Numb
Z.44 Lyrics

Yeah
Acknowledging the crowd with a simple 'yeah'

Thank you, thank you, thank you
Expressing gratitude for the applause and appreciation

You're far too kind
Humorously praising the crowd's overwhelming generosity

Can I get an encore, do you want more?
Asking for another performance and if the audience wants more

Cookin' raw with the Brooklyn boy
Collaborating with the artist from Brooklyn, a raw and authentic place

So for one last time I need y'all to roar (yeah)
Asking for one final burst of excitement and energy from the crowd

Now what the hell are you waiting for?
Urging the audience to participate and enjoy the show

After me, there shall be no more
Implying that this is the final performance and nothing else will follow

So for one last time, nigga, make some noise
One last exclamation requesting for a loud and energetic response from the audience

Who you know fresher than Hov? Riddle me that
Questioning who is cooler and more relevant than Jay-Z

The rest of y'all know where I'm lyrically at
Acknowledging that other artists are aware of his rapping skills

Can't none of y'all mirror me back
Emphasizing that no other rapper can imitate him effectively

Yeah hearing me rap is like hearing G. Rap in his prime
Comparing his own rapping style and quality to that of a renowned rapper in his prime

I'm young H.O., rap's Grateful Dead
Asserting that he is the young and vibrant version of himself, like the Grateful Dead of rap

Back to take over the globe, now break bread
Indicating his ambition to dominate the music industry and make money in the process

I'm in Boeing jets, Global Express
Boasting about his material success and luxurious lifestyle

Out the country but the Blueberry still connect
Despite being out of the country, he is still connected to his fans and music industry through technology

On the low but the yacht got a triple deck
Humbly keeping his yacht on the down-low, but still impressing with its triple deck

But when you young, what the fuck you expect? Yep, yep
Justifying his extravagance by saying that he has the right to be young and reckless

Grand opening, grand closing
Joking about the cyclical nature of his success and reputation

God damn, your man Hov cracked the can open again
Proudly announcing his comeback and readiness to take over the music industry again

Who you goin' find doper than him with no pen
Challenging other rappers to be better than him without relying on a pen or paper

Just draw off inspiration
Encouraging other rappers to find inspiration within themselves

Soon you goin' see you can't replace him
Promising that people will realize that he cannot be replaced in the rap game

With cheap imitations for these generations
Disparaging current rappers who he believes are not as talented or original as him

Look what you made me do, look what I made for you
Acknowledging his fans' influence on his music and success, and showing appreciation for their loyalty

Knew if I paid my dues, how will they pay you?
Reflecting on his own beginnings and questioning how new artists will be able to succeed in the industry

When you first come in the game, they try to play you
Addressing the challenges new artists face when they enter the competitive music industry

Then you drop a couple of hits, look how they wave to you
Noticing how quickly his fans' attitude towards him changed after he became successful

From Marcy to Madison Square
Referencing his rise from humble beginnings in Marcy Projects to performing at the prestigious Madison Square Garden

To the only thing that matters in just a matter of years (yeah)
Emphasizing how much his music has mattered and influenced people in just a few years

As fate would have it, Jay's status appears
Reflecting on how luck and fate played a role in his success and current status

To be at a all-time high, perfect time to say goodbye
Acknowledging that he is at the peak of his career and it's the right time to retire from the music industry

When I come back like Jordan, wearing the 4-5
Promising to make a comeback like Michael Jordan, wearing his number 45 jersey

It ain't to play games with you
Clarifying that his comeback is not a joke or a game

It's to aim at you, probably maim you
Threatening his competitors and the music industry with his comeback

If I owe you I'm blowing you to smithereens
Asserting his power and financial influence in the industry

Cocksucker take one for your team
Insulting and challenging other rappers to prove themselves

And I need you to remember one thing (one thing)
Requesting that his fans remember a particular message or piece of advice

I came, I saw, I conquered
Boasting about his successes in the industry and life

From record sales, to sold out concerts
Listing his achievements and recognition in the music industry

So motherfucker if you want this encore
Addressing the audience directly and offering another performance if they want it

I need you to scream 'til your lungs get sore
Demanding a high level of enthusiasm and energy from the crowd

I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Expressing frustration about the pressures of the music industry and conforming to others' expectations

Feeling so faithless
Lacking confidence and assurance about himself and his future in the industry

Lost under the surface
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed by the demands of the industry, and losing his sense of self

I don't know what you're expecting of me
Admitting that he is unsure of others' expectations and how to meet them

Put under the pressure
Feeling intense stress and anxiety from the demands of the industry

Of walking in your shoes
Trying to live up to others' standards and expectations in the industry

(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Feeling stuck and pulled down by the forces and expectations of the industry

Every step that I take is another mistake to you
Feeling like he cannot please everyone and being criticized for every move he makes

(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Reinforcing the feeling of being pulled down and caught by the industry's expectations

And every second I waste is more than I can take
Feeling like he cannot afford to waste any time or make any mistakes in the industry

I've become so numb
Feeling numb and detached from himself and the industry as a result of the pressures he faces

I can't feel you there
Feeling disconnected from his audience and the music he creates

Become so tired
Feeling exhausted and drained from the pressures and stresses of the industry

So much more aware
Despite feeling numb and tired, he has become more aware of himself and his surroundings

I'm becoming this
Acknowledging that he is slowly changing or transforming as a person and artist

All I want to do
Expressing his desire to be true to himself and not conform to others' expectations

Is be more like me
Emphasizing that he wants to be authentic and true to himself instead of being someone else's puppet

And be less like you
Rejecting the idea of conforming to others' expectations and desires

Can I get an encore, do you want more? (More, more, more)
Repeating the chorus and asking for one final performance for the fans

I've become so numb
Repeating the chorus as a reflection of the emotions he is feeling

So for one last time I need y'all to roar (one last time I need y'all to roar)
Requesting one final, loud outburst of excitement and energy from the crowd before finishing the performance