Tekster: Jay-Z. American Gangster. No Hook.

Poor me, dad was gone, finally got my dad back
Never that he wouldn't live long, they snatched my dad back
Guidance I never had that, streets was my second home
Welcomed me with open arms, provided a place to crash at

A place to study math at, matter fact I learned it all
Burnt it all, this music is where I bury the ashes at
Flashback not having much, not having that
Had to get some hollerest, you can holla back at

Holla that my Jewish lawyer
Do enjoy the fruit of within my cash stack
Just in case a nigga got to use his rat-ta-ta-ta-tat

Own boss own yawt, masters, slave
The mentality I carry with me to this very day
Fuck rich let's get wealthy who else gon' feed we?
If I need it I'ma get it however God help me

And I don't need no hook for this shit

I'm so for sure is known for shi
Stay out of trouble, momma said as momma sighs
Her fear her youngest son being victim of homicide
But I got to get you out of here momma or I'ma die

Inside and either way you lose me momma
So let loose of me
I got the rain our direction'll soon change
To live and die in NY in the hustle game

Hustle cane, hustle clothes, or hustle music
But hustle hard in any hustle that you pick
Skinny nigga toothpick but, but I do lift
Weight like I'm using 'roids Rolls Royce

Keep my movements smooth while maneuvering
Through all the manurers in the sewers that I grew up in
Choices we make trying to escape

And I don't need no hook for this shit

This is not for commercial usage
Please don't categorize, this is music
Please don't compare me to other rappers
Compare me to trappers

I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris
And Luda's my dude, I ain't trying to diss
Like Frank Lucas is cool but I ain't trying to snitch
I'ma follow the rules no matter how much time I'ma get

I'ma live and die with the decisions that I'ma pick
So fuck the haven for cave in, that's why we don't speak
Made men ain't supposed to make statements
End of the story I followed the code cracked the safe

Other niggas ain't in the game so they practice hate
Leave that boy Hov alone, why don't ya?
You don't have to if you don't want to
But don't say I didn't warn ya, oh

And I don't need no hook for this shit