Open Letter
Jay-Z/Swizz Beatz 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
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
Y'all gon' learn today
The song Open Letter by Jay-Z is a commentary on his social, political, and economical position as an artist, businessman, and celebrity. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, where he proclaims his authority and commands the audience’s attention. He goes on to talk about his ability to change things up and avoid being cornered by his rivals or the system. For example, he talks about how he can pivot from his Cuban trip to Atlanta and also how he can stay one step ahead of the police by using bulletproof gear and radio scanners.
Jay-Z also touches on his personal grievances with politicians who only use their power to distort history and line their pockets. He claims that he is untouchable because he is wealthy enough to buy off his enemies and even commit a real crime if he wanted to. He also boasts about his property ownership and his business savvy, pointing out that he made millions off the Nets deal and still owns the building. In contrast, he criticizes those who believe in illusions and are fooled by the same politicians who tried to bring him down.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen
Addressing the audience
Goddammit
Expressing frustration, annoyance, or anger
Let this shit knock
Asking for the music to be played loudly
I done turned Havana to Atlanta
I have successfully changed my location from Havana to Atlanta
Guayabera shirts and bandanas
Clothing items associated with Cuban culture
Every time you think they got me I switch the plan up
I am always changing my strategy to avoid being caught by the authorities
Bulletproof this, radio scanners
Taking measures to evade police surveillance and detection
Ballin' 'til they ban us
Continuing to party and have fun until it is no longer permitted
You gettin' too much bread, they try to jam you
People will try to bring you down if you become too successful
Boy from the hood but got White House clearance
I came from a poor background, but now I have access to the highest levels of government
Sorry y'all, I don't agree with y'all appearance
I do not approve of your actions or behavior
Politicians never did shit for me
Politicians have not done anything to help me personally
Except lie to me, distort history
The only thing politicians have done is tell lies and manipulate the truth
Wanna give me jail time and a fine
They want to punish me for my actions with prison time and monetary penalties
Fine, let me commit a real crime
I am willing to take the risk and break the law for real instead of being falsely accused
I might buy a kilo for Chief Keef
I am considering purchasing illegal drugs for Chief Keef as a form of retaliation
Out of spite, I just might flood these streets
I may engage in disruptive behavior just to irritate others
Hear the freedom in my speech
My words represent my personal freedom and independence
Got an onion from Universal, read it and weep
I obtained sensitive information from Universal and am now reveling in the power that it brings
Would've brought the Nets to Brooklyn for free
I could have brought the Nets to Brooklyn without charge
Except I made millions off it, you fuckin' dweeb
However, I earned millions of dollars from this venture and am not going to give it away for free
I still own the building, I'm still keeping my seat
I still maintain ownership of the Nets' building and will continue to be involved with the team's operations
Y'all buy that bullshit, you'd better keep y'all receipt
Do not believe everything that you hear, keep proof of your purchases
Obama said "chill, you gonna get me impeached"
Barack Obama warned me to calm down as my actions may lead to his impeachment
But you don't need this shit anyway
You should not become involved in this situation, it is not worth it
Chill with me on the beach
Come hang out with me and relax in a stress-free environment
Y'all gon' learn today
I am going to teach you an important lesson today
Y'all almost want to start a revolution
You are becoming so angry that you might begin to start a rebellion
You know whenever I'm threatened, I start shooting, bark
I react with aggression and violence when I feel threatened
Catch a body, head to Houston
If I harm someone, I may need to flee to Houston to avoid legal consequences
I'm in Cuba, I love Cubans
I am currently in Cuba and enjoy the company of Cuban people
This communist talk is so confusing
I find the discussion of communism and socialist ideologies to be perplexing and unclear
When it's from China, the very mic that I'm using
Ironically, the microphone I am using to speak was manufactured in China, a country with a communist government
Idiot wind, the Bob Dylan of rap music
I am the Bob Dylan of rap music, known for my biting satire and social commentary
You're an idiot, baby, you should become a student
You are ignorant and should become more educated
Oh, you gonna learn today
I will teach you something important
Where the fuck have you been
Why have you been absent or inactive in this situation?
The world's under new management
A new order of power and control is taking over the world
The new role model, fuck this Zoolander shit
I am the new model for how to behave and am not interested in superficiality and vanity
Y'all gon' learn today
I am going to impart important knowledge on you now
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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