Next up, letter C: “Can I Live” #JayZ30#JayZ
Irv Gotti (R.I.P.): “I wanted to add something great to the album ... that people could identify with. When we did the record, I was like, ‘Yeah, this sounds different, and it's a feeling. You spitting.’ This is Jay the hustler; this is his persona ...”
Jay-Z: “I didn't have the idea to make a song ‘Can I Live.’ Listening to the strings and the tracks ... brought out that type of mentality and ... where my thinking was at the time. The strings on that was ... mindblowing.”
Jay explains the meaning behind some of the lyrics and entendres, describing a hustler's emotions and how his environment and living conditions shaped his risk-taking. Irv then draws parallels between Jay-Z (and those who grew up like him) and the tagline from the 1983 film ‘Scarface’: “He loved the American Dream. With a vengeance.”
"Death before dishonor correct? That's what you promised me, since the Bomber League"
A young Jay-Z in his basketball team’s uniform. He was in the team with his cousin B-High
Uh oh👀 the saxophone solo is getting loud
Looks like Charlamagne is applying pressure to AkademiksTV. He has him on audio panicking & being concerned that his house is going to be invaded. Akademiks & AkademiksTV are the loudest voices behind the Roc Nation/TDE conspiracies.
“Steam of Consciousness”
The rehearsal footage he released is something I often go back to and have posted on a number of occasions.
The lyrics are applicable to a lot of things that are said about him, as well as other Black artists and creatives in general.
JAY-Z's 2015 B Side Freestyle
"You accept what they give you, I get you"
-He called out ppl who deliberately didn't support Tidal bc it was his but gladly pay Phil Knight, Spotify & Apple.
-Artists who want contracts over autonomy.
- Smear campaigns meant to impede his business.