Illest Motherfucker Alive
Jay-Z - Kanye West Lyrics


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1985 white Lamborghini countach, two of 'em
I need a slow motion video right now
'Cause I'm moving in slow motion, slow motion
Feelin' like Hype Williams shooting a nigga
Shooting a nigga, hey hey hey
I need a slow motion video right now ay ay

Damn baby pussy can't be your only hustle
Unless you bad as Naomi Russell
I mean a lot of niggas got money
So basically, Russell ain't the only Russell
Russell brand, Russell crow
Zero zero zero zero, a whole lot of 0's
What you after, actor money?
You in line behind currency, yeah you after money
Bullet proof condom when I'm in these hoes
Got staples on my dick (why) fuckin' centerfolds
And I swear to god they so cold
Got a nigga in Miami wearing winter clothes
I got my fur on feelin' like Jerome
She got her fur too, we get our his and her on
Don't look at the jewelry, or get your blur on
Too close, you comatose so dope you overdose
Get back, you over close
Oh no, the hood was strugglin'
But then I blessed them with that polo
Niggas was making music and then my first solo
Collo Drolo sponsored by Manolo
She got Zeppi Notos ready for some photos
Yeah and I'm cold bitch, please try to keep the door closed
Lanvin thousand dollar tee with no logos
Let me show you what I see when my eyes closed

Take it how you want til a nigga dead
(Til then I'm the illest motherfucer alive)
Whole world aiming at a nigga head
(Because I'm the illest motherfucker alive)

Yeah yeah uh huh hold up
King Hov, I'm exactly what the fuck you think
Eleven in a row, Bill Russell rings, Michael Jordan swag
Y'all think Michael Jordan bad
Nigga I got a 5 more rings than Michael Jordan had
Elvis has left the building now I'm on the Beatles ass
Niggas hear watch the throne,
Yeah it's like the Beatles back
Bey' Bey' my yoko ono,
Rih' Rih' complete the family
Imagine how that's gon' look front row at the Grammys
Fuck your awards like Eddie Morphy's couch
The Roc is in the building we should have stayed in the house
I don't even know what we doing here
Seems to me a complete waste of gear
Just a fuckin' waste of time, a complete waste of bottles
Niggas fashion is weak, they be wastin' all the models
Got the oversized Rolley let me show the how to do it
When I say it then you see, it ain't only in the music
Basquiats, Warhols serving as my muses
My house like a museum, so I see 'em when I'm peeing
Usually you have this much taste you European
That's the end of that way of thinking, nigga never again
Know when to leave when the heat is coming, I learned that
This is where De Niro would be if he ain't turn back
Fuck Sosa, this Hova this is real life
This is what the ending of Scarface should feel like

I need a slow motion video right now
'Cause I'm moving in slow motion slow motion
Feelin' like Hype Williams shooting a nigga




Shooting a nigga hey hey hey
I need a slow motion video right now ay ay

Overall Meaning

The song "Illest Motherfucker Alive" by Jay-Z and Kanye West is a boastful track that is indicative of their careers and personas. The first verse speaks of Jay-Z's luxurious lifestyle and attitude towards women. He references famous iconic "Russells" and their money power, implying that he has similar clout in the industry. Additionally, he talks about his sexual prowess with women by referencing bulletproof condoms and staple-gun, suggesting that he has slept with pornographic models. West's verse continues with the theme of bragging and self-promotion, boasting that he is "the illest motherfucker alive". He compares himself to iconic music figures such as The Beatles and Michael Jordan, and implies that his spot at the top is a given. The song is structured like an anthem, with a repetitious chorus of "I need a slow motion video right now" that creates a celebratory atmosphere.


Line by Line Meaning

1985 white Lamborghini countach, two of 'em
I own two 1985 white Lamborghini Countachs.


I need a slow motion video right now
I feel like I'm moving so slow that I want to see myself in slow motion.


Feelin' like Hype Williams shooting a nigga
I'm feeling like a director filming a slow motion scene of someone getting shot, just like Hype Williams would.


Shooting a nigga, hey hey hey
I want to create the illusion of someone getting shot in slow motion in my music video.


Damn baby pussy can't be your only hustle
You can't rely on just your looks to make money.


Unless you bad as Naomi Russell
Unless you're as good at what you do as Naomi Russell, a successful pornographic actress.


I mean a lot of niggas got money
There are many people who have a lot of money.


So basically, Russell ain't the only Russell
There are other people with the last name Russell who are successful or have money.


Russell brand, Russell crow
Examples of other famous people with the last name Russell.


Zero zero zero zero, a whole lot of 0's
Someone has a lot of money, indicated by the number of zeroes in the amount.


What you after, actor money?
Are you trying to make money by being an actor?


You in line behind currency, yeah you after money
Making money is a top priority, but there are many people competing for financial success.


Bullet proof condom when I'm in these hoes
I make sure I'm protected when I engage in sexual activity with women.


Got staples on my dick (why) fuckin' centerfolds
I have a lot of sexual partners who are nude models, and I use surgical staples to make sure I don't catch any diseases.


And I swear to god they so cold
The models are extremely attractive and sexy.


Got a nigga in Miami wearing winter clothes
I have a fan in Miami who is so amazed by my lifestyle that he wears warm clothes even though it's hot outside.


I got my fur on feelin' like Jerome
I'm wearing fur and I feel like Jerome from the TV show Martin, who often wore fur coats.


She got her fur too, we get our his and her on
My partner and I both wear fur coats and have matching outfits.


Don't look at the jewelry, or get your blur on
My jewelry is so expensive that it may cause you to go blind if you look at it for too long.


Too close, you comatose so dope you overdose
If you get too close to me, you may become entranced by my lifestyle.


Get back, you over close
Stay away from me, you're too close.


Oh no, the hood was strugglin'
The community I grew up in was underprivileged and struggling to survive.


But then I blessed them with that polo
But then I made them feel better by giving them access to my fashion brand, Polo.


Niggas was making music and then my first solo
Before I started making music on my own, other people were making music in the community.


Collo Drolo sponsored by Manolo
I'm wearing expensive designer brands such as Collo Drolo and Manolo Blahnik.


She got Zeppi Notos ready for some photos
My partner is wearing expensive designer shoes, Zeppi Notos, and is ready to take photos.


Yeah and I'm cold bitch, please try to keep the door closed
I'm very wealthy and successful, and people are constantly trying to gain access to me.


Lanvin thousand dollar tee with no logos
I'm wearing an expensive t-shirt from the luxury fashion brand Lanvin that doesn't have any logos or branding visible.


Let me show you what I see when my eyes closed
I'm going to show you my unique perspective on the world and my life.


Take it how you want til a nigga dead
You can interpret my words and actions however you want until I die.


(Til then I'm the illest motherfucer alive)
But until then, I'm the most successful, influential person in the world.


Whole world aiming at a nigga head
Everyone is trying to bring down someone as successful and influential as me.


(Because I'm the illest motherfucker alive)
But they can't, because I'm the most successful, influential person in the world.


King Hov, I'm exactly what the fuck you think
I am exactly as confident, powerful, and successful as you would imagine.


Eleven in a row, Bill Russell rings, Michael Jordan swag
I have won 11 consecutive Grammys, just like Bill Russell won 11 NBA Championships, and I have the same level of style and charisma as Michael Jordan.


Y'all think Michael Jordan bad
People think Michael Jordan was one of the best, but I am even better.


Nigga I got a 5 more rings than Michael Jordan had
I have won more awards and achieved more success than Michael Jordan.


Elvis has left the building now I'm on the Beatles ass
Elvis was once the king of music, but now it's my turn to take over and be just as popular as the Beatles.


Niggas hear watch the throne,
People hear about Watch the Throne, the album I made in collaboration with Kanye West.


Yeah it's like the Beatles back
Just like the Beatles were hugely popular in the past, people are now obsessed with our music and collaborations.


Bey' Bey' my yoko ono,
My partner Beyonce is like my creative and romantic muse, just like Yoko Ono was for John Lennon.


Rih' Rih' complete the family
Rihanna is also a part of our creative and musical family.


Imagine how that's gon' look front row at the Grammys
It will be amazing to see us all sitting together in the front row of the Grammy Awards.


Fuck your awards like Eddie Morphy's couch
I don't care about receiving awards, just like the comedian Eddie Murphy doesn't care about his couch being dirty.


The Roc is in the building we should have stayed in the house
My music label, Roc Nation, is here and we should have just stayed at home rather than attending this event.


I don't even know what we doing here
I don't even know why we came to this event or what we're supposed to be doing.


Seems to me a complete waste of gear
This entire event seems to be a waste of time and resources.


Just a fuckin' waste of time, a complete waste of bottles
This is not a good use of our time and the free alcohol being provided.


Niggas fashion is weak, they be wastin' all the models
Other people's fashion sense is not as strong as mine, and they are wasting attractive women by not appreciating them fully.


Got the oversized Rolley let me show the how to do it
I'm wearing a large and expensive Rolex watch, and I want to show others how to be as stylish and successful as I am.


When I say it then you see, it ain't only in the music
My success and style extend beyond my music and are visible in everything I do or say.


Basquiats, Warhols serving as my muses
I find inspiration in the works of famous artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol.


My house like a museum, so I see 'em when I'm peeing
My house is decorated with valuable artwork, and I can even see it when I'm using the bathroom.


Usually you have this much taste you European
Usually, only Europeans have as much knowledge and taste in art and culture as I do.


That's the end of that way of thinking, nigga never again
I don't believe in limiting myself or others by assuming that certain people or cultures can't have good taste or knowledge.


Know when to leave when the heat is coming, I learned that
I know when to avoid trouble or conflict before it gets too intense, and I learned that from previous experiences.


This is where De Niro would be if he ain't turn back
If Robert De Niro hadn't become an actor, he would be in the same position as me: rich, powerful, and successful.


Fuck Sosa, this Hova this is real life
I am better and more successful than Sosa, and this is not just a movie or fantasy, this is real life.


This is what the ending of Scarface should feel like
My success and power is like the fantasy ending of the movie Scarface, where the main character becomes wealthy and powerful, free from his past of crime and poverty.


I need a slow motion video right now
I am still moving so slowly that I want to see a slow motion version of myself immediately.


'Cause I'm moving in slow motion slow motion
I am still moving so slowly that it feels like I am in slow motion.


Feelin' like Hype Williams shooting a nigga
I still feel like a director filming a slow motion scene of someone getting shot, just like Hype Williams would.


Shooting a nigga, hey hey hey
I want to recreate the illusion of someone getting shot in slow motion in my music video once again.


I need a slow motion video right now ay ay
I really need to see a slow motion version of myself to believe how slow I'm moving.




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KANYE WEST, SHAWN CARTER, MIKE DEAN, JOSHUA LUELLEN, SCOTT MESCUDI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@thomasnelson5758

Co-producer Southside on Kanye's contributions to the beat in an interview with Respect Magazine:

"Q: I immediately recognized your drums on that beat, like the snare. How much of the record is your original beat, and what did Kanye add?

A: Kanye added mostly all the synths. I did the drums, the snares, the hi-hat, and the breakdowns. Basically I added the drums, and he put his Kanye classical, musical space-synth stuff to it.

Q: Yeah, the opera.

A: Yeah, the opera. You know how Kanye is. He go crazy with stuff like that. It’s like he sees a movie in his head or something."



All comments from YouTube:

@giovannimacdermott3030

Lowkey the best song on the album imo. Never get tired of it.

@slater3607

You my friend have good taste

@black914015678

This song is gold!!!!

@Svidrigailov1

This song is a beautiful ego trip. Gets me pumped

@eazyE93

Well said

@ihaveautism666

Ego trip, I like that

@ihaveautism666

@Clutch7 my ego has never lead me wrong my ego is my strength and power

@alanparsons994

There is a Finnish pop band "Egotrippi" which means ego trip ;)

@dedetmt2535

One of my max out songs lol

1 More Replies...

@user-hb8ph3qb5w

If you are here in 2021 you’re a legend!

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