Open Letter
Jay Z Feat. Swizz Beatz Lyrics
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Goddammit
Let this shit knock
I done turned Havana to Atlanta
Guayabera shirts and bandanas
Every time you think they got me I switch the plan up
Bulletproof this, radio scanners
You gettin' too much bread, they try to jam you
Boy from the hood but got White House clearance
Sorry y'all, I don't agree with y'all appearance
Politicians never did shit for me
Except lie to me, distort history
Wanna give me jail time and a fine
Fine, let me commit a real crime
I might buy a kilo for Chief Keef
Out of spite, I just might flood these streets
Hear the freedom in my speech
Got an onion from Universal, read it and weep
Would've brought the Nets to Brooklyn for free
Except I made millions off it, you fuckin' dweeb
I still own the building, I'm still keeping my seat
Y'all buy that bullshit, you'd better keep y'all receipt
Obama said "chill, you gonna get me impeached"
But you don't need this shit anyway
Chill with me on the beach
Y'all gon' learn today
Y'all almost want to start a revolution
You know whenever I'm threatened, I start shooting, bark
Catch a body, head to Houston
I'm in Cuba, I love Cubans
This communist talk is so confusing
When it's from China, the very mic that I'm using
Idiot wind, the Bob Dylan of rap music
You're an idiot, baby, you should become a student
Oh, you gonna learn today
Where the fuck have you been
The world's under new management
The new role model, fuck this Zoolander shit
Y'all gon' learn today
In "Open Letter," Jay Z, alongside Swizz Beatz, addresses critics and detractors who have accused him of various claims such as supporting the Communist government in Cuba and receiving illegal support from the Obama administration. Through the lyrics, he tells a story, switching from crooning about the good life to harsh truths about the world's politics. Jay Z acknowledges his wealth, success, and transparency while maintaining his gangster status and fighting the system's corruption. He mentions becoming a role model for society and wanting to start a revolution among those who have been wronged by politicians and public officials.
Jay Z is contradicting himself when he says that politicians have never done anything for him but, in the next verse, mentions his friendship with Obama. Moreover, he acknowledges his wealth and success but denounces the importance of appearances, emphasizing the need to focus on more essential issues such as social injustice and corruption. Jay Z proves himself to be empowered and fearless, ready to take on the establishment's corruption, despite it threatening to have him impeached. Overall, "Open Letter" reveals Jay Z's persona as a commodity, a symbol of 'Capitalism at its most heroic.'
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen
Greetings, audience
Goddammit
Expression of frustration
Let this shit knock
Let the music play
I done turned Havana to Atlanta
I successfully transformed Havana into Atlanta
Guayabera shirts and bandanas
Wearing traditional Cuban clothing
Every time you think they got me I switch the plan up
I'm constantly adapting to avoid getting caught
Bulletproof this, radio scanners
Taking precautions against danger
Ballin' 'til they ban us
Continuing to prosper despite opposition
You gettin' too much bread, they try to jam you
When you become successful, people try to bring you down
Boy from the hood but got White House clearance
Despite my humble beginnings, I have access to high-level government connections
Sorry y'all, I don't agree with y'all appearance
I don't support the way things look/are
Politicians never did shit for me
I have not personally benefited from politicians
Except lie to me, distort history
Politicians have deceived me and portrayed events inaccurately
Wanna give me jail time and a fine
Authorities want to punish me
Fine, let me commit a real crime
If they're going to punish me anyway, I might as well do something deserving of punishment
I might buy a kilo for Chief Keef
I might purchase drugs to spite my enemies
Out of spite, I just might flood these streets
I'll take aggressive action in response to opposition
Hear the freedom in my speech
I express myself openly and without fear
Got an onion from Universal, read it and weep
I have information that will shock and upset you
Would've brought the Nets to Brooklyn for free
I would have done something nice for the community
Except I made millions off it, you fuckin' dweeb
But I also profited greatly from it
I still own the building, I'm still keeping my seat
I continue to hold power and control
Y'all buy that bullshit, you'd better keep y'all receipt
Don't believe everything you hear, keep proof of purchase
Obama said "chill, you gonna get me impeached"
Even Obama was worried about my actions
But you don't need this shit anyway
But ultimately, it's not important
Chill with me on the beach
Relax and enjoy life with me
Y'all gon' learn today
You're going to be taught a lesson
Y'all almost want to start a revolution
You're close to wanting a major change in society
You know whenever I'm threatened, I start shooting, bark
I respond aggressively when I feel threatened
Catch a body, head to Houston
I'll commit murder and flee to Houston
I'm in Cuba, I love Cubans
I'm currently enjoying my time in Cuba
This communist talk is so confusing
I find discussions of communism perplexing
When it's from China, the very mic that I'm using
The irony of using a communist-made microphone is not lost on me
Idiot wind, the Bob Dylan of rap music
I am a highly respected figure in the music industry
You're an idiot, baby, you should become a student
You need to educate yourself
Oh, you gonna learn today
You're about to be taught a valuable lesson
Where the fuck have you been
Why haven't you been paying attention?
The world's under new management
Things have changed, and I'm in control now
The new role model, fuck this Zoolander shit
I'm a new type of role model, not like the superficial character in Zoolander
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, JEROME HARMON, KASSEEM DEAN, TIMOTHY MOSLEY, CHARLES BRADLEY, THOMAS R. BRENNECK, DAVID GUY, LEON MICHELS, HOMER STEINWEISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind