Moment of Clarity
Jay-Z feat. Beatles Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Turn the music up turn the lights down I'm in my zone

Thank God for granting me this moment of clarity, this moment of honesty
The world'll feel my truths through my "Hard Knock Life" time my gift and a curse
I gave you volume after volume of my work so you can feel my truths
I built the Dynasty by being one of the realest niggas out
Way beyond a Reasonable Doubt (Y'all can't fill my shoes)
From my Blueprint beginnings 'til that Black Album ending
Listen close you hear what I'm about, nigga feel my truths

When pop died, didn't cry, didn't know him that well
Between him doing heroin and me doing crack sales
With that in the egg shell standing at the tabernacle
Rather the church pretending to be hurt
Wouldn't work so a smirk was all on my face
Like damn that mans face was just like my face
So pop I forgive you for all the shit that I live through
It wasn't all your fault homie you got caught
And to the same game I fault that Uncle Ray lost
My big brothers and so many others I saw
I'm just glad we got to see each other
Talk and re-meet each other save a place in Heaven
Til the next time we meet forever

Thank God for granting me this moment of clarity, this moment of honesty
The world'll feel my truths through my "Hard Knock Life" time my gift and a curse
I gave you volume after volume of my work so you can feel my truths
I built the Dynasty by being one of the realest niggas out
Way beyond a Reasonable Doubt (Y'all can't fill my shoes)
From my Blueprint beginnings 'til that Black Album ending
Listen close you hear what I'm about, nigga feel my truths

The music business hate me 'cause the industry ain't make me
Hustlers and boosters embrace me and the music I be making
I dumb down for my audience and double my dollars
They criticize me for it yet they all yell "Holla"
If skills sold truth be told
I'd probably be lyrically Talib Kweli
Truthfully I want to rhyme like Common Sense (But I did five Mil)
I ain't been rhyming like Common since
When your sense got that much in common
And you been hustling since, your inception, fuck perception
Go with what makes sense
Since I know what I'm up against
We as rappers must decide what's most important
And I can't help the poor if I'm one of them
So I got rich and gave back to me that's the win, win
The next time you see the homie and his rims spin
Just know my mind is working just like them (The rims that is)

Thank God for granting me this moment of clarity, this moment of honesty
The world'll feel my truths through my "Hard Knock Life" time my gift and a curse
I gave you volume after volume of my work so you can feel my truths
I built the Dynasty by being one of the realest niggas out
Way beyond a Reasonable Doubt (Y'all can't fill my shoes)
From my Blueprint beginnings 'til that Black Album ending
Listen close you hear what I'm about, nigga feel my truths

My homie Sigel's on a tier where no tears should fall
'Cause he was on the block where no squares get off
See in my inner circle all we do is ball
'Til we all got triangles on our wall
He ain't just rapping for the platinum, y'all record
I recall, 'cause I really been there before
Four scores and seven years ago prepared to flow prepare for war
I shall fear no man you don't hear me though
These words ain't just paired to go in one ear out the other ear, no
Yo, my balls and my word is all's I have
What you gonna do to me? Nigga scars'll scab
What you gonna box me homie? I can dodge and jab
Three shots couldn't touch me thank God for that
I'm strong enough to carry Biggie Smalls on my back
And the whole BK nigga holla back

Thank God for granting me this moment of clarity, this moment of honesty
The world'll feel my truths through my "Hard Knock Life" time my gift and a curse
I gave you volume after volume of my work so you can feel my truths
I built the Dynasty by being one of the realest niggas out
Way beyond a Reasonable Doubt (Y'all can't fill my shoes)




From my Blueprint beginnings 'til that Black Album ending
Listen close you hear what I'm about, nigga feel my truths

Overall Meaning

In “Moment of Clarity,” Jay-Z reflects on his life, the choices he’s made, and the struggles he’s faced. He discusses his rise to fame, admitting that his talent may have been a gift, but also a curse as it has made him a target of both love and hate. Jay-Z is grateful for this moment of clarity that he has achieved through his trials and triumphs, as it has given him the ability to speak his truths and share his story with his fans.


The song also reflects on Jay-Z’s personal struggles with drug use and the deaths of influential figures in his life such as Pop and Uncle Ray. The lyrics show Jay-Z’s ability to reflect on his mistakes and learn from them. While he recognizes that his wealth has given him the ability to give back to his community, Jay-Z also acknowledges the way in which the music industry can alter the message of his art.


Line by Line Meaning

Turn the music up turn the lights down I'm in my zone
I am in my element and ready to share my truth with the world.


Thank God for granting me this moment of clarity, this moment of honesty
I am grateful for this opportunity to be open and truthful with my audience.


The world'll feel my truths through my "Hard Knock Life" time my gift and a curse
My experiences in life, both positive and negative, have shaped my perspective and I will share my truth through my music.


I gave you volume after volume of my work so you can feel my truths
I have been honest in my music throughout my career, and I hope my audience has felt that honesty.


I built the Dynasty by being one of the realest niggas out
I have achieved success by always staying true to myself and being honest in my music.


Way beyond a Reasonable Doubt (Y'all can't fill my shoes)
I have been successful in the music industry and it would be difficult for others to replicate my success.


From my Blueprint beginnings 'til that Black Album ending
Throughout my entire career, I have remained true to myself and my values.


Listen close you hear what I'm about, nigga feel my truths
Pay attention to my lyrics because they are an honest reflection of who I am and what I believe.


When pop died, didn't cry, didn't know him that well
I didn't have a close relationship with Pop and didn't feel a personal sense of loss when he passed away.


Between him doing heroin and me doing crack sales
Pop struggled with addiction and I also had my own struggles, selling drugs to survive.


With that in the egg shell standing at the tabernacle
Reflecting on these experiences, I stood inside the church, deep in thought.


Rather the church pretending to be hurt, Wouldn't work so a smirk was all on my face
I couldn't pretend to be upset at Pop's passing because I knew it was his own choices that led to his death and I had faced my own struggles as well.


Like damn that mans face was just like my face
I saw a similarity between myself and Pop, and it made me realize that I needed to forgive him for his mistakes.


So pop I forgive you for all the shit that I live through, It wasn't all your fault homie you got caught
I forgive Pop for his mistakes because I understand that he was caught up in a difficult situation, and it wasn't entirely his fault.


And to the same game I fault that Uncle Ray lost
I have also lost family members due to the drug trade, and I see the same pattern of loss repeating itself.


My big brothers and so many others I saw, I'm just glad we got to see each other
I have lost many loved ones, and I am grateful for the time we had together.


Talk and re-meet each other save a place in Heaven
I hope to reunite with my loved ones in heaven someday.


Thank God for granting me this moment of clarity, this moment of honesty
This deep reflection on my life and experiences has given me clarity and honesty in my music.


The music business hate me 'cause the industry ain't make me
The music industry dislikes me because I have achieved success on my own terms, without their help.


Hustlers and boosters embrace me and the music I be making
Those in the streets appreciate and relate to my music because it reflects their experiences.


I dumb down for my audience and double my dollars
I simplify my lyrics for mainstream success, but this has led to financial success.


They criticize me for it yet they all yell "Holla"
Despite criticism for my mainstream success, my audience still appreciates and supports me.


If skills sold truth be told, I'd probably be lyrically Talib Kweli
If lyrical ability was all that mattered, I would be compared to Talib Kweli, known for his high level of skill.


Truthfully I want to rhyme like Common Sense (But I did five Mil)
Although I aspire to have the lyrical ability of Common, I have achieved massive commercial success without it.


I ain't been rhyming like Common since
I have not been focusing on lyrical ability in my music lately, instead choosing to prioritize my commercial success.


When your sense got that much in common, And you been hustling since, your inception, fuck perception
When you have so much in common with those in the streets and have been hustling for so long, you prioritize making money over what others perceive of you.


Go with what makes sense, Since I know what I'm up against
I choose to prioritize my financial success because I know the difficult realities of my circumstances and I need to provide for myself and my family.


We as rappers must decide what's most important
As rappers, we must weigh the importance of commercial success and personal values and priorities.


And I can't help the poor if I'm one of them, So I got rich and gave back to me that's the win, win
I understood that I could better help those in need by achieving financial success, and I have since given back to my community and those in need.


The next time you see the homie and his rims spin, Just know my mind is working just like them (The rims that is)
Don't judge me or those in the streets by their flashy cars and material possessions - we are all just trying to make the best of our situations.


My homie Sigel's on a tier where no tears should fall
My friend Sigel is so strong that he does not need to shed tears, even though he has faced many difficult experiences.


'Cause he was on the block where no squares get off
Sigel has been in the streets for so long that he has earned the respect of his peers, and people know not to mess with him.


See in my inner circle all we do is ball, 'Til we all got triangles on our wall
In my close circle of friends, we focus on our successes and celebrate them, eventually becoming so successful that we have triangles on our wall as a symbol of our achievements.


He ain't just rapping for the platinum, y'all record
Sigel is not just making music for commercial success - he is also expressing his own experiences and perspectives.


I recall, 'cause I really been there before
I can relate to Sigel's experiences because I have also been in the streets and faced similar challenges and struggles.


Four scores and seven years ago prepared to flow prepare for war
I am always ready for whatever challenges come my way in the music industry, just as someone preparing for war would be.


I shall fear no man you don't hear me though
I am not afraid of anyone or anything, and I hope my audience hears and understands this.


These words ain't just paired to go in one ear out the other ear, no
I hope that my words are not just mindlessly heard and forgotten, but that they make an impact on my audience.


Yo, my balls and my word is all's I have
I only have my integrity and my word to my name.


What you gonna do to me? Nigga scars'll scab
I am not afraid of what anyone can do to me, because I am strong enough to overcome any challenges or obstacles.


What you gonna box me homie? I can dodge and jab
I may face physical threats, but I am quick and strong enough to avoid them.


Three shots couldn't touch me thank God for that
I have faced physical harm in the past, but I am grateful for my survival.


I'm strong enough to carry Biggie Smalls on my back
I am confident in my own strength and ability, and I could even carry a legendary figure like the Notorious B.I.G. on my back.


And the whole BK nigga holla back
I represent Brooklyn, and I hope that my fellow Brooklynites will support and stand with me.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Luis Edgardo Resto, Marshall B Mathers, Shawn Carter, Steven Lee King

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@kasalovr3474

this version finally does justice to my favorite jay z lyrics

@Juthecomedian

It’s better than the original

@livingabstraction2206

@@Juthecomedian I consider this definitive version.