Dirt Off My Shoulders
Jay-Z And Pete Rock Lyrics

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You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin greatest
Turn the music up in the headphones
Tim, you can go and brush your shoulder off nigga I got you, yeah

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

I probably owe it to y'all, proud to be locked by the force
Tryin' to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
Feelin' no remorse, feelin' like my hand was forced
Middle finger to the Lord, nigga grip I'm a boss
Stab the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin'
All the ballers is bouncin' they like the way I be leanin'
All the rappers be hatin', off the track that I'm makin'
But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Came from the bottom the bottom, to the top of the pots
Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
I can run it back nigga cause I'm straight with the Roc

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
Tryin' to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yessir
Keep the Heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin'
Now fifty-two bars come out, now you feel 'em
Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin'
With a boss bitch of course S.C. on the sleeve
At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

Your boy back in the building, Brooklyn we back on the map
Me and my beautiful bitch in the back of that 'Bach
I'm the realest that run it, I just happen to rap
I ain't gotta clap at 'em, niggas scared of that black
I drop that "Black Album" then I back, out it
As the best rapper alive nigga ask about me
From Bricks to Billboards, from grams to Grammy's
The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
You gotta pardon Jay, for sellin' out the Garden in a day
I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
Got some, dirt on my shoulder, could you brush it off for me?

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin' greatest

Best rapper alive, best rapper alive

Overall Meaning

In the song "Dirt Off Your Shoulders" by Jay-Z and The Verve, the lyrics serve as a motivational anthem for anyone who's facing challenges and doubts. The song starts with Jay-Z amplifying the energy of the track by saying "You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin' greatest," implying that he's on top of his game and ready to conquer any obstacle. The line "Tim, you can go and brush your shoulder off nigga I got you, yeah" speaks to his confidence and loyalty to his team.

The chorus "If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off / Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off" encourages listeners to shake off any negativity and rise above it. The lines "Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you / Get, that, dirt off your shoulder" serves as a reminder that there will always be haters, but it's important to stay focused and not let them get in the way of one's success.

The lyrics also touch on Jay-Z’s humble beginnings and his rise to fame. He reflects on his past struggles and how far he's come, stating "Came from the bottom the bottom, to the top of the pots / Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block." These lines show his pride in his accomplishments and the hard work it took to get there. Overall, the song is about persevering through adversity and coming out on top.

Line by Line Meaning

You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin greatest
You are now listening to the greatest artist of all time.

Turn the music up in the headphones
Increase the volume of the music in the headphones.

Tim, you can go and brush your shoulder off nigga I got you, yeah
Tim, you can remove the dust and stains from your jacket shoulder, I got you. (referring to a friend/fellow artist)

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
If you feel confident and successful, then show it by brushing your shoulders off.

Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Women can also be confident and successful, so they should also brush off their shoulders.

Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
People can be unpredictable and irrational, so always be mindful of this.

Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Remove any negativity, doubts, or criticisms from your life.

I probably owe it to y'all, proud to be locked by the force
I owe my success to all of you, and I am proud to have been oppressed by law enforcement.

Tryin' to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
I am trying to sell some items that complement my luxury sports car.

Feelin' no remorse, feelin' like my hand was forced
I have no regrets and feel like my actions were necessary.

Middle finger to the Lord, nigga grip I'm a boss
I am showing defiance towards a higher power, but I am confident in my leadership abilities.

Stab the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin'
I am very attractive to women, and they support me from the sidelines.

All the ballers is bouncin' they like the way I be leanin'
All the athletes are enjoying my music and dancing to it.

All the rappers be hatin', off the track that I'm makin'
Other rappers are jealous of my success and the quality of my music.

But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Other hardworking individuals appreciate my success and find inspiration in it.

Came from the bottom the bottom, to the top of the pots
I came from a low point in my life and now I am at the top of my profession.

Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
I have traveled to different countries, but I am still true to my roots in my hometown.

Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
I am as fast and agile as a running back in football, and I represent my neighborhood where I grew up.

I can run it back nigga cause I'm straight with the Roc
I can return to my old neighborhood and be welcomed because of my connection with The Roc music label.

Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
I, Hov, am in control and making moves in the drug trade.

I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
I just made a lot of money and am planning to buy a luxury SUV.

Tryin' to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yessir
I am trying to increase profits by diluting the cocaine supply (and this is a reference to a wrestling move).

Keep the Heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
I am carrying a gun for self-defense because drug users can be unpredictable.

But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin'
I am in control and making deals like a card dealer.

Now, fifty-two bars come out, now you feel 'em
My lyrics are coming out quickly and powerfully, and you can truly feel them.

Now fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
Now that I am successful, I have many cars rolling out of my garage, and I can remove the roofs to feel the wind.

In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin'
Just in case many women show up, I can still relax and enjoy myself.

With a boss bitch of course S.C. on the sleeve
I am with a confident and powerful woman, who represents our shared success and control.

At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
I am enjoying my time at my sports bar, where sports news is playing on the screens.

I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
I spent a lot of money on my clothing, and my shoes are very clean.

No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real
I have matured and do not need flashy cars to prove my worth.

Your boy back in the building, Brooklyn we back on the map
I have returned to my hometown of Brooklyn, and we are once again on the map.

Me and my beautiful bitch in the back of that 'Bach
I am with my beautiful girlfriend in the back of my luxury car.

I'm the realest that run it, I just happen to rap
I am the most authentic and successful artist in the music industry.

I ain't gotta clap at 'em, niggas scared of that black
I do not need to use violence to intimidate people, as my black identity alone is enough to scare them.

I drop that 'Black Album' then I back, out it
I released a successful album called 'Black Album', and then I moved on from it.

As the best rapper alive nigga ask about me
I am considered the best rapper alive, and you can ask others to confirm this.

From Bricks to Billboards, from grams to Grammy's
I went from selling drugs on the street to winning major music awards.

The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
I am so successful that I have moved to the opposite end of the spectrum from being an orphan.

You gotta pardon Jay, for sellin' out the Garden in a day
You have to forgive me for selling out Madison Square Garden in just one day.

I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
I am as talented and successful as the legendary artist Marvin Gaye in his prime.

I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
I am a hardworking hustler, while you are just a consumer.

Got some, dirt on my shoulder, could you brush it off for me?
I have some negativity or criticism, and I am asking you to help me remove it.

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You need to remove any negativity or doubt from your life.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, SHAWN C CARTER, TIMOTHY Z MOSLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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