Dirt of Your Shoulder
Jay-Z Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin greatest
Turn the music up in the headphones
Tim, you can go and brush your shoulder off nigga I got you, yeah

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

I probably owe it to y'all, proud to be locked by the force
Tryin' to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
Feelin' no remorse, feelin' like my hand was forced
Middle finger to the Lord, nigga grippin' my balls
Stab the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin'
All the ballers is bouncin' they like the way I be leanin'
All the rappers be hatin', off the track that I'm makin'
But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Came from the bottom of bottom, to the top of the pots
Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
I can run it back, nigga, 'cause I'm straight with the Roc

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
Tryin' to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yessir
Keep the heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin'
Now fifty-two bars come out, now you feel 'em
Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin'
With a boss bitch of course S.C. on the sleeve
At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

Your boy back in the building, Brooklyn we back on the map
Me and my beautiful bitch in the back of that 'Bach
I'm the realest that run it, I just happen to rap
I ain't gotta clap at 'em, niggas scared of that black
I drop that "Black Album" then I back, out it
As the best rapper alive nigga ask about me
From Bricks to Billboards, from grams to Grammy's
The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
You gotta pardon Jay, for sellin' out the Garden in a day
I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
Got some, dirt on my shoulder, could you brush it off for me?

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin' greatest





Best rapper alive, best rapper alive

Overall Meaning

In "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," Jay-Z addresses his haters who criticize his success and wealth by telling them to "brush their shoulders off" and discard any negativity or doubts they may have. The chorus repeats the phrase "If you're feeling like a pimp, go and brush your shoulders off," with the addition of "ladies" being included since they too can be "pimps." The song also features a number of boastful verses where Jay-Z discusses his rise to the top of the music industry and his extravagant lifestyle.


Jay-Z starts off by acknowledging his past struggle to make ends meet: "Came from the bottom of bottom, to the top of the pots / N***a London, Japan and I'm straight off the block." He tells how he made it big as a music artist and entrepreneur, with references to his 40/40 Club and his "Black Album." He also mentions his love for fashion and how he keeps it "real" by not having chrome on his wheels but instead "paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean."


The overall message of the song is to remain confident, brush off any negativity or doubt, and rise to the top. It's a powerful anthem for those who are striving for success and a reminder to be proud of your accomplishments.


Line by Line Meaning

You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin greatest
The song has begun and it is being played loudly and proudly.


Turn the music up in the headphones
The artist is instructing the sound engineer to increase the volume of the music in the headphones.


Tim, you can go and brush your shoulder off nigga I got you, yeah
The artist is telling his friend Tim to dust off any negativity or issues he might have and that he's got his back.


If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
If you're feeling confident and successful, celebrate it and push aside any negativity.


Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Women can also be confident and successful, so don't hesitate to celebrate and ignore negativity.


Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
People can be unpredictable and irrational at times, so be aware of this fact.


Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Shake off any negative situations or individuals so they don't hold you down.


I probably owe it to y'all, proud to be locked by the force
The artist is grateful for his success, but recognizes that some of his success may be due to outside forces.


Tryin' to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
The artist is trying to make his success even greater by acquiring material possessions, such as a Porsche.


Feelin' no remorse, feelin' like my hand was forced
The artist is unapologetic for his success and feels like he was destined for it.


Middle finger to the Lord, nigga grippin' my balls
The artist is being rebellious and cocky, disregarding any higher powers and asserting his dominance.


Stab the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin'
The artist has a large female fan base that supports him wholeheartedly.


All the ballers is bouncin' they like the way I be leanin'
The artist is admired by his colleagues and peers, who appreciate his unique style.


All the rappers be hatin', off the track that I'm makin'
Other rappers are envious of the artist's success and are critical of his new music.


But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Other individuals who are trying to succeed appreciate the artist's success and view it as motivational.


Came from the bottom of bottom, to the top of the pots
The artist started from humble beginnings but has now reached the height of success.


Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
The artist has achieved international success but still proudly represents his hometown.


Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
The artist is quick, agile, and successful in his craft, which he attributes to his background and upbringing.


I can run it back, nigga, 'cause I'm straight with the Roc
The artist is aligned with the Roc-A-Fella Records music label and this partnership has contributed to his success.


Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
The artist is in his element and has the materials he needs to create his music.


I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
The artist has made a lot of money and is now spending it on luxury items, like a watch and car.


Tryin' to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yessir
The artist is comparing his business acumen to that of a wrestler who is trying to stretch and manipulate his muscles for optimal performance.


Keep the heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
The artist is always on guard and prepared for any possible negative situation or individuals.


But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin'
The artist has been strategic and smart in his business dealings, like a card player who has successfully played all of his cards.


Now fifty-two bars come out, now you feel 'em
The artist has successfully created an impactful and memorable verse.


Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
The artist is so successful that he can afford to purchase and show off dozens of luxury cars.


In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin'
The artist is popular and successful enough to attract 52 women at once, and can afford to live a relaxed and luxurious lifestyle.


With a boss bitch of course S.C. on the sleeve
The artist is accompanied by a successful and confident woman who has his back.


At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
The artist is enjoying his success and is surrounded by luxury items and experiences.


I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
The artist is spending a lot of money on fashion items to maintain a luxurious and stylish image.


No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real
The artist's success has not changed him or his priorities; he's still practical and grounded.


Your boy back in the building, Brooklyn we back on the map
The artist is excited and proud to represent his hometown.


Me and my beautiful bitch in the back of that 'Bach
The artist is with his significant other and is enjoying the luxuries of a Mercedes-Benz.


I'm the realest that run it, I just happen to rap
The artist is confident in his authenticity and that he's the best in the game.


I ain't gotta clap at 'em, niggas scared of that black
The artist has a commanding presence and doesn't need to use violence or intimidation to be respected.


I drop that "Black Album" then I back, out it
The artist released a successful album and then took a break, letting the music speak for itself.


As the best rapper alive nigga ask about me
The artist is confident in his skill and that he's the best in the game.


From Bricks to Billboards, from grams to Grammy's
The artist has come a long way from his humble beginnings and has achieved success in multiple fields.


The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
The artist uses wordplay to show how his success has changed his life and moved him far away from his humble beginnings.


You gotta pardon Jay, for sellin' out the Garden in a day
The artist is proud of his successful concert at Madison Square Garden.


I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
The artist is comparing himself to Marvin Gaye, another legendary artist who reached his peak.


I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
The artist is a self-made hustler, while his critics are just consumers.


Got some, dirt on my shoulder, could you brush it off for me?
The artist has faced negativity or criticism, but is asking for it to be pushed aside or ignored.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Timothy Mosley, Shawn Carter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@PiXimperfect

Who else is here from the video of Jay-Z and Timbaland in the studio?

@jasmineblackwell6033

Me

@John-oy6eg

Me lol

@eddiesamuel3721

Me

@VJ-kl5mw

Me

@brandonpatterson229

me 🤣

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@workinghoustonian

Timbaland was the apex predator of making beats back in the 2000's

@giadaiannella2159

Timbaland still The king

@LuisRamos-vm9eg

7777.

Ioo

@angeldelaluz921

Well.., you're not wrong.

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