What They Gonna Do
Jay‐Z feat. Sean Paul Lyrics

Yo yo yo, yo yo yo, yo yo yo (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Introduction and call to action for the audience to get hyped

Show off her wild side, push out di backside
Encouragement for women to embrace their sexuality and show off their curves and body

If you with us, throw the diamond up one time (yo, yo, yo)
Invitation for fans to signal their support by throwing up the famous diamond Roc-A-Fella hand gesture

Ladies, if you with us, just grind to the bass line (yo, yo, yo)
Encouragement for women to dance suggestively to the music

Homie, don't be scared to grab her from behind (yo, yo, yo)
Encouragement for men to take charge and initiate physical contact with women

And make her Show off the wild side Push out di backside
Reinforcement of earlier encouragement for women to express themselves sexually and embrace their bodies

Now what the fuck they gon' do with me? Got money, got broads, got a crew with me
Boastful expression of wealth, power, and connections

Real as banana clips, I got a zoo with me Get down and lay down nigga to shoot with me
Boastful expression of toughness and willingness to engage in violence if necessary

Now how the fuck they gon' deal with me? I ain't going nowhere, they gotta deal with me Got the whole BK ready to kill with me You scared motherfucka, keep it real with me, keep it real with me
Threat of violence against enemies or detractors, and refusal to back down or leave the music scene

Now what the fuck they gon say to me? Got to clap, yi mean all day with me, clap, yi mean Don't play with me, clap, yi mean Stay with me, don't lose me y'all
Warning to rivals to avoid confrontation, and reminder that the artist is surrounded by allies and armed supporters

And please don't confuse me with dog, I'm different I bought it back for a livin' Thirty three O's on a chick back like Pippen (woo) Three she can keep for herself to distribute Thirty six O's in a ki, you do the addition
Statement of unique individuality and entrepreneurial success in the drug trade, with reference to basketball player Scottie Pippen and the math of drug multiplication and distribution

Before Mitchell and Ness did it I was moving birds like a Oriole fitted I'm Cal Ripken Jr. let's get it
Claim of being an early pioneer in the drug trade, with reference to sports brands and baseball player Cal Ripken Jr.

Homie, don't be scared to grab it from behind (yo, yo, yo) Honey, what they gon' say to you? Got your hair did and your favorite shoes Tell 'em don't play with you, get 'em away from you You need a baller like I, call 'em like I See 'em like, nah
Reiteration of earlier encouragement for men to take charge and initiate physical contact with women, and advice for women to reject unwanted attention and seek out successful men as partners

Move over y'all amateurs No, you not balling that's Pro-Am shit Oh, stop calling that's hoe-man shit Stop falling asleep that's old man shit
Dismissal of less successful or skilled rappers and critiques of their lack of success, authenticity, and creativity

I stands up in it like a champ up in it Be up in it so long, get my calls transferred in it No more minute man in it Get my Soundscan, BDS, and Market and Glance in it
Confident and experienced boast of sexual prowess and business expertise, with reference to industry tracking and analysis tools

Push out di backside (whatch'all gon' do) You got starch in your flow I flow too many ways, got a arch in my flow All sorts of flow, Rembrandt, Rilke I am art with the flow Even if I'm guilty, you gotta pardon the flow
Self-congratulatory and poetic description of the artist's versatile and artistic rap flow, with reference to historical artists and the possibility of legal trouble

Niggas taking it lightly, had to darken the flow Way I put it together, tear 'em apart with the flow I'm too smart with the flow, you just started the flow Stop it youngin', you 106th & Park with the flow
Diss of rival rappers who are seen as less talented or experienced, and playful reference to the popular music television show

I am pro, as you see I'm off the charts with the flow Actually I'm number one on the charts with the flow In some places they say this, I am God with the flow Like my office, but they're biased, too involved with the flow
Boast of exceptional talent and commercial success, with reference to music industry rankings and popularity, and self-comparison to a divine figure

(Although) I am the youth spirit, I am y'all with the flow Troubled man, dare I say, I am Mar with the flow I come up hard but I evolve with the flow Crossover, slam dunk, Rucker Park with the flow
Claim of connection to and representation of youth culture and communities, and boast of adaptability and growth in artistic career, with reference to basketball and streetball culture

Let's go (Woo) Yes (Yo, yo, yo) (Woo) Yes Yes (Yo, yo, yo) ah (Yo, yo, yo) I need a girl right now (Yo, yo, yo) yo (Yo, yo, yo) Yeah (Yo, yo, yo) can I do your backside? (Yo, yo, yo) Yo I need a girl right now Can I do your backside?
Closing call to action and continuation of earlier themes of sexuality and romance