What You Want
Notorious B.I.G feat Jay-Z Lyrics


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This is a state of emergency
What you want me to do? I'm sorry, I'm back

Lets go get 'em, Just!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, uh huh

Show me what you got, lil' mama
Show me what you got, pretty lady
Show me what you got, shorty
Show me what you got, baby
Hands up and wave (Show 'em what you got)
And wave (Show 'em what you got)
And wave (Show 'em what you got) And wave

Give the drummer some
Shit, I already gave the summer some
It's the winter's turn
Hovie Hov is the coldest
I'm just getting better with time I'm like Opus
One young, no two alike, like a snowflake
Okay, show me what you got, babe
Words is slurring, engine purring
Mami frontin', but I'm so determined
Shots of Patron, now she's in a zone
I ain't talking about the 2-3
Mami in the zone like the homie 2-3
Jordan or James, makes no difference, boo
I'm ballin' the same, nigga, I am the Mike Jordan of recording
Nigga, you might want to fall back from recording
Shit that you write, it's not important
So it forced him to go for the hype
For being brave, and they may applaud him
Well, misery I will assure them
Aw, baby, just ignore them
Truth or dare, mami, listen and learn
I got a drop I just took off the top, it's your turn

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

Show me what you got, lil' mama
Show me what you got, pretty lady
Show me what you got, shorty
Show me what you got, baby
Hands up and wave, and wave, and wave, and wave

Show me what you got, lil' mama
Show me what you got, pretty lady
Show me what you got, shorty
Show me what you got, baby
Hands up and wave (Show 'em what you got)
And wave (Show 'em what you got)
And wave (Show 'em what you got) And wave

H-O-V-A, gold bottles of that ace of spade
Why even fool with these other guys?
They all stingy, all these dudes know how to say is "Gimmie"
Gimmie some head, give me some brain
Give me your number, gimmie your name
But if I get one night, baby girl, I swear
I'll make you tell these other dudes gimmie got you here
I'll take you shopping, take long trips
I'll take the cork off, you can take sips
I'll take you there, take my time, take your clothes off
I'll take off mine, ma, show me what you got
Hovi in the spot tried to told you I was hot
Tell these other dudes it's a wrap
Get the fuck out the throne, you clone, the king's back!
Y'all got less than two months to get y'all thing together, good luck!

Show me what you got, lil' mama
Show me what you got, pretty lady
Show me what you got, shorty
Show me what you got, baby
Hands up and wave (Show 'em what you got)
And wave (Show 'em what you got)
And wave (Show 'em what you got) And wave

Show me what you got, lil' mama
Show me what you got, pretty lady
Show me what you got, shorty
Show me what you got, baby
Hands up and wave (Show 'em what you got)
And wave (Show 'em what you got)
And wave (Show 'em what you got) And wave uh

Ladies and gentlemen, the most incredible!
H-O., uh huh H-O uh huh, he's back! Uh uh




Justin Blaze you the Blazettes
Rocafella Records the dynasty continues, y'all die Peace

Overall Meaning

In the song "What You Want" by Notorious B.I.G featuring Jay-Z, the artists rap about their success and the attention they receive from women because of it. The first verse mentions a "state of emergency," which could refer to the pressure and expectations that come with being a successful rapper. The chorus repeatedly asks women to "show me what you got," insinuating their interest in physical attraction rather than deeper connections. Jay-Z boasts about his wealth and fame, calling himself "the coldest" and likening himself to Michael Jordan.


The lyrics are fairly straightforward in their content, but they reveal the attitudes and values of the hip-hop culture of the late 90s and early 2000s. The emphasis on material wealth and physical attractiveness highlights the role of money and power in determining social status. The song also showcases the braggadocious nature of rap music and the importance of reputation and street credibility.


Line by Line Meaning

This is a state of emergency
The situation is serious and requires immediate action


What you want me to do? I'm sorry, I'm back
Asking for direction and apologizing for being absent


Show me what you got, lil’ mama
Asking a woman to demonstrate her abilities, confidence, and style


Hands up and wave (Show 'em what you got)
Encouraging the crowd to put their hands up and participate in the performance


Give the drummer some
Acknowledging the drummer's talent and calling for a solo


Hovie Hov is the coldest
Referring to himself as the best and most successful


I'm just getting better with time I'm like Opus
Comparing himself to a work of art that increases in value over time


Mami frontin' but I'm so determined
Acknowledging the woman's hesitance but expressing one's persistence in pursuing her


Shots of Patron, now she's in the zone
Describing the effects of an alcoholic drink on a woman's mood


I ain't talking about the 2-3
Clarifying that he is not referring to Michael Jordan, but rather another basketball player


I'm ballin' the same, nigga, I am the Mike Jordan of recording
Asserting himself as the best in the music industry, just as Michael Jordan was in basketball


Shit that you write, it's not important
Dismissing the writing abilities of other artists


Tell these other dudes it's a wrap / Get the fuck off the throne, you clone, the king's back!
Declaring himself as the leader of the rap game and demanding that others get off the throne


Ladies and gentlemen, the most incredible! / H-O., uh huh H-O uh huh, he's back! Uh uh / Rocafella Records the dynasty continues, y'all die Peace
Boasting about his prowess and the strength of his music label




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carlton Ridenhour, Eric Sadler, Hank Shocklee, Johnny Pate, Michael Mcewan, Shawn Carter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Truu2it

No one can replicate this kind of energy behind the mic. This man was a prodigy to the game RIP BIG.

@PeekaBooo23

The ultimate music to fight and drive aggressively to!! RIP Notorious BIG

@thebossman80s

I hope your not forgetting your seat belt in all this excitement 😐

@PeekaBooo23

Charly of course! Safety's always first while driving 110 in a 50 cursing out the world....😂😂

@agodnouininique9668

I'm way too ol. To the first degree lulz. Adam

@Mookaron

A state trooper told me I was driving aggressively, but let me go with a warning! ♐

@mariaalmeida5175

Ridin' dirty..

5 More Replies...

@iggy5895

Biggie must have been a dragon because all he did was spit fire!

@IndistreeHolla

Miss this dude.

@evanlyons1301

He better than all the “Lil’s” combined...

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