Justify My Thug
Jay-Z feat. Beatles Lyrics

This feel right right here quick
This moment feels perfect, like it was always meant to be

It's like it's supposed to happen this one right here
It feels like fate that this specific moment is happening

Young! God damn
Expressing excitement or amazement at the situation

Let me justify my thug on this one right here
Let me explain my criminal behavior in this particular situation

It goes one o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock rock
The party is just getting started late at night

Five six seven o'clock, eight o'clock rock
The party continues into the early hours of the morning

Eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock, the party bout to pop
As the night gets later, the party is becoming more lively

Then, Roc-A-Fella y'all, it's your boy S. Dot
Introducing himself as a member of Roc-A-Fella Records

And I ain't never been to jail, I ain't never pay a nigga
Asserting that he has never been caught for illegal activities and never paid anyone else to commit them for him

To do no dirt for me I was scared to do myself
Confessing that he was too afraid to commit illegal acts himself

I will never tell even if it means sitting in a cell
Promising to never snitch on others, even if it means going to jail

I ain't never ran, never will
Stating that he has never shown fear or fled from danger, and never will

I ain't never been smacked, a nigga better keep his hands
Boasting that he has never been physically assaulted, and warning others to keep their hands to themselves

To himself or get clapped for what's under that man's belt
Threatening violence against anyone who tries to steal from or assault him

I never asked for nothing I don't demand of myself
Claiming that he has never asked for anything he wouldn't be willing to do himself

Honesty, loyalty, friends and then wealth
Listing the values he prioritizes: honesty, loyalty, friends, and then wealth

Death before dishonor and I tell you what else
Declaring that he would rather die than go back on his values or betray his friends

I tighten my belt 'fore I beg for help
Preferring to struggle and suffer rather than ask for assistance

Foolish pride is what held me together through the years
Admitting that his pride has kept him going despite challenges he has faced

I wasn't felt which is why I ain't never played myself
Explaining that he has never let others influence him or make him look foolish

I just play the hand I'm dealt, I can't say I've never knelt
Accepting the circumstances he has been given and admitting he has had to surrender or give in at times

Before God and asked for better cards at times to no avail
Conveying the idea that he has prayed for better opportunities, but has not always received them

But I never sat back feeling sorry for myself
Stating that he has never let self-pity control him

If you don't give me heaven I'll raise hell
Promising to make the best of his situation and fight back against obstacles

Now if you shoot my dog, I'ma kill yo' cat
Threatening revenge against someone who harms him, even if it means harming someone else in retaliation

Just the unwritten laws in rap, know that
Pointing out that violent retaliation is seen as acceptable in rap culture

For every action there's a reaction, don't have me relapsing
Explaining that he may be forced to resort to violence in response to violent actions towards him

Relaxin's what I'm about, but about mine
Preferring to relax and avoid violence, but willing to defend himself and his reputation

Don't be acting like you can't see street action
Challenging someone who may not understand the realities of street culture

Take me back to +Reasonable Doubt+ time
Referencing his debut album and the era of his life before he achieved mainstream success

You see my mind's on the finish line, facing the wreck
Focusing on the end goal even though there may be challenges and risks along the way

I put my motherfucking faith in the tec, tell Satan not yet
Relying on his weapons to protect him and implying that he is not yet ready to die

You understand I am chasing my breath
Acknowledging the physical demands of his lifestyle

I am narrowly escaping my death, oh yes
Suggesting that he has narrowly avoided death in the past due to his actions

I am the Michael Schumacher of the Roc roster
Comparing himself to a successful race car driver and boasting his high status within Roc-A-Fella Records

Traveling Mach 5, barreling, my power can stop God
Boasting his speed and power, and implying that he is capable of anything

God forgive me but I can't let them deliver me to you
Asking for forgiveness for violating God's law, but stating that he cannot allow others to harm him

Until, I won this race, then eventually
Not planning on slowing down until he has achieved his goals

My engine goin' burn out, I get whatever is meant for me
Acknowledging the fact that he may not always get what he wants, but accepting what comes his way

However it turns out fine, red line!
Accepting whatever consequences come with his actions, even if it means going too far and crossing a line

They say an eye for an eye, we both lose our sight
Acknowledging the negative consequences of retaliatory violence

And two wrongs don't make a right
Admitting the fact that responding with violence to violence can only escalate the situation

But when you been wrong and you know all along that it's just one life
Justifying acts of violence by pointing out that life is short and one must protect oneself

At what point does one fight? (Good question right!)
Asking a rhetorical question about when someone should stand up for themselves

'Fore you knock the war, try to put your dogs in it
Challenging critics who haven't experienced the dangers of street violence firsthand

Ten-and-a-halfs, for a minute-and-a-half
Referring to a specific shoe size and time frame, possibly suggesting that he is willing to fight for a brief period of time

Bet that stops all the grinning and the laughs
Suggesting that anyone who challenges him will not be laughing for long

When you play the game of life and the win ain't in the bag
Pointing out that life is unpredictable and success is not guaranteed

When your options is none and the pen is all you have
Explaining that some people turn to crime out of a lack of options and opportunities

Or the block, niggas standing tight, there's limits on the ave
Describing the reality of life in the inner city, where criminal activity is often the only way to make a living

Trying to cop or shot-call they self cleansing in the cash
Suggesting that some criminals use their profits to justify their actions and feel less guilty

But can't put they name on paper cause, then you on blast
Referring to the danger of incriminating oneself by documenting illegal activities on paper

Mr. President, there's drugs in our residence
Addressing the President and acknowledging the presence of drugs in his community

Tell me what you want me to do, come break bread with us
Offering to work with the President to address the issues of drug abuse and violence in the community

Mr. Governor, I swear there's a cover up
Calling out the Governor for hiding the true extent of the problems in the community

Every other corner there's a liquor store, fuck is up?
Pointing out the prevalence of liquor stores in the community and questioning why this is the case

Justify my thug!
Demanding that people understand and accept his criminal behavior

My thug (hoping)
Expressing a desire for his criminal activity to be justified

My thug (praying) for you
Asking others to understand the reasons behind his criminal behavior

To justify my thug!
Requesting that his criminal behavior be seen as necessary and understandable

My thug (hoping)
Continuing to express a desire for his actions to be justified

My thug.. (praying) for you
Asking for empathy and understanding from those who may not have experienced his struggles

For you! Fresh
Adding a final flourish to the song, possibly indicating that he is proud of his work despite its controversial subject matter