Dear God, I wonder can you save me
Illuminati want my mind, soul, and my body

from Jay-Z – D'Evils Lyrics on Rap Genius

Sets up the struggle between God and the dark forces of capitalism that defines Jay-Z’s life and ghetto life in general

The Snoop Dogg sample is taken from his song “Murder Was the Case.

The “Illuminati want my mind, soul, and my body” part of the hook is a Prodigy (from Mobb Deep) sample from his verse in the LL Cool J song “I Shot Ya (Remix)”

It’s from the LL Cool J song, his song Illuminati came out after this song I’m pretty sure.

I see “Illuminati want my mind, soul and my body” as a genius way of showing how fame/fortune can corrupt all three of this elements of a person. Basically, when the chase/competition for money becomes so fierce that it’s the only thing you think about and/or the only thing you think you need, it’s taken your mind. When you start to do ‘dirty deeds’ that go against your belief system just because you need money, it’s taken your soul, and from there it already has control over your body. That would work for this song. As for Prodigy, well, we know his opinions on the subject.

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