Big Brother
kanye west Lyrics

Stadium status
Acknowledging the grandiose and successful nature of his work

My big brother was Big's brother
Referring to Jay-Z as his mentor and acknowledging his close relationship with B.I.G.

Used to be Dame and Big's brother
Reminisces about his relationships with Damon Dash and Notorious B.I.G.

Who was hip hop brother
Recognizes Jay-Z as an important figure in the hip hop community

Who was No I.D friend
Mentions the connection between Jay-Z and No I.D., who is also Kanye's mentor

No I.D my mentor
Acknowledges No I.D. as his own musical influence and mentor

Now let the story begin
Introducing the theme of the song as Kanye's journey in the music industry

Its the hard knock life tour
Referring to his experience touring with Jay-Z in the early 2000s

Sell out, picture us in the mall
Reflecting on the commercial success of the duo and the lifestyle that came with it

Copin iceberg and yell out Jigga
Shouting out Jay-Z and referencing their expensive taste in clothing

You know the name, do gotta spell out or tell bout
Observing the fame that comes with their status as hip hop icons

J a y an Ye so shy
Admitting their quiet and reserved personalities

Now he won't even step to his idol to say hi
Reflecting on a missed opportunity to meet an idol

Standing there like a mime and let the chance pass by
Feeling regretful for not speaking up when given the chance

Back of my mind he could change your life
Believing that meeting Jay-Z could have a huge impact on his career

With all these beats I did at least let him hear it
Describing his willingness to share his music with Jay-Z

At least you could brag to your friends back at the gig
Acknowledging the excitement that would come from Jay-Z acknowledging his music

But he got me out my mama crib
Recognizing Jay-Z's role in his success as an artist

Then he help me get my mama a crib
Thanking Jay-Z for the opportunities and financial stability he has provided

Begin
Reiterating the start of his journey and career

If you feel the way I feel why don't you wave your hands
Encouraging the audience to participate and feel the same emotions

Fresh off the plane I'm off to Baseline
Discussing a trip to Jay-Z's studio in New York City

Nothing handed out, I'm about to take mine
Describing his determination to succeed on his own merit

Around the same time of that Blueprint 1
Referencing the release of Jay-Z's album as a point in time

And these beats in my pocket was that blueprint for him
Describing his role in producing music for Jay-Z's album

He would bob his head and say, damn, oh, that's you
Recalling Jay-Z's reaction to Kanye's music

But by The Black Album I was blacking out
Reflecting on his own success and recognition

Party at S.O.B's and we had packed the crowd
Remembering a time when he performed to a full house

Big brother got his show up in Madison Square
Referring to Jay-Z's performance in the famous New York City venue

But not only did I not get a chance to spit it
Regretting not having the opportunity to perform for Jay-Z at a particular time

Carleen told me I could buy two tickets
Denoting a missed opportunity to attend Jay-Z's show in a helpful manner

And kept little brother at bay, at a distance
Feeling like he was held back from opportunities due to his 'little brother' status

But everything I felt was more bogus
Believing that his negative feelings were unfounded

Only made me more focused, only wrote more potent
Describing how he channeled his emotions into creating better music

Only thing I wanna know is why I get looked over
Questioning why he is not given opportunities despite his success

I guess ill understand when I get more older
Reflecting on the idea that understanding will come with time

Big brother saw me at the bottom of the totem
Acknowledging Jay-Z's initial mentorship when Kanye was still an unknown

Now I'm at the top and everybody on the scrotum
Comparing current success to past hardships and unpopularity

Have you ever walked in the shadow of a giant
Reflecting on the difficulty of trying to succeed alongside a very successful person

Not only a client, the presidito, Hola Hovito
Referring to Jay-Z as a prominent figure in the rap game, using Spanish as a reference to his Puerto Rican heritage

The game getting foul, so here's a free throw
Acknowledging the changing nature of the music industry and his chance to succeed

I was always on the other side of the peep hole
Feeling like he was an outsider in the industry for a long time

Then I dropped Jesus Walks now I'm on a steep hole
Recognizing the impact of his hit song and subsequent rise to fame

New jack city gotta keep my brother
Acknowledging the need to stick together within the rap community

But to be number 1, I'm a beat my brother
Having the desire to become the best, even if it means surpassing Jay-Z's success

On that Diamonds remix I swore I'd spaz
Talking about his eagerness to work on the remix of the song 'Diamonds'

Then my big brother came through and kicked my ass
Surprised and humbled by Jay-Z's rap verse on the song

Sibling rivalry, only I could see
Acknowledging the competitive nature of their relationship

It was the pride in me that was driving me
Realizing that his desire to succeed was motivated by his own pride

At the Grammys I said I inspired me
Referring to a past Grammy Awards ceremony and his acceptance speech

But my big brother who I always tried to be
Recognizing that Jay-Z has always been his role model

When I kick a flow it was like, pick and roll
Comparing his style of rapping to a basketball play

'Cause even if he gave me the rock, its give and go
Allowing himself to be led by Jay-Z despite his competitive spirit

I guess Beanie's style was more of a slam dunk
Referring to fellow Roc-A-Fella rapper Beanie Sigel's more aggressive style of rapping

And my shit was more like a finger roll
Describing his own style of rapping as more smooth and effortless

But I had them singles though
Proud of his commercial success despite any stylistic differences

And them hoes at the show gonna mingle yo
Bringing attention to the groupies and fame that come with success

I told Jay I did a song with Cold Play
Informing Jay-Z about his collaboration with the band Coldplay

Next thing I know he got a song with Cold Play
Feeling like Jay-Z upstaged him by also working with Coldplay

Should of known that was gonna come back around
Realizing that he should have seen the consequences of his actions

Should of told you like a man, should of told you first
Feeling regretful for not being honest about his collaboration with Coldplay to Jay-Z

But I told somebody else and that's what made shit worse
Regretting telling someone else about his collaboration and causing drama

So here's a few words from your kid brother
Addressing Jay-Z directly and affectionately as his 'big brother'

If you admire somebody you should go ahead and tell um
Encouraging people to express admiration for others while they can

People never get the flowers while they could still smell um
Appreciating the importance of acknowledging someone's contributions while they are still alive

A idol in my eyes, God of the game
Referring to Jay-Z as a role model and legend in the music industry

Heart of the city, Rockafella chain
Describing Jay-Z's impact on hip hop and his successful label, Roc-A-Fella Records

Never be the same, never be another
Acknowledging the uniqueness and importance of Jay-Z's influence

Number 1 young Hov also my big brother
Praising Jay-Z as not only a mentor, but also a brother and friend

And that's where the story ends
Closing the song and the story of Kanye's relationship with Jay-Z

Don't kill this shit
Endnote that his relationship with Jay-Z is important and should not be ruined