Imaginary Player
Jay-Z Lyrics

Yeah
Jay-Z starts off the song with an affirmation.

I mean like
Jay-Z goes on to say he was a pioneer in the rap game and he is going to show everyone how to do it.

I gotta be like the pioneer to this shit, you know
Jay-Z's status as well-established figure in the rap game is the main point of the song.

I was popping that Cristal
Jay-Z's success and prominence is further emphasized with his reference to Cristal champagne.

When all y'all niggas thought it was beer and shit, you know
Jay-Z emphasizes his early success and fame by contrasting his early experience with Cristal to how other rappers saw champagne at the time.

Wearing that platinum shit
Jay-Z talks about wearing platinum jewelry, which was a big trend at the time.

When all y'all chicks thought it was silver and shit
Jay-Z emphasizes his pioneering and trend-setting status by claiming he wore platinum before it was popularly recognized.

I gotta really be the pioneer of this shit
Jay-Z crowns himself as the ultimate pioneer and trailblazer of the rap game.

Bottom line
Jay-Z gets straight to the point, telling his listeners he is the true pioneer.

I'ma show you how to do it, check
Jay-Z is telling people to pay attention because he is about to teach them something.

Yo, I spit that other shit
Jay-Z starts the second verse by claiming he spits a different kind of rap.

That's the nice motherfucker shit
Jay-Z is emphasizing his unique style is highly desirable.

Fed time follow me around, deep cover shit nigga
Jay-Z boasts that he's so well-respected even the feds are watching him.

You beer money, I'm all year money
Jay-Z is saying he's got wealth that lasts all year, not just a temporary beer fund.

I'm popping, you ain't gotta count it, it's all there money
Jay-Z claims he's so rich he doesn't even need to count his money; it's all there for him already.

I never change money 'cause niggas got strange money
Jay-Z's wealth gives him a sense of security and stability which he feels many other people lack.

NARC'd up, marked up, fucked up in the game money
Jay-Z references drug money obtained illegally and associates it with dirty business.

I got bail money, XXL money
Jay-Z is so wealthy he can afford bail money and also pay for luxury items like an XXL shirt.

You got flash now, but time will reveal money
Jay-Z is warning other rappers their flash will only last a short time and they need to think about long-term success.

I spit the hottest shit, you need it I got it shit
Jay-Z can deliver the hottest rap lyrics and has everything people need.

That down South Master P, 'bout it 'bout it shit
Jay-Z acknowledges Master P's style in the southern rap scene with this line.

I got blood money, straight up thug money
Jay-Z references money obtained from gang-related activity and life on the streets.

That brown paper bag under your mattress drug money
More drug money, this time showing how it's usually hidden away.

You got show dough, little to no dough
Jay-Z asserts that other rappers may have had some short-term success, but they have little to no real wealth.

Sell a bunch of records and you still owe dough
Jay-Z is accusing others of not being able to handle their business affairs properly and still owe their debt despite success.

I got nine hundred and ninety six plus four more dough
Jay-Z is so wealthy he can make a joke about having $1000.

You crazy, you fugazi, I'm loco with dough papo
Jay-Z reiterates his wealth and status by using words from the Italian mafia.

And now you got these young cats acting like they slung cats
Jay-Z is criticizing the recent influx of younger rappers trying to emulate his style, including the thugs and gangsters.

All in they dumb rap, talking about how they funds stack
Jay-Z is accusing younger rappers of only being able to speak about their limited financial situation in rap songs.

When I see them in the street, I don't see none of that
Jay-Z is stating that he's not impressed with their so-called wealth, especially when he sees them in person.

Damn playboy, where the fuck is the Hummer at?
Jay-Z is mocking younger rappers who talked about owning an H2 Hummer, which was a popular symbol of wealth at the time.

Where is all the ice with all the platinum under that?
Jay-Z is mocking younger rappers who wear flashy platinum and diamond accessories.

Those ain't Rolex diamonds, what the fuck you done to that?
Jay-Z is accusing younger rappers of wearing fake or heavily altered diamonds in their expensive watches.

Y'all rapping-ass niggas, y'all funny to me
Jay-Z continues to slight younger rappers and their lack of creativity.

Selling records, being you but still you want to be me
Jay-Z is accusing younger rappers of copying his style and being inspired by him in their music but they cannot live that lifestyle like he does.

I guess for every buck you make it's like a hundred for me
Jay-Z is bragging about outselling younger rappers and making more money than them.

And still you running around thinking you got something on me
Jay-Z is accusing younger rappers of thinking they're as successful as he is and not recognizing the difference between them.

But I done did it
Jay-Z reiterates his success and persistence.

And y'all want to take my flow, and run with it
Jay-Z knows his influence on the rap game and how many others have borrowed his style.

That's cool, I was the first one with it
Jay-Z reiterates his position as the original pioneer of his style and others should give credit to him.

Original, Jigga's the future flow digital
Jay-Z is still the leader of everyone's future flow digital and is still the original Jigga.

Still busting a gat when she gets critical
Jay-Z is referencing his readiness to use guns when he has to, especially in a sensitive situation.

Sit it down, I don't want y'all to get it confused
Jay-Z wants to remind other rappers to stay in their place and not confuse success for being comparable to him.

I rip it down, like I ain't got nothing to lose
Jay-Z reiterates his position being so high it all seems meaningless and he has nothing left to lose.

Groupies I leave 'em all fucked
Jay-Z is playing on his image as a ladies man and, how he might mistreat groupies after having his way with them.

Niggas, awe struck
Jay-Z is well-respected by other rappers which is why they are in awe of him.

Your single was ninety nine cents, mines was four bucks
Jay-Z is criticizing rappers for charging too little for their music and how he is charging four times as much.

Last year, when niggas thought it was all luck
Jay-Z is reflecting back to a time when he wasn't as established and others didn't give him enough credit.

But this year I've done it again, Jigga!
Jay-Z reveals he's still on top and he's accomplished even more this year, despite others doubting him.

What the fuck
Jay-Z is claiming his success is unmatched and above everyone else's.

Nigga stop whining, Jigga, still shining
Jay-Z is telling others to stop complaining and follow his lead because he's still shining despite the obstacles.

Niggas kept complaining so I copped more diamonds
Jay-Z is telling other rappers to stop complaining because he's not listening and he's still purchasing more diamonds to show off his wealth.

Rock more Versace, ain't nothing sweet
Jay-Z wears high-end designer brands like Versace, but he has a hard edge to his style that doesn't conform to mainstream expectations.

I still throw three in your body, fleeing the party
Jay-Z continues to display his tough guy persona by implying that he will shoot somebody if necessary and then leave the scene.

Y'all can't go with me, nope, flow with me
Jay-Z is daring others to try and keep up with him, even though they never will.

Bet fifty, not dollars either I brought some dough with me
Jay-Z is using his wealth to wager large amounts of money without fear of losing and has lots of dough with him.

I flow like the 5 series, in various areas
Jay-Z is comparing himself to the luxury vehicle BMW 5 series, he can move with ease whether in urban or suburban environments.

And blow holes in your weak niggas theories
Jay-Z's rapping skills are impeccable, and he can expose the flaws of others better than anyone and show that his theories are weak.

It's funny how one verse can fuck up the game
Jay-Z is reminding other rappers how influential he is and how one verse can change everything.

You bought a 4.0 you better get your change
Jay-Z is criticizing younger rappers for buying entry-level vehicles, which are cheaper than the expensive cars he drives.

Ain't no platinum in those Cartiers, switch your frame
Jay-Z is again making fun of others for having fake or altered jewelry and tells them to change the frames of their watches.

Ain't no manicures on board, then switch your plane
Jay-Z is saying if you don't have a private jet and all the amenities that go with it, then you are not on his level.

Imaginary playmates
This is the chorus of the song and serves to add emphasis to his lyrics.