Jay-Z Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Song Meanings and Facts

August 5, 2021

“The Story of O.J.” by Jay-Z

Jay-Z’s “The Story of O.J.” is named after O.J. Simpson, a former African-American football star who became a lot more famous, or rather let’s say infamous after being accused of murder in 1994. Jay-Z...

Jay-Z

July 31, 2021

“D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” by Jay-Z

There was a juncture in the history of rap music, i.e. the era in which this “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” was released, that auto-tune was being relied on so heavily some listeners started having...

Jay-Z / Swizz Beatz

July 29, 2021

“On to the Next One” by Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

Swizz Beatz’ intro/chorus firmly establishes what the phrase “on to the next one” means within the context of this song. It’s like the vocalist has engaged in a business endeavor, made a sh*tload of money...

Jay-Z / Kanye West / Otis Redding

July 29, 2021

“Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West (ft. Otis Redding)

Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Otis” samples an old romance tune by the late Otis Redding entitled “Try a Little Tenderness” (1966), from which the lyrics of the intro are derived. But said lyrics do not have any...

Jay-Z / Kanye West / Lil Wayne / M.I.A. / T.I.

July 28, 2021

“Swagga Like Us” by T.I. and Jay-Z (ft. Lil Wayne and Kanye West and M.I.A.)

Swagger – or “swagga” as it is colloquialized in this song – is an attribute ascribed to those who display, shall we say individualized mannerisms founded in a palpable level of self-confidence. Possessing such...

Jay-Z

July 20, 2021

“99 Problems” by Jay-Z

Back in the day when “99 Problems” came out, Jigga may have indeed been dealing with “99 problems”, but a b–ch damn sure wasn’t one of them. And whereas that may sound like a misogynistic statement, the...

Jay-Z

July 17, 2021

“Hard Knock Life” by Jay-Z

In the history of rap music, ghetto anthems, as they’ve come to be called, have been a mainstay. And sometimes you may think to yourself like ‘why do dudes keep making songs about this same...

DJ Khaled / Harmonies by The Hive / James Fauntleroy / Jay-Z / Nas

May 1, 2021

“Sorry Not Sorry” by DJ Khaled (ft. Jay-Z, Nas, James Fauntleroy & Harmonies by The Hive)

DJ Khaled’s tracks tend to have an inspirational tone, though fueled by braggadocio. Such sentiments tend to come through especially strong on his songs considering that the vocalists he features are usually well-known millionaire artists...

Jay-Z / Nipsey Hussle

February 18, 2021

“What It Feels Like” by Nipsey Hussle & Jay-Z

Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z’s “What It Feels Like” comes from the soundtrack of “Judas and the Black Messiah” (2021), a historical piece harking back to the heyday of the Black Panther Party. The Black Panther Party...

"No Church in the Wild" by Jay-Z and Kanye West

Frank Ocean / Jay-Z / Kanye West / The-Dream

December 24, 2020

“No Church in the Wild” by Jay-Z and Kanye West

Around the turn of the century Jay-Z, a rapper who has been professionally active since 1988, began dropping heavy religious references in his songs. Indeed the first of his tracks where he may have really done so, 2001’s “Izzo...

Tagged: Jay-Z

“The Story of O.J.” by Jay-Z

“D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” by Jay-Z

“On to the Next One” by Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

“Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West (ft. Otis Redding)

“Swagga Like Us” by T.I. and Jay-Z (ft. Lil Wayne and Kanye West and M.I.A.)

“99 Problems” by Jay-Z

“Hard Knock Life” by Jay-Z

“Sorry Not Sorry” by DJ Khaled (ft. Jay-Z, Nas, James Fauntleroy & Harmonies by The Hive)

“What It Feels Like” by Nipsey Hussle & Jay-Z

“No Church in the Wild” by Jay-Z and Kanye West

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Song Meanings & Facts