Renegade
Jay‐Z & Eminem Lyrics


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Motherfuckers
Say that I'm foolish I only talk about jewels (bling bling)
Do you fools listen to music or do you just skim through it?
See I'm influenced by the ghetto you ruined
That same dude you gave nothing, I made something doing
What I do through and through and
I give you the news, with a twist it's just his ghetto point-of-view
The renegade, you been afraid
I penetrate pop culture, bring 'em a lot closer to the block where they
Pop toasters, and they live with they moms
Got dropped roasters, from botched robberies, niggas crotched over
Mommy's knocked up 'cause she wasn't watched over
Knocked down by some clown when child support knocked
No he's not around, now how that sound to ya, jot it down
I bring it through the ghetto without riding 'round
Hiding down, ducking strays from frustrated youths stuck in they ways
Just read a magazine that fucked up my day
How you rate music that thugs with nothing relate to it?
I help them see they way through it, not you
Can't step in my pants, can't walk in my shoes
Bet everything you worth, you lose your tie and your shirt

Since I'm in a position to talk to these kids and they listen
I ain't no politician but I'll kick it with 'em a minute
'Cause see they call me a menace, and if the shoe fits I'll wear it
But if it don't, then y'all will swallow the truth grin and bear it
Now who's the king of these rude ludicrous lucrative lyrics?
Who could inherit the title, put the youth in hysterics
Using his music to steer it, sharing his views and his merits?
But there's a huge interference, they're saying you shouldn't hear it
Maybe it's hatred I spew, maybe it's food for the spirit
Maybe it's beautiful music I made for you to just cherish
But I'm debated, disputed, hated and viewed in America
As a motherfucking drug addict, like you didn't experiment?
Now now, that's when you start to stare at who's in the mirror
And see yourself as a kid again, and you get embarrassed
And I got nothing to do but make you look stupid as parents
You fucking do-gooders, too bad you couldn't do good at marriage
And do you have any clue what I had to do to get here?
I don't think you do, so stay tuned and keep your ears glued to the stereo
'Cause here we go, he's (Jigga joint Jigga-chk-Jigga)
And I'm the sinister, Mr. Kiss-My-Ass it's just the

Renegade, never been afraid to say
What's on my mind at, any given time of day
'Cause I'm a renegade, never been afraid to talk
About anything (anything?) anything (anything) renegade
Never been afraid to say
What's on my mind at, any given time of day
'Cause I'm a renegade, never been afraid to holler
About anything (anything?) anything (anything)

I had to hustle, my back to the wall, ashy knuckles
Pockets filled with a lotta lint, not a cent
Gotta vent, lotta innocent lives lost on the project bench
What you hollerin'? Gotta pay rent, bring dollars in
By the bodega, iron under my coat
Feelin' braver, durag wrappin' my waves up, pockets full of hope
Do not step to me, I'm awkward, I box lefty
An orphan, my pops left me
And often, my mama wasn't home
Could not stress to me, I wasn't grown
'Specially on nights I brought somethin' home
To quiet the stomach rumblings
My demeanor, thirty years my senior
My childhood didn't mean much, only raisin' green up
Raisin' my fingers to critics
Raisin' my head to the sky, Big, I did it, multi before I die
No lie, just know I chose my own fate
I drove by the fork in the road and went straight

See I'm a poet to some, a regular modern day Shakespeare
Jesus Christ the King of these Latter Day Saints here
To shatter the picture in which of that as they paint me
As a monger of hate and Satan a scatter-brained atheist
But that ain't the case, see it's a matter of taste
We as a people decide if Shady's as bad as they say he is
Or is he the latter, a gateway to escape?
Media scapegoat, who they can be mad at today
See it's as easy as cake, simple as whistling Dixie
While I'm waving the pistol at sixty Christians against me
Go to war with the Mormons, take a bath with the Catholics
In holy water, no wonder they try to hold me under longer
I'm a motherfucking spiteful, delightful eyeful
The new Ice Cube, motherfuckers hate to like you
What did I do? (huh?) I'm just a kid from the gutter
Making this butter off these bloodsuckers, 'cause I'm a motherfucking

Renegade, never been afraid to say
What's on my mind at, any given time of day (oh)
'Cause I'm a renegade, never been afraid to talk
About anything (anything?) anything (anything) renegade
Never been afraid to say
What's on my mind at, any given time of day (oh)
'Cause I'm a renegade, never been afraid to holler
About anything (anything?) anything (anything)

Renegade, never been afraid to say
What's on my mind at, any given time of day (oh)
'Cause I'm a renegade, never been afraid to talk
About anything (anything?) anything (anything) renegade
Never been afraid to say
What's on my mind at, any given time of day (oh)




'Cause I'm a renegade, never been afraid to holler
About anything (anything?) anything (anything)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jay-Z and Eminem's track "Renegade" take on a number of themes that are relevant to both of the artists' upbringings in the inner city. From the beginning, Jay-Z addresses critics who accuse him of being foolish for only talking about his affluence and jewelry, questioning whether people who skim through music even listen to it at all. He asserts that he is simply presenting the news from his "ghetto point-of-view" and addressing topics that relate to his own experiences. Later in the song, Eminem takes on the haters who label him a menace, spewing hate and presenting drugs to young people in his music. He posits that maybe it's not about hate at all, but about sharing beautiful music that listeners can cherish.


Both Jay-Z and Eminem touch on issues related to growing up in poverty, including the struggle to provide for one's family and the toll that the streets can take on young people. They also both speak to their own experiences with abandonment, whether by a father who left them to fend for themselves or a society that cast them aside. Overall, "Renegade" is a powerful and multifaceted exploration of life in the inner city, complete with all its highs and lows.


Line by Line Meaning

Motherfuckers Say that I'm foolish I only talk about jewels (bling bling)
People often criticize me for only talking about material possessions such as jewelry and wealth.


Do you fools listen to music or do you just skim through it?
Are you actually taking the time to listen and understand the message in the music, or just quickly skimming through it without comprehension?


See I'm influenced by the ghetto you ruined That same dude you gave nothing, I made something doing What I do through and through and I give you the news, with a twist it's just his ghetto point-of-view
I was raised in the ghetto, which inspires my music and perspective. Despite coming from a disadvantaged background, I have managed to make a successful career out of it and share my experiences through my music, providing a unique perspective on current events.


The renegade, you been afraid I penetrate pop culture, bring 'em a lot closer to the block where they Pop toasters, and they live with they moms Got dropped roasters, from botched robberies, niggas crotched over Mommy's knocked up 'cause she wasn't watched over Knocked down by some clown when child support knocked No he's not around, now how that sound to ya, jot it down I bring it through the ghetto without riding 'round Hiding down, ducking strays from frustrated youths stuck in they ways
I am the renegade, who brings truth to the pop culture industry. I shed light on issues that are prominent in the hood, such as violence and poverty. The people living in these conditions must resort to crime in order to get by, resulting in detrimental consequences such as incarceration and single parenthood. As a rapper, my responsibility is to bring awareness to these issues without glorifying them.


Just read a magazine that fucked up my day How you rate music that thugs with nothing relate to it? I help them see they way through it, not you Can't step in my pants, can't walk in my shoes Bet everything you worth, you lose your tie and your shirt Since I'm in a position to talk to these kids and they listen I ain't no politician but I'll kick it with 'em a minute 'Cause see they call me a menace, and if the shoe fits I'll wear it But if it don't, then y'all will swallow the truth grin and bear it
Media often paints a negative image of rap music and its listeners, assuming they are all violent criminals. However, I understand and relate to the struggles of those living in poverty and use my music to provide them with comfort and inspiration. As someone who has made it out of the hood, it is my responsibility to help guide and educate the youth, despite being labeled as a menace or negative influence.


Now who's the king of these rude ludicrous lucrative lyrics? Who could inherit the title, put the youth in hysterics Using his music to steer it, sharing his views and his merits? But there's a huge interference, they're saying you shouldn't hear it
I am widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential rappers, using my music as a tool to inspire and educate the youth. Despite controversy and detractors, there are those who recognize the value of my message and understand the importance of rap music as a means of expression.


Maybe it's hatred I spew, maybe it's food for the spirit Maybe it's beautiful music I made for you to just cherish But I'm debated, disputed, hated and viewed in America As a motherfucking drug addict, like you didn't experiment?
People often assume that my music is full of hatred and negativity, but in reality it can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Some may find inspiration or comfort in it, while others may see it as a reflection of the struggles and harsh realities of life. Despite my success, I am still subjected to negative stereotypes and assumptions, including the accusations of drug addiction.


Now now, that's when you start to stare at who's in the mirror And see yourself as a kid again, and you get embarrassed And I got nothing to do but make you look stupid as parents You fucking do-gooders, too bad you couldn't do good at marriage And do you have any clue what I had to do to get here? I don't think you do, so stay tuned and keep your ears glued to the stereo
My music can be difficult for some people to swallow, as it reflects harsh realities and exposes difficult truths. Despite this, it is important to confront these issues in order to move forward as a society. I succeeded despite difficult circumstances and obstacles, and it is important for listeners to recognize the hard work and dedication it takes to make it to the top.


'Cause here we go, he's (Jigga joint Jigga-chk-Jigga) And I'm the sinister, Mr. Kiss-My-Ass it's just the Renegade, never been afraid to say What's on my mind at, any given time of day 'Cause I'm a renegade, never been afraid to talk About anything (anything?) anything (anything) renegade Never been afraid to say 'Cause I'm a renegade, never been afraid to holler About anything (anything?) anything (anything)
Together, Jay-Z and I have collaborated to create a powerful and potent track, expressing our views and experiences with no fear of backlash or judgment. As renegades, we have always been true to ourselves and our message, speaking out about issues that are important and impactful to us, regardless of potential critics or controversy.


I had to hustle, my back to the wall, ashy knuckles Pockets filled with a lotta lint, not a cent Gotta vent, lotta innocent lives lost on the project bench What you hollerin'? Gotta pay rent, bring dollars in By the bodega, iron under my coat Feelin' braver, durag wrappin' my waves up, pockets full of hope Do not step to me, I'm awkward, I box lefty An orphan, my pops left me And often, my mama wasn't home Could not stress to me, I wasn't grown 'Specially on nights I brought somethin' home To quiet the stomach rumblings My demeanor, thirty years my senior My childhood didn't mean much, only raisin' green up Raisin' my fingers to critics Raisin' my head to the sky, Big, I did it, multi before I die No lie, just know I chose my own fate I drove by the fork in the road and went straight
Growing up in the projects, I had to fight and hustle in order to survive. My family was broken and I often felt alone and unsupported. Despite these struggles, I remained strong and resilient, determined to make a better life for myself. I turned to music as a way to express my emotions and experiences, ultimately finding success and proving my critics wrong. I refused to let difficult circumstances define me, taking control of my own fate and paving my own path.


See I'm a poet to some, a regular modern day Shakespeare Jesus Christ the King of these Latter Day Saints here To shatter the picture in which of that as they paint me As a monger of hate and Satan a scatter-brained atheist But that ain't the case, see it's a matter of taste We as a people decide if Shady's as bad as they say he is Or is he the latter, a gateway to escape? Media scapegoat, who they can be mad at today See it's as easy as cake, simple as whistling Dixie While I'm waving the pistol at sixty Christians against me Go to war with the Mormons, take a bath with the Catholics In holy water, no wonder they try to hold me under longer I'm a motherfucking spiteful, delightful eyeful The new Ice Cube, motherfuckers hate to like you What did I do? (huh?) I'm just a kid from the gutter Making this butter off these bloodsuckers, 'cause I'm a motherfucking
Despite accusations of hatred and negativity, my music is reflective of my own experiences and struggles, painting a picture of the reality of life as a disadvantaged and misunderstood youth. Unfortunately, my success has put me in the crosshairs of media and the masses who are quick to judge and criticize without truly understanding the message behind my music. Despite controversy, I will continue to speak my truth and make my voice heard through my artful lyrics.


What's on my mind at, any given time of day (oh)
As a true artist, my mind is constantly active and processing new ideas and perspectives. My music is a reflection of my thoughts and experiences, serving as a medium through which I can share my message and inspire others.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Luis Resto, Marshall Mathers, Shawn Carter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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