Intro
Jay-Z And Pete Rock Lyrics
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He didn't own his own company, white man owned it, so they owned him
Nobody owns me though"
(Your gangster is not defined)
Your gangster is not defined by how low your jeans fall by your waist
But more how your genes stand up to their expectations
"Never forgetting where you came from"
Your gangster is not defined by how many rocks are in your watch
But more, how many rocks you move while on your watch
(Gangsters, hustlers, republicans, democrats, pimps and hoes)
Conservatives, labor, the seller, the buyer, the product, the producer
"See you are what you are in this world"
The gangster is absorbed and adored by those that don't understand the laws that govern gangsterment
(Gangsterment, gangsterment)
Gangsterment allows you to make up your own laws and create brand new words
Gangster mentality
(Gangster mentality, an American way created by the white
Mastered by the black, and absorbed by the fiends, taxed by the governmentality, charted by Forbes
If you believe in Jay-Z then you too can be a gangster)
Then you too can be a gangster by any means necessary
By owning that dream, I mean it's a long walk to freedom but
While deep, deep, deep inside the bush
(The war on terror screams, damn it feels good)
Damn it feels good to be a gangster
(To be a gangster, swagger is not a must, it's a liability, a cliche, a bad suit
Cut the bullshit, you know if it wasn't for this, there would be no that)
Which we call, the American Gangster
In these lyrics, Jay-Z speaks about his experience working for a large company in New York City and the idea of what it means to be a gangster. He talks about how his boss was owned by the white man who owned the company, but Jay-Z himself is not owned by anyone. He then goes on to explain that being a gangster is not about the material things like expensive watches or low-hanging jeans. Instead, it is about standing up to expectations and making things happen.
Furthermore, Jay-Z speaks about how the gangster is not understood by those who do not understand the laws of "gangsterment". He explains how these laws allow for the creation of new laws and new words. He also discusses the idea of gangster mentality and how it was an American way created by the white, mastered by black people, and absorbed by drug addicts while taxed by the government.
The lyrics continue to discuss how having that gangster mentality can be a long walk to freedom, but it feels good to be a gangster. Jay-Z concludes by saying that swagger is not a must for being a gangster, but rather it is a liability and a bad suit. He emphasizes the importance of cutting the BS and understanding that without that mentality, there would be no success in America.
Line by Line Meaning
Man I worked for one of the biggest companies in New York City
I have experience working for a prominent company in New York City
He didn't own his own company, white man owned it, so they owned him
My former boss did not own the company, which was owned by a white man, so he was controlled by them
Nobody owns me though
However, I am not someone who can be owned by anyone
(Your gangster is not defined)
Your gangster is not defined by how low your jeans fall by your waist
But more how your genes stand up to their expectations
"Never forgetting where you came from"
(Your gangster, your gangster)
Being a gangster is not determined by superficial things like clothing, but by how one's actions reflect their upbringing and values
Your gangster is not defined by how many rocks are in your watch
But more, how many rocks you move while on your watch
(Gangsters, hustlers, republicans, democrats, pimps and hoes)
One's status as a gangster is not dependent on material possessions, but rather on their ability to make things happen and achieve success
Conservatives, labor, the seller, the buyer, the product, the producer
Members from all walks of life can have a gangster mentality, which is about taking control and making things happen
See you are what you are in this world
The gangster is absorbed and adored by those that don't understand the laws that govern gangsterment
(Gangsterment, gangsterment)
Those who don't understand the reality of being a gangster idolize and admire the lifestyle, without realizing the consequences that come with it
Gangsterment allows you to make up your own laws and create brand new words
Gangster mentality
(Gangster mentality, an American way created by the white
Mastered by the black, and absorbed by the fiends, taxed by the governmentality, charted by Forbes
If you believe in Jay-Z then you too can be a gangster)
Being a gangster means creating your own rules and culture, which was initially created by white Americans, perfected by black Americans, and adopted by others. Those who believe in Jay-Z can also adopt this mentality
Then you too can be a gangster by any means necessary
By owning that dream, I mean it's a long walk to freedom but
While deep, deep, deep inside the bush
(The war on terror screams, damn it feels good)
Anyone can adopt a gangster mentality by doing whatever it takes to achieve their goals. It may involve a journey similar to Nelson Mandela's long walk to freedom, but ultimately, the feeling of success is worth it
Damn it feels good to be a gangster
(To be a gangster, swagger is not a must, it's a liability, a cliche, a bad suit
Cut the bullshit, you know if it wasn't for this, there would be no that)
Which we call, the American Gangster
Being a gangster can be empowering, but it's not just about outward appearances like swagger. It's about putting in the work and creating your own success, and without the gangster mentality, there would be less innovation and progress in America
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hector Luis Delgado, Idris A. Elba
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lphotwunteel5250
Damn I miss this album. Still waiting for watch the throne 2.
This beat deserves Hennessey, a bad bitch
And a bag of weed; the Holy Trinity
In the mirror where I see my only enemy
Your life’s cursed, well mine’s an obscenity
@jackxavier3915
THE VIBE ON THIS IS SUPREME.
@amrey3628
This is such a timeless vibe. My favorite off of the album.
@Thesmashconnoisseur
There’s a song called Otis you should check out
@LessGo7921
@@Thesmashconnoisseurfr. By far the best song on the album imo
@amrey3628
@@Thesmashconnoisseurtrust that otis is a timeless song off this album. I love it too. This Curtis Mayfield sample just takes me back to listening to my mom's records as a kid like Jay said in his verse...can't really describe it but yeah both of them are still heavy on my playlists.
@carltonf1389
I never understood planned Parenthood cause I never met nobody planned to be a parent in tha hood
@allarnnamanager2728
❤️
@exxxorcist7698
Lame......
@kingbeast6792
@@exxxorcist7698 bruh that bar was straight fire 🔥
@situmbamfunda176
The moment get some with no rubber. It's planned. You started the date .that's planned