IT'S ALRIGHT
Jay Z & Memphis Bleek Lyrics


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Bounce if you wanna bounce, ball if you wanna ball
Play if you wanna play, floss if you wanna floss
It's alright, you heard?, It's alright, holla back
Get ill if you wanna ill, smoke if you wanna smoke
Kill if you wanna kill, loc if you wanna loc
It's alright, you heard? It's alright, yeah yeah

I need a ho in my life to blow on my dice
So we can make our points twice and skate out a town
I need that glow in my ice, e-class
Ladies screamin Jigga you know we ease that, flowin out like jees-ass
Jay-Z and me holdin the mic
So when you like you find mc's so impolite
And me I'm so into nice, got cats on the corner like
Don't me and Jigga be flowin alike?
Nah, not in your life ain't nobody copin like
Mr. Jay-Z, shit you're crazy
I'm hot like the six maybe, deep dish with the great seats
I flow greater than you're navigator
I drop in you're town, block you're data
Pimps all comin through with a hot pair of gators
And a crew with rocks the size of craters
Can't touch like hot potatoes, ya heard?

Bounce if you wanna bounce, ball if you wanna ball
Play if you wanna play, floss if you wanna floss
It's alright, you heard?, It's alright, holla back
Get ill if you wanna ill, smoke if you wanna smoke
Kill if you wanna kill, loc if you wanna loc
It's alright, you heard? It's alright, holla back

In the middle of a war rockin a vest
Who's the illest shorty alive, I confess
I take nine to the chest and I swear to the heaven sky's, I bless
The mics until the day I rest, till they can feel what I feel
I'ma try my best, and if you real like I real
You can provide the rest
Anything left out, you can blame it on the brain, not the heart
I'm playing my part, stretched out, just about the best out
Any nigga realer than me, is in a mess hall with their chest out
Any rapper with less clout, sell more records than me
We extort them as soon as they record 'em, bleek
My name is clear, back when a shorty used to braid my hair
On the project stairs, once I drop to a ceaser ma I don't need ya
From the block to the hot two-seaters

Bounce if you wanna bounce, ball if you wanna ball
Play if you wanna play, floss if you wanna floss
It's alright, you heard?, It's alright, holla back
Get ill if you wanna ill, smoke if you wanna smoke
Kill if you wanna kill, loc if you wanna loc
It's alright, you heard? It's alright, check

On the two jew-el's I blew more money than latrell, who else?
They don't know you, think they know you too well, you jell
Like flubber I hover above the city in a private jet, the livest set
Press you're brakes, feds wanna investigate, mr. I don't cop nothin
Less than eight, and anything involved with my name
Regardless of the fame
It's hard, I can't even walk through harlem again,
Charge it to the game, I'm platinum like american express
My boy died, and all I did was inherit his stress
To make every jam tougher, you ain't my man fuck ya
I suggest let you live right? Negative, I swear
It's dough or die, I hope your soul provides you with an afterlife
Close you're casket tight
Take you're last two deep breaths and pass the mic
To Jay-Z nigga, that's right!

Bounce if you wanna bounce, ball if you wanna ball
Play if you wanna play, floss if you wanna floss
It's alright, you heard?, It's alright, holla back
Get ill if you wanna ill, smoke if you wanna smoke




Kill if you wanna kill, loc if you wanna loc
It's alright, you heard? It's alright

Overall Meaning

Jay Z and Memphis Bleek's "It's Alright" is a tribute to the lavish lifestyle and attitude of gangsta rap culture. In the song, they urge their listeners to live life to the fullest, do whatever they want to do, and be whoever they want to be, as long as they are ready to face the consequences. The lyrics suggest that the gangsta lifestyle may involve violence, drugs, and crime, but it is still considered "alright" as long as you are confident and ready to face the risks.


The song begins with Jay Z and Memphis Bleek using various verbs to encourage their listeners to pursue their passions, whether it is bouncing, balling, smoking, or killing. The lyrics are presented in a nonchalant, laconic manner, which reflects the confidence and coolness associated with gangsta rap culture. The chorus, "It's alright, you heard?" reinforces the theme of living life to the fullest and embracing the risk and consequences that come with it.


Later in the song, Jay Z and Memphis Bleek boast about their riches, their supreme talent in rap music, and their reputation in the streets. They suggest that they are above the law and can get away with anything. The lyrics reveal that the gangsta rap culture was, and perhaps still is, a celebration of materialistic, hedonistic, and hyper-masculine values.


Line by Line Meaning

Bounce if you wanna bounce, ball if you wanna ball
Do what makes you happy, whether that's dancing or playing sports


Play if you wanna play, floss if you wanna floss
Enjoy yourself and show off your success if you want to


It's alright, you heard?, It's alright, holla back
It's okay to do what you want and express yourself


Get ill if you wanna ill, smoke if you wanna smoke
Do what you want, even if it's not healthy


Kill if you wanna kill, loc if you wanna loc
Do what you need to do to survive and protect yourself


It's alright, you heard? It's alright, yeah yeah
It's okay to be yourself and do what you want


I need a ho in my life to blow on my dice
I want a partner who can bring luck and excitement to my life


So we can make our points twice and skate out a town
We can win big and celebrate our success


I need that glow in my ice, e-class
I want luxury and shine in my life, just like my expensive car


Ladies screamin Jigga you know we ease that, flowin out like jees-ass
Women love Jay-Z's smooth and confident rapping style


Jay-Z and me holdin the mic
Jay-Z and I are a strong rap duo


So when you like you find mc's so impolite
When you listen to other rappers, you realize how much better we are


And me I'm so into nice, got cats on the corner like
I like living the good life and people notice


Don't me and Jigga be flowin alike?
Some people think Jay-Z and I rap the same way


Nah, not in your life ain't nobody copin like
No one can imitate Jay-Z's unique style


Mr. Jay-Z, shit you're crazy
Jay-Z is amazing and talented


I'm hot like the six maybe, deep dish with the great seats
I'm feeling confident and successful, like driving an expensive car


I flow greater than you're navigator
My rapping abilities are better than your car's navigation system


I drop in you're town, block you're data
When I come to your town to perform, I disrupt your daily routine


Pimps all comin through with a hot pair of gators
Pimps show off their wealth by wearing expensive alligator shoes


And a crew with rocks the size of craters
They also have huge, flashy pieces of jewelry


Can't touch like hot potatoes, ya heard?
We are untouchable and successful


In the middle of a war rockin a vest
Even in tough situations, I am prepared and protected


Who's the illest shorty alive, I confess
I am confident in my rapping abilities


I take nine to the chest and I swear to the heaven sky's, I bless
I am willing to take risks and put my life on the line for my music


The mics until the day I rest, till they can feel what I feel
I will continue to rap until I die and want others to feel my passion


I'ma try my best, and if you real like I real
I will do my best and respect those who are authentic like me


You can provide the rest
Others can contribute to my success


Anything left out, you can blame it on the brain, not the heart
If I make mistakes, it's because of my mind, not my intentions


I'm playing my part, stretched out, just about the best out
I am doing my best and reaching my full potential


Any nigga realer than me, is in a mess hall with their chest out
No one is more authentic than me


Any rapper with less clout, sell more records than me
Less talented rappers can still have more success


We extort them as soon as they record 'em, bleek
We take advantage of and exploit less successful rappers


My name is clear, back when a shorty used to braid my hair
I have always been true to myself and my name is respected


On the project stairs, once I drop to a ceaser ma I don't need ya
I don't need anyone's approval or help


From the block to the hot two-seaters
I come from the streets but now enjoy the finer things in life


On the two jew-el's I blew more money than latrell, who else?
I spent a lot of money on my luxurious jewelry


They don't know you, think they know you too well, you jell
People judge and misinterpret me, and it makes them jealous


Like flubber I hover above the city in a private jet, the livest set
I am on top and living a luxurious life


Press you're brakes, feds wanna investigate, mr. I don't cop nothin
I am careful and avoiding legal issues


Less than eight, and anything involved with my name
I only want to associate with high quality and success


Regardless of the fame
Even with success, I remain true to myself


It's hard, I can't even walk through harlem again,
My level of fame makes it difficult for me to have normal experiences


Charge it to the game, I'm platinum like american express
Life is tough, but I am successful and wealthy


My boy died, and all I did was inherit his stress
Even with success, I still deal with personal struggles and loss


To make every jam tougher, you ain't my man fuck ya
I am focused on my success and don't need fake friends


I suggest let you live right? Negative, I swear
I won't stop until I achieve my goals, even if it means hurting others


It's dough or die, I hope your soul provides you with an afterlife
Success is essential, even in the afterlife


Close you're casket tight
Death is the end, so make the most of life


Take you're last two deep breaths and pass the mic
Wanting to leave a legacy and have others continue your work after you


To Jay-Z nigga, that's right!
Jay-Z is still on top and respected in the rap community




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Shawn Carter, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, Brian Eno, Imsomie Leeper, Damon Dash

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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