The Intriguing Story of Jay-Z’s “Kill Jay Z”
Table of Contents
Introduction
Jay-Z has had over two decades of a musical career and is considered one of the most successful hip hop artists of all time. In June 2017, he released a new album entitled “4:44”, the first album he had made in four years. Among the tracks in this album, “Kill Jay Z” stands out. This song has brought fans and critics alike into deep thought to understand what inspired Jay-Z to create the track. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind Jay-Z’s “Kill Jay Z.”
The Inspiration Behind “Kill Jay Z”
Jay-Z has described “Kill Jay Z” as a song about “killing off the ego” and “killing off Jay Z.” The opening lyrics that set the tone for the rest of the track are, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man” – a line that has become one of the most famous to ever come out of a hip-hop record. The lyrics reflect on his past experiences, being involved in criminal activity, living in poverty, and the struggle to rise to the top. But what happened to make him want to “kill Jay Z?”
Personal Struggles that Led to “Kill Jay Z”
Before the release of “4:44,” it was no secret that Jay-Z was going through a personal struggle. Rumors started to circulate that he and his wife, Beyonce, were having trouble in their marriage. Jay-Z confirmed these rumors in an interview with The New York Times in November 2017, discussing many aspects of the relationship and how it all culminated in an incident with one of his associates and the infamous elevator video in 2014.
Jay-Z also touched on his experience falling prey to society’s expectation that as a rapper, you couldn’t be vulnerable or emotional. This was the ego he wanted to kill. Jay-Z was a multimillionaire, he had worked hard to get there, so he should have been happy and fulfilled. But instead, he was struggling with personal demons, and these negative emotions started to impact his daily life and his family.
The Direct References in “Kill Jay Z”
There are some specific references in “Kill Jay Z” that directly reference Jay-Z’s personal struggles and his own experiences. Some of the most notable references include:
1) The line “You almost went Eric Benét. Let the baddest girl in the world get away” is likely a reference to Eric Benét, the R&B singer who was married to Halle Berry and who struggled with addiction and infidelity himself.
2) The line “Prince left his masters where they safe and sound” references fellow musician Prince, who was known for being protective of his masters and fiercely independent. Jay-Z contrasts that with the way many artists today sign away their rights to their music and likenesses to label companies.
3) The line “You egged Solange on, knowing all along, all you had to say was you was wrong,” directly references the 2014 elevator incident where Beyonce’s sister Solange Knowles attacked Jay-Z. This line immediately follows Jay-Z’s admission of regret for cheating on Beyonce.
Conclusion
While “Kill Jay Z” is a deeply personal track from Jay-Z, it highlights an important struggle that many people go through. Jay-Z himself suggested that “killing off Jay Z” was a means to a spiritual end, and instead of focusing on ego and being seen in certain ways, he wanted to focus on becoming a better person and prioritizing his family. By tapping into his personal struggles through his music, he has inspired many people to do the same.
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