Izzo (H.O.V.A.) Lyrics

[Chorus]
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
For shizzle, my nizzle, used to dribble down in VA
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
That's the anthem, getcha damn hands up
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Not guilty, y'all got to feel me
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
That's the anthem, getcha damn hands up (Holla at me)

[Verse 2]
I do this for my culture, to let 'em know
What a nigga look like when a nigga in a roadster

Show 'em how to move in a room full of vultures
Industry shady, it need to be taken over

Label owners hate me, I'm raisin' the status quo up
I'm overcharging niggas for what they did to the Cold Crush

Pay us like you owe us for all the years that you hoed us
We can talk, but money talks, so talk more bucks

[Chorus]
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
For shizzle, my nizzle, used to dribble down in VA
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
That's the anthem, getcha damn hands up
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Not guilty, y'all got to feel me
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
That's the anthem, getcha damn hands up
[Outro]
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A

How to Format Lyrics:

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  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
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About

Genius Annotation

As the first single from his classic The Blueprint album, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” was Hov’s very first top-10 showing on the Billboard “Hot 100” chart.

The first verse deals with the rapper’s early career as a drug dealer, including his escape from conviction; the second verse narrates his struggles with the exploitative recording industry; while in the last verse he reverts to his childhood growing up in the Marcy Houses housing projects.

The track’s lyrics “H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A” use the -izzle language code – invented by E-40 and popularized by Snoop Dogg – to spell out “H.O.V.A.” which refers to one of Jay-Z’s nicknames, “Hova”, which is play on God’s name (as in “Jehovah”, aka “Yahweh” aka “Hashem”)

Kanye talked about making of the track on his 2006 MTV interview:

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

When did Hov premiere this track?
Genius Answer

Jay premiered “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” at the inaugural BET Awards, held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on June 19, 2001. On the set of the single’s music video he told MTV that the reaction from the debut performance ensured it became the first single:

I made it so early, in the beginning of making the album. I was like, ‘I don’t know about “Izzo.”’ I got this other joint right here. That could be the first single.

What was the recording process for "Izzo"?
Genius Answer

In a 2001 interview with XXL magazine Jigga explained how he was struggling to finish off the Kanye West-produced track. He kept revisiting it, not entirely happy with the final cut. Funnily enough, considering the track’s content, the thing that helped Hov complete it was smoking a joint. He explained:

That record was maybe the last one. I was touching it, then I’d leave it alone. That record was, like, a process. I remember… I don’t smoke that much. Well, my man who sold weed and shit came, and he said, ‘Man, you need—man, just smoke some weed.’ I smoked some weed, and that’s how I finished ‘Izzo.’

Has this track been a part of any great hip hop moments in history?
Genius Answer

After performing the Jackson 5–sampling “Izzo” at the end of his Hot 97 “Summer Jam” set in June 2001, Hov announced a surprise guest. What happened next is known as one of the greatest moments in hip hop history.

“I know Michael Jackson better come from behind that motherfuckin’ curtain,” Jay said to the doubtful crowd, who waited in bated anticipation for the King of Pop to emerge. “You want me to go back and get him myself?” Jay asked. “Okay, I’mma go get him!”

Moments later the two walked out on stage and posed for photos together. In one of the pictures, Michael struck a b-boy stance with his arms folded. Jackson’s only words to the crowd were “I love you all!” before he exited the stage.

What did JAY-Z say about "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)"?
What has producer Kanye West said about the track?
Is there a music video for this track?
What did recording engineer Young Guru have to say about "Izzo"?
What is the legal history behind this track?
Who else was working on this beat?
How did this song perform on the charts?
Credits
Produced By
Uncredited Vocals
Mixing Engineer
Recording Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Mastered At
Recorded At
Baseline Studios, New York, NY
Release Date
August 21, 2001
Izzo (H.O.V.A.) Live Performances
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