i will not lose! the blueprint for greatness when good is not enough. (excerpt)
TRANSCRIPT
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I Will Not Lose!
Theblueprintforgreatnesswhengoodisnotenough.
*InspiredbythesonglyricsofJay-Z
2010byDuaneL.Lawton
Book Excerpt:Intro
Pgs. 24-25, 57-59, 126-27, 210-11, 294-296, 305-307
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For
Wife. Mother. Child.
Shayla Ann Jalen
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TableofContents
Blueprint for Greatness
Intro....................................................................................................................... 9
GetYourMindRight .................................................................................13
IntheTrenchesoftheHustle............................................................................44
JumpingOverLifesHurdles............................................................................128
FacingFailure .................................................................................................. 179
TheSweetSmellofSuccess .............................................................................215
TheGametoMaintain ...................................................................................... 244
ReachingtheNextLevel................................................................................... 278
Outro................................................................................................................. 334
About the Author.............................................................................................339
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SongList
Song List
4 Da Fam......................................................................................................281-82
A Dream.....................................................................................................299-300
A Week Ago .....................................................................................28-34, 137-39
All I Need ........................................................................................122-23, 279-80
Allure ..........................................................................................................143-44
Already Home .................................................................................84-85, 261-62
American Dreamin .........................................................................55-59, 149-50Anything....................................................................................................147-148
Beach Chair.................................................................................................311-12
Best of Both Worlds...................................................................................301-04
Bitches and Sisters....................................................................................115-17
Black Republican .........................................................................................86-87
Blueprint (Momma Loves Me) ...................................................................287-88
Bonnie and Clyde 03 ................................................................................120-21
Brooklyn Finest ..............................................................................................212
Can I Live................................................................. 35-37, 68-69, 249-50, 283-84
Cant Knock the Hustle ..............................................................................247-48
Come and Get Me ..........................................................................157-58, 165-66
Coming of Age.................................................................................72-75, 271-72
Coming of Age (Da Sequel) .......................................................................90-108
Dead Presidents I .......................................................................................180-81
Dead Presidents II ...........................................................................40-41, 255-56
December 4th..............................................................................................184-86
DEvils .................................................................................. 26-27, 60-61, 155-56
Diamonds from Sierra Leone (remix) ..........................................204-09, 234-36
Dirt Off Your Shoulder ...............................................................................219-21
D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune).........................................................................45-46
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Do It Again ..................................................................................................232-33
Dont You Know..........................................................................................305-10
Encore ................................................................................................226-27
Feelin It ..........................................................................................269-70, 285-86
Free Mason..................................................................................................163-64
Freestyle (DJ Clue) ....................................................................................173-74
Gangsta Shit ................................................................................................88-89
Go Crazy (remix) ........................................................................................216-18
Guess Whos Back .....................................................................................222-23
Guns and Roses............................................................................111-12, 230-31
Hard Knock Life.................................................................................49-50, 76-77
Heart of the City (Aint No Love) ...............................................................297-98
Hey Papi ......................................................................................................313-14
Hovi Baby ...................................................................................................321-22
I Did It My Way ............................................................................................228-29
Imaginary Player ........................................................................................253-54
Intro (from Dynasty album)........................................................................129-31
Its Like That................................................................................................159-60
Its On ..........................................................................................................259-60
Izzo (H.O.V.A.) ..................................................................................51-52, 171-72Justify My Thug..........................................................................................197-99
Kingdom Come...........................................................................................328-29
Light It Up....................................................................................................169-70
Lost One.........................................................................................140-42, 315-16
Lucky Me .....................................................................................................151-52
Moment of Clarity ..........................................................................273-74, 291-93
Money Aint a Thang ..................................................................................240-41
Most Kings..................................................................................................134-36
Mr. Carter.....................................................................................................323-25
My 1st Song ..................................................................................113-14, 275-77
Never Change .................................................................. 82-83, 187-188, 251-52
Never Let You Down ..........................................................................245-46
No Hook............................................................................................22-23, 124-25
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NYMP ................................................................................... 18-19, 66-67, 192-93
Off That .........................................................................................................53-54
Oh My God .................................................................................................167-68
On to the Next One........................................................................242-43, 326-27
Operation Corporate Takeover .................................................................331-33
Paper Chase..................................................................................................70-71
People Talkin .............................................................................................319-20
Power (remix) .............................................................................................175-76
Public Service Announcement (Interlude) ....................................20-21, 317-18
Regrets ..........................................................................................153-54, 202-03
Rhyme No More ...........................................................................................80-81
Say Hello ........................................................................................109-10, 190-91
So Ambitious ................................................................................................38-39
So Appalled.................................................................................................294-96
Some How, Some Way...............................................................................212-14
Soon Youll Understand.............................................................................145-46
Song Cry......................................................................................................118-19
Squeeze 1st.................................................................................................194-96
Stick 2 the Script ........................................................................................161-62
Streets is Talking............................................................. 47-48, 132-133, 263-66Streets Is Watching.........................................................................64-65, 200-01
Sweet ..............................................................................................182-83, 289-90
Things That U Do........................................................................................177-78
This Life Forever ............................................................................16-17, 210-11
U Dont Know....................................................................... 24-25, 62-63, 126-27
Watch Me ................................................................................................224-25
Watcher 2 ......................................................................................................42-43
What More Can I Say .................................................................................267-68
What We Talkin About....................................................................14-15, 257-58
Where Im From ...........................................................................................78-79
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WhenitseemslikeImbraggingorthreateningorwhatever,whatImactually
tryingtodoistoembodyacertainspirit,givevoicetoacertainemotion.Imgivingthe
listenerawaytoarticulatethatemotionintheirownlives,howeveritapplies.
FromDecoded
Jay-Z
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Intro
Dontbefooled
Mygameismental!CanILive
IstillrememberafriendsreactionbackinJune2010whenItoldhimIwas
publishingablogtitled,TheBookofHov,abouthowthelyricsofJay-Zare
inspirational:
IthoughtJaywasjustabout[money,cash,andhoes]!
Ilaughedathisresponse(referringtooneofJayshitsongsfromthelate
90s)becauseitsonethatstypicalofmostpeoplewhenitcomestoJay-Z.While
manymayseeJaysstoryasinspirational,hislyricswell,notsomuch.Ivebeena
bigfanofJayfromthebeginningofhiscareer.IthinkhesoneofHip-Hopgreatest
MCs.ButIalsotrulybelievethathehasdeliveredsomeofthemostinsightfullyrics
everperformedthroughmusic.
Yeah,Isaidit.
ItstruethatJayhasrecordedmanysongsthatarepurelyentertainmentand
somemayfindcertainsongslikeBigPimpinasoffensive.Butthisbookisnot
aboutBigPimpin.Jayhasconceived(hedoesntactuallywritelyrics)many
profoundlyricsinsongsthatareoftenoverlookedandmanyofthesegemsarein
someoftheradio-friendlypophitsthatweresuccessfulonthechartsthroughout
his15-yearcareer.
Canyoubeinspiredbythesonglyricsofanex-crackdealerturnedmusic
mogul/businesstycoon?
Jay-Z,likemanyrappers,iscriticizedforthearrogance,vulgarityandthe
emphasisonmaterialisminhislyrics.RapperslikeJay-Zfaceafirestormofcriticism
overthecontentoftheirlyrics.AsignificantamountofJayslyricsreflecthis
experiencesasadrugdealerwhenhewasinhisteensthroughhisearly20s.Howin
theworldcouldthatkindoflyricalcontentbeinspirational?Well,becauseatits
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coreJayslyricsareaboutambition.Weallwanttobeabletoovercomestruggleand
becomesuccessful,right?Whetheryoulovehim,hatehimorareindifferent,its
hardtodisputethatJay-ZslifesstoryistheepitomeoftheAmericanDream;Hip-
Hopstyle.
AllowmetotalkaboutwhyIwrotethisbookandelaboratemoreonhow
inspirationcanindeedbefoundinthelyricsofJay-Z:
Over3yearsago,Iwroteamanuscript,aself-helpbookinspiredbyJay-Zs
lyrics.IshoppedthebookaroundalittlebutIwasreallyintentonself-publishing
thebook.Itdidnthappen.Themanuscriptbasicallysatonmycomputerhard
driveforyears.TheninJune2010,Idecidedtostartablog,TheBookofHov
largelyduetotheencouragementofCedricMuhammad,abusinessconsultantand
authorwhomanagedWu-TangClanwhentherapsupergroupwasatitspeak.The
purposeoftheblogistorevealtheinspirationfoundinJayslyrics.
ThegreatfeedbackIreceivedfromtheblogmotivatedmetodustoffthe3-
yearmanuscriptsittingonmyharddrive.Icompletelyrewrotethemanuscriptand
addedsomeofthepostingsfromTheBookofHov.Theendresultisthebookthat
yourereadingrightnow.
WithTheBookofHov,ImnottryingtogetreaderstothinklikeJayor
acceptandadoptmyinterpretationofhislyrics.Imsimplytryingtomotivate
listenersofHip-Hop(andmusicingeneral)todevelopatrainedearandlistento
lyricswithagreaterintentonfindinginsightandinspiration.Mygreatestsourceof
inspirationisinconversation.
LetmeexplainwhatImeanbyfindinginspirationinconversation.WhenI
listentoJay(orotherMCs)itslikeImhavingaconversationwithhim.True,itsa
one-wayconversation,butIlookatitasifhislyricsarethepointintheconversation
whenhestalkingandImlistening.Peopleenjoytalkingaboutthemselves,dontthey?Thinkofthe
conversationsyouhavehadwithafriend,arelative,acolleague,aneighbor,etc.
Whenyourfriendistalkingtoyou,hestellingyouabouthimself;histhoughts,
ideas,plans,actions.Whilehegoesonandonandonabouthimselfyouneedtoput
yourmindtowork.Doyoutakementalnoteswhilelisteningtosomeonewhois
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talkingtoyou?Whatarementalnotes?Mentalnotes:Specialattentionwithintentto
remember.
Takingmentalnotesmeansyougivedeliberatethoughttowhatisbeingsaid
andoftentimesitcausesyoutothinkaboutyourownsetofcircumstances.
Someoneelseswordsabouttheirthoughtsandactionscanhaveanimpactonhow
youthinkandwhatyoudoinyourownlife.Itakementalnotesinmyconversations
withpeople.Theytalkaboutthemselvesbutmytrainedearislisteningfor
somethingintheirconversationthatIcanuseinmyownlife.
Dontgetmewrong,Iallowotherstohavethefloorandgetwhattheyhave
tosayofftheirchests,buttheresaselfishmotive:Iwanttofindinsightinwhatthey
saythatcangivemeinspirationtoovercomeflawsinmymindsetoralackof
executioninmyactions.BecauseItreatJayslyricslikeaconversation,Ilistenwith
mytrainedearandItakementalnotesseekinginsightandinspirationformyself.In
themidstofpraisinghislyricalprowess,Imselfishlyempoweringmyself.
CriticsandhaterssaythatallJaydoesisrapabouthimself.And,thepointis?
Whywouldherapaboutyouorme?Everyartistinjectshisvisioninhisart.Artis
personal.Thenatureofrapmusicistorhymeaboutyourself.Thinkbacktoitsroots.
Jayrhymesabouthislifejustlikeyoutalktoothers,goingonandon,aboutyourlife.
Icanlearnasmuchaboutmyself,andlifeingeneral,fromlisteningtoyoutalkabout
you.
Icanlearnwhattosay(andhowtosayit),whatnottosay,whattodoand
whatnottodo(andwhy),andhowtothinkandhownottothinkjustfromhavinga
conversationwithyou.Thesamedynamicishappeningwhenyoulistentomusic
whetheryourealizeitornot.JaywillneverrhymeaboutyouorI.Yethis
conversationwithusintheformoflyricsprimarilyabouthimselfcangiveus
insightthatwecanselfishlyuseinourownlives.ManyofusmaylookatJay-Zsstoryandseeswaggerandexcess.Butifthats
allwesee,werenotpayingcloseenoughattention.Jaytoldusfromthevery
beginningofhiscareeronthesongCanILivethathisgameismental.Itsnothis
swaggerthatsgottenhimwherehisis-itshismind.Itsbecauseofhismind;hecan
livehislifewithswagger.Themindisthemostpowerfulweapontobattleagainst
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failureandtocapturesuccess.
Thisbookisdividedinto7sections:
GetYourMindRight:Theroadtosuccessstartswithhowyouthink.
IntheTrenchesoftheHustle:Onceyougetyourmindrightthatswhenitstime
togetonyourgrind.(Thisisthemeat-and-potatoespartofthebook)
JumpingOverLifesHurdles:Thejourneytosuccessisnotwithoutitsroadblocks
soyouhavetobeabletoavoidorgetaroundthemandkeepdrivingtowardyour
destination.
FacingFailure:Beingabletoovercomeadversityempowersyoutomoveforward
despiteyoursetbacks.
TheSweetSmellofSuccess:Oneofthegreatestexperiencesinlifeisthefeelingof
accomplishment.
TheGametoMaintain :Obtainingsuccessisnotnearlyaschallengingaskeepingit.
ReachingtheNextLevel:Inthegameoflifeyouhavetokeepplayingtokeep
winning.Youhavetopushyourselftogofurther,harderandhigherthanyoudidthe
daybefore.
Ineachsection,IspotlightlyricsfromsongsinJay-Zsdiscographyandshare
howtheinsightinhisrhymescanbeeffectivelyappliedtoyourlife.Thisworkis
inspiredbyJay-ZslyricsbutthefocusofthisbookisnotaboutJaysgreatness,its
aboutthegreatnessthatYOUcanachievewiththesonglyricsofJay-Z,Hip-Hopmost
ambitiousMC,servingasavaluablesourceofinspiration.
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WhenYouGetYourMindRight
TheDoorsofOpportunityWillOpen.
Ifsomebodywouldatold'emthatHov'wouldsellclothing
Notinthislifetime
Wasn'tinmyrightmind
That'sanotherdifferencethat'sbetweenmeandthem
I'msmartenedup
Openedthemarketup
UDontKnow
Jaysdebutalbum,ReasonableDoubtisthefirsttimethatIheard
criminality(particularlythedrugtrade)intellectualizedinmusiconahighlevel.
Duringthetimeofitsrelease,Icanremembertalkingwithhustlersinthedrugtrade
whoIwasassociatedwiththattoldmethatReasonableDoubtcapturedthe
essenceoftheirlifestylefrombothaphysicalandmentalperspective.
Now,therewereothergreatalbumsreleasedbeforeReasonableDoubt
(suchasRaekwonsOnlyBuiltforCubanLinx,BiggiesReadytoDieandNass
Illmatic)thathadprofoundhardcorecriminalitythemes,Ijustbelievethatno
otherMCbroughtasmuchinsightandperspectivewhenitcametotheinner
workingsoftheillegaldrugtradeandthestreethustlerasJay-Zdidonhisdebut
album,ReasonableDoubt.
OntheBlueprint,IthinkJaygaveusmoreinsightintothedrugtrade,but
evenmorenoticeably,hegaveusmoreofhispersonalexperiencesandobservations
whenhewasinthestreets.IstartedofftheIntroofthisbookwithoneofJayslinesfrom,CanILiveoff
theReasonableDoubt,Dontbefooled,mygameismental.Ithinkwhatseparates
albumslikeReasonableDoubtandBlueprintfromitscontemporaries,isthatthe
songsonbothofthesealbumsputabrightspotlightonthementalgameneededto
succeedinthestreethustle.OnUDontKnow,Jayshowsushowtoplaythemental
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gameinordertomakethetransformationthatwillchangethesituationsinour
lives.IthinkthemostimportantlinesfromUDontKnowiswhenJaysays:
Ifsomebodywouldatold'emthatHov'wouldsellclothing
Notinthislifetime
Wasn'tinmyrightmind
Thislineinmyopinionisthemostimportantpartofthesong.Why?Because
itrevealshownothavingtherightmindcankeepyoufrommaximizingyourfull
potential.Jaystatesthathecouldntevenconceivetheopportunitytogetintothe
fashiongame(Roc-a-wear)becausehewasntinhisrightmind.Thatdoesnt
meanthathewascrazy!Jayistellingusthathewasntfocused;hewasntopen-
mindedtothepossibilitiesinlife.
Notbeingintherightframeofmindcouldeasilyapplytotheperiodwhen
Jaywasinthestreets.Infact,Jayhastalkedaboutthisininterviews.Youcanbeso
caughtupinwhatyouretryingtoaccomplishthatyoumissoutonbetter
opportunities.Now,tobefair,therearesomeopportunitiesthatareprettydifficult
toconceiveduetoyourphysicalcircumstances.ButthepointJayismakingisthat
therightmindsetopensupthedoortoopportunity.
Jayrevealsthatthedifferencebetweenheandothersisnotjusthisswagger,
hislyricalprowessortheamountofmoneyinhisbankaccount-itshismindset.So
manyofus(myselfincluded)areself-sabotagingareourownpersonalgrowthand
development.Jaytellsusthathesmartenedup;hecametotherealizationofwhat
hecouldaccomplishifheputhismindtoit.
WhenJayrhymesthatheopenedthemarketup,firsthehadtobroadenhis
horizonsandbydoingsohewasintherightplacebothmentallyandphysicallyto
recognizegreatopportunitiesandtakeadvantageofthem.OnceJaytookadvantage
oftheopportunitieshisnetworthskyrocketedtomillions.Wewillalwayslimitourownpotentialandopportunitiesuntilwesmartenup.ThepivotalpointofUDont
Knowisthatinordertosucceedyoumustfirstgetyourmindright.Onceyourein
therightframeofmindyoureabletofocus,seizethemomentandsucceed.
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AimWithAmbition
AndChangetheTarget
Mamaforgiveme,shouldbethinking'boutHarvard
Butthat'stoofaraway,niggasarestarving
Ain'tnothingwrongwithmyaim
Justgottachangethetarget
AmericanDreamin
IthinktheAmericanGangsteralbumisunderrated.Idontconsiderita
classicbutitsasolideffort.Thefilmofthesamename,abiopicaboutFrankLucas,a
drugkingpininHarleminthe70s,inspiresthesongsfromthealbum.Thelead
characterofLucaswasplayedbyOscarawardwinningactor,DenzelWashington.
Therewasmuchhypeinanticipationofthefilmsrelease.Ithoughtthemoviewas
goodbutinmyopinion,AmericanGangster-Jay-Zsalbum-isbetter.
OneofthethingsIloveabouttheAmericanGangsteralbumisthesoul
samples.Intermsofmusicalproduction,thealbumisakindredspiritofthe
ReasonableDoubtandBlueprintalbums.Ilovesoulmusicsomyfavoritekindof
Hip-Hoprecordsaretheoneswhousesoulsamples.MarvinGayeismyfavorite
musicalartistofalltime.Ithinktheguyhadthegreatestvoiceandhemadetimeless
romanticandsociallyconsciousmusic.ImsureyouhavefiguredoutthatJay-Zis
myfavoriterapartist.So,thesongAmericanDreaminfromtheAmerican
Gangsteralbumistheperfectcombinationformymusicalpreferencebecausethe
songsamplesoneofmyfavoriteMarvinGayesongs,SoonIllBeLovingyou.
Intheselyrics,Jayplaystheroleofayoungambitiousguyfromthestreetthatishungrytosucceed.HeshouldbethinkingboutHarvard;gettingan
education,buthestatesthatHarvard(pursuinghighereducation)istoofar
awayandthatheandhiscrewarestarvingforsuccess.Inpromotional
interviews,JaytalkedabouthowtheAmericanGangsterfilmtookhimbacktohis
hustlingdaysinthedruggameandinspiredhimtomakeAmericanGangster-the
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album.Well,thesongAmericanDreamininsomewaystookmebacktomy
hustlingdays.Beforeyourollyoureyes,letmeexplain
TheselyricsrepresenthowIfeltstraightoutofhighschoolbackin95.I
shouldhavebeenthinkingboutHarvard,determinedtogetacollegeeducation,
butinsteadIwasfocusedonbecomingwildlysuccessfulimmediately.College
seemedtoofarawaynotindistancebutintermsofthetimeIknewitwouldtake
tograduateandstartacareer.AfterhighschoolIdidntwanttogotocollege,I
wantedtogetpaid,like,yesterday.IdidnttakethesamerouteJay-ZdidbutIdid
getinvolvedinquestionableactivitiesinmylateteensintomyearly20s.People
fromallwalksoflifecanrelatetoJayssentiment.Manyofusarequiteambitious
butinsteadofpursuingsuccessinthemostprudentway,weseekimmediateresults
fromriskyventures.
Inhismemoir,Decoded,Jaytalksabouthisexperiencesofleaving
Brooklynwherehegrewuptodealdrugsout-of-towninplaceslikeTrenton,New
Jersey.InAmericanDreaminJaystatesthathisaimisfinebuthejusthasto
changethetargetwhichseemstoreferencethedayswhenJaytookhiscriminal
enterpriseout-of-town.Incidentally,ayearafterfinishinghighschool,Ileftthearea
whereIgrewupwiththissamemindsetandrelocated,trulybelievingthatIwould
comebackrich.Itdidnthappen!
Butchangingthetargetisnotjustaboutphysicallyrelocatingfromone
placetoanother.Tochangeyourtargetcouldmeantochangethewayyouhustle.
Itcouldalsomeantochangeyourgoalsortoatleastgoadifferentroutein
accomplishingthem.ThisissomethingthatIhavedonethroughouttheyears.Ive
added,subtracted,modifiedandchangedgoals.Butjustasimportantly,Ivechanged
howIvegoneaboutaccomplishingmygoals.Twoexamples:Nowadays,Iavoid
gettinginvolvedinillegalactivityandInolongeradheretoaget-rich-quickmentalityevenifItrulyfocusedonlegitimateendeavors.
Iusedtothinkthattheonlywaytomakethingshappenwastodoitquick,
fastandinahurry.ButnowIrealizedthatifIjustslowdown,Iwontmissouton
opportunities.Whenitcomestopursuinggoals,thebestspeedisneitherfastnor
slow,itsnice-and-steady.Accomplishingyourgoalsmaynotbetoofarawaybut
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itwilldefinitelytaketime.Ifyourehungry,starvingtosucceed,sometimesyou
justhavetochangethetargetandbepatient.
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MakingYourIdeasMove
Iselliceinthewinter
IsellfireinhellIamahustlerbaby
I'llsellwatertoawell
Iwasborntogetcake
Moveonandswitchstates
Copthecoupewiththeroofgoneandswitchplates
Wasborntodictate
Neverfolloworders
UDontKnow
TheselyricsfromUDontKnowmaycomeoffaspurebravadobyJay-Z,but
theresdepthtotheboldclaimsthatcaneasilybeappliedtogoalswehave.Jay
soundsconfidentwhiledeliveringtheselyricsandthataloneshouldmakeasolid
impressiononus.Confidenceisbothunderratedandoverrated.Itsunderrated
becauseifyouhavelittleornoneyouwontbementallyoremotionallyequippedto
succeed.Butapersoncanalsohaveblindormisguidedconfidencethatmakesit
hardtosucceedandeasytofailbecausealloftheswaggercloudsbetterjudgment.
Still,confidenceplaysavitalroleinbeingsuccessfulandyougainvaluable
confidencewhenyoureknowledgeableandexperienced.Ahustlerisabletoadapt
tohisorherenvironmentandmakethingshappen,turningnothingintosomething.
Anytruehustlerwhoisconfidentinhismentalgame(knowledge)andinthe
masteryofhisskillset(experience)wouldmaketheexactsameboldstatementthat
Jaymakesintheselyrics.AnyambitioussalesmanwouldadoptJayslyricsashe
strivestomakeamarkinhisownhustle.
Sellingiceinthewinter,fireinhellorwatertoawellisnotliteralof
course.Whatitmeansisthatyoureabletoaccomplishextraordinarythings
becauseyoureconfident,sharp(intellectually),charismaticandskilled.Youdont
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speakonconfidence;youactonit.Youractionsprovetheclaimsthatyoumake.A
salespersonforexamplewouldnthavethecredibilitytomakethestatementJay
makesifhecantsell.Hissalenumberswillbackuphisboldnessorexposehim!
Onlyasmart,skilled,persistentandexperiencedsalespersonwithaproventrack
recordofsuccesswouldhavethechopstomakethisstatement.
Jaytellsusthathewasborntogetcake(money)andtolivelifeinthefast
lane.Therootofthisstatementmaybebasedonhishustlingdaysinthedruggame
butitsconsistentwithhissuccessintherapgameandbusinessworld,isntit?Ever
sinceIwasakid,Ivebeenfullofmoneymakingideas.Itellpeopleallofthetime
thatIshouldvebeenamillionairemanytimesoverbythetimeIwas30justbased
onmyideas.Butideasdontmakemillions,peoplewhotakeactiondo.Ideasshould
notstandstill.Atruehustlersucceedsbecausehemakeshisideasmove,brings
themtolifeandturnsthemintogold.
Jaystatesthathewasborntodictateandneverfolloworderswhichmay
comeacrossarrogantbuttheresagreaterpointtobemade.Itstruethatyouhave
toknowhowtofollowinordertolead,butIalsothinkembracingleadershiptraits
withinyourselfisempowering.Firstofall,youareborntodictatehowyoulive
yourlife.Youareessentiallyinaleadershiprolewhenitcomestoyourownlife.
Howyouliveyourlifeisagoodindicatoronyourabilitytoleadothers.Atrue
hustlerpossessesqualitiesthatleadtopersonalsuccessandmakesotherswantto
beledbyhim.
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StrugglewithSwaggerandStyle
Inthemidstofallyourmisery,nigga,stayfly
NeverletemseeyoufrownEvensmilewhenyoudown
Shit,Iflossonmyoff-days
Fuckwhattheyallsay
ThisLifeForever
ItwouldntsurprisemeifmanyofJay-Zsfanswerentfamiliarwiththesong
ThisLifeForever(Jaydecodesthelyricsfromthesonginhismemoir).Jay
recordedthesongtobeincludedonamoviesoundtrackforafilmtitledBlack
Gangsterthatwasnevermade.BlackGangsterwastobebasedonabookofthe
sametitlewrittenbythelegendaryurbancrimewriter,DonaldGoines.Iread
severalofGoinesbookswhenIwasinhighschool(includingBlackGangster)and
IcanrememberanticipatingthefilmsreleasewhenIheardJaysThisLifeForever.
Ivealwayslovedthissong.
JaygivesapoignantperformanceonThisLifeForever.Thesongtacklesa
commonthemeinJaysmusic-streethustling,butthelyrics(andthebeat)takeona
particularlyserious,hardcoretone.JaygivesittolistenersrawonThisLife
Foreverwiththelyricsrevealingtheintensityofboththephysicalandmental
strugglethatstreethustlershavetoendureandovercomewithoutlosingtheir
swagger.Thelyricsgiveusaninsidelookintothemindandlifestyleofastreet
hustlerbuttherhymesalsogiveusinsightonhowtheproperuseofswaggercanbe
apowerfulweaponinourpersonalbattlestoovercomestruggle.
Inthemidstofallyourmisery,stayconfident.Dontcompromiseyour
dignityandintegritybecauseofyourcircumstances.Itstruethatstubbornpride
canstifleyourgrowthbutresilientpridefostersprogress.Ifyourecaughtupinthe
struggleallowJayswordstogiveyouencouragement.Regardlessofwhatyoure
goingthrough,stayflyandkeepshininguntilyourlight(yourhustle)isbright
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enoughtobringyououtofthedarktimes.Youputyourselfinapositionof
compromiseifyouallowotherstoseeyoufrown.WhenJaysayssmilewhenyou
downhesencouragingustobeoptimisticduringtoughtimes.Optimismisagreat
strengthtohaveduringstrugglebecauseitbroadensyourmindsetandinspires
yourhustle.ThefollowinglinefromthissonghasstuckwithmesincethedayIfirst
hearditsometimeinthelate90s:
Shit,Iflossonmyoff-days.Fuckwhattheyallsay
Sure,thelineiscleverbutthemessageiswhatstayswithyou.Ivehadmany
off-days,infact,asIwritethis;IhavesomeissuesImdealingwithrightnowinmy
personallife.ButIknowthatIhavetokeepflossingwhichsimplymeansthatI
havetostaypositiveandkeeplivingmylifetothefullest.Youregoingtohaveoff-
daysinyourlifebuthowyouhandlethesedayswilldeterminehowsoonbetterand
brighterdayswillcome.Dontsweatthehate.Ifyouwanttoovercomelifes
struggles-getyourmindright,keepyourhustletightandputupasmile-thatgives
offpureswag,onyourface.
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PlaytoWinBIGIntheBigLeagues
DarkKnightfeeling:dieandbeahero
OrlivelongenoughtoseeyourselfbecomeavillainIwentfromthefavorite,tothemost-hated
Butwouldyouratherbeunderpaidorover-rated?
Moralvictoriesisforminorleaguecoaches
And'YealreadytoldyouWeMajor,youcockroaches!
SoAppalled
IthinkKanyeWestisoneofthegreatartistsofthisgeneration.Immensely
talented,WesthasmadeanimpactonthemusicindustryasaproducerandMC.
Hesalightningrodforcontroversywithsupremeconfidenceinhistalent-I
definitelyseesomesimilaritiesbetweenhimandJay-Z.IhavetoadmitthatIdont
buyrapmusicthewayIusedtoanymore.Thereareonlyahandfulofrapartists
whosealbumsIwillactuallypurchase.Dontgetmewrong;therearesomegood
MCsinthegame.WhenIwasyoungerIusedtobuyeverything,butnowadaysIm
muchmoreselective.IbuyKanyeWestsalbumsandlookedforwardtopurchasing
hishighlyanticipatedalbum,MyBeautiful,Dark,TwistedFantasywhenitwas
releasedinlate2010.
Jay-ZisfeaturedontwosongsfromWestsalbum,MonsterandSo
Appalled.HegivesasolidshowingonMonster,buthislyricalperformanceonSo
Appalledwasprofound.IheardaboutSoAppalledbeforeIactuallyheardit.
TherewaschatterintheHip-HopcommunityoverlinesfromJay-Zsversethat
manysawasadissto90sPop/RapsuperstarMCHammer.
Wordonthestreet(andontheInternet)wasthatJayridiculedHammerfor
hisinfamousfinancialproblemsthatculminatedinbankruptcyfilinginthemid90s.
Hammer,whosecareerflamedoutrightaroundthetimethathefiledbankruptcy,
apparentlyfeltlikeJaydissedhimandabeefbetweenthetwoensued.20yearsafter
UCantTouchThis,Hammercameoutwithasonginlate2010dissingJay.Jay
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thoughtthewholethingwasabigmisunderstanding...andfunny.SodidI.
Whatissoironicisthatwhilefansandthemediafocusedonafewlinesin
referencetoHammer,whichIbelievewasntreallyadissandseemedtobe
accurate,theycompletelymissedtheinsightJaygaveusallonhisverse.Frankly,the
ideaofHammergoingupagainstJay-Zisajokeanddoesntinterestmeatall.Im
muchmoreinterestedinwhatJayhadtosayonSoAppalledthatmighthave
relevancetomylife.
Thelyricsthatarefeaturedinthispiecearejustbeforethecontroversial
linesinreferencetoHammersfinancialtroublesinthe90s.JaysDarkKnight
(Batmanfilmreleasedin2008)referenceisbrilliant.Successisreallyatrickything.
Everybodywantstobesuccessfulandwelcomethepraiseandaccoladesthatcome
withsuccessbuttheresadarkersidetoaccomplishment.
IlikewhenJaysays,DarkKnightfeeling:DieandBeaHero.Orlivelong
enoughtoseeyourselfbecomeavillain.Thelineisnotreallyaboutactuallydying.
Peoplemayshowyoulovewhenyouresuccessful(beahero)butthemore
successfulyoubecome,themoresomewillhate(youbecomeavillain).Peoplelove
theunderdogteamthatbecomesachampionbuthatewhenthechampionshipteam
becomesadynasty.Youcanbesuccessfulandreceiveadorationfromothersbutthe
momentyougettoobigyourelikelytofacejealousyandresentment.
Jaystatesthathewentfrombeingthefavoritetobeingthemosthated.
WhenJaywasanup-and-comingrapartistwhograbbedtheearofthestreetswith
hisdebutalbumReasonableDoubtandwentontoreleasesuccessfulalbums
subsequently-hebecameafanfavorite.Hecertainlybecamemine.
Jayscareerhasskyrocketedwithinthelast7yearsorsowhenmostMCs
fromhisera(mid-late90s)haveeitherdeclinedordisappeared.Thoughhesstill
lovedbymany,nowadays,hesapolarizingfigureinHip-Hopwhoisashatedasheisloved.Butthelove/hatedynamichasnthinderedhisgrind;infact,itsonlymade
hiscareerstrongerprimarilybecausehesbeenabletoputthingsinproper
perspective.
Wouldyouratherbeunderpaidoroverrated?
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OneoftheconstantcriticismstowardJay-Zisthathesoverratedasanartist.
Youwouldbeaskingthewrongpersonifyouwanttoknowmyopinion.Imbias.
Jaysmyfavoriteartist.Icanstillbeobjectivewhenitcomestohisartistry,hehas
flaws,butIactuallydontthinkhegetsenoughdueforlyricalgenius.Butanyway,
theunderpaid/overratedrhetoricalquestionthatJayaskshislistenersinSo
Appalledmakesacriticalpoint.Itsmoreimportanttoknowyourtruevalueand
receivewhatyoureworththantogetcaughtupinreceivingrecognitionorhowthat
recognitionisperceived.Checkoutthisline:
Moralvictoriesisforminorleaguecoaches.AndYealreadytoldyouWe
Major[titleofasongbyKanyeWest],youcockroaches!
Thisisnotonlyacleverlinebutalsoanenlighteningone.Idontknowabout
you,butImnotintomoralvictories,Iwanttowin.Itsnotgoodenoughtojustbe
competitive,atsomepointyouhavetobeabletotakeittothenextlevel.AsHerman
Edwards,theformerNewYorkJetscoachoncefamouslysaid,Youplaytowinthe
game.Thisisaresults-drivensociety.IthinkJayistellingusthatinlifeyou
competeinordertowin,togetresultsandtocreatechange.Getoutoftheminor
leagues!Stepupyourgamesothatyoucancompeteandplaytowininthemajors.
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FollowtheFootprintsofSuccess
Iwalkleavingfourfootprints:
MyhoodsenseMybooksmarts
Myfaithoftheunknown
Andagoodheart
DontYouKnow
Jay-Zhasgivenushisblueprintforsuccessinlyricsfromsongsthroughout
hiscatalog.ButIthinktheselyricsfromDontYouKnowsumsupwellthe
compilationofqualitiesthatJayhaseffectivelyusedtoovercomestruggleand
succeedinhislife.Rarelyisthereoneabsolutewaytosucceed.Youcantrely
completelyonaspecificstrengthtoaccomplisheverythingyouwantinlife.Noone
isperfect;weallhaveflaws.Therefore,youneedasetofstrengthsthatlloutweigh
yoursetofweaknesses.OnDontYouKnowJayrevealswhatqualitieshas
propelledhimtosuccess:
Myhoodsense
Jaysstreetsmartshelpedmakehimsuccessfulinthestreetsasahustlerbut
hisexperiencesinthedruggamehasalsoproventobeusefulinhishustleinthe
musicgameandinthelegitimatebusinessworld.Ididntgrowupinthehood,but
letsjustsaythatIhavegonethroughexperiencesthatIcouldveavoidedbut
actuallyendedupembracing(atleastafterthefact)becausetheyhelpedmegrow
upandgavemethechopsIneededtobeabletohandleverychallenging
adversitiesthathaveariseninmylife.
Imnotsayingthatyouhavetogooutandselldopeorengageinotherillegal
activitiesinordertobesuccessfullegitimately.Havingahoodsenseisnotsimply
aboutbeingfromthestreets.Thetruthistherearealotofpeoplefromthehood
withverylittlestreetsmartsatall.Youcansurviveasituationoryoucanthriveina
situation.Someonewithstreetsmartsisreallyapersonwhocanadapttodifferent
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situationsandhustleatahighleveloutsideofhisorhercomfortzone.
Mybooksmarts
IfyouvereadJay-Zsmemoir,Decoded,seenhisinterviews,followedhis
businessmovesorlistenedtohismusic,thenyouhavetoacknowledgethathesa
smartguyandhisintellectgoeswaybeyondwhathelearnedonthestreets.For
thoseofyouwholivethestreetlifeandthatsvirtuallyallyouknow-payclose
attentionrightnow.Yourstreetsmartsareavaluableassetbutalackofbook
smartsisacostlyliability.
Tothoseofyouwhohavedegreeshanginguponthewall:havingbook
smartsisnotjustaboutbeingcollegeeducated.Istronglyencouragegettinga
highereducation(Impursingacollegedegreeatthetimeofthiswriting-atage34)
buthavinganinsatiablehungerforknowledgeisthefoundationofbooksmarts.
Whenyouhavebooksmartsyourbreadthofknowledgeisgreaterthanthe
averagepersonandgivesyouanadvantageinacompetitivesociety.YearsbeforeI
pursuedmycollegedegree,IsoughtknowledgebeyondwhatIwouldnormally
observeandexperienceinmyday-to-daylife.Someonewhoisbooksmartisnotjust
seekingknowledgetoboosthisgradepointaverage.Ifyourebooksmartyouhavea
greatbreadthofknowledgethatyoucanutilizetoaccomplishabroadsetofgoals.
Myfaithoftheunknown
Jay-Zsfaithoftheunknowngavehimtheconfidenceandstrengthto
believeinhimselfevenwhenhiscircumstancesweregloomyandthosearoundhim
haddoubts.Ithinkhavingfaithoftheunknownrequiresaspiritualconnectionwith
adivineforcehigherandstrongerthanself.Thisdoesntmeanthatyouhavetobe
religiousintheconventionalsense-Ijustthinkyouhavetotapintothepowerof
destinyandutilizetherightmindsetandtaketherightactionstofulfillyourlifes
purpose.Havingfaithoftheunknownisparamountwhenyourecaughtupinthe
struggle.Beforeyourmindcanthinkupasolutionandbeforeyoucantakeactionto
makethatsolutionasuccessfulreality,youhavetohavefaiththatthereisindeeda
solutiontoyourlifesproblem.Basically,youhavetohavefaithasyougothrough
struggleinordertohavesuccessatsomepointinyourlife.Jaytellsusthatdespite
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GETTHEBOOK!!
http://IWillNotLoseBook.com/shoppingcartjayzbook.html