Diamonds
Jay-Z Kanye West Lyrics

Throw your diamonds in the sky if you feel the vibe
If you're feeling this track, toss up your Roc-a-Fella diamonds

The Roc is still alive every time I rhyme
Jay-Z's record label is still thriving every time he puts out new music

Good mornin', this ain't Vietnam still
While the horrors of war and devastation still exist, this song is addressing a different issue

People lose hands, legs, arms, for real
People in places like Sierra Leone are losing limbs due to the diamond trade

Little was known of Sierra Leone
Prior to this song, the average person may not have known about the issues with Sierra Leone and diamonds

And how it connect to the diamonds we own
The diamonds we may own or desire could be connected to this problem

When I speak of diamonds in this song
Jay-Z is not talking about the diamonds you buy in stores

I ain't talkin' about the ones that be glowin'
Rather, he's talking about the Roc-a-Fella diamonds associated with his record label

I'm talkin' about Roc-a-Fella, my home
Jay-Z is speaking on his personal connection to the Roc-a-Fella label

My chain, these ain't conflict diamonds
Jay-Z is assuring the listener that the diamonds he wears are not tied to the conflict diamond trade

Is they Jacob? Don't lie to me, man
He questions the source of the diamonds he sees

See, a part of me sayin' 'Keep shining'
Despite the problematic connection to diamonds, there's a part of him that still wants to flaunt it

How? When I know what a blood diamond is
However, he's conflicted about continuing to flaunt diamonds knowing the pain and destruction caused by blood diamonds

Though it's thousands of miles away
The issue of conflict diamonds is far from Jay-Z's immediate reality

Sierra Leone connects to what we go through today
Still, this issue touches on universal themes of struggle and pain

Over here it's a drug trade, we die from drugs
While in the US, we have a problem with drug addiction and related deaths

Over there they die from what we buy from drugs
In contrast, in other parts of the world they die from the trade of drugs and other substances

The diamonds, the chains, the bracelets, the charmses
This line highlights the many ways we adorn ourselves with flashy items

I thought my Jesus-piece was so harmless
Jay-Z considered his own flashy jewelry harmless at one point

Til I seen a picture of a shorty armless
But upon seeing the harm caused by the diamond trade, he realizes the negative impact of diamonds

And here's the conflict
Jay-Z is laying out the moral conflict he's experiencing

It's in a black person soul to rock that gold
He's acknowledging the cultural tie between Black people and flashy, golden jewelry

Spend your whole life trying to get that ice
For some, the pursuit of material wealth and flashy items is a lifelong goal

Bought a Polo rugby, it looks so nice
Even more affordable items like a Polo rugby can be seen as a status symbol

How can somethin' so wrong make me feel so right?
Despite the wrongness of the diamond trade, he still feels drawn to flashy jewelry

Right? 'Fore I beat myself up like Ike
Jay-Z doesn't want to dwell on this moral conflict too much, referencing Ike Turner's own self-hatred

You can still throw your Roc-a-Fella diamond tonight
Despite the moral conflict, he's not telling others to give up their Roc-a-Fella diamonds

People asking me 'Is I'm gon' give my chain back?'
Jay-Z knows people may ask him about his own flashy jewelry

That'll be the same day I give the game back
He won't give up the game or his status within the industry

You know the next question dog, 'Yo where Dame at?'
People also ask about Dame Dash, Jay-Z's former business partner

This track the Indian dance that bring our rain back
This track is a celebration of the good times in the industry that bring about financial success

'What's up with you and Jay, man?
People may also ask about Jay-Z's relationship to Kanye West

Are y'all okay man?'
He confirms that they're alright

Yup, I got it from here 'Ye, damn
Kanye West is assuring everyone that he's handling the situation

The chain remains, the gang is intact
Jay-Z's label is still strong and thriving

The name is mine, I'll take blame for that
He's taking responsibility for his own success and don't need anyone else to survive the industry

The pressure's on, but guess who ain't gonna crack?
He's embracing the pressure and will not falter

How could you falter when you're the Rock of Gibraltar?
He's comparing his staying power in the industry to a reference of unbreakable strength

I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water
Jay-Z won't let the negativity or pressure of the industry bring him down

This ain't no tall order, this is nothin' to me
For Jay-Z, nothing is too difficult or impossible to surpass

Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week
Jay-Z is breaking down the time it takes for him to do the impossible

I do this in my sleep
Jay-Z is comfortable and confident in his abilities

I sold kilos of coke, I'm guessin' I can sell CDs
He's drawing a comparison between his past in drug dealing and current legal business in the music industry

I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man!
Jay-Z is acknowledging that he's more than just a person who does business, he is a whole brand

Let me handle my business, damn
He knows what he's doing and doesn't need interference

Kanyeez you got me, Freeway then Foxy
Jay-Z shouts out fellow members of the Roc-a-Fella family

YG's, Teairra Mari, Peedi watch me
He's confident in his label's success and has his eye on new artists

Bleek could be one hit away his whole career
Jay-Z acknowledges the fickleness of the industry and the risk of having only one big hit

As long as I'm alive he's a millionaire
However, Jay-Z will always look out for his Roc-a-Fella family even if he has moved past it himself

And even if I die he's in my will somewhere
He'll make sure Bleek isn't left without a support system

So he could just kick back and chill somewhere
Bleek will have resources and opportunities to rest easy

Oh yeah, he don't even have to write rhymes
Jay-Z is confident in Bleek's success even if he doesn't write his own songs

The Dynasty like my money, last 3 lifetimes
Jay-Z's wealth and success is something he will always pass down through generations

Shirley Bassey's in the rear saying exactly
Jay-Z is referencing other artists such as Shirley Bassey who have also sang about diamonds

What I've been saying practically my whole career
He's pointing out how his own messages in his music tie in with others as well

A diamond is forever, I've been minin' this forever
He connects the diamond metaphor with his own long-standing musical career

Now the Louis Vuitton Don's timin' couldn't be better
Now, Kanye's own brand and success is perfectly timed with this message

People lined up to see the Titanic sinkin'
He's comparing the hype and excitement around the disaster with the hype around the industry's potential downfall

Instead we rose up from the ash like a phoenix
But rather than sinking, the industry has come back even stronger

If you're waitin' for the end of the Dynasty sign
For those who are hoping for the fall of Roc-a-Fella, they will have to keep waiting

It would seem like forever is a mighty long time
Roc-a-Fella's success will last for quite some time

(I'm Young, bitches)
Jay-Z is reminding everyone that he's still young and has a bright future ahead

Good night!
With this powerful message, the song comes to a close