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You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Jay-Z's Izzo (H.O.V.A.) at Lyrics.org.
Lyrics
Ladies and gentlemen let’s put our hands together for the astonishing
(*girls singing*)
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A…
[Jay-Z]
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 8th wonder of the world
The flow of the century.. oh it’s timeless.. HOV’!
Thanks for comin out tonight
You coulda been anywhere in the world, but you’re here with me
I appreciate that.. uuunnnh..
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Fo’ shizzle my nizzle used to dribble down in VA
Was hurtin ’em in the home of the Terrapins; got it dirt cheap for them
Plus if they was short with cheese I would work with them
Brought in weed, got rid of that dirt for them
Wasn’t born hustlers, I was birthin ’em
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Fo’ sheezy my neezy keep my arms so freezy
Can’t leave rap alone the game needs me
Haters want me clapped and chromed it ain’t easy
Cops wanna knock me, D.A. wanna box me in
But somehow, I beat them charges like Rocky
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Not guilty, he who does not feel me
is not real to me, therefore he doesn’t exist
So poof — vamoose, son of a bitch!
[Chorus]
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Fo’ shizzle my nizzle used to dribble down in VA
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
That’s the anthem get’cha damn hands up
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Not guilty y’all got to feel me
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
That’s the anthem get’cha damn hands UP!
[Jay-Z]
Holla at me…
I do this for my culture
To let ’em know what a nigga look like, when a nigga in a roaster
Show ’em how to move in a room full of vultures
Industry shady it need to be taken over
Label owners hate me I’m raisin the status quo up
I’m overchargin niggaz for what they did to the Cold Crush
Pay us like you owe us for all the years that you hoed us
We can talk, but money talks so talk mo’ bucks
[Chorus]
[Jay-Z]
Yeah…
Hov’ is back, life stories told through rap
Niggaz actin like I sold you crack
Like I told you sell drugs; no, Hov’ did that
so hopefully you won’t have to go through that
I was raised in the pro-jects, roaches and rats
Smokers out back, sellin they mama’s sofa
Lookouts on the corner, focused on the ave
Ladies in the window, focused on the kinfolk
Me under a lamp post, why I got my hand closed?
Cracks in my palm, watchin the long arm of the law
So you know I seen it all before
I seen hoop dreams deflate like a true fiend’s weight
To try and to fail, the two things I hate
Succeed in this rap game, the two things that’s great
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
What else can I say about dude, I gets bu-sy
[Chorus]
(*girls singing*)
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A… (*repeat 4X to fade*)
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Jay-Z’s track ‘Izzo (H.O.V.A.)’ reverberates with the rhythm of a survivor’s manifesto and the pulse of hip-hop royalty. The track—a standout from his sixth studio album, ‘The Blueprint’—is more than just a catchy hook; it’s a harnessing of historical struggles and a celebration of artistic omnipotence.
Moving beyond the surface-level braggadocio, Jay-Z employs his lyrical prowess to illustrate a nuanced story of triumph over adversity, a documentation of culture, and the battle for dignity through rap. Let’s delve into the layers of ‘Izzo (H.O.V.A.)’ and uncover the innuendos veiled within bars that mark it as a classic.
Deciphering the Alphabetic Enigma: H.O.V.A. Explained
Jay-Z’s alias ‘H.O.V.A.’ is both a nod to Jehovah, implying a god-like status in rap, and an acronym for ‘Jay-Z’s fade to black.’ But this isn’t just about arrogance; it’s about aspiration and survival. Using godly connotations, Jay-Z reflects on his transcendence from the gritty streets of Brooklyn to the celestial heights of hip-hop aristocracy.
This track is an affirmation, each ‘H to the Izzo’ echoing the artist’s transformation from Shawn Carter the aspirant to Jay-Z the conqueror, turning life’s lemons into multi-platinum lemonade. ‘H.O.V.A.’ signifies both hubris and hard-earned accomplishment—an artist’s triumph over systemic disenfranchisement.
An Anthem of Cultural Redemption
‘I do this for my culture’ isn’t just a line—it’s the cornerstone upon which ‘Izzo’ is built. Jay-Z takes ownership of his narrative, casting light on the exploitation of rap as art and culture. Through his journey, he addresses the need to reclaim the value denied to the architects of the hip-hop genre.
The reference to ‘Cold Crush’ is not mere name-dropping, but a salute to the forefathers of rap, calling out the debt owed by an industry that has commodified black artistry. This is Jay-Z’s cultural statement piece, endorsing empowerment and cultural reclamation through the amplifier of fame.
Surviving the Legal Maze: ‘Not Guilty, Y’all Got to Feel Me’
Within ‘Izzo’s’ melodic fabric lies a narrative of legal tussles that resonate with the experience of many African Americans entangled in the judicial system. Jay-Z’s brush with the law, particularly the stabbing incident in 1999, looms in the background as he professes his innocence with an impenetrable cool.
The phrase ‘beat them charges like Rocky’ ties his personal vindication to a universally inspiring figure, remixing the American Dream with a streetwise spin. Jay-Z doesn’t just discuss personal victories; he speaks to a broader experience of overcoming systemic bias and achieving exoneration against the odds.
Rhymes Rich with Rags-to-Riches Realism
‘Izzo’ isn’t about the glorification of drug dealing; it’s a journal entry on socioeconomic realities. Jay-Z maps his past onto the canvas of the song, illustrating the circumstances—’pro-jects, roaches and rats’—that birthed his hustler mentality.
The juxtaposition of ‘hoop dreams deflate’ against ‘succeed in this rap game’ contrasts failure with success, underscoring the fragile line between the two. This is a cautionary tale wrapped in a success story, and a reminder of the duality that defines so much of life in the inner city.
Memorable Lines Etched in Hip-Hop Lore
Jay-Z’s proclivity for crafting unforgettable lines is on full display in ‘Izzo.’ From ‘H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A,’ a linguistic play that captures listeners, to the solidarity-invoking chorus ‘That’s the anthem get’cha damn hands up,’ every bar is meticulously designed.
‘Can’t leave rap alone the game needs me’ is not just a boast, but a battle cry for relevancy in a fickle industry. Each line reverberates with the weight of an artist who knows his worth and isn’t afraid to claim his space in the pantheon of hip-hop legends.
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