolution
Acknowledging a desire for change and uprising
You know whenever I'm threatened, I start shooting, bark
Reacting defensively and aggressively to threats
Catch a body, head to Houston
Making a reference to murder and fleeing to another location
I'm in Cuba, I love Cubans
Expressing fondness for Cubans and their culture
This communist talk is so confusing
Expressing confusion over conflicting ideologies
When it's from China, the very mic that I'm using
Pointing out the irony of dependence on Chinese goods
Idiot wind, the Bob Dylan of rap music
Comparing himself to a legendary artist
You're an idiot, baby, you should become a student
Calling out those who lack knowledge or understanding
Oh, you gonna learn today
Emphasizing the imminent lesson and knowledge
Where the fuck have you been
Questioning the audience's absence or lack of knowledge
The world's under new management
Claiming control over the world and its direction
The new role model, fuck this Zoolander shit
Rejecting traditional beauty standards
Y'all gon' learn today
Reiterating the importance of knowledge
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MM, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, JEROME HARMON, KASSEEM DEAN, TIMOTHY MOSLEY, CHARLES BRADLEY, THOMAS R. BRENNECK, DAVID GUY, LEON MICHELS, HOMER STEINWEISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind