Road To Perdition
Jay Electronica ft. Jay Z Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I got that black on black skin tone, actual-fact syndrome
That's why I dropped the jewel on every verse you heard me shit on
Okay, it's a Slumdog opera
The tale of a king whose name wasn't on the roster
My road to glory was Road To Perdition
And Act II: The Turn is just the memoirs with no omissions
We came a mighty long way from standing near the stove
In the cold, the greatest story ever told
The realest niggas see the pain in my story boards
The true believers say, "Wallahi, I support the boy"
My life feel like a highlight reel
This is lightning striking, feel how the Zeitgeist feel
Get a slight chill

I got these niggas, Breezy! Don't worry about it

My swag is on 1.21 gigawatts, 10 trillion kilowatts
Hardcore Thriller pop, Michael Jackson, nigga rock
Google me, baby, understand where I'm coming from
My destiny's to hit a grand slam when my number come
All hail the lyrical, Grand Wizard Imperial
Nigga signed the dotted line with Hov, that's a miracle
And I ain't leave the thugs alone
The humble and meek will surely inherit the mud we on
And shoot up every club we clone
The flow is too atomic
The poetry's too Quran-ic, the young prophet Muhammad
And I could drop a verse to change the whole vibration
The whole Roc Nation, the whole Live Nation
So pour libation
Beware, but prepare for the polarization, it's the globalization
Warn all the clergymen and notify Satan
I been waiting, this the notarization, I been patient

I got these niggas, Breezy!
Don't worry about it

A thousand kisses to the haters cause they made me greater
A thousand wishes from a million slaves could raise a savoir
A thousand disses to these dickheads at these major labels
From Big Daddy Kane to Big Daddy Kane and Abel
You pay a cost to be a boss, nigga, I paid the wager
Mastered both sides of the force and plus I made my saber
Yes sir, I'm a soldier of love
Drowning all my sorrows and woes in the club
My white boys say, "that shit you spit last year, bro
Was like a real fine Merlot and a cashmere throw"
Some black chicks say he ugly, white women they love me
My Asians and my mamis don't put nothing above me
I call it as it happens, the art of quality rapping
One autobiographical chapter could start up the rapture




And even though I walk in the narrow valley of death
All I see is green pastures, bitches screaming from the rafters

Overall Meaning

In "Road to Perdition," Jay Electronica begins by discussing his skin color, saying he has a "black on black skin tone" that makes him stand out, and stating that he's dropping truths in every verse. In the second line of the song, he refers to it as a "Slumdog opera," where he plays the king without a name tag. He speaks of his journey, saying that he's traveled from Road To Perdition to Act II, where he tells his story without holding back. He then states that he's come a long way and compares his life to "the greatest story ever told."


Jay goes on to explain that his road may not have been easy, but he's surrounded by people who understand him. These people see the pain in his artwork and support him despite everything. The rapper also touches on his swag and fame, referring to himself as a "Grand Wizard Imperial" and discussing his work with Jay-Z. He then goes on to say that he's not afraid to speak out against those in power or those in control, even if it means shooting up a few clubs. Despite living in tough times, he remains hopeful, stating that his life is like a highlight reel and that he'll change the world with his verses.


"Road to Perdition" is filled with religious imagery, and Jay Electronica mentions the prophet Muhammad while referring to his poetry as too Quran-ic. He also goes on to say that he's been waiting for this moment, and that everyone should "beware" and "prepare for the polarization." Finally, the rapper notes that he's had to fight racism and hatred every day, but he's stronger for it. He ends on a positive note, saying that despite living in the "narrow valley of death," he sees nothing but the "green pastures" ahead.


Line by Line Meaning

I got that black on black skin tone, actual-fact syndrome
I am a black man and my skin tone is a deep shade of black that is rare and not often seen. I have a tendency to speak the truth and drop jewels (nuggets of wisdom) in every verse I rap.


Okay, it's a Slumdog opera
My life and experiences are reminiscent of the movie Slumdog Millionaire, an epic tale of a young boy achieving great things despite tremendous adversity and starting from humble beginnings.


The tale of a king whose name wasn't on the roster
My life story is like that of a king who rose to glory despite not being recognized or expected to do so.


My road to glory was Road To Perdition
The path that I had to take to achieve success, fame, and glory was one of great difficulty, despair, and danger, similar to the plot in the movie 'Road to Perdition' where a father and son go through a series of challenges to maintain their bond amidst chaos and violence.


And Act II: The Turn is just the memoirs with no omissions
The second part of my journey, where I took a turn for the better and started telling my story, is a reflection of my life in its entirety with no secrets or omissions.


We came a mighty long way from standing near the stove
I have come a long way from my humble beginnings where I stood near a stove for warmth and comfort.


The realest niggas see the pain in my story boards
Those who understand real life and the struggles that come with it can relate to the pain that I have experienced in my life and which I express through my music.


The true believers say, "Wallahi, I support the boy"
People who truly believe in me have faith in what I do and support me in every way possible.


My life feel like a highlight reel
My life has been like a never-ending highlight reel, with moments of high drama, darkest despair, and achievement, all rolled into one.


This is lightning striking, feel how the Zeitgeist feel
My music and persona are electrifying and carry the energy of the current Zeitgeist (spirit of the times), which can be felt by all who listen to me.


Get a slight chill
My music has a chilling and intense quality that can deeply affect those who listen to it.


I got these niggas, Breezy! Don't worry about it
I am in control of my music and my message and don't care about those who try to silence me or diminish my talent and achievements.


My swag is on 1.21 gigawatts, 10 trillion kilowatts
My style and fashion are so energizing and impactful that they are equivalent to the power of a massive electrical current, capable of lighting up the whole city.


Hardcore Thriller pop, Michael Jackson, nigga rock
My music is a mixture of hardcore rap, pop, Thriller (a reference to Michael Jackson's most famous album), and rock, designed to appeal to a diverse audience.


Google me, baby, understand where I'm coming from
My success and achievements are known to the world, and anyone who wants to know more about me and my story can simply Google my name.


My destiny's to hit a grand slam when my number come
I am destined for greatness and will achieve a massive success in my chosen field when the right time comes.


All hail the lyrical, Grand Wizard Imperial
I am a master of the craft of rap, and my skills are unparalleled in the industry.


Nigga signed the dotted line with Hov, that's a miracle
I was able to sign a recording contract with Jay-Z's record label, Roc Nation, which was a miracle and an achievement that few can match.


And I ain't leave the thugs alone
Even after achieving success and fame, I have not forgotten where I come from and those who have supported me all along, including the 'thugs' and people in my community.


The humble and meek will surely inherit the mud we on
Those who are humble and meek will inherit the world, especially those who have endured and survived a life of hardship and struggle.


And shoot up every club we clone
My music and persona are so infectious and powerful that they can 'shoot up' every club and venue where my music is played, creating a frenzy and wild reaction from the crowd.


The flow is too atomic
My rap flow and delivery is explosive and powerful, like a nuclear bomb.


The poetry's too Quran-ic, the young prophet Muhammad
My music and lyrics have a poetic and spiritual quality, influenced by the teachings of the Quran, and I see myself as a modern-day prophet spreading the message of truth and hope to the people.


And I could drop a verse to change the whole vibration
My lyrics and music have the power to change the mood and vibe of the entire room or venue where they are played.


The whole Roc Nation, the whole Live Nation
My music and artistry are so powerful and influential that they can change the entire culture of both Roc Nation and Live Nation, the biggest recording labels in the industry.


So pour libation
Let us celebrate and honor those who have come before us and paved the way for our success and the struggle we have endured.


Beware, but prepare for the polarization, it's the globalization
Prepare yourself for the division and conflicts that come with globalization and the changing times, but be aware of the forces that are trying to divide us and weaken our collective spirit.


Warn all the clergymen and notify Satan
Let the religious leaders and people in positions of power be warned, for the devil is lurking and trying to deceive us.


I been waiting, this the notarization, I been patient
I have been waiting for this moment, and now my music and talents have been recognized and validated by the world, but it took time and patience to get here.


A thousand kisses to the haters cause they made me greater
I am thankful to all the people who have criticized, doubted, and hated on me, for they have only made me stronger and more determined to succeed.


A thousand wishes from a million slaves could raise a savoir
Even the smallest of gestures, wishes, or prayers from a million people who have suffered oppression and slavery can create a powerful force and raise a savior or leader who can lift them from their struggle and despair.


A thousand disses to these dickheads at these major labels
I have a lot of anger and resentment towards the major recording labels who have tried to exploit and control me, and I will continue to voice my dissatisfaction and push for change.


From Big Daddy Kane to Big Daddy Kane and Abel
From the early days of rap, with artists like Big Daddy Kane, to the present day, where even brothers can turn on each other like the Biblical story of Cain and Abel, the struggle for recognition and success continues.


You pay a cost to be a boss, nigga, I paid the wager
Achieving greatness and success comes at a price, and I have paid that price and am now a successful boss in my field.


Mastered both sides of the force and plus I made my saber
I am a master of my craft and have perfected all aspects of my artistry, including the negative and positive forces that come my way, and I have created my own unique style and sound.


Yes sir, I'm a soldier of love
I am committed to spreading the message of love, unity, and peace through my music and artistry, and I see that as my duty as a soldier of love.


Drowning all my sorrows and woes in the club
Even though I have gone through a lot of pain and struggle in my life, I try to forget it all and enjoy the moment by indulging in the nightlife and club scene.


My white boys say, "that shit you spit last year, bro
Even my white friends and colleagues acknowledge my talent and the great music that I have made in the past.


Was like a real fine Merlot and a cashmere throw"
My music is like a luxurious and expensive bottle of wine, paired with a soft and comfortable cashmere blanket, something that is both refined and comfortable at the same time.


Some black chicks say he ugly, white women they love me
Even though some black women may find me unattractive, I have a huge following of white women who appreciate my music and my looks.


My Asians and my mamis don't put nothing above me
My fans from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures all respect and appreciate my music equally.


I call it as it happens, the art of quality rapping
My music is a reflection of my life and experiences, and I try to capture that in my lyrics and rapping style, which I consider to be of the highest quality.


One autobiographical chapter could start up the rapture
One chapter in my autobiography, which would recount my experiences and struggles, could be the catalyst for a major movement or revolution that would affect and inspire people all over the world.


And even though I walk in the narrow valley of death
Even though I have faced death and danger many times in my life and continue to do so, I remain brave and determined, walking the narrow path towards greatness and success.


All I see is green pastures, bitches screaming from the rafters
Despite all the hardship and struggle, I remain optimistic and see nothing but bright and fertile opportunities ahead, with fans and supporters cheering me on from all corners of the world.




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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

BayouBlackMan54

Means Mastering the greater side of acts of self love and healing by faith carrying over into a good life lived
While utilizing the greatest of attributes on the side of evil to not commit acts of evil but rather bringing upon a guide towards balance in an environment found between the two.
Flipping Good into Great
And the Bad into lessons leading to Good



Voodoo man
Chicken bone chicken bone



All comments from YouTube:

Solis Occosum1

It's one of the most powerful songs ever recorded

Brandon Bungcayao

Double points for that profile pic ☀️

Shaun Cameron

I have to say this was the song that inspired me to pick up the pen and pad again after a 3.5 year hiatus. Yeah, and unpopular opinion: Jay had the best verse on Control.

Norman Foote II

His control verse def gets slept on.

Chris Beard

A hip hop masterclass , wish this was on streaming platforms

LeaksCentral

fr man

SoraAuditore

His Star Wars references are always on point.

This is probably my favorite track off of Act II 🔥🔥

Canntone

We needed this! Knowledge is infinite, peace to God's and Earth's

704JOE

PEACE GOD

drew peacock

Mastered both sides of the force plus I made my saber

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