Jay explained the concept of “Can’t Knock the Hustle” in an interview with NPR:
It sounds like I’m saying, you can’t knock my hustle. But what – who I was talking to was the guys on the street because rap was my hustle and like, at the time, street – the streets was my job.
Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Kareem “Biggs” Burke added:
He wasn’t talking about hustling, he was talking about the music business [being] the hustle. He was talking to everybody else like, ‘Don’t knock us.’ ‘Cause that’s the new hustle. That’s why it’s so funny — people don’t understand the genesis. It was a representation of us and our life together.
Can't Knock The Hustle
Jay-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big man, you wanna make some big bucks, huh?
Let's see how tough you are
You know something about cocaine? Digame
You kidding me or what man?
There's a bunch of Colombians coming in Friday, new guys
They said they got two keys for us, openers
Pure cocaine, you tell 'em, capiche?
And if it's what they say it is, you buy it, you bring it back
You can do that you make five grand
Meet them at the Bodegas, noon Friday
You get the buy money then
Oh and chico, if anything happens to the buy money
Eh, pobrecito
Jay-Z's gonna stick your heads up your asses faster than a rabbit gets fucked
Bounce, bounce, bounce, Jay-Z huh?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Roc-A-Fella y'all, ha ha
Bounce, bounce, bounce, Roc-A-Fella y'all
Check, check
Yo, I'm making short term goals when the weather folds
Just put away the leathers and put ice on the gold
Chilly with enough bail money to free a Big Willie
High stakes, I got more at stake than Philly
Shopping sprees, cop in three
Deuce fever IS's fully loaded, ah, yes
Bouncing in the Lex Luger, tires smoke like Buddha
50 Gs to the crap shooter, niggas can't fade me
Chrome socks beaming
Through my peripheral I see you scheming
Stop dreaming, I leave your body steaming
Niggas is fiending, what's the meaning
I'm leaning on any nigga intervening
With the sound of my money machining
My cup runneth over with hundreds
I'm one of the best niggas that done it, six digits and running
Y'all niggas don't want it
I got the Godfather flow, the Don Juan DeMarco
Swear to God, don't get it fucked up
I'm taking out this time (yeah, yeah, what)
To give you a piece of my mind
('Cause you can't knock the hustle)
Who do you think you are?
Baby one day you'll be a star
Last seen out of state where I drop my sling
I'm deep in the South kicking up top game
Bouncing on the highway switching fo' lanes
Screaming through the sunroof, money ain't a thang
Your worst fear confirmed
Me and my fam roll tight like The Firm
Getting down for life, that's right, you better learn
Why play with fire, burn
We get together like a choir, to acquire what we desire
We do dirt like worms, produce G's like sperm
'Til legs spread like germs
I got extensive hoes with expensive clothes
And I sip fine wines and spit vintage flows
What y'all don't know?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
'Cause you can't knock the hustle
But until then lately, I'm the one who's crazy?
'Cause that's the way you're making me feel ('cause you can't knock the hustle)
The way you make me feel
I'm just trying to get mine, I don't have the time
To knock the hustle for real
Yo, y'all niggas lunching, punching the clock
My function is to make much and lay back munching
Sipping Remy on the rocks, my crew something to watch
Nothing to stop, unstoppable
Scheme on the ice, I gotta hot your crew
I gotta, let you niggas know the time like Movado
My motto, stack rocks like Colorado
Waddle off the champagne, Cristals by the bottle
It's a damn shame what you're not though, (who?) Me
Slick like a gato, fucking Jay-Z
My pops knew exactly what he did when he made me
Tried to get a nut and he got a nut and what
Straight bananas, can a nigga see me
Got the US Open, advantage Jigga
Serve like Sampras, play fake rappers like a campus
Le Tigre, son you're too eager
You ain't having it, good me either
Let's get together and make this whole world believe us, huh
At my arraignment screaming
All us blacks got is sports and entertainment, until we even
Thieving, as long as I'm breathing
Can't knock the way a nigga eating, fuck you even!
I'm taking out this time
To give you a piece of my mind
Who do you think you are?
Baby one day you'll be a star
But until then lately, I'm the one who's crazy?
'Cause that's the way you're making me feel
I'm just trying to get mine, I don't have the time
To knock the hustle for real
The lyrics to Jay-Z's song "Can't Knock The Hustle" describe the rapper's ambition and focus on making money, despite the dangerous and illegal activities he may be involved in. In the first verse, Jay-Z is offered the opportunity to buy cocaine from Colombian dealers, and if successful, he will earn $5000. The second verse describes his flashy lifestyle, with expensive cars and clothes, and his determination to succeed in the music industry. The third verse focuses on Jay-Z's confidence and skill as a rapper, claiming that he is one of the best and cannot be stopped. The chorus emphasizes that Jay-Z will not let anyone knock his hustle, or his drive to succeed and make money.
Overall, "Can't Knock The Hustle" speaks to the theme of the American Dream, with Jay-Z striving to become wealthy and successful despite the risks and challenges he may face along the way. The song also reflects the culture of hip-hop in the 1990s, which celebrated materialism and ambition.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah shit, okay, okay, alright
Expressing agreement or acceptance of a situation
Big man, you wanna make some big bucks, huh?
Do you want to earn a lot of money?
Let's see how tough you are
Let's test your skills or ability
You know something about cocaine? Digame
Do you have any knowledge or experience with cocaine? Tell me
You kidding me or what man?
Are you joking with me or not?
There's a bunch of Colombians coming in Friday, new guys
There are a group of Colombians arriving on Friday, they are new to this
They said they got two keys for us, openers
They claim to have two kilograms of cocaine for us, top-quality stuff
Pure cocaine, you tell 'em, capiche?
Make it clear that we only want pure cocaine, you understand?
I want you to go over there
I want you to go to that location
And if it's what they say it is, you buy it, you bring it back
If the cocaine is as good as they claim, purchase it and bring it back
You can do that you make five grand
If you successfully complete this task, you will earn five thousand dollars
Meet them at the Bodegas, noon Friday
Meet them at the Bodegas store on Friday at noon
You get the buy money then
You will receive the money to purchase the cocaine at that time
Oh and chico, if anything happens to the buy money
Oh, and boy, if anything happens to the money for the purchase
Eh, pobrecito
Well, poor thing
Jay-Z's gonna stick your heads up your asses faster than a rabbit gets fucked
Jay-Z will harm you aggressively and swiftly
Bounce, bounce, bounce, Jay-Z huh?
Repeating Jay-Z's name with enthusiasm
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Roc-A-Fella y'all, ha ha
Repeating the name of Roc-A-Fella Records with excitement
Yo, I'm making short term goals when the weather folds
I am setting small goals when the situation becomes difficult
Just put away the leathers and put ice on the gold
Stop wearing expensive accessories and invest in valuable assets
Chilly with enough bail money to free a Big Willie
I am financially stable enough to cover someone's bail
High stakes, I got more at stake than Philly
The risks I'm taking are higher than those in Philadelphia
Shopping sprees, cop in three
Engaging in extravagant buying activities, purchasing three of something
Deuce fever IS's fully loaded, ah, yes
Driving a fully equipped and powerful Lexus IS sedan
Bouncing in the Lex Luger, tires smoke like Buddha
Driving the Lex Luger car with tires emitting a lot of smoke
50 Gs to the crap shooter, niggas can't fade me
Betting fifty thousand dollars at a dice game, showing confidence
Chrome socks beaming
Reflective chrome socks shining brightly
Through my peripheral I see you scheming
I can see you planning or plotting through my side vision
Stop dreaming, I leave your body steaming
Stop fantasizing, I will harm you severely
Niggas is fiending, what's the meaning
People are craving or desiring something, what does it signify?
I'm leaning on any nigga intervening
I am relying on anyone who gets in the way
With the sound of my money machining
With the noise of my money-making process
My cup runneth over with hundreds
I have an abundance of hundred-dollar bills
I'm one of the best niggas that done it, six digits and running
I am one of the most successful individuals, earning a six-figure income and continually progressing
Y'all niggas don't want it
You all don't want to face the consequences or compete with me
I got the Godfather flow, the Don Juan DeMarco
I possess a smooth and influential style, like the characters in movies
Swear to God, don't get it fucked up
I promise, don't misunderstand or underestimate me
Last seen out of state where I drop my sling
Last spotted outside my usual location where I sell drugs
I'm deep in the South kicking up top game
I am heavily involved in illegal activities in the Southern region
Bouncing on the highway switching fo' lanes
Driving on the highway, frequently changing lanes
Screaming through the sunroof, money ain't a thang
Yelling from the open roof of the car, indicating that money is not a problem
Your worst fear confirmed
Your greatest fear has been validated
Me and my fam roll tight like The Firm
My close group of friends and family are tightly united like a well-organized company
Getting down for life, that's right, you better learn
Committing and dedicating ourselves to a life of crime, and you should take note
Why play with fire, burn
Why take risks and engage in dangerous activities? The consequence is getting burned
We get together like a choir, to acquire what we desire
We come together like a harmonious group to obtain what we want
We do dirt like worms, produce G's like sperm
We engage in illegal activities like worms do in soil, and we generate money like sperm fertilizes eggs
'Til legs spread like germs
Continuing our actions until they spread like an infectious disease
I got extensive hoes with expensive clothes
I have many women who work for me and wear luxurious attire
And I sip fine wines and spit vintage flows
I enjoy drinking high-quality wines and delivering old-fashioned, impressive rap verses
What y'all don't know?
What don't you all understand or comprehend?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
'Cause you can't knock the hustle
Because you cannot criticize or undermine my hard work and determination
But until then lately, I'm the one who's crazy?
But until then, am I the one who is considered insane?
'Cause that's the way you're making me feel
Because your actions are causing me to feel this way
I'm just trying to get mine, I don't have the time
I am solely focused on achieving my own success, I don't have the luxury of wasting time
To knock the hustle for real
To criticize or hinder someone's hard work and determination
Yo, y'all niggas lunching, punching the clock
You all are foolish and just going through the motions, working a regular job
My function is to make much and lay back munching
My purpose is to make a lot of money and relax while enjoying food
Sipping Remy on the rocks, my crew something to watch
Drinking Remy Martin on the rocks, my crew is worth observing
Nothing to stop, unstoppable
There is nothing that can obstruct or halt our progress
Scheme on the ice, I gotta hot your crew
Devising a plan to defeat or outsmart your crew
I gotta, let you niggas know the time like Movado
I have to inform you all about the current situation, like Movado watches display the time
My motto, stack rocks like Colorado
My motto is to accumulate wealth, similar to the way rocks form mountains in Colorado
Waddle off the champagne, Cristals by the bottle
Swaggering while drinking expensive champagne, specifically Cristal brand
It's a damn shame what you're not though, (who?) Me
It's unfortunate that you lack what I possess, specifically skills or success, and it's me who has it
Slick like a gato, fucking Jay-Z
Smooth like a cat, referring to myself, Jay-Z
My pops knew exactly what he did when he made me
My father knew the kind of person I would become when he raised me
Tried to get a nut and he got a nut and what
He attempted to achieve his goals and he succeeded
Straight bananas, can a nigga see me
Absolutely crazy, can anyone match my level or status
Got the US Open, advantage Jigga
I am in a favorable position, just like having an advantage at the US Open tennis tournament
Serve like Sampras, play fake rappers like a campus
Serving my opponents in the same way Pete Sampras did in tennis, and effortlessly dealing with fake rappers like a college campus
Le Tigre, son you're too eager
A style of clothing called Le Tigre, indicating that someone is too enthusiastic or eager
You ain't having it, good me either
You don't want any confrontation, and neither do I
Let's get together and make this whole world believe us, huh
Let's unite and make the entire world believe in our capabilities
At my arraignment screaming
During my legal proceedings, I am shouting or arguing
All us blacks got is sports and entertainment, until we even
The only things available to black individuals for success are sports and entertainment, until we achieve equality
Thieving, as long as I'm breathing
Engaging in theft or illegal activities, as long as I am alive
Can't knock the way a nigga eating, fuck you even!
You can't criticize how I make a living, so fuck you!
I'm taking out this time
I am dedicating this moment
To give you a piece of my mind
To share my thoughts and opinions with you
Who do you think you are?
Who do you believe yourself to be?
Baby one day you'll be a star
One day, you will achieve great success and fame
But until then lately, I'm the one who's crazy?
But until that happens, am I the one who appears to be insane?
'Cause that's the way you're making me feel
Because that is the effect you are having on me
I'm just trying to get mine, I don't have the time
I am solely focused on achieving my own success, I don't have the luxury of wasting time
To knock the hustle for real
To criticize or hinder someone's hard work and determination
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerome C Foster, Joyce Morgan, Lesette Wilson, Shawn Carter, William Marcus Miller, Shawn C Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind