Success

Title	Success
Artist	JAY-Z
Album	American Gangster
Release Date	2007-11-06
Description	This song is off Jay-Z’s 2007 album American Gangster. Inspired by the movie of the same name, the album uses the life arc of main character Frank Lucas – the humble beginnings as a drug dealer, the rise, the reign at the top, and the downfall – as a structure through which to tell Jay-Z’s own story This track is about life at the top, which for both Jay-Z and Frank Lucas is less fun than it first seems. Wealth and success come with their own problems, from the threat of extortionists to a loss of the simple pleasures in life. Nas, who had only recently ended his beef with Jay-Z, appears in a guest verse with the same message. In Decoded before this song is dissected Jay presents a piece to camera explaining how he can use other artists lyrics with no fear of being labelled a biter. I’m inspired by music, and I’m a fan and a historian. I study music and different emotions. If I’m inspired by it I’ll use it. It’s not a crutch for me. I can write a song without using anyone’s lyric at all… When you comfortable with yourself and your ability, you don’t have that insecurity when people say ‘You stealing homeboy lyrics’ I could sit down with anybody and write two verses and see who comes up with the better verse, I will come up with it any day. A defense of his Eminem lyric in the first verse.
Lyrics	[Produced by No I.D. & Jermaine Dupri] [Intro: Armand Assante from American Gangster] "Your success took a shot at you. What are you going to do now? How are you gonna kill it? You're gonna become unsuccessful? Frank, you can be successful and have enemies, uh? Be unsuccessful too, and even have friends." [Interlude: Jay-Z] I got these niggas, Breezy, don't worry about it Let that bitch breathe! [Verse 1: Jay-Z] I used to give a fuck, now I give a fuck 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 premie, but I'm not, and my nuts big I don't know what the fuss is, my career is illustrious My rep is impeccable; I'm not to be fucked with, with Shit, let that bitch breathe! I'm way too important to be talking about extorting Asking me for a portion's like asking for a coffin Broad daylight I'll off your on-switch You're not too bright, goodnight, long kiss Bye bye, my reply... "BLAH, BLAH" Blast burner, then pass burner to Ty-Ty Finish my breakfast, why? I got an appetite for destruction and you're a small fry Now where was I? [Break: Jay-Z] Let that bitch breathe! [Verse 2: Jay-Z] I used to give a shit, now I don't give a shit more Truth be told I had more fun when I was piss-poor I'm pissed off, and this what success is all about? A bunch of niggas acting like bitches with big mouths All this stress, all I got is this big house Couple of cars, I don't bring half of them shits out All of this Ace of Spade I drink just to piss out I mean, I like the taste, could've saved myself 6 hours How many times can I go to Mr. Chow's, Tao's, Nobu? Hold up, let me move my bowels I'll shit on y'all niggas, OG, tell these boys (Y'all ain't got shit on my nigga, aoww!) I got watches I ain't seen in months Apartment at the Trump I only slept in once Niggas said Hova was over, such dummies Even if I fell I'll land on a bunch of money Y'all ain't got nothing for me [Break: Jay-Z] Nas, let that bitch breathe! [Verse 3: Nas] Success, McLaren, women staring My villain appearance Sacred blood of a king and my vein ain't spilling Ghetto Othello, Sugar Hill Romello Camaro driven, I climax from paper Then ask: "Why is life worth living?" Is it to hunt for the shit that you want? To receive's great, but I lust giving The best jewelers wanna make my things I make Jacob shit on Lorraine just to make me a chain Niggas mentioned on One Love Came home to the paper in hand Ain't gotta brag about the Feds, young man Old cribs I sold, y'all drive by like monuments Google Earth Nas; I got flats in other continents Worst enemies wanna be my best friends Best friends wanna be enemies like that's what's in But I don't give a fuck, walk inside the lion's den Take everybody's chips, 'bout to cash them in Up your catalog, dog, mine's worth too much Like Mike Jacks ATV pub, Mottola can't touch Let this bitch breathe! (Ha heh) You might also like[Outro: Jay Z & Nas] Let this bitch breathe!