Joell will release his street album called "The Brick (Bodega Chronicles)" April 24 on Koch Records. The album was recorded while Joell was trying to get signed and going through some tough times personally. Even though he is signed to Aftermath Entertainment, Dr.Dre allowed him to release the street album on Koch Records. The Brick will feature productions from DJ Premier, Showbiz, The Alchemist, Domingo, Ho Chi from Killahertz Productions, Lil' Fame of M.O.P., Novel, and Moss, among others. Guest spots will include Big Daddy Kane, Styles P, Big Noyd, M.O.P, Akon, Immortal Technique, Grafh, Ras Kass, Stimuli, and Novel.
He is currently part of the hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse
Grammy
Joell Ortiz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Open up that envelope
No, not those envelopes
My envelopes got a bag in 'em
J.U.S.T.I.C.E League
I don't need your awards, that's not what I look towards
I don't want a reward for any song I record
I ain't tryna compete, buy things that I can't afford
I'm just doin' me, rhyming beautifully like the bluest sea
I mean, musically I'm like truancy
You gon' learn today there's no schoolin' me
All my rap classmates knew not to fool with me
Check my rap sheet, two or three eulogies
Lock me up, lose the key for everything I do to beats
For those who wouldn't sign me, I ain't losin' sleep
I put the past behind me like we drew up a sweep
Came up rough, I know what to do with defeats
I turn all of those to motivational musical speech
Oh, and by the way, guess what I'm doin' to eat?
Yup, rappin', who cares about the snappin'
Of the pictures and the carpets and the fake hands clappin'
And the "should've been me's" in all the afterparties acting
Like you having a good time, but you guzzling down 'yac and
Tryna be accepted by people who tryna do the same
I'm just tryna hit the booth with flames
Plus I suck at being corny so I don't play them music games
All the politics is stupid lame
If you ain't Billy Dance then I don't cosign the shit y'all do for fame
A lot of y'all don't know who I'm talkin' about
'Cause you ain't from where they'll mop you up when you walk out the house
We have nothing in common 'cept our love for rhyming
No nominee but y'all know what category I'm in
I don't think any rapper could do me any harm
With this word designing, like a lineman, I defend my arm
But if you wanna step, then bring it on
And catch this hook, not the type that make you sing along
I may not ever win a Grammy
But I'm takin' care of me and my family, and that's a win to me
(Okay, let me open this up
And the rap album of the year goes to)
I may not ever win a Grammy
But I'm takin' care of me and my family, and that's a win to me
(Make some noise for 'em, woo
Alright, yeah)
How so? I grew up in a single parent household
Pick up the house phone, it's no dial tone
When the cable wasn't out though
I would watch Tom and Jerry on the floor near a mouse hole
Intro to my life, but the outro
Much different, see them credits rolling down slow?
I'd like to thank God, I owe this to you
Thank Dennis for introducing me to the booth
I escaped holding nines in the projects
Now I'm an artist working on my ninth project
Somebody tell 9th Wonder I'm the object
Of rap discussion, why I ain't get the Grammy nod yet?
Lot of politicking and some bottom kissing
I ain't got the time, I'm renovating my mama kitchen
Did her bathroom since we ain't have a pot to piss in
No more lobby pitching, this is honest living
Just left the hospital, seeing a fan that was in a car collision
And met another one with a heart condition
We had a lot of laughs, keepin' optimistic
Before I left, we took pics, I told the doctors, "Get in"
This real world, not a 'Gram post
Life turned into the story that my hands wrote
Man, I'm 'bout to world tour for the third time
All because of how crazy I make these words rhyme
Sold out shows, they cheering for me
I can't believe that everyone here is for me
Last stop Moscow, minus twenty degrees
I'ma fly in from the snow and land on a beach
Relax in some water that's clear as can be
I went from airing beef to airing these beats
If there ever was a day they was sharing a seat
I'm sure I wouldn't have a problem preparing a speech
I may not ever win a Grammy
But I'm takin' care of me and my family, and that's a win to me
(Okay, let me open this up
And the rap album of the year goes to)
I may not ever win a Grammy
But I'm takin' care of me and my family, and that's a win to me
(Make some noise for 'em, woo
Alright, yeah)
In the first verse, Joell Ortiz expresses his indifference towards awards and recognition. He states that he doesn't need awards or rewards for his music because he is focused on moving forward and being true to himself. He has no desire to compete or acquire material things beyond his means. Joell describes his style of rhyming as beautiful and compares it to the vastness of the bluest sea. He believes that no one can teach or challenge him in his craft, and he points out that his rap classmates knew better than to try to outdo him. Joell reflects on his past struggles and turns them into motivation for his music. He mentions that he raps for a living and scoffs at the superficial aspects of fame, including pictures, carpets, and fake applause. He criticizes the pursuit of acceptance from those who are doing the same and rejects the political game of the music industry. Joell concludes with a declaration that he doesn't need validation from anyone else to know his worth.
In the second verse, Joell reflects on his background and upbringing. He grew up in a single-parent household, experiencing financial struggles and a lack of stability. He highlights moments of resilience, such as watching cartoons on a floor near a mouse hole, and describes how his life has changed significantly since then. He attributes his success to God and acknowledges the person who introduced him to the world of music, Dennis. Joell references his previous involvement with crime and contrasts it with his current status as an established artist working on his ninth project. He questions why he has not received Grammy recognition yet, recognizing the politics and favoritism involved in the industry. Despite the challenges, Joell keeps focused on improving his life and taking care of his family. He shares a touching experience of visiting a fan in the hospital who was in a car accident and meeting another fan with a heart condition. Joell highlights the importance of staying optimistic in the face of adversity and expresses gratitude for the support he receives.
In the final verse, Joell reflects on his achievements and the impact of his music. He mentions that he will embark on his third world tour, which he finds unbelievable considering the lyrical prowess that has garnered him such success. He acknowledges the sold-out shows and the overwhelming support from his audience. Joell describes a journey from conflict and beef to creating beats and following his passion. He imagines a day when he may have the opportunity to share a seat with other respected artists and confidently says he would be ready to deliver a speech in such a scenario. Joell concludes by reaffirming that although he may not win a Grammy, his main focus is on taking care of himself and his family, and that, to him, is a significant accomplishment.
Line by Line Meaning
And the Grammy goes to
Acknowledging the prestigious Grammy Awards
Open up that envelope
Revealing the winner's name
No, not those envelopes
Referring to a different kind of envelope
My envelopes got a bag in 'em
Having something valuable inside
J.U.S.T.I.C.E League
The production team responsible for the song
I don't need your awards, that's not what I look towards
Not seeking validation or recognition through awards
I don't want a reward for any song I record
Not expecting to be rewarded for his music
I ain't gotta look back to know that I'm movin' forward
Not dwelling on the past, focusing on progress
I ain't tryna compete, buy things that I can't afford
Not interested in materialistic competition
I'm just doin' me, rhyming beautifully like the bluest sea
Expressing his unique style and poetic skills
I mean, musically I'm like truancy
Referring to his unconventional approach to music
You gon' learn today there's no schoolin' me
Asserting his mastery and knowledge in the genre
All my rap classmates knew not to fool with me
Warning other rappers not to challenge him
Check my rap sheet, two or three eulogies
Highlighting his history of defeating opponents in rap battles
Lock me up, lose the key for everything I do to beats
Showing his dedication and commitment to creating music
For those who wouldn't sign me, I ain't losin' sleep
Not bothered by rejection from record labels
I put the past behind me like we drew up a sweep
Moving on from previous failures
Came up rough, I know what to do with defeats
Having experienced hardships, knowing how to handle setbacks
I turn all of those to motivational musical speech
Transforming setbacks into inspirations for his music
Oh, and by the way, guess what I'm doin' to eat?
Emphasizing his success as a rapper
Yup, rappin', who cares about the snappin'
Prioritizing his craft over social media fame
Of the pictures and the carpets and the fake hands clappin'
Dismissing the superficialities of the industry
And the 'should've been me's' in all the afterparties acting
Ignoring the envy and regret in post-award show events
Like you having a good time, but you guzzling down 'yac and
Questioning the authenticity of those seeking validation
Tryna be accepted by people who tryna do the same
Rejecting the need for acceptance from shallow individuals
I'm just tryna hit the booth with flames
Focused on creating impactful music
Plus I suck at being corny so I don't play them music games
Rejecting the mainstream formula for success
All the politics is stupid lame
Disliking the industry's political nature
If you ain't Billy Dance then I don't cosign the shit y'all do for fame
Only supporting authentic artists like Billy Dance
A lot of y'all don't know who I'm talkin' about
Referring to lesser-known artists he respects
'Cause you ain't from where they'll mop you up when you walk out the house
Recognizing the tough neighborhood he comes from
We have nothing in common 'cept our love for rhyming
Identifying his shared passion with other artists
No nominee but y'all know what category I'm in
Not being recognized for awards, but respected by peers
I don't think any rapper could do me any harm
Confident in his abilities as a rapper
With this word designing, like a lineman, I defend my arm
Using his lyrical skills to protect his craft
But if you wanna step, then bring it on
Challenging anyone who dares to compete
And catch this hook, not the type that make you sing along
Warning opponents to prepare for his powerful lyrics
I may not ever win a Grammy
Recognizing the possibility of not receiving a Grammy
But I'm takin' care of me and my family, and that's a win to me
Finding fulfillment in providing for his loved ones
(Okay, let me open this up
Referring to opening another envelope
And the rap album of the year goes to)
Announcing the winner of the rap album category
Make some noise for 'em, woo
Encouraging applause for the winner
Alright, yeah)
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
How so? I grew up in a single parent household
Explaining his upbringing in a family with one parent
Pick up the house phone, it's no dial tone
Reflecting on the challenges of his childhood
When the cable wasn't out though
Finding solace in watching television during hard times
I would watch Tom and Jerry on the floor near a mouse hole
Remembering simple pleasures from his childhood
Intro to my life, but the outro
Highlighting the contrast in his life's journey
Much different, see them credits rolling down slow?
Noting the differences in his current success
I'd like to thank God, I owe this to you
Expressing gratitude for his achievements
Thank Dennis for introducing me to the booth
Acknowledging the person who inspired his passion
I escaped holding nines in the projects
Escaping a life of violence and crime in his neighborhood
Now I'm an artist working on my ninth project
Highlighting his growth and progress as a musician
Somebody tell 9th Wonder I'm the object
Informing the producer 9th Wonder of his success
Of rap discussion, why I ain't get the Grammy nod yet?
Questioning why he hasn't received Grammy recognition
Lot of politicking and some bottom kissing
Referencing the politics and favoritism in the industry
I ain't got the time, I'm renovating my mama kitchen
Prioritizing taking care of his family
Did her bathroom since we ain't have a pot to piss in
Supporting his family through difficult times
No more lobby pitching, this is honest living
Moving away from chasing opportunities and focusing on authenticity
Just left the hospital, seeing a fan that was in a car collision
Visiting a fan who was involved in an accident
And met another one with a heart condition
Encountering another fan facing health challenges
We had a lot of laughs, keepin' optimistic
Finding joy and positivity in difficult situations
Before I left, we took pics, I told the doctors, 'Get in'
Capturing a memorable moment with the fans and medical staff
This real world, not a 'Gram post
Recognizing the difference between reality and social media
Life turned into the story that my hands wrote
Taking control of his own narrative and destiny
Man, I'm 'bout to world tour for the third time
Excited for his upcoming international tour
All because of how crazy I make these words rhyme
Recognizing the impact of his lyrical skills
Sold out shows, they cheering for me
Receiving overwhelming support from audiences
I can't believe that everyone here is for me
Feeling grateful for his dedicated fanbase
Last stop Moscow, minus twenty degrees
Reflecting on the extreme weather during his tour
I'ma fly in from the snow and land on a beach
Transitioning from hardships to a more relaxed environment
Relax in some water that's clear as can be
Finding peace and tranquility
I went from airing beef to airing these beats
Shifting from conflicts to focusing on his music
If there ever was a day they was sharing a seat
In the unlikely event of a collaborative performance
I'm sure I wouldn't have a problem preparing a speech
Confident in his ability to deliver a memorable speech
I may not ever win a Grammy
Reiterating the potential lack of Grammy success
But I'm takin' care of me and my family, and that's a win to me
Finding fulfillment in providing for loved ones
(Okay, let me open this up
Returning to the topic of opening another envelope
And the rap album of the year goes to)
Continuing the announcement of the award winner
Make some noise for 'em, woo
Encouraging applause for the winner
Alright, yeah)
Conveying enthusiasm and excitement
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joell Ortiz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind