Gotta Have It
Jay-Z; Kanye West Lyrics


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Turn my headphones up, louder
Uh-huh, uh-huh

(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need)
Hello, hello, hello, hello, white America, assassinate my character
Money matrimony, yeah, they tryna break the marriage up
Who gon' act phonier? Who gon' try to embarrass ya?
I'ma need a day off, I think I'll call Ferris up
Bueller had a Mueller, but I switched it for a Miele
'Cause I'm richer, and prior to this shit was movin' freebase
Had a conference with the DJ's (yeah), Puerto Rico three-days
Poli' with the PDs, now they got our shit on replay
Sorry I'm in pajamas, but I just got off the PJ
And last party we had, they shut down Prive
(Ain't that where the Heat play?) Yep (niggas hate ballers these days) yup
Ain't that like LeBron James? (Ain't that just like D-Wade, wait)

(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need)

What's up, what's up, what's up, what's up
What's up ma'fucka, where my money at? (what you need)
You gon' make me come down to your house where yo' mommy at (what you need)
Mummy wrap the kids, have 'em cryin' for they mommy back
Dummy that your daddy is, tell 'em I just want my racks
(Racks on racks on racks) racks
(Maybachs on bachs on bachs on bachs on bachs) who in that?
Oh shit, it's just blacks on blacks on blacks
(Hundred stack) how you get it? (Nigga, layin' raps on tracks)
I wish I could give you this feelin', I'm planking on a million
I'm riding through yo' hood, you can bank I ain't got no ceiling
(Made a left on Nostrand Ave) right (we in Bed-Stuy)
Made a right on 79th, I'm coming down South Shore Drive
(I remain Chi-town) Brooklyn 'til I die

(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(Take 'em on home)
(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)




(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(Tryna hurt my name, huh?)

Overall Meaning

The song "Gotta Have It" by Jay-Z and Kanye West features the two rappers boasting about their wealth and success while also addressing the scrutiny and criticism they often face. The opening lines of the song indicate that they are aware of how their actions and words are perceived by "white America" and how their character is often targeted for assassination. They address the rumors about their personal lives and money, acknowledging that people are trying to break their marriages up and act phony towards them.


Throughout the song, Jay-Z and Kanye West reference their lavish lifestyles and the material possessions that come with it, such as expensive cars and expensive clothes. They make several references to basketball players LeBron James and D-Wade, highlighting the current trend of hating on successful athletes and celebrities. Additionally, they make a reference to "racks on racks on racks," a popular phrase in hip-hop culture that refers to having many stacks of money.


Overall, "Gotta Have It" is a display of Jay-Z and Kanye West's unapologetic attitudes towards their success and fame, while also acknowledging the criticism that comes with it.


Line by Line Meaning

Turn my headphones up, louder
Increase the volume of my headphones


Hello, hello, hello, hello, white America, assassinate my character
Addressing the American public to refrain from character assassination


Money matrimony, yeah, they tryna break the marriage up
The media is trying to create a divide for financial gain


Who gon' act phonier? Who gon' try to embarrass ya?
Questioning who would put on a false persona to defame his character


I'ma need a day off, I think I'll call Ferris up
Referencing the movie 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' to indicate taking a break


Bueller had a Mueller, but I switched it for a Miele
Exchanging a lesser product for a high-end Miele brand


'Cause I'm richer, and prior to this shit was movin' freebase
Comfortable financially and moved on from a dangerous drug addiction


Had a conference with the DJ's (yeah), Puerto Rico three-days
Meeting with DJs in Puerto Rico for three days


Poli' with the PDs, now they got our shit on replay
Making friends with the police officers helped get their music played on the radio


Sorry I'm in pajamas, but I just got off the PJ
Apologizing for the attire, but just landed from a private jet


And last party we had, they shut down Prive
The last party they had resulted in the club closing down


Ain't that where the Heat play?) Yep (niggas hate ballers these days) yup
Referencing the Miami Heat and how people these days have a distaste for successful athletes


Ain't that like LeBron James? (Ain't that just like D-Wade, wait)
Comparing the situation to that of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade


What's up ma'fucka, where my money at?
Demanding to know where his money is


You gon' make me come down to your house where yo' mommy at
Threatening to go to the debtor's house and confront their mother


Mummy wrap the kids, have 'em cryin' for they mommy back
Further emphasizing the fear factor and severity of the situation


Dummy that your daddy is, tell 'em I just want my racks
Insulting the debtor’s father and reiterating his demand for payment


(Racks on racks on racks) racks
Repeating the phrase ‘racks’ to emphasize the amount of money he’s owed


(Maybachs on bachs on bachs on bachs on bachs) who in that?
Referencing the luxurious car brand and questioning who else owns a similar car


Oh shit, it's just blacks on blacks on blacks
Realization that there is an overabundance of black people and they need to work together


(Hundred stack) how you get it? (Nigga, layin' raps on tracks)
Questioning how he obtained the money followed by a response indicating his success in the music industry


I wish I could give you this feelin', I'm planking on a million
Expressions the feelings of great success and wealth


I'm riding through yo' hood, you can bank I ain't got no ceiling
Implying wealth, but also referencing the lack of a car roof


(Made a left on Nostrand Ave.) Right (we in Bed Stuy)
Indicating the direction of the car in Brooklyn


Made a right on 79th, I'm coming down South Shore Drive
Driving on South Shore Drive after turning on 79th


(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
Repeating ‘take them on home’


Tryna hurt my name, huh?
Acknowledging attempts to tarnish his reputation




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Brown, Fred Wesley, St. Clair Pickney, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Shawn Carter, Joseph Roach

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@pico2722

still cant believe the synths are actually cudis hums, absolute masterpiece

@jdn5794

No it isn’t, he’s just humming over the synths

@sipho9539

@@jdn5794 he's right...they are Cudi's synths.

@jdn5794

@@sipho9539 bro u clearly don’t know what you’re talking about so I’m not gonna argue 😂😂

@ogsar

it's actually from Spectrasonics' Heart of Asia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox4BEfCYrc8

@andrewp9827

Nah its not
https://youtu.be/Kapkc5O6W9k
Go to 2:54:23

10 More Replies...

@_M3WTW0_

“Racks on racks on racks, maybachs on bachs on bachs on bachs on bachs” Till this day that is one of my favorite Kanye lyrics😂😂.

@soberasagofer6501

WHO IN THAT?

@GUNZANDBUTTER

@@soberasagofer6501 Oh shit…Its just blacks on blacks on blacks…

@sickfoo5506

Hunnid stacks, how you get it?
Nigga layin raps on tracks

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