"Ain't I" Lyrics

According to Entertainment Weekly, "Ain't I" was reportedly recorded for Timbaland's "Shock Value" album but didn't make the cut. The song is currently featured on DJ Clue's new mixtape "Dj Clue Desert Storm Radio 8 I am Legend", available here.

Lyrics Transcribed by Samedifference:


Ain't I

Ain't i?
I'm a
I'm a
I'm a
I'm a Hustler's hustler
A gangsta's gangsta
I'm a rapper's rapper
Your favorite, ain't i?
Ain't i
Ain't i
Ain't i
Ain't I
I'm a Hustler's hustler
A gangsta's gangsta
I'm a rapper's rapper
Your favorite, ain't i?
Ain't i
Ain't i
Ain't I
Ain't I


I'm still winning
And i'm nowhere near finished
Its just the first inning and i'm gunnin' for the pennant
And i been this
God made me, ya'll hate me
Ya'll athiests, ya'll safety is at risk
Its the return of the messiah, one and only Hov
No, i ain't God, but i been made in his mold
So when the story is told, let it be said
I refused to fold, i only fold bread
I stood for the peasants, i owed no debt
I represent the hood til' my dying breath
I took a pay cut to become an Exec
So the next muthaf*cka can earn his paycheck
And even though these niggas talk greasy bout me
Ask these niggas how they gone eat without me?
Ask these niggas if they want (?) involved
Even if they don't like me, they respect the God

I'm a Hustler's hustler
A gangsta's gangsta
I'm a rapper's rapper
Your favorite, ain't i?
Ain't i
Ain't i
Ain't i
I'm a Hustler's hustler
A gangsta's gangsta
I'm a rapper's rapper
Your favorite, ain't i?
Ain't i
Ain't i
Ain't i
Ain't i?

I'm hustler's poster child
I'm 'posed to style
I ain't got nothin' to prove
I'm 'posed to smile
I ain't insecure
Invested in a piece of Carol's Daughter
I'm in Sephora
Your bricks are insignificant to him
He's a grown man, you're an infant to him
I'm takin' baby Monday to Berg's, Ha!
I spent that on furniture!
Warhols on my hall's wall
I got Basquiats in the lobby of my spot
I'm so sophisticatedly hood
S. Carter cash, man, premium goods
Thousand dollars for the sneaks
Timbo on the track, 250 for the beat
G4 back and forth, til my flow cease
I spent a couple mil just to lose to The Heat

I'm a Hustler's hustler
A gangsta's gangsta
I'm a rapper's rapper
Your favorite, ain't i?
Ain't i
Ain't i
Ain't i
I'm a Hustler's hustler
A gangsta's gangsta
I'm a rapper's rapper
Your favorite, ain't i?
Ain't i
Ain't i
Ain't i


Anything you aspire to acquire, i got
Any gun you say you fired, I shot
Any type of path, but now you eyeing my cellar
I guess its saying that's how i started Roc-a-Fella
Feds all fed up, D. E. A.
Can't tell the dirty money from a Rocawear sweater
And i'm never ever
Going back, back
Oh never that, oh, never that
And i'm never ever
Going back, back
Oh never that, oh, never that
And i'm never ever
Going back, back
Oh never that, oh, never that
And i'm never ever
Going back, back
Oh never that, oh, never that
And i'm never ever
Going back, back
Oh never that, oh, never that
And i'm never ever
Going back, back
Oh never that, oh, never that
And i'm never ever
Going back, back
Oh never that, oh, never that
And i'm never ever
Going back, back
Oh never that

Whoever rat, he be doing it for practice, nigga
I'm in a 12-step program
I ain't touched drugs so long, i'm a sober man
I'm clean as a whistle, the fish all got away
I'm the king of all kings, its official
Uh, i'm a hustler's hustler
A gangsta's gangsta
I'm a rapper's rapper
You're favorite, ain't i?
Ain't i?
Ain't i?
Ain't i?
Well, ain't i?
I'm a hustler's hustler
A gangsta's gangsta
I'm a rapper's rapper
You're favorite, ain't i?
Ain't i?
Ain't i?
Ain't i?
Well, ain't i?

So Much More [2 ]

Previous Items from Roc With Me News Post (In Jay-Z News). Most of these items are from announcement of the release to late November.

◊ Jay to be featured on Celebrity Exposé: Rap Superstars
------- airs Tonight on MNTV @ 9 PM ET.

◊ Beanie Sigel ft. Jay-Z "Gutted" [The Solution in stores December 11]

◊ FULL Dead Presidents 3 [Zshare] DROPLESS EDIT via NahRight

◊ Davey D: When rapper Jay-Z talks about euros, people listen
------ Forbes Article

◊ Jay-Z and Beyonce attend Dr. Donda West's Funeral
------[ET Video] [Pics @ Corner of Beyonce]

◊ American Gangster pushes 131k this week. [Billboard]
------A little piece about Jay, Elvis, The Beatles

◊ A Good Album is More than Just a Collection of Singles (Article by Jermaine Dupri)

◊ "American Gangster" a cappella version to be released on December 4

◊ Jay-Z Wins Water Campaign Award

◊ AllHipHop speaks with Young Mel (Jay's nephew)

◊ Jay-Z Toasts American Gangster with Diddy, Nas [MTV]

◊ Jay-Z Teams With MSN To Air NYC Concert For Free [Hammerstein Ballroom]

◊ Jay-Z, Nas, and LeBron James Walk Into the Apollo [NY Mag]

------Pics @ Flickr (bigger), FilmMagic: Backstage Pics ~ Onstage

◊ And The Winner Is...Hov has the #1 album this week, his 10th #1 album. This ties him with Elvis for second place among artists with most #1's. Congrats!

◊ Jay-Z: The Rolling Stone Interview [Excerpt]

◊ I don't need no f*cking hook on this sh*t! [Mixtape Monday]

◊ R.I.P. to Donda West [Kanye's mom; God Bless!]

◊ Playing Young Hov // [After the Video]

◊ The Cat Who Got the Cream [Guardian UK]

◊ SIRIUS Satellite Radio to Broadcast Exclusive JAY-Z Concert from Current Tour

◊ Jay-Z — With Beanie, Diddy And J.D. — Rocks Hollywood At Tour Kickoff [MTV]

◊ 10th #1 Album On The Way!

◊ Scion, LLC Announces Acquisition of Artful Dodger Brand

◊ Tune in on Friday 11/9 to watch Jay on 106 & Park in Brooklyn!

◊ Come on Baby Rmx Saigon ft. Jay-Z

◊ Better Recognize [Sean C and LV (from The Hitmen) XXL Interview]

◊ Jay-Z Finds Himself at the Movies [New York Times]

◊ On and On: The Jigga Opinion [XXL]

◊ DJ Toomp talks about working on American Gangster [XXL]

◊ "Jay-Z Nation" to premiere on November 5th at 5 pm ET [SIRIUS Satellite Radio]

◊ Jay-Z's hard truths [LA Times]

◊ Da Roc Boys [XXL]

◊ How Jay-Z helped No I.D. find his groove [Entertainment Weekly]

◊ No ID [XXL Interview] // Jermaine Dupri [XXL Interview]

◊ New York Giants (Diddy on his involvement w/ A.G.) [XXL]

◊ XXL Analyze This: Ignorant Shit

◊ Tune in to see Jay-Z on the Late Show w/ David Lettermen Friday Nov. 2

◊ Jay-Z’s American Gangster Tour Sells Out in Under A Minute

◊ The Return of the Real King [Entertainment Weekly]

◊ Jay-Z, Lil Wayne Talk About Their First Joint Together; Jay Goes All American At NYC Gig
*sigh* *goes in corner and sheds a tear*

◊ Behind the Scenes: Jay-Z's 'American Gangster' CD cover shoot

◊ Jay-Z Wants to Tell You A Story [tapes VH1's Storytellers] Airs Nov. 8

----Pics at Filmmagic ; Beyonce Cheers Jay-Z

◊ Nas Reveals 'Crazy Joint' With Jay-Z

◊ Exclusive: Jay-Z Launches 'American Gangster Live' Tour

◊ XXL Article Preview: Jay-Z: I'll Still Kill (Part 2)

◊ Pics: Jay at American Gangster Premiere

◊ XXL Article Preview: Jay-Z: I'll Still Kill (Part 1)

◊ Pics: Jay at Neyo's Bday Party [10/17]

◊ XXL Cover [December Issue]

◊ Rolling Stone Article

◊ Diddy on working with Jay-Z again

◊ "Blue Magic" Hot Shot Debut on Billboard Hot 100

◊ Jay-Z Gangster Musings 2.0 [Interview w/All Hip Hop]

♠ Dead Presidents 3 (Snippet) via Nahright

♠ First Listen: Jay-Z's American Gangster [Blender Preview] Yes, another one!

♠ Jay-Z's American Gangster: A Guided Tour [MTV]

♠ Jay-Z: Manifest Destiny (The American Gangster Story) [All Hip Hop]

♠ Nah Right Preview

♠ American Gangster Preview [Vibe]

♠ In the studio: Jay-Z's 'American Gangster' [Entertainment Weekly Preview]

♥ Jay-Z and Beyonce leaving Bar Pitti [Watch Here]

♠ Uncontrollable Hustler’s Ambition [XXL Album Preview]

♠ JD on Jay-Z [from November issue of Vibe]

♠ Gangster Boogie [Michael Gonzales' American Gangster preview]

♠ Let That Bitch Breathe (I like that title ha) [YN, XXL Editor, speaks on American Gangster; cover coming soon]

♠ Preorder 'American Gangster' on Itunes! The tracklisting is not official.

♠ VH1 Classic Album: Reasonable Doubt airs Oct. 3 on VH1! Click HERE for more details.

♠ Jay and Just Blaze took over at 40/40 (Saturday night)! [Just's Recap]

♠ 'Blue Magic' best debut by a rap single this year!

◊ Can't Tell Me Nothing (Rocafella Rmx) Kanye ft. Beanie Sigel, Freeway [via Nahright]

◊ It's Official. Reasonable Doubt Classic Album DVD in stores October 30.

I'd like the concert too Hov, but I guess I'll have to wait another 10 years. lol

◊ American Gangster Album Cover??

◊Timbaland Helps Jay-Z with follow-up single?

◊ Pics from 'Blue Magic' Video Shoot / click here instead

◊Is Jay-Z the 'American Gangster'?

◊ Jay-Z and Rocawear Vying for Name-Rights to New Jersey Nets’ Arena

♥ Candids: Jay-Z and Beyonce in Soho


◊ For Jay-Z, Inspiration Arrives in a Movie!

-------A concept album (love the idea) and plus I love Denzel movies! American Gangster
Trailer

◊ New Jay Album Info!

◊ Inside Roc The Mic Studios -----Website Coming soon!

Roc Boys

On The Trombone: Saunders Sermon Myspace

Kenneth Whalum III Myspace

Drummer: Tony Royster

DJ Neil Armstrong (HOTC Tour)

During American Gangster Tour: Shaun Carrington, Tony Russell, Shedrick Mitchell, Tony Royster, Keyon Harrold, Kenneth Whalum, Saunders Sermons, James Rosten, Florine Simpson, Cynthia Bermudez.

Jay-Z Sets Straight Beyonce Wedding Rumors At Super-Star Studded Premiere Of His 40/40 Club

Jay-Z Sets Straight Beyonce Wedding Rumors At Super-Star Studded Premiere Of His 40/40 Club

For six days, music mogul hip-hop star Jay-Z and gorgeous galpal, Beyonce Knowles held hands and were literally inseparable on their Vegas visit—but not only did he laughably deny recent rumors of a secret marriage in the French capital of Paris, he also told me that they wouldn’t tie the knot in Vegas this trip either!

“A wedding will be sooner rather than later, though,” he told me, “but it will be kept a private serious celebration for our very closest family and friends. When it does happen, we’ll keep it very quiet. When we read these news reports about hiding tattoos under wedding rings, we laughed together and said, ‘uh huh, another wild one—put it with the other 80,000.’”

It was touch and go and so down-to-the-wire for Jay-Z to win his occupancy permits and operating certificates for his new club that his staff only got in for eight-hours of training before the doors were opened! But he remained cool as a cucumber as everybody else worried about opening on time. He was so relaxed about it that on their first night, Jay Z and Beyonce attended the late show of The Beatles LOVE musical from Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage. The two arrived hand-in-hand and took their front-row seats accompanied by 30+ friends.

Jay told me: “We both love The Beatles and we sang along with their songs. The Beatles were really amazingly talented. Their writing and their arrangements are genius. It’s a fantastic show, and to think they wrote this 40-years ago and it’s still up-to-date is just incredible.”

Next day after he pitched in to help move furniture, unwrap TV screens and shake hands with fire marshals and building inspectors, Jay Z performed in concert at the Pearl theater in the Palms—with Beyonce, her sister Solange and baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez in the VIP boxes.

To surprise everybody, Jay Z brought on-stage fellow rapper Kanye West and singer Mary J. Blige for a rare sing-along! Jay and Beyonce then gave a dinner party at TAO in the Venetian for 40 friends including Kanye and Mary J. They chose family style platters of TAO favorites including Kobe beef, chicken pad Thai, duck and Chilean sea bass with Dom Perignon Rose champagne and Patron platinum tequila. Young actress/singer Mandy Moore—with seven other guests—was sat alongside enjoying their own sushi supper.

The following night it was Beyonce’s turn to star at Mandalay Bay in concert, and just two-hours from the 40/40 gala opening, Jay shuttled between the two so he could see his favorite girl sing!

He commented: “We’re both fans of each other, so when we can see each other in concert that’s an added bonus.”

Next night, Beyonce even donned a 2008-tiara for their midnight New Year’s Eve countdown on the dance floor. It didn’t look as if they wanted to leave town, because on New Years Day the romantic couple enjoyed a dinner with 11 family members and friends at the BOA Steakhouse in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.

I chatted with Jay several times during his trip here. This is the third 40/40 he has opened in just four years.

He told me: “Coming right down to the final hours before we got the permits and knew we could open was a real touch and go situation. But that’s what we do, we push for the excitement—we like the drama of the whole thing. It’s not the first time where it’s all on the edge to the last minute. This is what we do—I am used to this. I’ve been very hands-on with this, so I know how to go through the process. We’d wanted to open ten days earlier so we’d have everything shaken down and working smoothly, but we just couldn’t get the permits. It’s just one of those natural things that’s in other people’s hands. The casino floor opened the same time we did, but the hotel itself isn’t open for another six-days for its guests and their opening is January 17! So we did well. It is an incredible feeling. It is one of those moments that you look back on and are like, ‘wow.’ Everybody knows my story and where I come from, and to make it this far is a very humbling experience. It really turned out incredibly good and way past my expectations. We’re booked right through Superbowl right out of the box.

“Vegas is the granddaddy of nightlife, so we had to be here after New York and Atlantic City. I had to start 40/40 in my hometown, and New Jersey was right next door. But this one in Vegas is the largest and most extravagant. If you roll the dice you’ve got to roll it in Vegas. This is the largest and most extravagant one. Vegas is the ultimate place to party in luxury and I love that whatever you want whenever you want you can get. We have a Gucci-link floor in mosaic. We have 24-karat gold and platinum floors—now that’s bling! It is something you just won’t find anywhere else in the world. I love the skyboxes that sit right out over the projection. I love the Dugout area—so cool to just hang out there. There are so many different places to go in the club, and remember, it’s both indoors and out! We have five self-contained VIP rooms, including my very own Jay-Z suite!

“Tonight is more than special because it is also my friend LeBron’s birthday and that takes on a bigger meaning to celebrate that at the same time as my opening. I can’t find words to explain how I feel right now. Starting from the bottom gives you the drive and the hunger and it gives you a sense of balance. When you don’t come from money, you understand what it is to be without it, so this success gives you balance and a sense of perspective. I believe that along with the hard work and the persistence and a never quit attitude is what makes it all happen for me. I always add an element of truth to everything that I do. When you go into the sports club you are going to check it out. If I am making clothing, go touch it on the rack—it is the real deal, and that is the one thing I try to keep in all my music. I’ve started thinking of what the next five-years will bring. You only stop working at this pace when you don’t have the passion anymore. I know I’m going to have the passion for a long time to come, and I represent a culture of people and a generation, so what I do when I open the doors to these clubs is I am opening it for the next generation and culture as well. I’m thinking of even opening my own hotel in Vegas, and that would lead to having my own airline for people to party in both directions! Expect the truth from me, expect a great product—whatever it is. The sky is the limit—I know that is cliché to say—but it really is.”

Jay had asked me personally to interview his many first night guests so that he would have a video-record souvenir to keep for himself and show on the more than 80 TV screens that dot the multi-level 24,000 square foot prestigious club, named after the 40-home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same baseball season.

The Reverend Al Sharpton told me, “Being in Sin City proves there’s a lot of work to be done here—it is an opportunity for ministers. Jay Z is a good person—very smart and savvy. He knows what he wants to do and he does it. He does it grand scale. He has an entrepreneurial mind. He is also very community conscious and supportive in his own quiet way. I came out here in tribute to him being more then an entertainer, but also a great person. He always has maintained a level of cleanliness, as does Beyonce, but as a producer he deals with all sides of rap music and he believes in artistic freedom and he and I have debated that and we have agreed to disagree on some things and we have a general appreciation for each other, and that is why I am here tonight. His creativity and self-confidence, and the fact that he is not intimidated by the trends, he sets trends and makes things happen his own way, and I appreciate that. Beyonce is authentic. You can feel that she puts everything into it. People want to feel when they spend their money that you are putting everything into it, and she does that. She is the best of a generation. I told both of them that I would marry them pro bono—I won’t even charge a fee.”

Incidentally, the noticeably slimmed-down Rev Al told me his New Year’s Resolution is to stick to his dramatic weight-loss program.

“I will remain light on the scales. I have to keep going down. I am now at 210, I was up about 300+, and if I keep dancing with Jay-Z I will get down to 190. My advice to anybody else trying to lose weight in 2008 is not to eat after 6 o’clock—and no carbs.”

And LeBron James added: “I am here to party for my own birthday, but also to celebrate with Jay-Z and some friends and family, so we are going to have some fun. I don’t feel any older. In fact, it feels great. This is going to be good. This is the city that never sleeps and you can have fun all night. A lot is legal here, compared to some other cities. We will have fun and it will be a good time. I don’t know that I could do all the business he manages to control. I’ve got a lot of time to figure out what I am doing. I have a few business things that I am doing. I am focused on basketball during basketball season, but at the same time I know basketball does not last forever, so I am setting myself up in a position that I can continue my career after. I think I would work hard everyday and I am blessed from the man above to put me in the position to succeed, but I don’t think I’m going to open up a 20/20 basketball equivalent of this club. So far only Wilt Chamberlain has ever done that, but we do have Shaq O’Neil and Dwight Howard going out and getting things close to 20/20—so maybe it’ll happen one day.”

Mary J. Blige shared with me her thoughts on Jay Z: “He is very smart. He has done great things with and from hip hop, and showing that it is not just a passing trend, it is here to stay and showing that if you are as smart as Jay-Z you can open 40/40 clubs and have Rocafella Wear conglomerate businesses and basketball teams. He is amazing. He shouldn’t stop. As long as he can keep doing it all we will keep supporting him. I think he is genius. NY and Las Vegas are the biggest places in the US, so where else would you go to open a 40/40?

Former Phoenix Suns star player and now TNT/TBS cable-TV commentator, Charles Barkley added: “I just have so much love and respect for him. I met him quite a bit and I watched him grow through the media and I am just here for that reason. I don’t bet against him and I like my chances if I bet with him. I like my chances a lot. We do not have a 40/40 in basketball. If he does something he does it first class and I am just glad to be here. So if he does a 20/20 for basketball it would be pretty remarkable, as was Wilt Chamberlain when he became the only person to ever achieve that. If Jay-Z wants to put me in any business of his, I am in.”

Laughed Jay-Z: “If Charles Barkley is investing, we are going to make some serious money.”

Among the stars attending were my friends, Alan and Robin Thicke with their wives. Kanye West slipped in by avoiding the red carpet and was shielded by a blanket held by six security guards! Comedian Pauly Shore lost one of his sneakers while walking down the carpet so he simply sat down and put it back on!

Jay himself summed up: “Now we are finally open, I am going to party here for the next two days and hopefully I can still function after that. I’ve never been in Vegas before for New Year’s, and you know I’m a big fan of your city. So we’re going to have a lot of fun.”

Source: Robin Leach @ Luxe Life