Dope Man
Jay-Z Lyrics

Millennium flow
Jay-Z is up to date with the times, and his flow is current and relevant.

Serena Altschul's here live outside the criminal courthouse
There is a lot of media attention on the trial and people are closely following the case.

This is bullshit y'all
Jay-Z is not happy with the situation and feels he has been unfairly targeted.

In New York city for the first day in the trial of
The trial has just begun and everyone is waiting to find out the outcome.

The State vs. Shawn Carter, a.K.a. Jay-Z
Jay-Z is on trial and being accused by the state and the legal system.

Whatever the verdict in this trial may be
The outcome of the trial will have a significant impact on both Jay-Z and the wider world community.

The effects will undoubtedly be felt worldwide
The impact of the verdict will not just be limited to the city or state but will have a global impact.

Aiyyo, stand forward, 'fore you take notice
Jay-Z demands attention and respect for his statements and his presence.

Or witness to me killin' the track
Jay-Z is a skilled rapper and wants people to witness his lyrical prowess.

Testify 'til me spillin' the smack
Jay-Z is confident in his ability to present his side of the story convincingly.

Now they got me for traffickin', racketeerin', audio crack
Jay-Z is faced with serious charges of drug trafficking and racketeering, with his music being compared to a drug.

They call me Dope Man, Dope Man
Jay-Z has become known as the Dope Man, selling music that is like drugs to people.

I try to tell 'em I'm where hope, floats man
Jay-Z argues that he's providing a way out for people stuck in poverty, that his music gives hope.

Ghetto spokes man
Jay-Z considers himself the voice of the streets and speaks to the experiences of people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A broke man, approachin' the bench with intent
Jay-Z is broke and yet is still fighting these charges strongly.

To bury me under the cell, fingered me as the toast man
Jay-Z feels like he is being targeted to go to jail, and that people see him as the easiest target.

Evidence stemmin' from ninety six
The evidence against Jay-Z dates all the way back to 1996.

They say the world ain't recovered from his fix
Jay-Z's music has had a long-lasting impact on the world, and people are still feeling its effects today.

While they was usin' cut I was on some other shit
Jay-Z argues that he was providing genuine music, whereas others were just making cheap imitations.

Gave it to you raw and they just discovered it
Jay-Z provided authentic and genuine music, and people are only just realizing its value.

Nowadays, the jury got they brow raised
The jury is skeptical and questioning of Jay-Z's character and actions.

Listenin' to testimony about my foul ways
People are being told about Jay-Z's shady dealings and are making judgments about his character based on them.

Exhibit A 'Reasonable Doubt'
Jay-Z's album 'Reasonable Doubt' was used as evidence against him.

They say this was the first thing that turned the peoples out
Jay-Z's music gained him a lot of popularity, but this popularity has been used against him in court.

How come, you label your brand of dope
The prosecutor questions why Jay-Z would name his music like drugs.

"Volume 1" and spread it through the slums?
The prosecutor accuses Jay-Z of intentionally targeting poor communities with his music.

Fed it to the young with total disregard
Jay-Z is accused of not caring about the impact his music had on younger listeners.

And how could you, turn right around
The prosecutor is trying to expose Jay-Z as a hypocrite who doesn't care about the impact of his music.

And release a lethal dosage called "Volume 2"?
Jay-Z is again accused of providing music with negative and harmful messages to young people.

And is true you operate the criminal enterprise
Jay-Z is accused of being in charge of a criminal operation and being complicit in illegal activities.

Known as Roc-a-Fella in charge of his meteoric rise?
The prosecutor is suggesting that Jay-Z's success is the result of criminal activities and manipulation.

And do you deny you're responsible for the demise
Jay-Z is accused of being responsible for the downfall of other record executives.

Of record execs and do you object your distribution's Polygram?
Jay-Z's business practices are being called into question and he is being accused of unfair distribution practices.

And through your connects Def Jam
Jay-Z is accused of using his connections to Def Jam Records to further his own career at the expense of others.

You pushed over five million SoundScan
Jay-Z was successful in selling over five million albums and the prosecution is calling this into question.

And not to mention, your co-horts and henchmen
Jay-Z associate's involvement in criminal activity is being used as evidence against him.

Dame, Biggs, Lyor, Kev' and Russell Simmons
These individuals are seen as Jay-Z associates and the prosecution is pointing out their involvement in illegal activities.

And we ain't gon' talk about Murder, Inc
The prosecution is alluding to more criminal activity in the industry, without giving specifics.

That just establishes a darker deeper criminal link
The prosecution suggests that there are more connections between criminal activity in the music industry than we know about.

The State is seeking the maximum penalty
The prosecution wants to see Jay-Z receive the harshest possible sentence for his alleged crimes.

And with the overwhelming amount of evidence
The prosecution believes they have more than enough evidence to prove their case against Jay-Z.

The D.A.'s presented, things aren't looking good
The state's case against Jay-Z has gone well, and this isn't good news for Jay-Z.

Despite the grim outlook at this point
Things aren't looking good for Jay-Z if he is found guilty.

The rapper has been known to emerge triumphant
Jay-Z is a fighter and has overcome adversity in the past.

In the face of adversity
Jay-Z is ready to face the challenges head-on, and he's not afraid of a fight.

Right hand on the Bible, left hand in the air
Jay-Z swears to tell the truth and nothing but the truth under oath.

Before I spoke one word, made sure my throat was clear
Jay-Z is ready to speak his truth and wants to make sure he is fully prepared.

A-hem, I'm a prisoner of circumstance
Jay-Z feels like he has been unfairly treated and is the victim of the situation.

Frail nigga, I couldn't much work with my hands
Jay-Z admits that he is not physically strong and cannot defend himself with his fists.

But my mind was strong, I grew where you hold your blacks up
Jay-Z's intelligence and mental strength allowed him to overcome the disadvantages of growing up in a tough neighborhood.

Trap us, expect us not to pick gats up
Jay-Z describes how some people feel a sense of entrapment in the ghetto and feel like they have no other option than to turn to weapons.

Where you drop your cracks off by the Mack trucks
Jay-Z is describing the drug trade and where drugs are often sold or distributed from.

Destroy our dreams of lawyers and actors
Growing up in poor neighborhoods can often crush the dreams of young people, who are discouraged from seeking success outside of the streets.

Keep us spiralin', goin' backwards
Jay-Z describes how people from poor communities often get trapped in a cycle of poverty and struggle to escape.

At age nine, saw my first hate crime
Jay-Z talks about the harsh realities of growing up in a hostile environment where people were often targeted based on their race.

Blindfolded, expected to walk a straight line
Jay-Z was given little guidance or support and had to figure out things for himself.

Mind molded, taught to love you and hate mine
Jay-Z is talking about how he was indoctrinated with certain ideas and beliefs that did not support his community.

Climbed over it at a early age, Jay shined
Jay-Z was able to overcome these negative influences and shine through his talent and hard work.

Fuck the system at Lady Justice I blaze nine
Jay-Z is angry at the justice system and wants to take it on with everything he has, metaphorically with a gun.

Your Honor, I no longer kill my people, I raise mine
Jay-Z wants to work towards making things better for his community and wants to lift his people up instead of tearing them down.

The soul of Mumia in this modern day time
Jay-Z identifies with activist Mumia Abu-Jamal and is inspired by his spirit of resilience and strength.

While the jury is inside deliberating
The jury is now deciding on Jay-Z's guilt or innocence and they are in the process of deliberation.

Outside the crowd is frozen with anticipation
The people gathered outside are waiting anxiously for the verdict, and the atmosphere is tense and uncertain.

Well the verdict is just been announced not guilty!
The verdict has just been announced and Jay-Z has been found not guilty on all charges.

It is complete pandemonium out here!
The people outside the courtroom are ecstatic and there is a lot of excitement and chaos.

(They call me Dope Man, Dope Man)
Jay-Z is still proud of his music and is not ashamed of being associated with his old nickname.

People are cheering and hugging there he is
Jay-Z is now the center of attention and is being celebrated by the people gathered outside.

(I try to tell 'em I'm where hope, floats man)
Jay-Z wants to remind people that his music provides hope and inspiration to those who may feel trapped or helpless.

Jay-z is exiting the courtroom right now
Jay-Z has emerged victorious and is leaving the courtroom as a free man.

(Ghetto spokes man)
Jay-Z remains committed to being the voice of the people and using his platform to empower his community.

There is a swarm of cameras surrounding him
The media is now swarming around Jay-Z and wants to get a piece of his story and reaction to the verdict.

And people are just rushing up to him
Jay-Z is being mobbed by people who want to congratulate him and celebrate his freedom.

Let's try and make our way over there, Jay-Z! Jay-z!
The reporter is trying to get a better glimpse of Jay-Z and wants to hear from him about what he thinks of the verdict.