No Hook
Jay-Z feat. Fela Kuti Lyrics
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Hard work, family
Never forgetting where we came from
Poor me, dad was gone, finally got my dad back
Liver bad, he wouldn't live long, they snatched my dad back
Guidance? I never had that, streets was my second home
Welcomed me with open arms provided a place to crash at
Burned it all, this music is where I bury the ashes at
Flash back, not having much, not having that
Had to get some challah bread so you can holla back and
Holla at my Jewish lawyer to enjoy the fruit of letting my cash stack
And just in case a nigga gotta use his rat-tat-tat-tat
Own boss, own your masters, slaves
The mentality I carry with me to this very day
Fuck rich, let's get wealthy, who else gon' feed we?
If I need it, I'ma get it however, God help me
And I don't need no hook for this shit
I'm so fo' sho', it's no facade
"Stay outta trouble," mama said as mama sighed
Her fear, her youngest son be a victim of homicide
But I gotta get you outta here mama, or I'ma die, inside
And either way, you lose me mama so let loose of me
I got the rein our direction will soon change
To live and die in N.Y. in the hustle game
Hustle 'caine, hustle clothes, I hustle music
But hustle hard in any hustle that you pick
Skinny nigga, toothpick, but, but I do lift
Weight like I'm using 'roids
Rolls-Royce keep my movements, smooth while maneuvering
Through all the manure in the sewer that I grew up in
Choices, we make tryna escape
And I don't need no hook for this shit
This is not for commercial usage
Please don't categorize this as music
Please don't compare me to other rappers
Compare me to trappers, I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris
And Luda's my dude, I ain't tryna diss
Like Frank Lucas is cool, but I ain't tryna snitch
I'ma follow the rules no matter how much time I'ma get
I'ma live and die with the decisions that I'ma pick
So fuck DeHaven for caving, that's why we don't speak
Made men ain't supposed to make statements
End of the story, I followed the code, cracked the safe
Other niggas ain't in the game so they practice hate
Leave that boy Hov alone, why don't cha?
You don't have to if you don't want to
But don't say I didn't warn ya
Oh, and I don't need no hook for this shit
The song "No Hook" by Jay-Z featuring Fela Kuti, is mainly about Jay-Z's hustle and his journey to the top. He talks about his values in life, which include honesty, integrity, hard work, and family. He also talks about the struggles he went through growing up, such as his father's absence and poor health, and how he found solace in music and the streets.
Jay-Z's lyrics introduce us to his teenage years when he was involved in drug dealing and how he learned from the streets. He also shares his aspirations for a better life, and how he aimed to get his mother out of the ghetto, so she wouldn't lose him to the game. Jay-Z reminds us that he's more a product of his environment than his fame, and he stresses the importance of following one's instincts, even if it contradicts with the status quo.
One of the significant takeaways from the song is Jay-Z's emphasis on owning your destiny. He alludes to the fact that he's no longer subject to a record label's demands or any other higher authority. He's in charge of his life, and he makes the calls, good or bad. In conclusion, "No Hook" is a song that highlights Jay-Z's persona as a businessman and a street legend.
Line by Line Meaning
Most important thing in business is honesty, integrity
Being honest and having integrity are the most critical aspects of business.
Hard work, family
Dedication and commitment to your work and family are essential.
Never forgetting where we came from
It's crucial to remember our roots, where we've been and where we're going.
Poor me, dad was gone, finally got my dad back
I was unfortunate to lose my father, but I eventually reunited with him.
Liver bad, he wouldn't live long, they snatched my dad back
My father had a terrible liver, and he couldn't survive for long. Unfortunately, he had to leave us again.
Guidance? I never had that, streets was my second home
I never had proper guidance growing up, and the streets became my second home.
Welcomed me with open arms provided a place to crash at
The streets became welcoming to me, and I found a place to stay.
A place to study math at, matter of fact, I learned it all
I learned math, and everything else in the streets.
Burned it all, this music is where I bury the ashes at
I left the streets behind and found solace in music.
Flash back, not having much, not having that
I remember a time when I had nothing.
Had to get some challah bread so you can holla back and
I had to get some money to be able to talk to someone who could help me.
Holla at my Jewish lawyer to enjoy the fruit of letting my cash stack
I sought the help of my Jewish lawyer to enjoy being financially stable.
And just in case a nigga gotta use his rat-tat-tat-tat
In case of conflict, I have to be prepared to defend myself.
Own boss, own your masters, slaves
Be your own boss, own your work, and don't be a slave to anyone.
The mentality I carry with me to this very day
This philosophy has guided me throughout my life.
Fuck rich, let's get wealthy, who else gon' feed we?
Let's aim for wealth, not just richness. Who else is going to take care of us?
If I need it, I'ma get it however, God help me
I'll do whatever it takes to get what I need, with the help of God.
I'm so fo' sho', it's no facade
I'm confident and assured, and I'm not pretending.
"Stay outta trouble," mama said as mama sighed
My mother urged me to stay out of trouble, but it was a difficult task.
Her fear, her youngest son be a victim of homicide
My mother feared that I would be killed.
But I gotta get you outta here mama, or I'ma die, inside
I need to get my mother out of here, or it will take a toll on my inner self.
And either way, you lose me mama so let loose of me
If things don't change, you'll lose me, so let me go.
I got the rein our direction will soon change
I'm in control, and our lives will change soon.
To live and die in N.Y. in the hustle game
I live and operate in New York City's street hustle culture.
Hustle 'caine, hustle clothes, I hustle music
I hustle everything - drugs, clothing, and music.
But hustle hard in any hustle that you pick
Whatever you pick to hustle, make sure you do it with intensity and dedication.
Skinny nigga, toothpick, but, but I do lift
I may be thin, but I still work out.
Weight like I'm using 'roids
I lift weights as if I were using steroids.
Rolls-Royce keep my movements, smooth while maneuvering
I drive a Rolls-Royce, and it makes my movements seem smooth and effortless.
Through all the manure in the sewer that I grew up in
Despite growing up in a terrible environment, I've made something of myself.
Choices, we make tryna escape
The choices we make are all attempts at escaping our current situation.
This is not for commercial usage
This music isn't made for commercial purposes.
Please don't categorize this as music
Please don't label this as just music; it's more than that.
Please don't compare me to other rappers
Don't compare me to other rappers; I'm different.
Compare me to trappers, I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris
Compare me to drug dealers; I'm more like Frank Lucas than Ludacris.
And Luda's my dude, I ain't tryna diss
I respect Ludacris and don't want to disrespect him.
Like Frank Lucas is cool, but I ain't tryna snitch
Frank Lucas is a good role model, but I don't condone snitching.
I'ma follow the rules no matter how much time I'ma get
I'll follow the rules, even if it means serving a long prison sentence.
I'ma live and die with the decisions that I'ma pick
I'll live and die by the choices that I make.
So fuck DeHaven for caving, that's why we don't speak
I don't associate with DeHaven because he caved in and broke the code.
Made men ain't supposed to make statements
Real men don't make statements or snitch on others.
End of the story, I followed the code, cracked the safe
I followed the rules and did what I had to do to succeed.
Other niggas ain't in the game so they practice hate
People who aren't in my game hate on me.
Leave that boy Hov alone, why don't cha?
Stop bothering me, why don't you?
You don't have to if you don't want to
It's up to you whether you want to leave me alone or not.
But don't say I didn't warn ya
Don't come crying to me if something bad happens after bothering me.
Oh, and I don't need no hook for this shit
I don't need a catchy hook or chorus for this song to be great.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry White, Shawn Carter, Sean J. Combs, Deleno Sean Matthews, Levar Coppin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind