Lyrics & breakdown
Demo lines only. Select a line number to copy a stable deep link.
- 10
I got myself a gun
- 17
Damn, I'm only worth over a hundred million
18Look, I got beef with, like, a hundred children
19Niggas with pink suits (Faggot) tryna get cute (Ha)
Block noteCalls the target's toughness an act
TargetNas
MeaningWhat it means: In “You feel Jay soft, rip Jay off,” Jay-Z portrays Nas as frightened or unwilling to stand behind the aggression shown in public. Why it was said: The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.” A diss threat depends on the audience believing the speaker will confront the opponent; calling Nas afraid is designed to empty that threat of force.
ContextThe track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”
- 21
Put you out your mind, homie, just rhyme, homie
22Kick your little lies, I kick my real facts
23Like you sneaking out the back of that Source Soundlab, ha (Pew!)
Block noteTreats the target's persona as fabricated
TargetNas
MeaningWhat it means: In “Kick your little lies, I kick my real facts,” Jay-Z says Nas' public story or image is false rather than a reliable account of who the target is. Why it was said: The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.” Once the persona is presented as invented, the boasts and accusations built on it become easier for listeners to dismiss.
ContextThe track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”
- 32
Look here
- 38
Listen, I'm the J, the A, to the fuck-this-broad (Oh)
39This nigga never sold Aspirin—how you Escobar?
40Had to buy your chain back last time you got robbed (Goddamn)
41The nerve of this coward nigga, oh my God
Block noteUses a public loss to puncture the image
TargetNas
MeaningWhat it means: In “Had to buy your chain back last time you got robbed (Goddamn),” Jay-Z points to property being taken or another visible loss as evidence that Nas' claimed security and power failed in practice. Why it was said: The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.” The anecdote gives the audience a concrete event against which to test Nas' persona, turning an abstract toughness debate into a remembered humiliation.
ContextThe track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”
- 60
Yeah, nigga, the gloves is off, the love is done
61It's whatever, whenever, however, nigga (One)
62And since you infatuated with saying that gay shit (Faggot)
Block noteMakes the feud personal through family
TargetNas
MeaningWhat it means: In “Left condoms on your baby-seat (Woo),” Jay-Z brings a relative or family boundary into the exchange with Nas, moving the dispute beyond music and into private life. Why it was said: The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.” Family references explain why the conflict feels personal: they raise the emotional cost for Nas and make the line more consequential than a routine comparison of rap skill.
ContextThe track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”
- 64
Nasty shit, you thought I was boning Renette
65You calling Carm' (Hello) a hundred times (Hello), I was (Hello) boning her neck (Call me back)
66You got a baby by the broad, you can't disown her yet
Block noteMakes the feud personal through family
TargetNas
MeaningWhat it means: In “You got a baby by the broad, you can't disown her yet,” Jay-Z brings a relative or family boundary into the exchange with Nas, moving the dispute beyond music and into private life. Why it was said: The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.” Family references explain why the conflict feels personal: they raise the emotional cost for Nas and make the line more consequential than a routine comparison of rap skill.
ContextThe track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”
- 68
When does reality set in, or does it not matter?
69Gotta hurt: I'm your baby mama's favorite rapper (Haha)
70And ask your current girl, she know what's up
Block noteMakes the feud personal through family
TargetNas
MeaningWhat it means: In “Gotta hurt: I'm your baby mama's favorite rapper (Haha),” Jay-Z brings a relative or family boundary into the exchange with Nas, moving the dispute beyond music and into private life. Why it was said: The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.” Family references explain why the conflict feels personal: they raise the emotional cost for Nas and make the line more consequential than a routine comparison of rap skill.
ContextThe track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”
- 71
Holla at a real nigga! Jigga! (I don't give a fuck!)