Gotta Have It
Jay-Z Kanye West Lyrics


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Turn my headphones up, louder
Uh-huh, uh-huh

(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need)
Hello, hello, hello, hello, White America, assassinate my character
Money matrimony, yeah, they tryna break the marriage up
Who gon' act phonier? Who gon' try to embarrass ya?
I'ma need a day off, I think I'll call Ferris up
(Bueller had a Mueller, but I switched it for a Miele)
('Cause I'm richer, and prior to this shit was movin' freebase)
Had a conference with the DJ's (Yeah), Puerto Rico three-days
(Parlay with them PDs, now they got our shit on replay)
Sorry I'm in pajamas, but I just got off the PJ
And last party we had, they shut down Prive
(Ain't that where the Heat play?) Yep (Niggas hate ballers these days)
Ain't that like LeBron James? (Ain't that just like D-Wade) (Wait)

(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need)

Whats up, whats up, whats up, whats up
Whats up ma'fucka, where my money at?
You gon' make me come down to your house where yo' mommy at
Mummy wrap the kids, have 'em cryin' for they mommy back
Dummy that your daddy is, tell 'em I just want my racks
(Racks on racks on racks) Racks
(Maybachs on bachs on bachs on bachs on bachs) Who in that?
(Oh shit, it's just blacks on blacks on blacks)
(Hundred stack) How you get it? (Nigga, layin' raps on tracks)
I wish I could give you this feelin', I'm planking on a million
I'm riding through yo' hood, you can bank I ain't got no ceiling
(Made a left on Nostrand Ave.) Right (We in Bed Stuy)
Made a right on 79th, I'm coming down South Shore Drive
(I remain Chi-town) Brooklyn 'til I die

(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(Take 'em on home)
(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)




(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(Tryna hurt my name, huh?)

Overall Meaning

The song "Gotta Have It" begins with a request to turn the headphones up, indicating that what follows is something worth listening to. The lyrics address a range of topics, but focus on two main themes: the first being criticism from white America and the media, and the second being the duo's own success and material wealth. The line "Hello, hello, hello, hello, White America, assassinate my character" suggests a desire to speak truth to power and to challenge the dominant narrative. Kanye and Jay-Z also reference their financial success, with lines like "Money matrimony, yeah, they tryna break the marriage up" and "I'm planking on a million." The song also contains references to pop culture, such as the Ferris Bueller movie and basketball player LeBron James.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of defiance and confidence in the face of criticism and adversity. The line "Ain't that like LeBron James? (Ain't that just like D-Wade) (Wait)" suggests that the two artists do not feel threatened by those who would try to bring them down. They also reference their roots, with the line "I remain Chi-town / Brooklyn 'til I die" emphasizing a connection to their hometowns.


Overall, "Gotta Have It" is a brash and confident song that celebrates success in the face of adversity, while also addressing larger societal issues such as racism and media bias.


Line by Line Meaning

Turn my headphones up, louder
Increase the volume of my headphones


Hello, hello, hello, hello, White America, assassinate my character
I'm addressing White America and asking them to stop attacking my reputation


Money matrimony, yeah, they tryna break the marriage up
People are trying to split me and my money apart


Who gon' act phonier? Who gon' try to embarrass ya?
I wonder who will be more fake and try to shame me


I'ma need a day off, I think I'll call Ferris up
I need a break from all this and I might call Ferris Bueller for help


(Bueller had a Mueller, but I switched it for a Miele)
Bueller had a Ferrari, but I have a Miele


('Cause I'm richer, and prior to this shit was movin' freebase)
I'm wealthier now than before when I used to do drugs


Had a conference with the DJ's (Yeah), Puerto Rico three-days
I had a meeting with the DJs for three days in Puerto Rico


(Parlay with them PDs, now they got our shit on replay)
I talked with the program directors, and now they're playing our music on repeat


Sorry I'm in pajamas, but I just got off the PJ
I'm sorry for wearing pajamas, but I just landed from a private jet


And last party we had, they shut down Prive
The previous party we had got Prive shut down


(Ain't that where the Heat play?) Yep (Niggas hate ballers these days)
Isn't that where the Miami Heat play? Yes, people nowadays don't like wealthy people


Ain't that like LeBron James? (Ain't that just like D-Wade) (Wait)
Isn't that similar to LeBron James? (Isn't that just like Dwyane Wade?) (Wait)


Whats up ma'fucka, where my money at?
Hey, where's my money?


You gon' make me come down to your house where yo' mommy at
If you don't pay me, I'll come to your house where your mother is


Mummy wrap the kids, have 'em cryin' for they mommy back
Wrap the children up like mummies, so they cry for their mother


Dummy that your daddy is, tell 'em I just want my racks
Tell your dumb father that I just want my money


(Racks on racks on racks) Racks
I have lots of money


(Maybachs on bachs on bachs on bachs on bachs) Who in that?
I have many expensive Maybachs, who else has that?


(Oh shit, it's just blacks on blacks on blacks)
Oh no, it's just black people with expensive cars


(Hundred stack) How you get it? (Nigga, layin' raps on tracks)
How did you get so much money? (By making rap music)


I wish I could give you this feelin', I'm planking on a million
I wish I could share this feeling with you, I'm close to reaching a million dollars


I'm riding through yo' hood, you can bank I ain't got no ceiling
I'm driving through your neighborhood in a car without a roof


(Made a left on Nostrand Ave.) Right (We in Bed Stuy)
I just turned left onto Nostrand Avenue, and now we're in Bedford-Stuyvesant


Made a right on 79th, I'm coming down South Shore Drive
Now I'm turning right onto 79th Street and driving down South Shore Drive


(I remain Chi-town) Brooklyn 'til I die
I'm still from Chicago, but I'll always love Brooklyn


(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
Take them back home


(Tryna hurt my name, huh?)
Are you trying to damage my reputation?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Brown, Fred Wesley, St. Clair Pickney, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Shawn Carter, Joseph Roach

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@pico2722

still cant believe the synths are actually cudis hums, absolute masterpiece

@jdn5794

No it isn’t, he’s just humming over the synths

@sipho9539

@@jdn5794 he's right...they are Cudi's synths.

@jdn5794

@@sipho9539 bro u clearly don’t know what you’re talking about so I’m not gonna argue 😂😂

@ogsar

it's actually from Spectrasonics' Heart of Asia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox4BEfCYrc8

@andrewp9827

Nah its not
https://youtu.be/Kapkc5O6W9k
Go to 2:54:23

10 More Replies...

@_M3WTW0_

“Racks on racks on racks, maybachs on bachs on bachs on bachs on bachs” Till this day that is one of my favorite Kanye lyrics😂😂.

@soberasagofer6501

WHO IN THAT?

@GUNZANDBUTTER

@@soberasagofer6501 Oh shit…Its just blacks on blacks on blacks…

@sickfoo5506

Hunnid stacks, how you get it?
Nigga layin raps on tracks

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