22 Two's
Jay-Z Lyrics


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Yo what's up everybody? This is Maria Davis, Mad Wednesdays
We here tonight to have a good time
("Yo! Start the show! Start the show!")
Wait a minute, I see my man over there, Jay-Z
Jay-Z, Dame Dash let me hear that lil' tape of yours, and it's fat
Why don't you come up here and kick a lil' freestyle
Put that champagne down, and kick a lil' freestyle for me tonight
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Can I kick it? (Yes you can)
Can I kick it? (Yes you can)
Can I kick it? (Yes you can)
Y'all motherfuckers musta heard that Tribe Called Quest, let's do it again
Can I kick it? (Yes you can)
Can I kick it? (Yes you can)
Can I kick it? (Yes you can)
Well I'm gone, check this out

Too much West coast dick-lickin'
And too many niggas on a mission
Doin' your best Jay-Z rendition
Too many rough motherfuckers, I got my suspicions
That you're just fish in a pool of sharks, nigga
Listen, too many bitches wanna be ladies
So if you a hoe, I'ma call you a hoe
Too many bitches are shady
Too many ladies give these niggas too many chances
Too many brothers wanna be lovers, don't know what romance is
Too many bitches stuck up from too many sexual advances
No question, Jay-Z got too many answers
I been around this block too many times
Rocked too many rhymes, cocked too many nines too
To all my brothers, it ain't too late to come together
'Cause too much black and too much love equal forever
I don't follow any guidelines 'cause too many niggas ride mine
So I change styles every two rhymes (ha, what the fuck?)
That's twenty two too's for y'all motherfuckers out there, you know what I mean?
Shall I continue? Check it out, what?

Can I kick it? (Yes you can)
Can I kick it? (Yes you can)
Can I kick it? (Yes you can)
Well I'm gone, yo, yo, yo

Copped to reach my quota
Push rock, roll up smooth like on ya
Whole groove like hold-up, swol' up
Too many faggot niggas clockin' my spendin'
Exercisin' your gay-like minds like Richard Simmons
If you could catch Jay right, on the late night
Without the eight, right, maybe you could test my weight, right
I dip, spit quicker than you ever seen
Administer pain, next the minister's screamin' your name
At your wake as I peak in, look in your casket
Feelin' sarcastic, "Look at him, still sleepin'"
You're never ready, forever petty minds stay petty
Mine's thinkin' longevity until I'm seventy
Livin' heavenly, fuck, felony after felony, what?
Nigga you're broke, what the fuck you gon' tell me? (Oh)

Jay-Z, Jay-Z
Now you know this is a fat track (aight)
Now this is comin' on your new album, on Roc-A-Fella records in '96? (no doubt, no doubt)
Well, it is definitely the bomb
But you know I do wanna say somethin' to you, I know
You've been havin' a lot of problems with the law
But I know you innocent, and I'm behind you 100%
Mad Wednesdays, Rudy King, DJ Ace, Dame Dash, Roc-A-Fella Records
We're all behind you, you can come back anytime (Hah, thanks a lot)
Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute
Ace, turn that music down
I smell some reefer, now you see?
That's why, our people don't have anything
Because we don't know how to go in places and act properly ("Hey shut the fuck up!")
Wait a minute, wait a minute, who told me shut the F up?
Who told me to shut the F up? Get him out of here
I'm not gonna continue this show, until you throw him out
Get him out right now, then I'ma continue my speech
Thank you, he's out of here now, now like I was sayin'
We gotta build our own businesses




We gotta get our own record companies goin like Roc-A-Fella Records
We gotta put money back into our own community

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jay-Z's "22 Two's" were written as a freestyle over a beat by Clark Kent and appeared on his debut album "Reasonable Doubt" in 1996. The lyrics are a reflection on the state of the rap industry at the time, focusing on the lack of originality in many rappers' style and the abundance of violence and misogyny in their lyrics. Jay-Z also touches on the importance of black unity and self-sufficiency in the face of systemic oppression.


The first verse of the song is a commentary on the imitation and lack of originality in the rap industry. Jay-Z calls out rappers who are trying to mimic his style and warns against being a small fish in a pool of sharks. He also takes aim at the misogyny and groupie culture that are prevalent in the industry, criticizing women who try to pass themselves off as ladies and calling out men who don't know how to romance a woman.


The second verse is focused on Jay-Z's own style and his ability to switch it up on a dime. He boasts about his rapping skills and the pain he can inflict on his enemies. He also touches on his legal troubles and declares his innocence, thanking his supporters and encouraging black people to support their own businesses and communities.


Overall, "22 Two's" is a reflection on the challenges facing black people in America, from financial and legal struggles to cultural appropriation and stereotypes. It's also a call to action, urging listeners to come together and support one another in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Yo what's up everybody? This is Maria Davis, Mad Wednesdays
Introducing herself, Maria Davis greets everyone and announces the event at Mad Wednesdays.


We here tonight to have a good time
Maria Davis acknowledges that the purpose of the evening is to have fun.


"Yo! Start the show! Start the show!"
An audience member requests the start of the performance.


Wait a minute, I see my man over there, Jay-Z
Maria Davis spots Jay-Z in the audience and prepares to call him on stage.


Jay-Z, Dame Dash let me hear that lil' tape of yours, and it's fat
Maria Davis compliments Jay-Z's music after hearing it from Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder, Dame Dash.


Why don't you come up here and kick a lil' freestyle
Maria Davis invites Jay-Z to take the stage and perform an improvised rap.


Put that champagne down, and kick a lil' freestyle for me tonight
Maria Davis asks Jay-Z to set aside his drink and perform a freestyle rap.


Too much West coast dick-lickin'
Jay-Z criticizes the trend of rappers from the West Coast imitating each other.


And too many niggas on a mission
Jay-Z believes there are too many people trying to copy his style.


Doin' your best Jay-Z rendition
Jay-Z believes that others are attempting to copy his style and rap flow.


Too many rough motherfuckers, I got my suspicions
Jay-Z suspects some people are dangerous and not to be trusted.


That you're just fish in a pool of sharks, nigga
Jay-Z warns people that they are nothing more than prey when in the company of others who are more dominant and powerful.


Listen, too many bitches wanna be ladies
Jay-Z believes that some women are pretending to be classy and elegant but are actually promiscuous.


So if you a hoe, I'ma call you a hoe
Jay-Z believes that women who sleep around are not respectable and should be called out for their behavior.


Too many bitches are shady
Jay-Z believes that some women are deceitful and cannot be trusted.


Too many ladies give these niggas too many chances
Jay-Z believes that women are too forgiving towards men who do not treat them well.


Too many brothers wanna be lovers, don't know what romance is
Jay-Z believes that some men want a committed relationship but do not understand what it truly means to be romantic.


Too many bitches stuck up from too many sexual advances
Jay-Z believes that some women have become arrogant because of their frequent encounters with men.


No question, Jay-Z got too many answers
Jay-Z is confident in his intelligence and ability to answer difficult questions.


I been around this block too many times
Jay-Z has been through a lot and has extensive life experience.


Rocked too many rhymes, cocked too many nines too
Jay-Z has performed in many rap battles and has also carried guns for protection.


To all my brothers, it ain't too late to come together
Jay-Z encourages men to put aside their differences and come together.


'Cause too much black and too much love equal forever
Jay-Z believes that African American unity and love will endure.


I don't follow any guidelines 'cause too many niggas ride mine
Jay-Z believes that he should forge his own path in the music industry because too many other rappers copy his style.


So I change styles every two rhymes (ha, what the fuck?)
Jay-Z frequently changes his style of rapping after every two lines.


That's twenty two too's for y'all motherfuckers out there, you know what I mean?
Jay-Z brags that he has used the word 'too' in his lyrics 22 times, and challenges others to do better.


Shall I continue? Check it out, what?
Jay-Z indicates his willingness to continue rapping and challenges others to listen up and pay close attention.


Copped to reach my quota
Jay-Z admits to selling drugs to earn a certain amount of money.


Push rock, roll up smooth like on ya
Jay-Z boasts about his drug dealing abilities, making it appear effortless.


Whole groove like hold-up, swol' up
Jay-Z brags about his smooth approach to drug dealing, incorporating a sense of style and panache.


Too many faggot niggas clockin' my spendin'
Jay-Z is annoyed at people criticizing his lavish spending, especially those who are not in the same financial position.


Exercisin' your gay-like minds like Richard Simmons
Jay-Z insults those who overanalyze his behavior by comparing them to the overly active persona of Richard Simmons.


If you could catch Jay right, on the late night
Jay-Z dares anyone who thinks they have what it takes to try and catch him off guard.


Without the eight, right, maybe you could test my weight, right
Jay-Z questions whether anyone can challenge him without relying on guns and violent methods.


I dip, spit quicker than you ever seen
Jay-Z proclaims that he's the best rapper and can come up with rhymes faster than the others.


Administer pain, next the minister's screamin' your name
Jay-Z boasts that he can cause so much harm during a violent altercation that a priest will be summoned to pray for the victim.


At your wake as I peak in, look in your casket
Jay-Z threatens to attend his enemy's funeral and gloat over their death.


Feelin' sarcastic, "Look at him, still sleepin'"
Jay-Z intends on being insensitive after his enemy dies, as if mocking them for 'still sleeping' in their casket.


You're never ready, forever petty minds stay petty
Jay-Z believes that people will never be fully prepared for anything, and some will always have negative thoughts and intentions.


Mine's thinkin' longevity until I'm seventy
Jay-Z believes that his mind is focused on achieving long-term goals and security through his music career.


Livin' heavenly, fuck, felony after felony, what?
Jay-Z explains that his lifestyle is lavish and heavenly but fraught with criminal charges and convictions.


Nigga you're broke, what the fuck you gon' tell me? (Oh)
Jay-Z dismisses the opinions of someone who he perceives as being struggling financially.


Jay-Z, Jay-Z
Maria Davis and others in the audience chant Jay-Z's name to show their support.


Now you know this is a fat track (aight)
Maria Davis affirms that the music being performed is impressive.


Well, it is definitely the bomb
Maria Davis reinforces the fact that the music being performed is exceptional.


But you know I do wanna say somethin' to you, I know
Maria Davis wants to share a message with Jay-Z.


You've been havin' a lot of problems with the law
Maria Davis acknowledges Jay-Z's legal troubles.


But I know you innocent, and I'm behind you 100%
Maria Davis expresses her support for Jay-Z, believing that he is wrongly accused of his legal troubles.


Mad Wednesdays, Rudy King, DJ Ace, Dame Dash, Roc-A-Fella Records
Maria Davis thanks the sponsors and participants in the event.


We're all behind you, you can come back anytime (Hah, thanks a lot)
Maria Davis and Roc-A-Fella Records show support for Jay-Z and encourage him to return to the stage at Mad Wednesdays.


Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute
Maria Davis interrupts herself to address something that she smells in the air.


Ace, turn that music down
Maria Davis instructs DJ Ace to lower the volume of the music.


I smell some reefer, now you see?
Maria Davis smells marijuana and believes that the use of the drug is the reason why African Americans may not have as much success as other races.


That's why, our people don't have anything
Maria Davis believes that the use of drugs like marijuana is hindering the success of African American people.


Because we don't know how to go in places and act properly ("Hey shut the fuck up!")
Maria Davis believes that African Americans lack social etiquette, which leads to disrespect in public spaces.


Wait a minute, wait a minute, who told me shut the F up?
Maria Davis is upset and wants to know who told her to be quiet.


Who told me to shut the F up? Get him out of here
Maria Davis demands the removal of the person who was disrespectful towards her.


I'm not gonna continue this show, until you throw him out
Maria Davis will not resume the show until the person who disrespected her is removed.


Get him out right now, then I'ma continue my speech
Maria Davis reiterates that she will continue only after the removal of the disruptive individual.


Thank you, he's out of here now, now like I was sayin'
Maria Davis acknowledges that the problem has been handled and is now able to continue with her speech.


We gotta build our own businesses
Maria Davis urges the audience to create their own businesses.


We gotta get our own record companies goin like Roc-A-Fella Records
Maria Davis encourages the creation of independent record companies like Roc-A-Fella Records.


We gotta put money back into our own community
Maria Davis emphasizes the need to invest into the African American community in order to support it.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Anthony Willis, John David Neptune, Shawn C Carter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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