We'll have a baby who stutters repeatedly We'll name him history Jay-Z More Quotes by Jay-Z More Quotes From Jay-Z I grew up in Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, and my mom and pop had an extensive record collection, so Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder and all of those sounds and souls of Motown filled the house. Jay-Z mom soul house People really feel like music is free, but will pay $6 for water. You can drink water free out of the tap and it's good water. But they're okay paying for it. It's just the mindset right now. Jay-Z pay water people I smoked some weed, and that's how I finished 'Izzo.' Jay-Z finished weed Cough up a lung where I'm from marcy son, aint nothin nice Jay-Z rap nice son Can I hit it in the morning with out giving you have of my dough? Jay-Z hip-hop morning giving If your dad died before you were born, yeah, it hurts — but it’s not like you had a connection with something that was real. Not to say it’s any better — but to have that connection and then have it ripped away was, like, the worst. My dad was such a good dad that when he left, he left a huge scar. He was my superhero. Jay-Z dad real hurt When people say stuff like, "Oh, that's soft rock. I don't listen to that," I find that elitist. It's music-racist. Jay-Z racist rocks people Electing a black man named Barack Obama President in the same country that elected George W. Bush - twice! - is as far-fetched as a hustler from Marcy performing at that President's inauguration. But it happened. Jay-Z black men country Shakespeare was a man who wrote poetry. I'm a man who writes poetry. Why not compare yourself to the best? Jay-Z why-not writing men I have inherited two of the most important brands in hip-hop, Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella. Reid and Universal Music Group have given me the opportunity to manage the companies I have contributed to my whole career. I feel this is a giant step for me and the entire artist community. Jay-Z careers artist opportunity If you want the old me, go buy my old albums. Jay-Z albums ifs want My brands are an extension of me. They're close to me. It's not like running GM, where there's no emotional attachment. Jay-Z emotional attachment running Little brothers ring fingers get cut up to show mothers they really got em. Jay-Z cutting brother mother I think the consumption of music is at an all-time high. But I think the ways that record companies are trying to monetize it is just all over the place. At the end of the day, music is in the clouds. Before, you could hold it, look at it, turn it around. Now, it's just in the air. Jay-Z air clouds thinking If skills sold truth be told Jay-Z common-sense rap skills I gave you prophecy on my first joint, and y'all lamed out Jay-Z joints appreciate hip-hop For me, the challenge is just making great albums, because talent - and writing in general - is not tangible. There's no expiration date on it. At the same time, you might wake up tomorrow and be unable to write music. Jay-Z albums challenges writing For me, being with Obama or having dinner with Bill Clinton... It's crazy. It's mind-blowing, because where I come from is just another world. We were just ignored by politicians, by America in general. Jay-Z mind-blowing crazy america The reason I've been groundedand able to make albums, is because I've allowed my friends to come with me and voice an opinion. That's who keeps you grounded, the people who have known you longest. Jay-Z albums voice people As sure as this Earth is turnin, souls burnin / In search of higher learnin, turnin in every direction seeking direction / My moms cryin cause her insides are dyin / Her son tryin her patience, keep her heart racin / A million beats a minute, I know I push you to your limit / But it's this game, love—I'm caught up all in it / They make it so you can't prevent it, never give it / You gotta take it, can't fake it, I keep it authentic Jay-Z mom heart son
