One Step Closer
Linkin' Park Ft. Jay Z Lyrics

If you havin' girl problems I feel bad for you son
I sympathize with you if you're having issues with your girlfriend

I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one - hit me!
I have a lot of problems, but dealing with a difficult woman isn't one of them

He's got the Rap Patrol on the gat patrol
Jay-Z is being watched by the police who are waiting for him to slip up

Foes that wanna make sure his casket's closed
Jay-Z has enemies who would be happy to see him dead

Rap critics that say he's "Money, Cash, Hoes"
Some music critics believe that Jay-Z only raps about materialistic things and women

He's from the hood stupid, what type of facts are those?
Jay-Z is criticizing the critics for not understanding his background and what he raps about

If you grew up with holes in your zapatos
Jay-Z is referencing the struggles of growing up poor

You'd celebrate the minute you was havin' dough
If you experience poverty and then become wealthy, it's a cause for celebration

So fuck critics, you can kiss the whole asshole
Jay-Z doesn't care about what the critics think and tells them to leave him alone

If you don't like the lyrics, you can press fast forward
Jay-Z is telling anyone who doesn't like his lyrics to just skip over them

Got beef with radio if we don't play they show
Jay-Z is upset with the radio stations who refuse to play his music

They don't play our hits, we don't give a shit, so!
Jay-Z isn't bothered by radio stations not playing his music

All these mags try and use our ass
Jay-Z is annoyed with magazines using his image to sell more copies

So advertisers can give 'em more cash for ads, fuckers!
Jay-Z is angry at magazines for using him to make money off of advertisements

I don't know what you take us as
Jay-Z is wondering how people perceive him and Linkin' Park

Or understand the intelligence that Jay-Z has
Jay-Z believes that people underestimate his intelligence

From, rags to riches, we ain't dumb
Jay-Z and Linkin' Park came from humble beginnings and are not stupid

Now the year is ninety-four, in my trunk is raw
In 1994, Jay-Z had drugs in his car

In the rear view mirror is the motherfuckin' law
Jay-Z is worried about getting pulled over by the police

I got two choices y'all, pull over the car or (or?)
Jay-Z is weighing his options of trying to escape the police or pull over

Bounce on the Devil, put the pedal to the floor (c'mon!)
Jay-Z decides to try to escape from the police by gunning the engine

Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hat's real low
The police are profiling Jay-Z based on his age, race, and appearance

Or do I look like a mind reader sir? I don't know
Jay-Z is unsure of how to answer the police officer's questions

Well you was doin' fifty-five in the fifty-four
The police officer has pulled Jay-Z over for speeding

License and registration and step out of the car
The police officer is asking for Jay-Z's identification and wants him to exit the vehicle

Are you carryin' a weapon on you? I know a lot of you are)
The police officer assumes that Jay-Z is carrying a weapon due to his race

I ain't steppin' out of shit, all my papers legit
Jay-Z refuses to exit the vehicle because he has nothing to hide and all his documents are in order

Well my glove compartment is locked, so is the trunk in the back
Jay-Z is stating that there are no weapons or illegal items in his car

And I know my rights, so you gon' need a warrant for that
Jay-Z knows his legal rights and informs the police officer that they need a warrant to search his car

Now once upon a time, not too long ago
Jay-Z is starting a story about a past encounter he had with someone

A nigga like myself had to strong arm a ho
Jay-Z is recalling a time when he had to use force to deal with a difficult person (not necessarily a woman)

This is not a ho in the sense of havin' a pussy
Jay-Z clarifies that the person he's referring to is not necessarily a woman

But a pussy havin' no God damn sense, try an' push me
This person was acting stupid and trying to provoke Jay-Z

You know the type, loud as a motorbike
Jay-Z describes this person as being obnoxious and loud

But wouldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight
This person talks tough but wouldn't actually follow through with their threats

And only thing that's gon' happen is I'mma get to clappin' and
Jay-Z is warning that if he has to defend himself, he will use violence

He and his boys gon' be yappin' to the Captain
This person and their friends will go running to the authorities to complain

And there I go, trapped in the Kit-Kat again
Jay-Z is saying that he gets caught up in bad situations again and again

Back through the system with the riff-raff again
Jay-Z will have to go through the legal system again because of this person's actions

Fiends on the floor, scratchin' again
Jay-Z is describing the drug addicts he sees while he's in jail

Paparazzis with they cameras, snappin' them
Even in jail, Jay-Z is being followed by the paparazzi and they are taking photos of him

D.A. try to give a nigga shaft again
The District Attorney is trying to put Jay-Z in a difficult legal situation again

Half a mill' for bail cause I'm African
Jay-Z believes that the bail is higher for him because of his race

All because this fool was harassin' them
Jay-Z is in jail because of someone else's actions

Tryin' to play the boy like he's saccharin
This person was trying to manipulate Jay-Z and take advantage of him

But ain't nuttin' sweet bout how I hold my gun
Jay-Z is saying that he's tough and should not be underestimated

Shut up when I'm talkin' to you!
Jay-Z is telling someone to be quiet and listen to him

I'm about to break!
Jay-Z is feeling stressed and close to losing his patience

Everything you say to me
Jay-Z is addressing someone who is annoying him

And I'm about to, break
Jay-Z is almost at his breaking point and can't take it anymore