Can't Knock The Hustle Featuring Mary J Blige
Jay-Z Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ah shit, okay, okay, alright
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?
I want you to go over there
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

Overall Meaning

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
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