Boyz
M.I.A. feat. Jay‐Z Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Soon as the beat drop, we got the streets locked
Overseas, the Panjabi MC and the Roc
I came to see the mamis in the spot
On the count of three, drop your body like it's hot
1, Young, 2, 1,2,3
Young Hov's a snake charmer, move your body like a snake mama
Make me wanna put the snake on ya
I'm on my 8th summer, still hot -- Young's the 8th wonder

All I do is get bread, yeah I take Wonder
I take one of your chicks straight from under your armpit
The black Brad Pitt, I mack 'til six in the AM
All day I'm P-I-M-P, I am simply
Attached to the track like SMPTE
It's simply good, Young Hov, infinitely hood

R.O.C, and you don't stop
Panjabi MC, and you don't stop
Nigga, NYC and we don't stop
It's the Roc, it's the Roc

R.O.C, and we don't stop
Panjabi MC, and we don't stop
It's ya boy Jay-Z, and we don't stop
Nigga, R.O.C, and we won't stop

Ma, I ain't gotta tell you, but it's ya boy Hov
From the U.S., you just lay down slow
Catch ya boy mingling England, meddling the Netherlands
Checking in daily under aliases
We rebellious, we back home, screaming, "Leave Iraq alone!"
But all my soldiers in the field, I will wish you safe return
But only love kills war when will they learn
It's international Hov, been having a flow
Before Bin Laden got Manhattan to blow
Before Ronald Reagan got Manhattan the blow
Before I was cabbing it there back and forth
Raw we had it all day, Papi in the hallway
Cop one on consignment to give you more yay

Yea, but that's another stor-ay
But for now, mami, turn it around and let the boy play (Jay)

Overall Meaning

The song "Boyz" by M.I.A. featuring Jay-Z is a high-energy hip hop track that is filled with bravado and celebration of their success. The lyrics immediately jump into the beat of the song, indicating that they have taken over the streets with their music. The reference to the Panjabi MC and the Roc - two different entities - shows their cross-cultural and cross-country reach, which is emphasized by Jay-Z's boasting of his travels to Europe and the Netherlands. The "body like it's hot" line is an obvious nod to the earlier hip hop hit by Snoop Dogg, and continues the theme of a wild and carefree party atmosphere.

The next verses focus on Jay-Z himself, as he describes himself as a "snake charmer" and "8th wonder." He brags about his ability to attract women and take them from other men, and his constant pursuit of money - "all I do is get bread." The line "the black Brad Pitt" is a reference to his own good looks and charisma, as well as his status as a high-profile celebrity. The lyrics emphasize that he is never far from the music and the fame, attached to the track all day long.

The song ends with a reference to the R.O.C. and their unstoppable nature, as well as their political stance against war. The final line from Jay-Z - "turn it around and let the boy play" - conjures an image of a talented young man with an unstoppable swagger, ready to take on anything and win.

Line by Line Meaning

Soon as the beat drop, we got the streets locked
We have taken over the streets as soon as the beat drops

Overseas, the Panjabi MC and the Roc
Panjabi MC and Roc are revered all over the world

I came to see the mamis in the spot
I'm here to see the ladies in the club

On the count of three, drop your body like it's hot
I want everyone to dance when I count to three

1, Young, 2, 1,2,3
I'm counting to three before starting the song

Young Hov's a snake charmer, move your body like a snake mama
I can make anyone dance, just like a snake charmer charms a snake

Make me wanna put the snake on ya
I want to dance with you

I'm on my 8th summer, still hot -- Young's the 8th wonder
I'm still cool after so many years in the music business

All I do is get bread, yeah I take Wonder
I make a lot of money and I make it effortlessly

I take one of your chicks straight from under your armpit
I can take any girl I want from right under your nose

The black Brad Pitt, I mack 'til six in the AM
I'm charming and I stay out partying until the early hours of the morning

All day I'm P-I-M-P, I am simply
I'm always being a pimp, it's just who I am

Attached to the track like SMPTE
I'm perfectly in sync with the beat of the music

It's simply good, Young Hov, infinitely hood
My music is simply good, I'm always representing the hood

R.O.C, and you don't stop
Our crew R.O.C. will never stop

Panjabi MC, and you don't stop
Panjabi MC will never stop making music

Nigga, NYC and we don't stop
We represent New York City, we will never stop

It's the Roc, it's the Roc
We are the Roc, we are the best

R.O.C, and we don't stop
Our crew R.O.C. will never stop

Panjabi MC, and we don't stop
Panjabi MC will never stop making music

It's ya boy Jay-Z, and we don't stop
I'm Jay-Z and I will never stop making music

Nigga, R.O.C, and we won't stop
Our crew R.O.C. will never stop

Ma, I ain't gotta tell you, but it's ya boy Hov
I don't need to introduce myself, I'm Jay-Z

From the U.S., you just lay down slow
I'm from the US and you should take it easy

Catch ya boy mingling England, meddling the Netherlands
I travel all around the world

Checking in daily under aliases
I check in at hotels under a fake name

We rebellious, we back home, screaming, "Leave Iraq alone!"
I'm part of the rebellious group that advocates for peace and wants the US to leave Iraq alone

But all my soldiers in the field, I will wish you safe return
I wish my fellow soldiers a safe return home

But only love kills war when will they learn
The only thing that can end wars is love, when will people learn that?

It's international Hov, been having a flow
I'm an international artist and I've been making music for a long time

Before Bin Laden got Manhattan to blow
I was making music before the 9/11 terrorist attacks

Before Ronald Reagan got Manhattan the blow
I was making music before the crack epidemic in the US during the Reagan administration

Before I was cabbing it there back and forth
I was struggling to get around the city before I became successful

Raw we had it all day, Papi in the hallway
We were dealing drugs all day with my partner Papi in the hallway

Cop one on consignment to give you more yay
I can give you some of our drugs to sell on consignment and make more money

Yea, but that's another stor-ay
That's a story for another time

But for now, mami, turn it around and let the boy play (Jay)
But for now, let's focus on the music and you should dance with me

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it