Kanye West.
Kanye samples “Ain’t no Love in the Heart of the City” by Bobby “Blue” Bland.
According to Complex, Jay wanted this to be the first single off The Blueprint.
Kanye stated in “Last Call” that he originally wanted to give the beat to DMX, and he later told Vibe that the Jay-Z version originally featured R. Kelly singing on it.
Each verse starts in a similar way: Jay recalling the demise of successful entertainers. He reflects on how it seems everyone is waiting for Jay’s downfall, hence he ain’t feelin' the love.
Heart of the City
Jay-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First the Fat Boys break up, now every day I wake up
Somebody got a problem with Hov'
Whassup y'all niggas all fed up cause I got a little cheddar
And my records moving out the sto'?
Young fucks spitting at me, young rappers getting at me
My nigga Big predicted the shit exactly
"Mo' Money, Mo' Problems" gotta move carefully
'Cause fagots hate when you getting money like athletes
Yung'uns ice-grilling me, oh, you not feeling me?
Fine, it cost you nothing, pay me no mind
Look, I'm on my grind cousin, ain't got time for fronting
Sensitive thugs, y'all all need hugs
Damn little mans I'm just trying do me
If the record's two mill' I'm just trying move three
Get a couple of chicks, get 'em to try to do E
Hopefully they'll menage before I reach my garage
I don't want much, fuck I drove every car
Some nice cooked food, some nice clean drawers
Bird-ass niggas I don't mean to ruffle y'all
I know you waiting in the wing but I'm doing my thing
Where's the love?
Ain't no love, in the heart of the city
I said where's the love?
Ain't no love, in the heart of town
Yeah
And then the Fugees gon' break up, now everyday I wake up
Somebody got something to say
What's all the fucking fussing for? Because I'm grubbing more
And I pack heat like I'm the oven door?
Niggas pray and pray on my downfall
But every time I hit the ground I bounce up like round ball
Now I don't want to have to kill sound ball
Don't want to have to cock back the four pound bar
Look scrapper I got nephews to look after
I'm not looking at you dudes, I'm looking past ya
I thought I told you characters I'm not a rapper
Can I live? I told you in ninety-six
That I came to take this shit and I did, handle my biz
I scramble like Randall with his
Cunningham but the only thing running is numbers fam
Jigga held you down six summers, damn, where's the love?
Ain't no love, in the heart of the city
Niggas, where's the love?
Ain't no love, in the heart of town
Holla at me!
Ain't no love (take 'em to church) in the heart of the city
Uh, uh, uh, my nigga where's the love?
Ain't no love, in the heart of town
Fuck
Then Richard Pryor go and burn up, and Ike and Tina Turner break up
Then I wake up to more bullshit
You knew me before records, you never disrespected me
Now that I'm successful you'll pull this shit
Nigga I'll step on your porch, step to your boss
Let's end the speculation, I'm talking to alla y'all
Males shouldn't be jealous that's a female trait
What you mad 'cause you push dimes and he sell weight?
Y'all don't know my expenses, I gotta buy a bigger place
Hehehe, and more baggies, why you all aggie?
Nigga respect the game, that should be it
What you eat don't make me shit, where's the love?
Where's the love?
Ain't no love, in the heart of the city
Ain't no love, in the heart of town
Ain't no love, in the heart of the city
Ain't no love, in the heart of town
Ain't no love, in the heart of the city
Ain't no love, in the heart of town
Ain't no love
The song "Heart of the City" by Jay-Z, also known as "Ain't No Love," talks about the problems that come with becoming successful. He refers to various examples, including the Fat Boys breaking up, the Fugees' dissolution, Richard Pryor's accident, and Ike and Tina Turner's separation. Jay-Z feels his haters' disrespect, as they are jealous of his money and fame. He makes it clear that he doesn't have time for sensitive thugs trying to bring him down, and he's all about grinding and hustling, trying to move more records and stay on his game. In the end, he questions where the love is in the heart of the city and town, as he feels like he's not getting the respect he deserves.
Line by Line Meaning
First the Fat Boys break up, now every day I wake up
Somebody got a problem with Hov'
Jay-Z's observations on rap industry changes and people having issues with him.
Whassup y'all niggas all fed up cause I got a little cheddar
And my records moving out the sto'?
People being envious of his wealth and success.
My nigga Big predicted the shit exactly
'Mo' Money, Mo' Problems' gotta move carefully
Noting his late friend's advice to be careful with increasing wealth.
'Cause fagots hate when you getting money like athletes
Yung'uns ice-grilling me, oh, you not feeling me?
Discrimination after achieving success and younger rappers' resentment towards him.
Fine, it cost you nothing, pay me no mind
Look, I'm on my grind cousin, ain't got time for fronting
Jay-Z's dismissal of criticism and his focus on his personal goals.
Sensitive thugs, y'all all need hugs
Damn little mans I'm just trying do me
Mockery of the behavior of those who attack him rather than support him.
If the record's two mill' I'm just trying move three
Get a couple of chicks, get 'em to try to do E
Hopefully they'll menage before I reach my garage
His ongoing drive for success and material pleasures.
I know you waiting in the wing but I'm doing my thing
Where's the love?
Jay-Z questioning where the support and love from others has gone.
What's all the fucking fussing for? Because I'm grubbing more
And I pack heat like I'm the oven door?
Jay-Z's troubles with violence and people wanting to bring him down due to his success.
Niggas pray and pray on my downfall
But every time I hit the ground I bounce up like round ball
Acknowledgement of negative attention he receives and his resilience in dealing with it.
Jigga held you down six summers, damn, where's the love?
Jay-Z calling out people who he's helped and supported previously and wondering where the reciprocity is.
Males shouldn't be jealous that's a female trait
What you mad 'cause you push dimes and he sell weight?
Jay-Z calling out those who are envious of his success, pointing out that jealousy is a feminine trait and questioning why they're upset when they're involved in similar activities.
Nigga respect the game, that should be it
What you eat don't make me shit, where's the love?
Jay-Z's desire for others to recognize the culture and support their fellow artists, while telling them to mind their own business and questioning the lack of support.
Then Richard Pryor go and burn up, and Ike and Tina Turner break up
Then I wake up to more bullshit
You knew me before records, you never disrespected me
Now that I'm successful you'll pull this shit
Jay-Z expressing frustration with people treating him differently after he obtained success, drawing a parallel to some famous people who faced challenges.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Daniel Walsh, Harvey A. Price, Shawn Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind