Justify My Thug
Kazet/Wezyr ft. Jay-Z Lyrics

Uh, this feel right right here, Quik
This feels like the perfect moment, everything is in place.

It's like it's supposed to happen this one right here
It feels like fate has brought us here to create something special.

Young! God damn
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm for what's about to happen.

Let me justify my thug on this one right here
I want to explain and defend my street mentality on this track.

It goes one o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock, Roc
Describing the hours of the day with a reference to the Roc-A-Fella label.

Five six seven o'clock, eight o'clock, Roc
Continuing the rhyme scheme with a reference to the label's name.

Eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock, the party bout to pop
Acknowledging that the party is getting started.

Then, Roc-A-Fella y'all, it's your boy S. Dot
Introducing himself as S. Dot, a.k.a Jay-Z, from the Roc-A-Fella label.

And I ain't never been to jail, I ain't never pay a nigga
Proudly stating that he's never been locked up or hired someone to do his dirty work.

To do no dirt for me I was scared to do myself
Admitting that he's been afraid to take certain risks himself.

I will never tell, even if it means sittin in a cell
Promising to keep silent and take the consequences if caught doing something wrong.

I ain't never ran, never will
Asserting that he's never backed down from a challenge and never will.

I ain't never been smacked, a nigga better keep his hands
Warning people not to put their hands on him.

To himself or get clapped for what's under that man's belt
Implying that he's carrying a gun and will use it to defend himself.

I never asked for nothin I don't demand of myself
Stressing that he doesn't rely on anyone else and only expect the same from himself.

Honesty, loyalty, friends and then wealth
Ranks his values, placing honesty above all else, followed by loyalty and friends before wealth.

Death before dishonor and I tell you what else
Reiterating his commitment to integrity, and hinting at something else he will stand by at any cost.

I tighten my belt 'fore I beg for help
Preferring to work hard and struggle rather than ask for help from others.

Foolish pride is what held me together through the years
Acknowledging that his pride has played a role in his success and resilience.

I wasn't felt which is why I ain't never played myself
Suggesting that he's underestimated, and explaining why he's never let that bring him down.

I just play the hand I'm dealt, I can't say I've never knelt
Acknowledging that he's faced tough situations, but he's always tried to overcome them.

Before God and asked for better cards at times to no avail
Admitting that he's prayed for better opportunities, but it hasn't always worked out.

But I never sat back feelin sorry for myself
Asserting that he's never let self-pity get in the way of his success.

If you don't give me heaven I'll raise hell
Promising to fight for what he wants, even if it means causing trouble or conflict.

Now if you shoot my dog, I'mma kill yo' cat
Warning that he will retaliate if someone attacks him or his crew.

Just the unwritten laws in rap, know dat
Explaining that these rules and code of conduct are expected in the music industry.

For every action there's a reaction, don't have me relapsin'
Saying that there are consequences for everything, and he doesn't want to revert back to his old ways.

Relaxin's what I'm about, but about mine
Preferring to take things easy, but still focused on his money and reputation.

Don't be actin like you can't see street action
Challenging those who act like they don't understand the realities of the streets.

Take me back to Reasonable Doubt time
Wishing for a simpler time earlier in his career before he became famous.

You see my mind's on the finish line, facin the wreck
Focused on his ultimate goal, willing to risk everything to achieve it.

I put my muh'fuckin faith in the tec, tell Satan not yet
Putting his trust and hope in his gun, as a symbol of protection from harm or evil.

You understand I am chasin my breath
Admitting that he's pushing himself to the limit and running out of energy.

I am narrowly escapin' my death, oh yes
Acknowledging that he's been in danger before and has barely avoided death.

I am the Michael Schumacher of the Roc roster
Comparing himself to a successful Formula One racer, signifying his dominance in the Roc-A-Fella label.

Travellin Mach 5, barrel in my apparel can stop God
Imagining himself traveling at incredible speed, with a gun in his clothes, giving him ultimate power.

God forgive me but I can't let them deliver me to you
Asking for God's mercy and forgiveness, but also asserting that he wants to fight against his enemies.

Until, I won this race, then eventually
Suggesting that he won't stop until he's achieved his goals, even if it takes a long time.

My engine gon' burn out, I get whatever is meant for me
Admitting that he can only push himself so hard before he becomes worn out.

However it turns out fine, red line!
Accepting that the outcome may not be what he wants, but he's willing to take the risk anyways.

They say an eye for an eye, we both lose our sight
Quoting the common saying that revenge doesn't solve anything and just leads to more harm.

And two wrongs don't make a right
Further emphasizing the point that revenge isn't productive or beneficial.

But when you been wronged and you know all along that it's just one life
Explaining that sometimes people feel that they need to seek justice or revenge because life is short and they don't want to be taken advantage of.

At what point does one fight? (Good question, right?)
Questioning when it becomes necessary to stand up for oneself and defend against injustice or mistreatment.

'Fore you knock the war, try to put your dogs in his
Challenging those who criticize or question his street lifestyle to imagine themselves in his place.

Ten-and-a-halfs, for a minute-and-a-half
Referencing a specific type of gun and time frame, implying that he's prepared for any situation.

Bet that stops all the grinnin and the laughs
Suggesting that if someone threatens him, it will quickly stop those who are mocking him.

When you play the game of life and the win ain't in the bag
Commenting on the unpredictability of life, and how even when you're doing everything right, things can still go wrong.

When your options is none and the pen is all you have
When someone is stuck with no way out, sometimes the only option is to write and express their feelings.

Or the block, niggas standin tight as lemons on the ave
Describing the tense atmosphere of the streets, with people standing around nervously waiting for something to happen.

Tryin to cop a shop call theyself cleansin in the cash
Describing people who are trying to earn money by selling drugs, and thinking they're making themselves clean by doing so.

But can't put they name on paper cause, then you on blast
Explaining how being caught by law enforcement or snitches, can lead to a chain reaction of problems for everyone involved.

Mr. President, there's drugs in our residence
Imagining a scenario where he's contacting the president about the drug problems in his community.

Tell me what you want me to do, come break bread with us
Asking for help and support from those in power, and suggesting that they can learn more about the situation by spending time with people involved in street life.

Mr. Governor, I swear there's a cover up
Addressing corruption in the highest levels of government and law enforcement.

Every other corner there's a liquor store, fuck is up?
Questioning the prevalence of alcohol and drugs in his community, and calling for change.

Justify my thug, my thug, for you (hoping, praying)
Repeating the refrain, emphasizing the need to explain and defend his street mentality to those who don't understand.