A Dream
Jay Z feat. Notorious B.I.G Lyrics

Last night I had a dream
Jay Z is reflecting on a dream he had the night prior

Thoughts was racin' through my head
Jay Z had a lot of thoughts and ideas in his dream

(It was all a dream)
Jay Z reiterates that what he experienced was just a dream

Felt so real to me
Although it was just a dream, it felt vivid and lifelike to Jay Z

"Had a dream", I said, "'Bout who?", he said
Jay Z is describing a conversation with someone in his dream about the subject of the dream

"'Bout B.I.G.", I said, "That's big", he said
Jay Z dreamt about The Notorious B.I.G., which he and the other person in his dream acknowledge as significant

"Dig what", he said, "Proceed" he said, "Indeed", I said, so, breathe I did
The other person in Jay Z's dream urged him to continue with what he was going to say about B.I.G., so he took a breath and proceeded

"Don't repeat what I say", I said, he said nothin'
Jay Z requested confidentiality about what was discussed in his dream, and the other person agreed without speaking

He agreed with his head, he just nodded like this
The other person in Jay Z's dream communicated agreement by nodding their head

What I believe to be a yes I repeated what was said
Jay Z confirms his understanding of the other person's agreement, and repeats what was previously said

It came to me like a, well, as even I said
Jay Z uses this line to acknowledge that he has difficulty finding the right words to express what he means

"You feel playboy", was the greeting he said
The greeting Jay Z received from the other person in his dream was 'you feel playboy'

First thing I wanted to know, what's the reason he was dead?
Jay Z is curious about the death of The Notorious B.I.G.

"More money, more problems, better believe it", he said
The other person in Jay Z's dream implies that B.I.G.'s success brought problems and challenges

"Careful what you wish for you might receive it", he said
The other person in Jay Z's dream warns him to be careful about what he wishes for, since it may come with negative consequences

"I see", I said, "Jealousy", I said
Jay Z identifies jealousy as a possible reason why people in the music industry might be mad at him

"Got the whole industry mad at me", I said
Jay Z believes that people in the music industry are angry with him

Then B.I. said, "Hov' remind yourself
The Notorious B.I.G. addresses Jay Z by his nickname 'Hov', and encourages him to remember something important

"Nobody built like you, you designed yourself"
B.I.G. compliments Jay Z for being unique and self-made

"I agree", I said, "My one of a kind self
Jay Z accepts and agrees with B.I.G.'s compliment, and recognizes his own distinctiveness

Get stoned every day like Jesus did"
Jay Z uses this metaphor to describe how he takes time to reflect and meditate

"What he said", I said, "Has been said before"
Jay Z recognizes that the idea of self-determination is not new or exclusive to him or B.I.G.

"Just keep doin' your thing", he said, "Say no more"
B.I.G. encourages Jay Z to continue living his life and doing what he does, without saying anything further

Was it all a dream
Jay Z reflects on the veracity of his experience, questioning whether it was all a dream

(Tell me)
Jay Z seeks clarification or confirmation from the listener

(Was it a dream)
Jay Z continues to question if what he experienced was a dream

(I gotta know)
Jay Z expresses a strong desire to know the truth

(A dream)
Jay Z concludes that what he experienced was a dream

It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine
Jay Z starts his verse by acknowledging his humble beginnings reading a music magazine

Salt 'n' Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Jay Z remembers the celebrities he used to admire and look up to

Hangin' pictures on my wall
Jay Z reminisces about decorating his room with posters of famous musicians

Every Saturday, "Rap Attack", Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
Jay Z recalls tuning in to a radio show where he discovered new hip-hop artists and legendary DJs

I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Jay Z shares a personal memory about the importance of his music collection and how he used to listen to his cassette tapes until they wore out

Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
Jay Z describes how he used to enjoy recreational substances during his youthful years, and was able to afford luxury items like quality liquor

Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
Jay Z remembers a distinctive outfit he used to wear, consisting of a red and black flannel jacket

With the hat to match
Jay Z recalls completing his look with a matching hat

Remember Rappin' Duke? 'Duh-ha, duh-ha'
Jay Z references a comedic hip-hop artist from the 80s, and quotes one of his catchphrases

You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far
Jay Z acknowledges how far hip-hop has come in his lifetime, and how no one could have predicted its success

Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
Jay Z credits his success to his skill and talent as a rapper

Time to get paid, blow up like the
Jay Z uses this incomplete simile to express his desire for financial success and to become famous

Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Jay Z acknowledges his past mistakes and misdemeanors, and the challenges he has overcome to succeed

Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Jay Z reflects on his humble beginnings, where he had no money for food and had to resort to cheap meals like canned fish

Peace to Ron G, Brucey be, Kid Capri
Jay Z gives a shoutout to some famous DJs he admires

Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
Jay Z continues to shoutout some more legendary DJs

I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
Jay Z reflects on how people may have doubted his success, but he has surpassed their expectations

Call the crib, same number same hood, it's all good
Jay Z assures his listeners that despite his newfound success, he is still grounded and has not forgotten his roots

Uhh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
Jay Z uses this line to assert his dominance in the hip-hop world, and to warn his competition that they should recognize his talent