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Bar Breakdown: Dynasty Intro by JAY-Z
Likes & Rts appreciated
Likes & Rts appreciated
The song serves as an introduction to The Dynasty album, which is a compilation with all the Roc-a-fella artists. For a duration of almost 3 minutes, JAY-Z spits a continuous verse with no hook
On the song, JAY-Z talks about how, even at the top, he still feels paranoid of everybody around him and has to watch out constantly. He had to develop this attitude early on in his life to survive in the hood as a drug dealer, and it has followed him ever since.
The Sopranos is a TV show that has an opening theme song (entitled 'Woke Up This Morning') that starts with the line "woke up this morning, got myself a gun." He’s saying that that song embodies his mentality.
Also a reference to Stevie Wonder's album 'Songs In The Key of Life'
Also a reference to Stevie Wonder's album 'Songs In The Key of Life'
Jay namedrops Stevie Wonder after mentioning SITKOL, continuing the scheme.
He plays on the homophones beads, which Stevie Wonder has on his braids, & beeds which is a slang term for nappy hair, which Jay has under his durag. (1/2)
He plays on the homophones beads, which Stevie Wonder has on his braids, & beeds which is a slang term for nappy hair, which Jay has under his durag. (1/2)
He also plays on the fact that Stevie is blind by saying that his intuition guides him even when his vision (artistic or business-wise) is impaired, which could mean that either himself or the people around him are having doubts about it.
That’s how Roc-a-fella was born (2/2)
That’s how Roc-a-fella was born (2/2)
Ennis is Bill Cosby's son who was killed on a highway changing a flat tire. Jay uses that event as a metaphor saying that he used to be envious of his status being in poverty but he can now see that even with fame & wealth, he’s not immune to death. He could die in just a second
With these lines, JAY-Z transitions from his present perspective to his younger perspective, telling us exactly how he felt in those times & why he "turned green" every time Ennis was mentioned.
Classic line.
Another classic line. Jay says that he lived by his own moral code, like there was no God to save him. Also, tattoos are considered "haram" or unlawful in Islam & those were the only things he knew about religion.
Biggie had Psalms 27 tattooed on his arm.
Biggie had Psalms 27 tattooed on his arm.
With these lines, Jay is back to his present perspective. He is now rich & famous and no longer has to hustle, which should be like a dawn after such dark times, but he says that "shit is as dark as it’s been" as he still feels paranoid.
Also, note the dawn/don wordplay.
Also, note the dawn/don wordplay.
Due to his constant paranoia & his fear of losing all that he’s acquired, he still moves with biscuits (guns) even though he’s no longer in the streets. That mentality is still instilled in him.
He also does a small food scheme with biscuits/food for thought/dishes
He also does a small food scheme with biscuits/food for thought/dishes
This song is one of Jay's most heartfelt songs & one of his best lyrical performances in my opinion. It perfectly captures the potential trappings of game & Jay's mentality.
He would echo the same sentiment 3 years later on PSA:
He would echo the same sentiment 3 years later on PSA:
Thanks for reading 
