Family Feud by Jay-Z Lyrics Meaning – A Lens on Legacy, Wealth, and Cultural Reconciliation

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Jay-Z's Family Feud at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

My nigga got on
My nigga got all white, no socks
My nigga got that cocaina on today
That’s how he feel
Turn my vocal up
That’s how you feel, Emory?
Turn my vocal up some more
Turn my vocal up, Guru
Turn the music up too

Super Bowl goals
My wife in the crib feedin’ the kids liquid gold
We in a whole different mode
Kid that used to pitch bricks can’t be pigeonholed
I cooked up more chicken when the kitchen closed
Oh, we gon’ reach a billi’ first
I told my wife the spiritual shit really work
Alhamdulillah, I run through ’em all
Hovi’s home, all these phonies come to a halt
All this old talk left me confused
You’d rather be old rich me or new you?
And old niggas, y’all stop actin’ brand new
Like 2Pac ain’t have a nose ring too, huh

Nobody wins when the family feuds
But my stash can’t fit into Steve Harvey’s suit
I’m clear why I’m here, how about you?
Ain’t no such thing as an ugly billionaire, I’m cute
Mmmmm
Pretty much
If anybody gettin’ handsome checks, it should be us
Fuck rap, crack cocaine
Nah, we did that, black-owned things
Hundred percent, black-owned champagne
And we merrily merrily eatin’ off these streams
Y’all still drinkin’ Perrier-Jouët, huh
But we ain’t get through to you yet, uh
What’s better than one billionaire? Two (two)
‘Specially if they’re from the same hue as you
Y’all stop me when I stop tellin’ the truth

Hahahaha
I would say I’m the realest nigga rappin’
But that ain’t even a statement
That’s like sayin’ I’m the tallest midget
Wait, that ain’t politically correct
Forget it
Can I get “Amen” from the congregation?
Amen, amen
Can I get a “Amen” from the congregation?
Amen, amen

Yeah, I’ll fuck up a good thing if you let me
Let me alone, Becky
A man that don’t take care his family can’t be rich
I’ll watch Godfather, I miss that whole shit
My consciousness was Michael’s common sense
I missed the karma, that came as a consequence
Niggas bustin’ off through the curtains ’cause she hurtin’
Can’t losin’ the babies ’cause their future’s uncertain
Nobody wins when the family feuds
We all screwed ’cause we never had the tools
I’m tryna fix you
I’m tryna get these niggas with no stripes to be official
Y’all think small, I think Biggie
Y’all whole pass is in danger, ten Mississippi
Al Sharpton in the mirror takin’ selfies
How is him or Pill Cosby ‘posed to help me?
Old niggas never accepted me
New niggas is the reason I stopped drinkin’ Dos Equis
We all lose when the family feuds
What’s better than one billionaire? Two
I’ll be damned if I drink some Belvedere while Puff got Ciroc
Y’all need to stop

Higher, higher, higher, higher
Higher, higher, higher, higher
Higher, higher, higher, higher

Love me like, love
Higher
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah
Like, yeah, yeah, yeah

Jay-Z, a titan of rap known for his astute business acumen and lyrical dexterity, delves deep into themes of wealth, family strife, and cultural significance in his track ‘Family Feud’. Amidst a backdrop of a haunting sample and sharp beats, Jay-Z reflects on his personal growth, the evolution of his community, and the ceaseless quest to mend the fractures within it.

The complexity of ‘Family Feud’ lies not just in its layered production by No I.D., but in the richness of its references. Jay-Z’s intricate wordplay and candid admissions serve as a vessel for larger conversations about generational differences, racial and economic empowerment, and the chronicles of a man finding his place in a landscape he’s helped shape.

A Chronicle of Growth: From Street Corners to Corner Offices

In ‘Family Feud’, Jay-Z serves as the modern griot, chronicling his transition from drug dealer to business mogul. He juxtaposes his past dealings ‘pitch bricks’ with the ability to transcend clichéd roles ‘can’t be pigeonholed’. The motif of evolution is a North Star in Jay-Z’s narrative, with lines like ‘Oh, we gon’ reach a billi’ first’ highlighting the milestones of his financial journey.

But it’s more than just monetary gains that Jay-Z alludes to; it’s the legitimization of black wealth and influence. The mention of ‘black-owned things’ and black-owned champagne reiterates the importance of reinvesting in the black community, championing the narrative of self-sufficiency, and challenging the status quo of wealth distribution.

Unveiling the Hidden Gems: The Nuanced Commentary on Cultural Unity

Throughout ‘Family Feud’, Hov addresses the generational divide that is often prominent within cultures, particularly in hip-hop. He poses the question ‘You’d rather be old rich me or new you?’ as a means to highlight the futile nature of intra-cultural conflict. His reference to 2Pac’s nose ring serves as a reminder that past trailblazers often embraced the same expressions of individuality that are criticized in today’s icons.

Jay-Z’s song is a call for unity, a plea for recognizing collective struggles and striving for communal success. His use of the title ‘Family Feud’ underscores this irony of internal battles—where often the greatest adversary is the reflection in the mirror.

The Power Punch Lines: The Lyrics That Echo Through the Ages

Many lines within ‘Family Feud’ resonate with an enduring potency. Take ‘Ain’t no such thing as an ugly billionaire, I’m cute’—a humorous yet pointed commentary on the perception of wealth and attractiveness. It’s these nuggets of self-awareness, interspersed with levity, that allow Jay-Z to discuss serious themes without losing the listener’s engagement.

Perhaps most memorable, though, is the recurrent question that challenges listeners—’What’s better than one billionaire? Two.’ Here, Jay-Z flips the script on scarcity mentality, proposing a vision where success isn’t a solitary climb but a shared ascent, one that doesn’t just enrich individuals but uplifts entire communities.

The Cultural Mirrors and Windows: Reflecting and Forecasting Black Influence

Jay-Z doesn’t shy away from calling out the figures who have shaped black discourse, invoking names like Al Sharpton and ‘Pill Cosby’. These cultural touchstones serve as both mirrors, reflecting the complexities of black leadership, and windows, offering glimpses into the conflicts that have yet to be reconciled.

As he challenges the actions of icons within the community, Jay-Z sets a precedent for accountability. ‘We all lose when the family feuds’, he ruminates, casting a vision of the future where the black community can rise above the detriments of internal strife.

Lyrical Alchemy: Turning Personal Sagas into Universal Lessons

There’s an existential quality to ‘Family Feud’ that transcends Jay-Z’s personal narrative. While he delves into his own experiences—referring to his marital challenges and referencing ‘Becky’ from ‘Lemonade’—the broader lesson is one of redemption and proactive change. It’s in the recognition of past failures and the conscious effort to do better that the song finds its universal appeal.

Ultimately, ‘Family Feud’ isn’t just a track about Jay-Z’s journey or a nod to black excellence; it’s a template for breaking cycles and building legacies. Whether it’s repairing familial relationships or mending community rifts, the song is a call to action for introspection, unity, and progress.