Produced by Just Blaze, the track samples “I’m Not to Blame” by Bobby Byrd. Just has said that he was never fully satisfied with the beat, hence his 2002 remix:
We did The Blueprint in such a short period of time that we knew we had to get it out right away. Not that I rushed through ‘U Don’t Know.’ We knew it was hot, but I wanted to do more with it … the remix [is] the same beat but it’s smashing you in your face so much harder that it really brings the whole thing home. So, its the same dynamic of starting something, but then really revisiting it later on and luckily I was able to.
According to Jay, the track came about as the result of a beat-making battle between Just and Kanye:
During that time, I had two rooms in Baseline. It was a big room that I was in, that I’d record in. Then it was a small room that Just would be in doing beats. What happened was, Just would peep his head in and hear what me and Kanye was doing and would just go back mad … It was like this every day. It was like a heavyweight slugfest. For three days they was just knocking each other out. And I remember him playing that joint, and I was like, ‘Oh my God!’
Jadakiss stated that he originally had the instrumental to this song before Jay-Z but he didn’t know what to do with it and expressed regret that he was not able to make a song out of it. This most likely has to do with him being impressed with what Jay did to it.
U Don't Know
Jay-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(You don't know what you're doing, doing, doing)
Sure I do
I'm from the streets where the hood could swallow 'em and
Bullets'll follow 'em and
There's so much coke that you could run the slalom
And cops comb the shit top to bottom
They say that we are prone to violence, but it's home sweet home
Where personalities clash and chrome meets chrome
The coke prices up and down like it's Wall Street, holmes
But this is worse than the Dow Jones, your brains are now blown
All over that brown Brougham, one slip, you are now gone
Welcome to Hell, where you are welcome to sell
But when them shells come, you better return 'em
All scars, we earn 'em
All cars, we learn 'em like the back of our hand
We watch for cops hopping out the back of vans
Wear a G on my chest, I don't need Dapper Dan
This ain't a sewn outfit, holmes, holmes is about it
Was clapping them flamers before I became famous
For playing me, y'all shall forever remain nameless (you don't know)
I am Hov (what you're doing, doing, doing)
Sure I do
I tell you the difference between me and them
They're trying to get their ones, I'm trying to get them Ms
One million, two million, three million, four
In just five years, forty million more
You are now looking at the forty million boy
I'm raping Def Jam 'til I'm the hundred million man
R-O-C (you don't know what you're doing, doing, doing)
That's where you're wrong
I came into this motherfucker hundred grand strong
Nine to be exact, from grinding G-packs
Put this shit in motion, ain't no rewinding me back
Could make forty off a brick, but one rhyme could beat that
And if somebody woulda told 'em that Hov would sell clothing
Not in this lifetime, wasn't in my right mind
That's another difference that's between me and them, ha
I smarten up, open the market up
One million, two million, three million, four
In eighteen months, eighty million more
Now add that number up with the one I said before
You are now looking at one smart black boy
Mama ain't raised no fool
Put me anywhere on God's green earth
I'll triple my worth, motherfucker
I will not lose (you don't know what you're doing, doing, doing)
Put something on it
I sell ice in the winter, I sell fire in Hell
I am a hustler, baby, I'll sell water to a well
I was born to get cake, move on and switch states
Cop the coupe with the roof gone and switch plates
Was born to dictate, never follow orders, dick face
Get your shit straight, fucker, this is Big Jay
I, hahaha (you don't know what you're doing, doing, doing)
Will not lose, ever
Fucker
The song "U Don't Know" by Jay-Z featuring M.O.P. is a classic hip-hop song that talks about the prowess and dominance of the artists in the rap game. The song opens with a dialogue between Jay-Z and his girl, suggesting that he is coming back into the rap game and that people should let him breathe for a while. Jay-Z mentions his association with Roc, indicating that he's one of the newest additions to the Roc crew, while M.O.P. talks about how they are from zip codes 1, 2, and 3 and are coming with an intent to conquer whatever comes their way.
The repeated hook "You don't know what you're doing, doing, doing" could be interpreted in multiple ways. Firstly, to imply that other rappers in the game are not on their level or that they are not as proficient. Secondly, it could be an expression of warning to the audience, suggesting that they have to be cautious before stepping into the rap game.
In the second verse, M.O.P. boasts of their longevity in the game, having been in the industry since the era of XL 80's and hatchback Saabs, while still being relevant today. The artists employ lyrical weapons and metaphors to demonstrate their reputation and status in the industry, showing a sense of dominance as they target the rest of the rappers in the game.
Overall, the song has a gritty and aggressive tone, reflecting the street life and dominance of the artists, which is typical of the rap music genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Time to duck, fire
It's time to take cover and shoot back
Duck, fire, duck, fire
Repeatedly ducking to avoid getting hit and then firing back
You don't know what you're doing, doing, doing, doing
You lack knowledge and expertise in your actions
It's the MOP (yes)
We are M.O.P. (Mash Out Posse)
And the zip-code is
Referring to their origin or neighborhood
1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (3)
Specifically indicating their location
And motherfucker we comin', a hunnid miles and gunnin'
We are approaching aggressively and with great force
I'm still runnin' with cats that rob
I am still associated with people who engage in theft
From the era of XL 80's and hatchback Saabs
Referring to a time when large cars and hatchbacks were popular
Operation for this industry lock down
Executing a plan to establish control over the music industry
We still tote hammers that go blak-ow
We still carry guns that make loud noises when fired
Run up if you wanna, believe me dog
If you dare to approach us, be prepared for the consequences
These hammers with they owners, fuck ya G up
These guns and their owners will severely harm or kill you
Have ya with blue Pampers in a coma, and
Cause you to be in a coma and wearing adult diapers
Your family now moan, look, 70 pounds gone
Your family will mourn your loss, as you will die and lose significant weight
A little fuck, shriveled up with a hospital gown on
Referring to the person as insignificant, weak, and sickly
(We holdin' it down holmes) Keep pushin' we fell, bastards
We are maintaining our position and persevering despite setbacks
To get over, we prowl with slippery shell tactics
To succeed, we use crafty and evasive strategies
Chipity frail bastards, your tracks need tune-ups
The quality of your music is weak and requires improvement
Lil' nigglet, what the fuck you recordin' for, Nick Jr?
Why are you, a small and insignificant artist, even trying to record music?
(The game ain't changed) It just got harder
The nature of the music industry hasn't changed, it has become more difficult
Plus we sponsored by Laze, Dame Dash and Mr. S. Carter
We have influential figures backing us, including Laze, Dame Dash, and Jay-Z (Mr. S. Carter)
Brownsville (yep), we stomp in this bitch all day
We dominate and assert our presence in Brownsville
Rock with my cock out, face the crowd and piss off stage
Perform confidently and provocatively, disregarding the audience's reaction
I'm from the G side of thangs
I come from the gangster side of things
Where we ride and bang, with a heat that'll flame
We engage in gang activities with powerful firearms
That's how we got the name (warriors)
Our reputation as warriors stems from our actions
Embedded in ya brain, and someone should be tellin 'em
Our identity as warriors is deeply ingrained in people's minds, and someone should remind them
The veterans have came, and we're better in the game
We, the experienced individuals, have arrived and are superior in the game
You better make it rain (27 a grams)
You better generate a significant amount of money
My man, it's better than cocaine, now everything will change
Making money is more satisfying and addictive than cocaine, and it will lead to significant changes
In this family we'll rule the world
Within our collective, we will establish dominance globally
And you haters can eat a dick up 'til you hiccup and hurl
Those who dislike us can endure unpleasant experiences until they vomit
A decade on the grind, nigga I paid mine
I have tirelessly worked for ten years and earned what I deserve
So it's my time to shine and for you can ride the pine
Now it's my turn to succeed and for you to take a backseat
I wont sit back and rap like these dumb ass kids
I refuse to adopt the style of unintelligent young artists
I been around, I put it down, I ain't these young ass kids
I have been in the game for a while, I have made significant contributions, and I am not like these young, inexperienced artists
(MOP) The OG's repped and survived around this motherfucker
M.O.P. (Mash Out Posse) are the original gangsters who represented and thrived in this environment
(First family) We kept it live around this motherfucker
As the first family of hip-hop, we have maintained an exciting and vibrant presence in this industry
When it's crunch time, we do it our wizzay
During critical moments, we handle things in our unique and successful way
For shizzle my nigga, learned to grip pistols in BK
Indeed, my friend, I acquired the skill of handling firearms in Brooklyn
Turn my music high, high, high, high-er
Increase the volume and intensity of my music
Mo' fire, more Rocawear attire
Producing more impressive work and wearing clothing from Rocawear
Mo' money, mo' murder now that M.O.P.'s hired
More wealth and more killings occur when M.O.P. is involved
Mo' further for The Roc empire, y'all won't serve us
We will expand The Roc empire even more, and you won't be able to compete with us
Y'all nervous, know them guns on full service, ready to fire
You are anxious because you know our guns are loaded and ready to be used
One body, two body, three body, four
We are responsible for multiple deaths
Young sittin' on paper, I'm above the law
As a wealthy individual, I have power and influence that surpasses the law
Young shittin' on haters, I ain't fuckin' with y'all
I am disrespecting and disregarding those who hate on me
For my Brownsville neighbors, How About Some Hardcore?
This is dedicated to my fellow residents of Brownsville, who appreciate hardcore music
And it just get worser, every time I sign my signature in cursive
The situation becomes more intense and difficult every time I sign my name with a flourish
Just add another million to these verses
Just add another million dollars to the value of these lyrics
One million, two million, three million, four
Indicating the growth of wealth from one million to four million
And the money's really worthless, I'm pissin' you off on purpose
Despite the large amounts of money, it holds little value, and I am intentionally provoking anger in you
My nephew's situated, and my mom straight
My nephew is financially stable, and my mother is taken care of
So I'm ready for whatever drama should come my way
I am prepared to face any challenges or conflicts that come my way
And you niggas rappin' to me, so your drama is fake
Your attempts to confront me through rap are inauthentic and insincere
You dudes is noodles, I got more ziti to bake
You guys are weak and insignificant, while I have more money to make
You dudes is cake, I keep two biscuits on the waist
You guys are soft and easy targets, while I carry two guns for protection
Razor blades under the tongue, I will eat your face
I am so ruthless that I would harm you by biting and consuming your face with razor blades hidden in my mouth
Appetite for destruction, I am starving today
I have an intense desire to cause chaos and destruction
Got a money hungry lawyer that'll eat the case
I have a lawyer who is motivated by money and will easily win any legal case
And that's just food for thought, don't let it go to waste
That information should be carefully considered and not ignored
Nigga bite the bullet until you stuffing your face, ha
Endure the pain and hardship until it becomes overwhelming
I done forgot more than you ever learned
I have knowledge and experience that surpasses what you have ever acquired
What you don't know will make your home a permanent urn, nigga
What you lack knowledge of will lead to your demise and turning your home into a grave
Do you believe it?
Are you able to accept and comprehend it?
You don't know what you're doing, doing, doing, doing
You lack understanding and competence in your actions
Do you believe it?
Are you able to accept and comprehend it?
You don't know what you're doing, doing, doing, doing
You lack understanding and competence in your actions
Do you believe it?
Are you able to accept and comprehend it?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Broma 16, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bobby Byrd, Shawn Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind