8 Miles And Runnin'
jay-z freeway Lyrics

Yeah Renegades is back and the beat is sick,
The Renegades are back and the beat is amazing.

8 miles and running, got my 7 album droppin',
Refers to Jay-Z's current situation at the time of this song - he's about to release his 7th album while simultaneously working on his 8th.

And my 8 album coming,
Jay-Z is working on his 8th album.

Feedin' a thousand growling stomachs,
Jay-Z has numerous people depending on him and his music to make a living.

But I could rewind the counter ta back, back,
Jay-Z reflects on his beginnings and remembers when he had nothing and no one believed in him.

When it was now or nothing,
Jay-Z remembers a time when he had to take action immediately or lose his chance at success.

People said I would amount to nothing,
Many people thought Jay-Z would never amount to anything in the music industry.

That I had time for nothing,
Jay-Z was often told he didn't have the time, skill, or dedication to make it big in music.

Said I wasn't from the velars
Jay-Z, coming from a tough neighborhood, was told that he wasn't classy or sophisticated enough to be successful in the industry.

Or the sellers by your gunman,
Or that he didn't have the connections and backing of powerful and influential individuals who could help him make it big.

I can see the folks now he got what he had coming,
Jay-Z knows that many people who doubted him before are now wishing they had shown him support and respect when they had the chance.

Everybody smiling wanting something,
With Jay-Z's success, many people are now trying to latch onto him and benefit from his fame and wealth.

Claiming that they done something for em,
People are trying to take credit for Jay-Z's success and claim that they played a role in it.

Got Jay Z and pom poms in they whole uniforms,
Some people are trying to exploit their association with Jay-Z by showing off their support for him and acting like they're on his team.

Claiming they be running and telling everybody like Martin Lawrence,
People are bragging about their proximity to Jay-Z and using it to elevate their own status in circles where they're not normally accepted.

About how hot my rap performance was before I was who I was,
People are claiming they knew and supported Jay-Z before he became famous and made it big, even though this might not be entirely true or accurate.

Claimin' that they threw it up before I threw it up, you what
People are claiming they were the first to support Jay-Z and show him love, even though this might be a complete lie or exaggeration.

Where was you before I blew this up,
Jay-Z is asking people where they were when he was struggling and working hard to make it big, even when everyone else doubted him.

I didn't see you in the courtroom when everyone was suein' us,
Jay-Z is calling out people who are trying to take credit for his success and reminding them that they were nowhere to be found when he was going through tough times and dealing with legal struggles.

I didn't see you in all black when everybody was suitin' up,
Jay-Z is calling out people who are not on his side and are not truly there for him when he needs them the most.

Back on the block, kickin' it in and it was no you with us
Jay-Z is calling out people who never supported him and were not with him when he was just starting out and struggling to make it big.

6 miles and running got my fist straight poppin',
Refers to Freeway's current situation - he's a rising rapper who's working hard to establish himself in the industry.

And my first album coming feedin' 20 promises I made
Freeway is poised to release his first album, which is highly anticipated and highly ambitious.

6 miles and running in the Pontiac,
Freeway is driving a Pontiac and is metaphorically 'running' in his efforts to succeed in the music industry.

6 thousand 86 trans mic shift,
This lyric refers to the type of car Freeway is driving and adds to the imagery of his struggle and journey as a rising rapper.

While the engine run,
Freeway is working hard to make his music and career a success, and is constantly striving to improve his craft.

Anyone turn around
Everyone should pay attention to what Freeway is doing and support him in his efforts to make it big.

And give me one more chance,
Freeway believes in himself and his ability to succeed, and is asking fans and the industry to give him another chance to prove himself.

Let em smoke and scream em one more grams,
Freeway is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means sacrificing his own health or well-being at times.

So I'm a bring them, homie, son and my pop,
Freeway is surrounded by friends, family, and supporters who are helping him on his journey and giving him the strength and inspiration to keep going.

Stick close to my momma, keep toasters for drama,
Freeway knows that his family is his rock and his support system, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to protect them and keep them safe.

Mix a lot with my son, my son growin' and he learnin' a lot,
Freeway is a dedicated father who loves spending time with his son and teaching him valuable life lessons.

That's what I'm toastin', that's what I'm burin', so pop,
Freeway is grateful for his family and supporters, and is dedicating his music and career to them.

Right on your own, rell 'em nigga, tell 'em nigga,
Freeway is encouraging others to be themselves and stay true to who they are, saying that the industry will respect and reward authenticity over conformity.

Its like a biblical scripture,
Freeway believes in the power of his music and its ability to inspire and motivate others, much like a religious text.

Look back turn to salt like the sinners
Freeway is warning others not to get caught up in materialism and greed, and to remain humble and true to themselves.

And most y'all heartless and self-centered
Freeway is calling out those in the industry who are fake and selfish, and reminding them that this attitude will ultimately lead to their downfall.

Like me shaggin', me shack,
These lyrics are somewhat ambiguous, but may refer to Freeway's past struggles and shortcomings, and how he has learned from his mistakes and grown as a person.

Set up your brother cause you tell us nigga,
Freeway is calling out those who are willing to betray their own family members in order to get ahead in the industry.

Heat back, uh, like, you never love for never
Freeway is ready to defend himself and his family against those who might try to harm them or manipulate them in order to advance their own careers.

And cops watch every step, 6 miles and running
Freeway is aware of the scrutiny and surveillance that comes with being a public figure, and is prepared to stay vigilant and avoid getting into any trouble with the law.

Dodge in every trap, the rap ginger bread man,
Freeway is quick and agile in his movements and is able to avoid getting caught up in any of the corrupt or dangerous aspects of the industry.

Cherish every precious breath, stat pick a second gat
Freeway is grateful for his life and is taking steps to protect himself and his loved ones at all times, recognizing the dangers and risks that come with fame and success.

Back when nobody would find me a talent,
Jay-Z remembers a time when nobody believed in him or saw his potential as a rapper.

Nobody would sign me, nobody believed in me,
Despite his talent and passion, Jay-Z struggled to find support and backing from anyone in the music industry.

Nobody but mommy blindly, but how could she deny me,
Jay-Z's mother was always supportive of him, even when others doubted his talent and potential.

Me being the youngest friend to come up out of her,
Jay-Z is proud of the fact that he was able to succeed and make his mother proud, despite the odds being against him.

Tell me, she got every love for me,
Jay-Z's mother loves and supports him unconditionally, and has always believed in him even when others did not.

When niggas would worn me the industry shun me,
Despite his talent and hard work, many people in the industry were not willing to take a chance on Jay-Z and support his career.

That's why I'm taking all the industries money,
Jay-Z is now successful and wealthy, and is determined to make the most of his success and capitalize on his talent and hard work.

Revenge is sweet honey, we run this,
Jay-Z is proud of his success and is taking pleasure in proving his doubters wrong and showing them what he's capable of.

Young is the illest, free is the future,
Jay-Z and Freeway are two rising stars in the industry, and are poised to shake things up and change the game.

Beans and bleekers right now,
Jay-Z is name-dropping two of his fellow rappers and collaborators, Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek, both of whom are also making a name for themselves in the industry.

We can see our 8 miles nigga
Jay-Z and Freeway are both looking ahead to their future success and are confident that they will continue to make it big in the industry.