| RELEASE DATE: | 2007-11-20 |
| DURATION: | 58:46 |
| # OF TRACKS: | 15 |
| ALBUM TYPE: | 정규, studio |
| GENRE/STYLE: | 팝
갱스타 랩
랩/힙합
이스트 코스트 랩
팝 랩
하드코어 랩 |
| ALSO KNOWN AS: | - |
| INDEX: | 449 |
|
INTRODUCTION
<해설지> 21세기 주류 힙합을 새로이 설계했던 Jay-Z 커리어의 또 다른 기념비 [American Gangster] 힙합 역사상 가장 성공한 뮤지션인 제이-지(Jay-Z)의 컴백은 전격적으로 이루어졌다. 2003년 [The Black Album]을 내놓고 은퇴를 선언한 직후부터 이어졌던 그의 복귀에 대한 팬들의 갈망은 길었다 . 결국, 지난해 2006년 12월 [Kingdom Come]으로 자신의 왕국에 제왕이 돌아왔음을 알렸고 팬들은 그들의 기다림을 보상받았다. 그런데 제이-지의 이번 앨범은 그야말로 갑작스럽다. 올해 9월 말에 제이-지가 앨범을 작업하고 있다는 소식이 들리더니 그로부터 얼마 지나지도 않은 11월 6일 현지에 발매되었다. 벌써부터 이어지는 각종 매체의 찬사는 제왕이 준비한 깜짝 파티가 던져줄 여파의 당연한 일부일 뿐이다.
하지만, 본격적으로 앨범에 대한 얘기를 시작하기 전에 제이-지를 처음 접했거나 혹은 그의 이름은 들어보았지만 화려한 이력은 아직 모르는 청자를 위해 간단한 소개부터 하자. 본명이 숀 카터(Shawn Carter)인 제이-지는 뉴욕의 브룩클린에서 태어났다. 브룩클린이 배출한 수많은 명MC 가운데서도 단연 발군의 기량을 자랑했던 제이-지는 친구였던 데임 데쉬(Dame Dash)와 함께 락카펠라(Roc-A-Fella) 레이블을 설립하고 자신의 데뷔 앨범 [Reasonable Doubt]을 발표해 힙합계에 엄청난 반향을 일으킨다. 데뷔 앨범으로 주목받은 그는 [In My Lifetime Vol.1]을 통해 메인스트림에 직접 도전, 성공을 거두고 이듬해 5백만 장을 팔아치운 자신의 최고 히트작 [Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life]을 통해 노토리어스 비아이지(The Notorious B.I.G.)와 투팍(2Pac)이 사라진 랩 게임을 점령하기에 이른다. 이후 [Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter], [Dynasty Roc la Familia]를 발매해 성공을 이어가던 그는 2001년, 21세기 힙합의 지도를 다시 그린 명작 [The Blueprint]를 내놓는다. 맙 딥(Mobb Deep), 나스(Nas)와 뉴욕의 패권을 두고 벌인 전설적인 배틀도 화제였지만, 고전 소울 샘플의 가장 현대적이고 세련된 진화를 보여준 이 앨범은 카니예 웨스트(Kanye West)와 저스트 블레이즈(Just Blaze)라는 신성을 수면 위로 부상시키기도 했다. 이후 더블 앨범인 [The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse]에서 세기의 연인 비욘세(Biyonce)와 염문을 뿌리더니 2003년 [The Black Album]을 끝으로 은퇴를 선언한다. 모든 것을 이룩하고 모든 것을 다 가진 채로. 이후의 얘기는 위에서 설명했던 대로다.
제이-지의 신작 [American Gangster]는 그의 이전 앨범들과 비교해볼 때 독특한 특징을 가진다. 바로 명감독 리들리 스콧(Ridley Scott)이 연출하고 명배우 덴젤 워싱턴(Denzel Washington)과 러셀 크로우(Russell Crowe)가 주연을 맡은 동명의 영화에서 영향을 받고 제작한 컨셉 앨범이라는 것. 바로 70년대 할렘을 주름잡았던 전설적인 마약상과 그에 맞서는 경찰의 대결을 그린 대작 영화 <아메리칸 갱스터 American Gangster>가 본 작에 투영된 영감의 원천이다. 앨범에 앞서 11월 2일에 미국 전역에서 개봉한 이 영화는 개봉 후 3일간 4천6백만 달러에 이르는 수익을 올린 올해 최고의 영화 가운데 하나로 제이-지는 개봉 전에 미리 영화를 접하고 깊은 감동을 받아 영감이 솟구쳐 올랐다고 한다. 본 작은 바로 그 영감의 결과물이다(그러나 이 앨범은 동명 영화의 정식 O.S.T.는 아니며 <아메리칸 갱스터>의 O.S.T.는 데프잼 레코드에서 발매된다. 제이-지는 데프잼의 CEO이기도 하다). 앨범이 발매되기까지의 과정도 화제 그 자체였다. 리드 싱글 “Blue Magic"이 처음 공개되자마자 팬들은 열띤 논쟁을 벌였고 이후 곡들이 공개될 때마다 제이-지의 신작에 대한 깊은 기대와 우려가 교차했다. 이후 앨범 전체가 미리 듣기로 공개되어 극심한 찬반양론에 휩싸이기도 했는데 솔직히 고백하자면 필자 역시 제이-지의 새로운 앨범에 대해 약간의 걱정을 느끼기도 했다.
그러나 역시 미리 듣기는 열악한 예고편에 불과할 뿐, 본 작의 모든 것을 보여주지는 못했다. 덴젤 워싱턴의 극 중 대사를 인용한 인트로부터 마지막 트랙인 "Amrican Gangster"까지 감상한 솔직한 소감은 우려했던 사실이 부끄러울 정도로 감동 그 자체라고 표현하고 싶다. 무엇보다 반갑고 감탄할만한 사실은 본 작이 제이-지의 데뷔 앨범이자 본연의 순수함을 간직했던 힙합 클래식 [Reasonable Doubt] 이후로 가장 주류의 유행과 비타협적인 앨범이라는 것이다. 앨범은 메시지와 사운드 모두 일관성 있고 진지한 컨셉을 끝까지 이어가면서 앨범에 그 깊이를 더하고 있다. 이러한 앨범의 안정된 흐름은 이미 90년대 배드 보이의 여러 클래식 앨범의 일등공신이었던 디디(Diddy)와 그의 프로덕션 팀인 히트멘(The Hitmen Army)의 공이 크다. 이들이 제공한 사운드는 그들의 90년대 중반의 작업을 떠올리게 하지만, 더욱 세련되고 영화의 배경인 70년대 할렘을 떠올리게 하는 감각적인 비트들을 다수 제공해 앨범의 무게중심을 잡는다. 가볍지 않게, 그렇다고 너무 무겁지도 않은 이 훌륭한 비트들은 앨범의 초 중반에 포진해 제이-지의 시적인 라임을 더욱 드라마틱하게 부각시키는데 결정적으로 기여한다. 후반부는 또 다른 진수성찬이 기다리고 있다. 넵튠즈(Neptunes)와 저스트 블레이즈, 디제이 툼(DJ Toomp), 노 아이디(No I.D.)와 저메인 듀프리(Jremain Dupri)등의 명인이 조력자로 포진한 후반부는 앨범에 다채로운 매력을 부여한다.
“Intro"에 이어지는 ”Pray"는 앨범의 시작으로 더없이 적절하며, 본 작의 베스트 트랙 가운데 하나다. 범죄와 부패에 찌든 게토에서 성장하며 범죄의 달콤함에 매료된 주인공 내면의 변화를 섬세하게 묘사한 가사도 그렇거니와 비장감 어린 비트의 절제미가 탁월한데 중간 중간 삽입된 기도는 제이-지의 약혼녀인 비욘세의 목소리라는 점도 흥미롭다. 이어지는 "American Dreamin'"는 마빈 게이(Marvin Gaye)의 "Soon I'll Be Loving You Again"을 샘플링 했는데 꿈꾸듯 읊조리는 제이-지의 라이밍과 공간감 있는 편곡이 어우러져 수준 높은 트랙을 완성했다. 영화 <아메리칸 갱스터>의 주인공인 프랭크 루카스에 제이-지 본인의 삶을 투영시킨 “No Hook"은 배리 화이트(Barry White)의 달콤한 원곡을 놀랍도록 어두컴컴하고 탁하게 변형시켜 놓은 비트가 인상적. 한껏 긴장된 초반부를 지나 중반부에 이르면 보다 그루브하고 조용한 트랙들이 포진되어 있다. “Roc boys”는 “Blue Magic”에 이어 싱글 컷되어 가파른 상승세를 보이는 트랙. 진득한 호른(Horn) 소리가 매력적인 미나한 스트릿 밴드(Menahan Street Band)의 “Make The Road By Walking"를 거의 그대로 사용하면서 약간 스피디하게 편곡해 재지(Jazzy)한 맛을 잘 살리고 있으며, “Party Life” 역시 고전 블루스의 그루브가 약간은 느슨한 제이-지의 랩을 포근하게 잘 감싸면서 분위기 전환에 일조한다. 반면 구성상 차라리 “Blue Magic"과 위치를 바꿔 보너스 트랙으로 들어갔으면 싶은 “I Know”와 비스티 보이즈(Beastie Boys)의 걸작 [Paul's Boutique]에 수록된 바 있는 “Hello Brooklyn"을 재해석한 "Hello Brooklyn 2.0”은 릴 웨인(Lil Wayne)과의 해묵은 갈등을 해소하고 고전에 대한 재치 있는 재해석이 재미있지만, 전체적인 구도에서는 약간 뜬금없는 느낌을 주는 것이 아쉽다.
예전에 발표했던 트랙과 동명인 “Ignorant Shit”은 이미 여러 클래식 트랙에서 사용되었던 아이즐리 브라더스(The Isley Brothers)의 명곡 “Between the Sheets”가 적절하게 샘플링된 탄탄한 트랙으로 비니 시걸(Beanie Sigel)의 참여가 반갑다. 디제이 툼이 제작한 “Say Hello”는 시적인 표현들이 돋보이는 설득력 있는 자기변호가 매력적인 트랙. 한편, 노 아이디가 프로듀스하고 나스의 참여로 팬들이 가장 기대했던 트랙 중 하나였음이 분명한 “Success”는 과연 그 기대가 부끄럽지 않다. 자유분방하게 흐르는 비트 위로 두 명의 전설이 들려주는 라임을 감상하는 것은 언제나 즐거운 경험임이 분명하다. 저메인 듀프리가 프로듀스한 또 다른 베스트 트랙 “Fallin”은 긴장감 넘치는 비트에 앨범에서 가장 마음껏 자신의 랩 스킬을 발휘한듯한 제이-지의 라이밍이 일종의 카타르시스를 충족시킨다. 보너스 트랙이지만 앨범 컨셉이 주는 이미지의 연장선에 있다고 해도 과언이 아닌 넵튠즈의 “Blue Magic"과 극강의 조합인 저스트 블레이즈와 타이트함의 극치를 보여주는 “American Gangster”를 끝으로 앨범은 마무리된다.
감히 말하건대 [American Gangster]는 제이-지가 내놓은 또 하나의 명작이다. 지난 복귀작 [Kingdom Come]이 남겼던 아쉬움을 생각하면 더욱 반갑다. 본 작은 힙합 황금기의 말미에 뛰쳐나와 자신의 존재를 각인시킨 데뷔 앨범 [Reasonable Doubt]과 21세기 주류 힙합을 새로이 설계했던 [The Blueprint]에 이은 제이-지 커리어의 또 다른 기념비가 될 것이며 상업적 흥행에 관계없이 이 앨범에 대한 호평들은 이후로도 힘을 가질 것이다. 유행의 흐름을 읽고 그것을 결과물로 생산하는 것에 천부적인 제이-지이건만 그의 마스터피스들은 하나같이 틀을 깨고 대세를 거스르는 혁신과 적절한 타협의 공존 아래에서 이루어졌다. [American Gangster]또한 그렇다. 아직 영화를 감상해보지는 못했는데 영화를 보고 나서 이 앨범을 감상하는 것은 음악을 먼저 접한 것과는 또 다른 즐거움을 던져줄 것으로 예상한다. 이미 수없이 반복해서 감상했지만, 지금 난 또다시 플레이 버튼으로 손을 옮긴다.
예동현(흑인음악 미디어 리드머/www.rhythmer.net) ....  .... 
TRACKS
| Disc 1
|
|
1. |
|
작곡:Not Applicable,Not Applicable
|
Jay-Z, Idris Elba, Jay-Z, Idris Elba |
| 2:01 |
|
|
[Jay-Z] It's the Dynasty niggaz... as promised... The world's most infamous... Roc-A-Fella Records... It's Young Hova... Beanie Sigel... Memphis Bleek... Amil-lion... This is Roc La Familia... It's the Dynasty niggaz... 2000 to infinity... Worldwide... walk with us niggaz... This is ghetto to ghetto.. gutter to gutter.. Street corner to street corner.. project to project.. Hoffa... Dash... it's the Dynasty niggaz Check it out... Uhh... walk with me... talk to me... yo.. The theme song to +The Sopranos+ I'm Stevie Wonder with, beads under the doo-rag plays in the key of life on my, mental piano Knowin I can go, just switchin a spare Got a strange way of seein life like Intuition is there even when my vision's impaired, yeah On the highway of life, nigga it's sharp in my sight Oh! Keen senses ever since I was a, teen on the benches everytime somebody like Enus was mentioned I would turn green, me, bein in the trenches Him, livin adventureous not worryin about expenditures I'm bravin temperatures below zero, no hero But I'm starvin my niggaz, and the weight loss in my figure No father figure, you gotta pardon a nigga Watch it my niggaz, I'm tryin to be calm but I'm gon' get richer is startin to darken my heart, bout to get to my liver Never read the Qu'ran or Islamic scriptures through any means, with that thing that Malcolm palmed in the picture Only psalms I read was on the arms of my niggaz Tattooed so I carry on like I'm non-religious Clap whoever stand between Shawn and figures Shit is as dark as it's been, nothin is goin as you predicted Niggaz, say it's the dawn/Don but I'm superstitious I move with biscuits, stop the harder niggaz actin too suspicious This is, food for thought, you do the dishes
|
|
2. |
|
작곡:Alan Hawkshaw,Alan Hawkshaw
|
Jay-Z |
| 4:24 |
|
|
(Beyonce talking) Delivery me from my enemies oh god Defend me from those that rise up against me Deliver me from the work of inequities the savior from the blood of me (Jay-Z - Verse one) look, mind state of a gangster from the 40's meet the vicious mind of Motown's Berry Gordy turn crack rocks into a chain of 40/40's sorry my jewelery so gordy slid into the party with my new pair of Maury's America meet the gangsta Shawn Corey hey young world wanna hear a story? close your eyes and you could pretend your me a cut from the cloth of the Kennedy's Frank Sinatra having dinner with the Genovese this is the genesis of a nemesis mother America's not witnessing the Harlem renaissance birthed black businesses this is the tale of lost innocences as the incents burn and the turn tables turn and that Al Greens plays i see my mother's afro as momma taps her toes as she rolls her jays and my poppa just left the house, in search of the killer of my Uncle Ray and she's trying to calm my nerves, as i observe this is just one day and what tomorrow has in store we could never be sure so all we can do is Pray (Beyonce Talking) Because of your strength while i walked upon the for god is my defense (Jay-Z) as i head towards my home room I observe the rooms though needles on the ground I hear a car go vrooom drug dealer in the BM with the top down as the girls start to giggle I ask why you laugh they say "you too little" one day you'll understand when you become a man 'bout things you have to get you fast forward freeze frame on my pistol fist full of dollars ignorance is so blissful I didn't choose this life this life chose me around here is the shit that you just do I just left school, the same BM is pulled over by the boys dressed blue they had they guns drawn screaming just move unless there something else you suggest we can do he made his way to the trunk, opened it like a huh a treasure chest was removed cops said he'll be back next month what we call corrupt he called paying dues now when the rules is blurred as they hears a what am I to do but pray, pray the lord forgive me pray guys goodbye for what I'm about go through Pray (Beyonce Talking) Delivery me in thy righteousness it cause me to escape and climb thy air until i am Save me lord (Jay-Z) anyway there's oppression the drug profession flourishes like beverages refreshing sweet taste of sin everything I've seen made me everything I am bad drug dealer or I victim I beg what came first moving chickens or the egg this is why I be so fresh I'm trying to beat life because I can't cheat death the truth is the shamelessness ain't stainless is that aim this is you know who's game this is move coke like Pepsi it don't matter what the brand name is I stand behind mine everything I do I'm a man behind mine I'm not a angel I'm sure but every night before I lay I drop my knees to the floor and I pray (Beyonce Talking) The name shall endure forever The name shall continue as long as the sun will Men shall be blessed in him All nations shall call him blessed In your name I pray For you blessings
|
|
3. |
|
작곡:Leon Ware,Leon Ware
|
Jay-Z |
| 4:47 |
|
|
(Marvin Gaye) dreamed of you this morning than came the dawn and i thought that you were here with me if you could only see how much you mean that's all, thats all (Chorus - Marvin Gaye) (Verse 1) this is the shit you dream about with the homies steaming out back back backing the beamers out seems as our plan to get a grant to go off to college then pan have even out we need it now--we need a town, we need a place to pitch we need a +mound+ for now im just a lazy boy day dreamin' in my lazy boy and the cloud of smoke and it playing is Marvin momma forgive me i should be thinking 'bout harboring but thats too far away and niggas is starving aint nothing wrong with my aim just gotta change the target i got dreams of bagging snitoes besides the pillow i see pies everytime my eyes glidoes i see rides sixes i gotta get those life's a bitch i hope to not make it a widow (Chorus - Marvin Gaye) (Verse 2) you see your life right there and it seems right there and it's not quite near it's not like we're professionals moving the decimals know where to cop? (Naw) got a connect (No) who in the F knows how to be successful need a personal Jesus im in to pectual you says the texture it's all in the stars it's like Tony LaRussa how you played the +Cards+ ya aint f**king with me, the ironies are at all cost better before he gets bars now lets start on your mark get set let's go heat up the car going in circles this a vicious cycle this is a crash course this aint high school wake up monday dreaming again your a reality show, let the season begin (Chorus - Marvin Gaye) step one in his proccess scramble up in your projects and head to the heights where big coke is proccessed gotta convince them that you not from the precent please speak slow cause he don't speaky no english if he takes it light got in a couple of trips and your money is straight, he's gon' give you consignment now in the game where only time could tell survive the droubts i wish you well survive the droubts i wish you well? how sick am i, i wish you health i wish you wheels i wish you wealth i wish you insight so you could see for your self you could see the signs when the jackers is scheaming and the cops is coming you could read their minds you could see from behind you could re-define the game as we know it one dream at a time i'm american dreamin' (Chorus - Marvin Gaye)
|
|
4. |
|
작곡:Dwayne Carter,Dwayne Carter
|
Jay-Z |
| 3:56 |
|
|
Hello Brooklynnnnn!!!!!!!! (Chorus-Lil' Wayne) hello brooklyn how you doing where you going and can i come too and if i can imma be your man you could be my lady and have my baby and drive my car and drive me crazy wherever your going baby girl just take me cause im so taken if you taken Im just saying baby im just saying (Verse 1-Jay-Z) like a mamma you birthed me, brooklyn you nursed me schooled me with hard knocks, better than Burkley they say you murked me by the time i was 21 that shit disturbed me, but you never hurt me hello brooklyn, if we had a daughter guess what imma call her, Brooklyn Carter when i left you for Virginia it didnt offend ya cause you know i only stepped out to get dinner and im eating, too much or just extra so much so that dinner now turned into breakfast i only roll lexus to hug your road i love your corners, im half your soul Hello Brooklyn (Chorus-Lil' Wayne) hello brooklyn how you doing where you going can i come too and if i can imma be your man you could be my lady and have my baby and drive my car and drive me crazy wherever your going baby girl just take me cause im so taken if you taken Im just saying baby im just saying hello brooklyn (Verse 2-Lil'Wayne) whats your story, she said she's eating on the run but she aint Nore she said she's got a man but he aint worried but baby imma have to ride him like Orie she said she love B.I.G. and she likes Tupac and when i said Jay-z she said it's the roc imma leave it like this like this like that where brooklyn at, where brooklyn at have you seen her, and when she tell you something you better believe her she told me she like my New Orleans deminer and so i said goodbye Katrina and Hello Brooklyn (Chorus 2-Lil'Wayne) but baby you are the sweetest site eyes could see i said hello brooklyn, but baby i hope you never say goodbye to me i said hello broklyn, but baby you are so dahm fine to me and i remember the time, place and the weather from the day you said hi to me and i say hello brooklyn (Verse 3-Jay-Z) Brooklyn you crazy look how you made me razor blades in my mouth walking 'round behaving or demented black hoodies and timerlanded always scheming you see the gleem on that niggas pendant hello Brooklyn, you bad influence look what you had me doing but i aint mad at you, look at my attitude it says my life's too real check out my ice grill baby im cold as ice i come from Brownsville but my +beds in the stye+ blow la la +Flatten your Bush+ till we smoking C.I. what up to the boy D.I. you know i handle B.I. i dont half step on a cane as them feds 'bout I how you want it slow she like it hard cold so i grind slow iller than out in time square mall back in the 9-0 my fine Hoe we got some victims to catch so in a couple years baby imma bring you some next (Chorus-Lil' Wayne) hello brooklyn how you doing where you going and can i come too and if i can imma be your man you could be my lady and have my baby and drive my car and drive me crazy wherever your going baby girl just take me cause im so taken if you taken Im just saying baby im just saying hello brooklyn (Lil'Wayne) but baby you are the sweetest thing eyes could see i said hello brooklyn, but baby i hope you never say goodbye to me i said hello broklyn, but baby you are so dahm fine to me and i remember the time, place and the weather from the day you said hi to me and i say hello brooklyn
|
|
5. |
|
작곡:Barry White,Deleno Matthews,Levar Coppin,Sean Combs,Shawn Carter
|
Jay-Z |
| 3:14 |
|
|
|
|
6. |
| 4:12 |
|
|
(Verse 1) first of all i wanna thank my connect the most important person with all due respect thanks to the duffle bag the brown paper bag the nike shoe box for holding all this cash boys in blue who put greed before the badge the first pusher who ever made the stash the roc boys in the building tonight oh what a feeling I'm feeling life thanks to the lames niggas with bad aim thanks to a little change I'll tear you out the game bullet wounds'll stop your bufoonery thanks to the paster rapping at your eulogy to little kim and them you know the women friend who carry the work cross state for a gentleman yea, thanks to all the hustlers, and most important to you, the customer (Chorus-{Kanye west}) the roc boys in the building tonight oh what a feeling I'm feeling life you dont even gotta bring your paper out we the dope boys of the year drinks is on the house {we in the house} the roc boys in the building tonight look at how i'm chillen im killing this ice you dont even gotta bring your purses out we the dope boys of the year drinks is on the house {we in the house 2x} (Verse 2) let your hair down baby, i just hit a score pick any place on the planet, pick a shore take what forbes figured then figure more cause they forgot to account what i did with the raw pick a time lets pick apart some stores pick a weekend for freaking for figure fours i figure frauds never hit a lick before so they dont know the feeling when them things get across put your hand out the window, feel the force feel the porsche, hit the frost ice cold, jewels got no flaws drop got no top, you on the top floor pink rosae, think O.J. i get away with murder when i sling yay heron got less steps then britney that means it aint stepped on digg me (Chorus) (Verse 3) rare porsches, rare portraits, rare guns if you dare come near the fortress with apple sauces from the apple orchard this kind of talk is only reserved for the bosses which means i get it from the ground which means you get it when i'm around rich niggas, black bar-mitzvahs, Mazel Tov its a celebration bitches, L'Chayim i wish for you a hundred years of success but it's my time cheers, toast to crime number one d-boy dahm he could rhyme (Chorus)
|
|
7. |
|
작곡:Rudy Love,Rudy Love
|
Jay-Z |
| 3:26 |
|
|
VERSE 1 sweet, and still there's pain if i would have grew up to be a doctor my nephews would have grew up to do the same but since i grew up through the game and my influence is the same and my therapy is music they ask if you ashamed and though i wish i could separate the two things, i can not so my answer to you remains i can walk down the hall of mirrors in Versailles and be so satisfied when i look at myself in the eyes no shame, no sir just big boats and tearing the coast up tight coup like I'm wearing the roadster for any coup I'm bear hugging the holster CHORUS HOV alright alright and that may not be what you call perfect but but its my life the life the life the life once again its the life VERSE 2 so i make no apologies crooked policies so a G a nigga gotta be we playing for property no monopoly so I'll pass go and let my nephew follow me they say the child child lead so i take it far as i can we then shall see shall we dance with the devil for a beat i pray to God I ain't got two left feet do the hustle put keys in the street then I'm ballroom dancing ke-ke'ing in the suite SWEET bb's on the feet tv's on the seat enemies on the creep its so corrupt soak it up its a lesson never f**k up one day you're up next day you're down long as you stay the same it'll come back around CHORUS VERSE 3 I'm even better I'm eating better best thing about it is my niggas eating together with each endeavor we reaching levels niggas ain't seen in like forever I'm Hyman Roth i make all my partners rich i can vouch for you if you ain't a part of this so pardon me as i pave my wrist as i parlay my chips HOB alright alright American gangster gangster business like I'm white but I'm not I'm just bright so fly with no fear of the flight so if y'all hear my plight and if you think you can make it this far without flight couple mistakes here and there not always right but I'm always real thats how i sleep to night CHORUS
|
|
8. |
|
작곡:Pharrell Williams,Pharrell Williams
|
Jay-Z |
| 3:43 |
|
|
And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know I know what you like Everything you love I know what you like Everything you love And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know I know what you like ....HOV Baby you love ....HOV Baby you love ....HOV Baby you like ....HOV Uh- She wants that old thing back Uh- uh- uh- She want those Heroin tracks She likes me She fiends for me nightly She leans for me Morning she rush for my touch This is about LUST Cold sweats occur when I'm not with her My presence is a must- must- must- Bonita Applebum, i gotta put you on If i didn't when we cuttin' the feeling would be too strong In any form, i'm giving you sweet dreams That Sugar Hill, she call me her sweet thing That Black Rain that take away your pain Just for one night, baby, take me in vein Now that feelin' got you trippin' You no wanna feel no differently Said lust has got you itchin' All wide open and its' drippin' -eh -eh -eh -eh I know what you like, i am your prescription I'm your physician, i'm your addiction And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know I know what you like Everything you love I know what you like Everything you love And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know I know what you like ....HOV Baby you love ....HOV Baby you love ....HOV Baby you like ....HOV I am so DOPE Like Louboutins with the red bottoms You gotta have 'em, you glad you got 'em Like every color Giuseppe's, your guilty pleasure is me Its so much fun, you shun therapy Although it never be, the feeling is fleeting Shopping's like coppin', you constantly need it I'm never around, you constantly seek it You'll never be down, i know where your peak is 9 1/2 weeks is better than 12-steps I keep tryin' to remind you to keep tellin' yourself Now your conscience is interfering, like "Better yourself!" Like you better get help But when that medicine's felt? We're back together Don't ever leave me Don't ever let 'em tell you that you'll never need me My China White, 'til we D.O.A. Its Montego forever, baby, lets get away.... And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know I know what you like Everything you love I know what you like Everything you love And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know I know what you like ....HOV Baby you love ....HOV Baby you love ....HOV Baby you like ....HOV How could you leave me? I thought that you needed me! When the world got too much and you pleaded with me-- Who helped you immediately? How speedy of me! How could you deny me so vehemently? Now your body is shakin' trying to free it of me And your soul is in control, trying to lead it from me And your heart no longer pledge allegiance to me Damn, i'm missing the days when you needed the D And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know I know what you like Everything you love I know what you like Everything you love And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know And I Know I know what you like ....HOV Baby you love ....HOV Baby you love ....HOV Baby you like ....HOV
|
|
9. |
|
작곡:David Stone,David Stone
|
Jay-Z |
| 4:29 |
|
|
break out the red lights welcome to the party life welcome to the 70's sweet (Jay-Z) order some patrizee while talking to this breezy brushing off my three peice i make this look to eazy so tall and lanky my suit it should thank me i make it look good to be this admired lansky this is lucky lefty gangsta effortlessly poppa was a rolling stone it's in my ancestory im in a whole other leauge niggas never catch me and i +sport+ fly shit i should win a +espy+ (Jay-Z Talking over chorus) baby i said i i sport fly shit i should win an espy im really another nigga though i got slick rides you might wanna roll with me (Chorus) when your blue aint got nothing to do head into the party life if you feel low aint got no place to go head into the party life (Jay-Z) im on a braud strap sheets on my dip aint nothing wrong with that thats my bitch i be the boss of that, im on her shit so all niggas fall back i split your wig she's my little quarterback, ya digg 'cause im all that and a sack, ya ya digg i spoiled her affored her if you faking jack she's used to million doller vacations f**k ya'll gonna do with that (Jay-Z talking over chorus) hey baby when you used to fille mingyan is kin of hard to go back to hamburger helper it's your chose though baby yea baby, she rolling you stall at the bar, make your choice is so gangsta baby (Chorus 2) when your blue aint got nothing to do head into the party life if you feel low aint got no place to go head into the party life is she rolling rolling rolling head into the party life is she rolling rolling rolling (Jay-Z) zipping on my vino got me cooler than Pacino and DeNiro put together my real life is like Casino they should pay me for some vivo taking g strokes to the gito hit rap-rap-rap-rap with fire just unnecessary evil hola hovito cooler than zero, below fresh one play no kimo art with no easo please theres no equal your boys off the wall these other niggas is tito (Jay-Z talking over chorus) dahm, hey baby i said im off the wall like the young micheal jackson and all these other niggas is tito shout out to Randy (hehehehe)real talk imma just let this ride out i might let it ride out for like seven minutes you could groove too whatever lets two step Guru turn the lights down just keep it smooth this that shit you roll up like a little tight jay too zip a little whine whatever you likes is you know whatever you like to do get into your parking zone baby, get into your parking zone head into the part life, hu i dont even want it to stop though for real though (Chorus 2x) when your blue aint got nothing to do head into the party life if you feel low aint got no place to go head into the party life is she rolling rolling rolling head into the party life is she rolling rolling rolling (Jay-Z - outro) step into my bedroom i call it the red room cause cause it gets hot (echoes) suggest you gon' like it see why we talking all this fly shit cause im the flyest Hovito baby don't equal baby so perico get the rico and we go baby Hovito baby don't equal baby so perico get the rico and we go baby
|
|
10. |
|
작곡:Rudolph Isley,Rudolph Isley
|
Jay-Z |
| 3:41 |
|
|
(verse 1) when the tops come down chicks tops come down when them shots come out makes cops come around when them glocks come out i could wake up a small town finish off the block than i make my mall rounds stairs get exchanged and the 5th come out tough guy dissapears and the bitch comes out thats him, i'm usaly what they whisper 'bout either what chick he with or his chip amount cause i've been doing this since chips was out watching Erick Estrada bagging up in the Romotta table full of product, A/C broke 'bout to take another shower on my 25th hour white leaves everywhere came on the flight you might see me anywhere a day in the life only thing changed the tale number on the flight i could touch down and take off the same night im so bossy bitch get off me trick get off me you can't get shit off me im so flossy no sixes or sprees lay back maybacke nigga dont talk to me (Chorus) this is that ignorant shit you like nigga f**k shit ass bitch trick persice i got that ignorant shit you love nigga f**k shit maricon puta and drugs i got that ignorant shit you need nigga f**k shit ass trick plus weed im only trying to give you want you want nigga f**k shit ass bitch you like it don't front (Verse 2) there all actors looking at themselves in ther mirror backwards cant even face themselves don't fear no rappers they're all wierdoes Diniro's in practice so dont believe everything your earlobes capture it's mostly backwards unless it happens to be as acurate as me and everything said and done you happen to see then actually believe half of what you see none of what you hear even if it's spat by me and with that said i will kill niggas dead, cut niggas short give you wheels for legs imma K-I doubl L-E-R see ya'll in hell shoot niggas streight to the E.R. WOOO!! this aint B.I. no, its S-C, C-E-O the next lia no the next leader of the whole free world and the next thing imma do is free sigal yo... (Chorus 2) i got that ignorant shit you like nigga i dont give a f**k plus ass and ice nigga i got that gangsta shit you love nigga bang out brains out money and drugs i got that ignorant shit you need nigga hydroe blueBerry bomb ass weed nigga i got that project shit you want nigga dope phenes o.d. you like it don't front im so bossy bitch get off me trick get off me you can't get shit off me im so flossy no sixes or sprees lay back maybacke nigga dont talk to me excuse me bitch whats your name can i cum can you give me some brain when your done can you please get the f**k out my face (Verse 3) i built an arch mami cry me a river blacken my heart by putting light liquor in my liver put my all in a part thats spread apart now im back together young goldie the mack forever heard they love it when im hard on hoes, said a g dont give a bitch no keys or security codes i agree my lady aint no bitch she gets whatever i own so when you see her understand that me nigga understand im the same o.g. nigga i know the diffrence between a bitch and a b nigga
|
|
11. |
|
작곡:Tom Brocker,Tom Brocker
|
Jay-Z |
| 5:26 |
|
|
uh, uh, uh this that roc-a-fella music {soulfull} (Chorus 2x) (say hello) to the bad guy (hello) they say imma bad guy i come from the bottom, but now im mad fly (hello) they say imma menace that's the picture they paint they say alot about me let me tell you what i aint (Verse 1) i aint playing life's short so i aimmm i aint waiting 'till life start the trainnn and um, it's twice hard to get a job thats paying and um, so i aint paying attention to what you saying rainnn drops keep falling on my brainnn cause im in the drop on flammmes im so hot even if the weather channnge i don't have no top im insannne 'member dark skin Jermainnne, swade in the rainnn im sort of kind of the sammme 'cept im no lame and you pulling over my nammme before i go the world gon' feel my painnne they sayinnng, im a bad guy why's that cause when my backs against the wall nigga i react secretly though i know you admire that you wish you had the balls to fire back (Chorus 2x) (say hello) to the bad guy (hello) they say imma bad guy i come from the bottom, but now im mad fly (hello) they say imma menace that's the picture they paint they say alot about me let me tell you what i aint (Verse 2) i aint no ordinary nigga look around this aint what ordinary gets ya (it aint) extrodinary figures (Dahm), imma extra ordinary nigga before my name became jigga before i sang i had that thang on slippers can't complain about they aint gon' give ya they aint gon' get ya shit, might as well give up or get up get out and get something nigga or get a job or nigga or get the dumping only god can judge him only he without sin tell me if my ins can justify my ends pimpin' im just a flying benz wire my friends through western union surprising my system knocking here comes the bad guy again (Chorus 2x) (say hello) to the bad guy (hello) they say imma bad guy i come from the bottom, but now im mad fly (hello) they say imma menace that's the picture they paint they say alot about me let me tell you what i aint We ain't thugs for the sake of just being thugs Nobody do dat where we grew at, nigga, DUH! The poverty line, we not above So out come the mask and glove cause we ain't feelin' the love We ain't doing crime for the sake of doing crime We movin' dimes cause we ain't doin' fine One out of three of us is locked up doing time You know what that type of shit can do to a nigga mind? My mind on my money, money on my mind If you owe me ten dollars, you ain't giving me nine Ya'll ain't give me 40 acres and a mule So i got my Glock 40, now i'm cool And if Al Sharpton is speaking for me Somebody get him the word and tell him i don't approve Tell him i'll remove the curses If you tell me our schools gon' be perfect When Jena 6 don't exist Tell him THAT's when i'll stop saying bitch---BIIITCH!
|
|
12. |
|
작곡:Larry Ellis,Larry Ellis
|
Jay-Z |
| 3:30 |
|
|
Your Success took a shot at you what are you going to do now? how are you gonna kill it? you gonna become unsuccessful? Frank, you can be successful and have enemies or; be unsuccessful too and you can have friends i got these niggas breezy, dont worry about it. let that bitch breath, i used to give a f**k, now i give a f**k less. what do i think of success it sucks, too much stress I guess I blew up quick, cause friends i grew up with see me as a pre-me but im not and my nuts big i don' know what the fuss is my cribs illustrous my rep is impeccable im not to be f**ked with Sh*t let that bitch breath.. im way to important to be talking about extortin' asking me for a portion is like asking for a coffin broad day light i off your on switch ya not too bright, goodnight, long kiss bye, bye my reply bla bla blast burnin and pass burnin the ta ta finish my breakfast, why? i got an appetite for destruction and your a small fry now where was i? let that bitch breathe i used to give a sh*t, now i don give a sh*t more truth be told, i had more fun when i was piss poor im pissed off this what success all about? a bunch of niggaz actin like bitches with big mouths all this stress, all i got is this big house couple cars i don bring half them shits out
|
|
13. |
|
작곡:Tony Hester,Tony Hester
|
Jay-Z |
| 4:06 |
|
|
(Chorus) i know i shouldnt did that i know it's gon' come right back i know it's gon' destroy everything i made it's probably gon' get you boys sent away but this game i play aint no way to fix it it's inevidable and im (verse 1{?}) said that i would've stop be-fore i even started when i get to one brick, than the game i would depart with got to one brick then i looked to the sky like, sorry God i lied but give me one more try got to two bricks new cars new whips but, niggas never learn 'till they end up in the news clip the irony of selling drugs is sort of like you using it guess theres two sides to what, substance abuse is can't stop won't stop innocents new shit brand new convertables im so roofless front row fight night see how big my tube is f**k HD nigga see how clear my view is {Fallin'} but theres a price for over duing it doing it this big'll put you on the map stick up kids is house attacks plus the FBI boys with the cameras in the back dahm (chorus) i know i shouldnt did that i know it's gon' come right back i know it's gon' destroy everything i made it's probably gon' get you boys sent away but this game i play aint no way to fix it it's inevidable (Verse 2{?}) now your {falling} when you should've fell back now your {falling} right into they lap fallin they applaud and they screaming at the screen dahm you f**ked up like their favorite movie scene Godfather, Good Fellas, Scarface, Casino you've seen what that last run did to Deniro when he can't beat the odds can't seek the card can't blow too hard life's a deck of cards now your tumbling is humbling you fall and your mumbling under your breathe like you knew this day was coming {falling} now lets pray that arm candy that you left you eX for a stay down'll come in handy cause come january it gets cold and your letters start to slow and your conversary's low when your lawyer screems appeal only thinking 'bout a bill and your chances are a mil dahm gravity's ill (chorus) i know i shouldnt did that i know it's gon' come right back i know it's gon' destroy everything i made it's probably gon' get you boys sent away but this game i play aint no way to fix it it's inevidable (Verse 3 {?}) but your {falling} and you cant get up all you do is push up, pull up sit up lock down the town now belongs to the squares who said they won't make the same mistakes that got you there and your arm candy sweet on 'em and the woman that you left with is ever got a college degree coming bad news keeps coming hard to keep something on your stomache your sick 'bout what you life is be-coming {falling} but you use to has beens bragging bad 'bout all the new grooves talking stuff on the youtube 'bout what you use to do, but thats old school to the new crew they doing numbers like soduku build a new you, and it's dahm near inevidable they'll expirience deja vu too fight and you'll never survive, run and you'll never escape so just fall for grace (chorus) i know i shouldnt did that i know it's gon' come right back i know it's gon' destroy everything i made it's probably gon' get you boys sent away but this game i play aint no way to fix it it's inevidable and im
|
|
14. |
|
작곡:Bernhard Kaun,Bernhard Kaun
|
Jay-Z |
| 4:10 |
|
|
Roc a fella records
The imperial skateboard P
Great Hova
Ya'll already know what it is
C'mon
Yeah
So what if you
flip a couple words
I could triple at in birds
Open your mind you see the
circus in the sky
I'm Ringling brothers
Barnum Bailey with the pies
No matter how you slice it
I'm your mother fucking guy
And just like a B boy
with 360 waves
Do the same with the pot
Still come back beige
Whether right or south paw
Whether pot or a jar
Whip it around
It still comes back hard
So easily do I W H I P
My repitition with riches will
bring the kilo business
I got kreole C O bitches
for my niggas who slipped
Became prisoners
Treat's taped to the visitors
You already know
what the business is
Unnecessary commissary
boy we live this shit
Niggas Wanna bring
the 80s back
That's okay with me
that's where they made me at
Except I write on the wall
I write my name
in the history books
hustling in the hall
Nah spin on my head
I spin work in the pots
So I can spend my bread
And I'm getting it
I'm getting it
I aint talking about it
I'm living it
I'm getting it
straight getting it
Get get get get get
get get get it boy
Don't waste your time
fighting the law
state your voice
and you'll understand
Get it boy
This 87 state of mind
that I'm in
In my prime so for that time
I'm Rakim
If it wasn't for the crime
that I was in
But I wouldn't be the guy
who's rhymes it
is that i'm in
No pay no profit
P I'll repeat it to
show you where the pot is
Cherry M3s with the top back
Red and green Gs all
on my hat
North beach leathers
Matching Gucci sweater
Gucci sneaks on to keep
my outfit together
Whatever hundred
for the diamond chain
Can't you tell that
I came from the dope game
Blame Reagan for making me
into a monster
Blame Oliver
north and Iran Contra
I ran contraband that
they sponsored
Before this rhyming stuff
we was in concert
And I'm getting it
I'm getting it
I aint talking about it
I'm living it
I'm getting it
straight getting it
Get get get get get get get
get it boy
Don't waste your time
fighting the law
state your voice
and you'll understand
Get it boy
Push
money over broads you got it
Fuck Bush
Chef guess what I cooked
Baked a lot of bread
And kept it off the books
Rockstars
Look
Way before the bars
my picture was getting took
Feds they like wack rappers
Try as they may they couldn't
get me on the hook
D A wanna indicte me
Cause fish scales
in my veins like a pisces
The pirecs pot
roll up my sleeves
Turn one into two like a
Siamese twin when it end
Imma stand as a man never
dying on my knees
Last of a dying breed
So let the champagne pop
I partied for a while now
back to the Block
And I'm getting it
I'm getting it
I aint talking about it
I'm living it
I'm getting it
straight getting it
Get get get get get
get get get it boy
Don't waste your time
fighting the law
state your voice
and you'll understand
Get it boy
|
|
15. |
|
작곡:Curtis Mayfield,Curtis Mayfield
|
Jay-Z |
| 3:41 |
|
|
I'm from the 80's, Home of the heroine, Error of the hustlers, uh The world is my custy New rich porter The way I flip quarters Front on all these other rap artists, but me Momma was a mink wearer, Papa ran numbers So it's plain to see, where my whole plan come from American dream, I'm living the life still The way I shine is like a zillion dollar light bill Still I'm grinding, army jacket lining 40 below timbs on, getting my M's on My best friends gone, I seen bad days Still find songs that I hear him on Getting my Mary J. Blige Reminisce on I hear his voice in my mind, like, nigga live on So I get on that fly shit I been on Spin on corners in enzo with rims on But for info, puffin on Endo-Nesia Give me amnesia I ease up, that right, I'm high nigga I want the sky, The world when I'm done I'm give it to my sons Let 'em live it up, split it up, switch it up, Sixes kit it up, man I did it up, done The rest of my belongings belong in the hall of fame, a list of hits next to all my names I came, if the sky should fall And it all goes tomorrow, and they foreclose on the house and auction off all my cars Don't cry for me Argentina, I mobbed the beamer Took trips abroad, got mobbed in Sardina In Ibiza I had pizza in the club Ladies know I'm that guy, they wanna piece of my love Now they wanna ya boy like Mike in his prime Billie Jean the goddamn boy ain't mine And the Roc break up, had the people losing hope Can't lie they had Muhammad Hovi on the ropes Now I'm back in the go mode, back in the go-go's Throwing the diamond up, repping the logo Rose gold rose flow, I'm okay though What Don't kill me makes stronger than before so Here we go and I'm not domino When it all falls down, I'm like Kanye's jaw I might break but I don't fold, till I hold the sky in my hand Yeah that's my goal And then I bid you Freddy Adu Prodigal Child, y'all not ready for the future Then I disappear in the Bermuda Triangle My name will be viewed such Here's to the man that refused to give up I want the sky nigga, Chuuuuuuch
|
RELEASES
  |
 |
2007-11-20 |
Roc-A-Fella (602517499898) Explicit Version |
|
 |
|
2007-11-20 |
Roc-A-Fella (DP-9693, 8808678235968) |
|
REVIEWTrackback :: http://www.maniadb.com/trackback/A192637
TALK
|
