Open Letter
Jay-Z Feat. Swizz Beats Lyrics
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Goddammit
Let this shit knock
I done turned Havana to Atlanta
Guayabera shirts and bandanas
Every time you think they got me I switch the plan up
Bulletproof this, radio scanners
You gettin' too much bread, they try to jam you
Boy from the hood but got White House clearance
Sorry y'all, I don't agree with y'all appearance
Politicians never did shit for me
Except lie to me, distort history
Wanna give me jail time and a fine
Fine, let me commit a real crime
I might buy a kilo for Chief Keef
Out of spite, I just might flood these streets
Hear the freedom in my speech
Got an onion from Universal, read it and weep
Would've brought the Nets to Brooklyn for free
Except I made millions off it, you fuckin' dweeb
I still own the building, I'm still keeping my seat
Y'all buy that bullshit, you'd better keep y'all receipt
Obama said "chill, you gonna get me impeached"
But you don't need this shit anyway
Chill with me on the beach
Y'all gon' learn today
Y'all almost want to start a revolution
You know whenever I'm threatened, I start shooting, bark
Catch a body, head to Houston
I'm in Cuba, I love Cubans
This communist talk is so confusing
When it's from China, the very mic that I'm using
Idiot wind, the Bob Dylan of rap music
You're an idiot, baby, you should become a student
Oh, you gonna learn today
Where the fuck have you been
The world's under new management
The new role model, fuck this Zoolander shit
Y'all gon' learn today
In the song "Open Letter," Jay-Z and Swizz Beats express their frustration with the government and media's perceptions of them. Jay-Z boasts of his success and wealth, making references to his ownership of a building and his ability to buy drugs for rapper Chief Keef. He also criticizes politicians for their lack of action and dishonesty, calling them out for attempting to silence him. The lyrics also touch on topics such as gun control, communism, and Jay-Z's relationship with President Obama. Swizz Beats provides the backing music, which is as aggressive and powerful as the lyrics themselves.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in response to the controversy surrounding Jay-Z's 2013 trip to Cuba with his wife Beyoncรฉ, which some people criticized as being in violation of the US embargo against the nation. The trip was approved as cultural exchange by the US government, but still caused controversy. Another interesting fact is that the song was released on the same day that Jay-Z's partnership with sports management company Roc Nation was announced. The song was also not officially released as a single but was made available for free online. The track was produced by Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and rapper/producer Hit-Boy.
Another interesting fact is that the song was not included on any of Jay-Z's albums and was considered a standalone track. However, it was still widely discussed and praised for its strong lyrics and criticism of the government. The song's music video was also released on YouTube, featuring images of Jay-Z in Havana and various clips of political figures and news footage. The song received mixed reactions from critics, with some calling it a powerful statement and others criticizing its aggressive tone and vulgar language.
The chords for the song are not officially available, as the song does not feature traditional instrumentation or melody. Instead, the song relies heavily on electronic beats and samples, as well as vocal delivery and wordplay. However, the song's signature sound is characterized by its booming bassline and steady percussion, which creates a sense of urgency and aggression. Overall, "Open Letter" is a powerful and introspective track that reflects on Jay-Z's place in society and his relationship with government and media.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen
Hello to everyone listening to me
Goddammit
I swear to god!
Let this shit knock
Let the music be loud and clear
I done turned Havana to Atlanta
I have made Havana like Atlanta
Guayabera shirts and bandanas
I wear Guayabera shirts and bandanas
Every time you think they got me I switch the plan up
Whenever someone thinks they caught me, I change my plan
Bulletproof this, radio scanners
I made sure that my bulletproof vest works and I scan the radio for news
Ballin' 'til they ban us
I will be doing well till I am banned
You gettin' too much bread, they try to jam you
When you get too much money, people will try to stop you
Boy from the hood but got White House clearance
I come from the hood but was cleared to visit the White House
Sorry y'all, I don't agree with y'all appearance
Sorry, but I do not like your style
Politicians never did shit for me
Politicians have not done anything for me
Except lie to me, distort history
Except lie to me and make up stories
Wanna give me jail time and a fine
They want to give me jail time and a punishment
Fine, let me commit a real crime
Fine, then I will commit a real crime
I might buy a kilo for Chief Keef
I might buy drugs for rapper Chief Keef
Out of spite, I just might flood these streets
Just to be mean, I might flood the streets with something
Hear the freedom in my speech
Hear how I am free to speak my mind
Got an onion from Universal, read it and weep
I have some secret information from Universal that will make you cry
Would've brought the Nets to Brooklyn for free
I would have brought the Nets to Brooklyn for free
Except I made millions off it, you fuckin' dweeb
But I made a lot of money off of it, you stupid person
I still own the building, I'm still keeping my seat
I still own the building and I keep my position
Y'all buy that bullshit, you'd better keep y'all receipt
If you believe that nonsense, make sure to keep your receipt
Obama said "chill, you gonna get me impeached"
Obama told me to calm down or he could get impeached
But you don't need this shit anyway
But you do not need this stuff anyways
Chill with me on the beach
Hang out with me on the beach instead
Y'all gon' learn today
You all are going to learn a lesson today
Y'all almost want to start a revolution
You guys almost want to start a rebellion
You know whenever I'm threatened, I start shooting, bark
Whenever someone threatens me, I get violent
Catch a body, head to Houston
Kill someone and head to Houston
I'm in Cuba, I love Cubans
I am in Cuba and love the people there
This communist talk is so confusing
Communist language is confusing to me
When it's from China, the very mic that I'm using
When the language is from China, the country where the microphone was made
Idiot wind, the Bob Dylan of rap music
I am the Bob Dylan of rap music
You're an idiot, baby, you should become a student
You are dumb and should become a student
Oh, you gonna learn today
Oh, you are going to learn something today
Where the fuck have you been
Where the f have you been
The world's under new management
The world has new leadership
The new role model, fuck this Zoolander shit
I am a new and better role model than Zoolander
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, JEROME HARMON, KASSEEM DEAN, TIMOTHY MOSLEY, CHARLES BRADLEY, THOMAS R. BRENNECK, DAVID GUY, LEON MICHELS, HOMER STEINWEISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@diadidio294
Music Is God's ( Jesus/JayZ and Dia ) and Is Holy
Hova/Dia Are Masters Creators of Everything I n Heaven and Hell
Of Course, We are Masters and Creators of Music
Holy Musical Instruments Were Created By God! ( JayZ /Dia )
God's ( Jesus/Dia (The Holyspirit ) Children/ Family Are The Masters Of
Playing Musical Instruments! Being Taught By The Master and Ruler,(JayZ/God )
Gods Holy and Pure Family are Beautiful Singers, The Best!
The Greatest at Music and Everything!
Habakkuk 3:19 ,The Lord ( Jesus/JayZ/Jahova ) is My ( Dia The Holyspirit ) God, and Jesus/JayZ has created My ( Dia, The Holyspirit ) and our son Jacob's feet
Jesus/ JayZ will make Jacob and The Holspirit walk again In Jesus/JayZ's Holy Land
Jesus/JayZ will take Us back Together To His Holy Land in Heaven
To The Masters ( Jesus/JayZ) Voice on my ( Dia/Holyspirit ) Musical Instruments!
John 10:3,John 10:8:10,John 10:36,
Praise! The Master, Creator, and Ruler Of Heaven and Hell Jesus/JayZ
Go To Hell Sin Seed Family, You Have No More Time Before OurHolyspirit Hova/Dia Takes Your Family Back To Hell Forever! Where You Will Be Tormented and Tortured Forever, Amen,
I Love You JayZ/Jesus and God Family!
Matthew 13:42John 8:44:45, John 8:46:47, John 8:48:49, John 8:50,
Matthew 7:18:19,Matthew 8:29:31Luke 14:31, Luke 20:21:22
Luke 20:23:24, Luke 20:25
@imperialgunz
You just wake up and this song is on your mind even years later
@yerskrt7252
Deadass
@jdb1478
1st Billionaire rapper. Talk that Talk ๐๐ฅ
@rayclark9779
Not by his self
@chrismcrae3845
Free jaydayoungeen
@thedelfierro
Still here in 2020?
@capsonmonson6183
Still nigga
@jamals4045
๐๐ฝ
@vickjr98
Yessir
@neevenbeilsperg2936
You canโt really prove that anyone is โhereโ because everything you experience is filtered through your 5 senses woah BOOM status.. little โDuction to philosophy also, Key and Peele backwards is Dave Chappelle