Dirt Off Your Shoulders
Jay Z vs. The Verve Lyrics

If you feelin like a pimp nigga
If you're feeling confident and in control

Go and brush your shoulders off
Show off your confidence and dismiss any negativity

Ladies is pimps too
Women can also be confident and in control

go and brush your shoulders off
They should also dismiss any negativity

Niggas is crazy baby don't forget
People can be irrational and unpredictable, so be cautious

That boy told you
Someone warned you

Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Let go of any negativity and move on

I probably owe it to y'all
I'm likely indebted to all of you

Proud to be locked by the force
I'm honored to be restrained by authority

Tryin’ to hustle some things that
Attempting to make money through various means

Go with the Porsche feelin’ no remorse
Associated with luxury and not feeling guilty

Feelin’ like my hand was forced
Feeling compelled to act under pressure

Middle finger to the law nigga
Defiance towards authority

Grippin’ my balls
Asserting dominance and confidence

Said the ladies they love me
Women have a strong affection for me

From the bleachers they screamin’
Supporters are loudly cheering for me

All the ballers is bouncin’ they like
Other successful individuals admire me

The way I be leanin’
They appreciate my style and attitude

All the rappers be hatin’
Other artists are envious

Off the track that I'm makin’
Jealous of the success of my music

But all the hustlers they love it
But those who work hard admire and appreciate it

Just to see one of us make it
They find inspiration in our success

Came from the bottom the bottom
Started from a disadvantaged position

To the top of the pops nigga London
Now achieving success and recognition on a global scale

Japan and I'm straight off the block
Even reaching audiences in Japan, coming from humble beginnings

Like a running back, get it man
Quickly progressing and achieving success, just like a football player

I'm straight off the block
Still connected to my roots and where I came from

I can run it back nigga ‘cause
I can relive my success because

I'm straight with the Roc
I have a solid foundation with my record label

'Cause it's a bittersweet…symphony this life
This life is a combination of both happiness and sadness

(If you feelin like a pimp nigga
If you're feeling confident and in control

Go and brush your shoulders off)
Show off your confidence and dismiss any negativity

(Ladies is pimps too
Women can also be confident and in control

Go and brush your shoulders off)
They should also dismiss any negativity

Trying to make ends meet
Struggling to earn enough money to cover expenses

You're a slave to money then you die
If you're only focused on money, your life becomes meaningless

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Let go of any negativity and move on

Your homey Hov' in position
Your friend, Jay Z, is in a advantageous position

In the kitchen with soda
Preparing illicit substances

I just whipped up a watch
I recently acquired an expensive watch

Tryin’ to get me a Rover
Striving to purchase a luxurious car

Tryin’ to stretch out the
Attempting to expand my reach or profit

Coca, like a wrestler, yes sir
Handling drugs like a skilled athlete

Keep the heckler close you know
Always be prepared for dangerous situations

Them smokers'll test ya
Drug users may try to take advantage of or challenge you

but like
Similar to

Fifty-two cards when I'm
Just like a deck of cards when I'm

I'm through dealin’
I'm done with my business transactions

now
now

Fifty-two bars come out
Now I'm delivering my lyrics

now you feel 'em
And now you can really understand and appreciate them

Now fifty-two cars roll out
Now there are many luxury cars associated with me

Remove ceiling in case
Open up the roof in case

Fifty-two broads come out
Now there are many women accompanying me

now you chillin’
Now you're relaxed and enjoying yourself

With a boss bitch of course
With a powerful and confident woman, without a doubt

SC on the sleeve
Representing my record label, Roc-A-Fella Records

At the 40 40 club
At my exclusive nightclub, The 40/40 Club

ESPN on the screen
Watching sports on television

I paid a grip for the jeans
I spent a lot of money on my designer jeans

Plus the slippers is clean
Even my footwear is stylish and in perfect condition

No chrome on the wheels
My car doesn't have shiny chrome wheels

I'm a grown-up for real
I'm a mature adult

You know I can’t change, I can't change
I am who I am, I can't change

But I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold
But I embrace my identity and stay true to myself

But I'm a million different people from
But I have various facets to my personality

One day to the next
I can be different from one day to another

I can't change my mold, no
I can't alter my core self

Your boy back in the building
I have returned and I'm back in the game

Brooklyn we back on the map
Representing our city and achieving success once again

Me and my beautiful beeeeeeeitch in
My attractive and beloved partner by my side in

The back of that 'Bach
In the rear of my luxury Mercedes-Benz

I'm the realest that run it
I am the most authentic and genuine in my field

I just happen to rap
And it so happens that I express myself through music

I ain't gotta clap at 'em
I don't need to resort to violence against them

Niggas scared of that black
People are intimidated by my success as a black man

I drop that Black…Album then I back…out it
I released my successful album, then stepped back from the spotlight

As the best rapper alive, nigga ask about me
Acknowledging my status as the best rapper and encouraging others to inquire about it

From Bricks to Billboards, grams to Grammy’s
From selling drugs to achieving massive fame, from small-time success to winning Grammy Awards

The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
From being in poverty to completely transforming my life, like the character Orphan Annie

You gotta pardon Jay
You have to forgive and understand my actions

For sellin’ out the Garden in a day
For selling out Madison Square Garden in just one day

I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
I am comparable to a young Marvin Gaye in his prime

I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
I am a hardworking entrepreneur, while you are merely a consumer

Got some, dirt on my shoulder
I have some negativity or issues that I need to brush off

Could you brush it off for me?
Can you help me overcome these challenges?

You know I can’t change, I
I am who I am, I can't change

Can't change, I can't change, i can't change
I cannot alter myself

But I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold
But I embrace my identity and stay true to myself

And I'm a million different people from
And I possess many different aspects and characteristics

One day to the next
I can be different from one day to another

I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no, no
I cannot change my fundamental self