Do U Wanna Ride Lyrics

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About

Genius Annotation

“Do U Wanna Ride” is dedicated to Jay-Z’s close friend Emory “Vegas” Jones. Jay wrote the song while Emory was away in prison to express his thoughts and feelings on his situation; and offer up all of the things that were waiting for him on the outside.

Q&A

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

How did Emory respond to the track?
Genius Answer

During an interview with Power 105.1’s “The Breakfast Club” in February 2017, Emory talked about the track for the first time ever:

When Jay did [Do U Wanna Ride] I was locked up in Kentucky. First thing I told him was ‘We don’t need no song to solidify who we are.’ He was like ‘Nah, I wanna do this.’ But I had to make him understand from the jump that no song was going to solidify who we are. We know who we are for each other.

He gave it to me over the [phone]. That’s him for you, he just pops up out the blue sky and wanna start rapping for you. He gave it to me and I was like ‘Fuck.’ He wanted to show how much he appreciated me and I appreciate him. I was like, you know what, that’s his craft, let him do what he do.

So when I finally got to Otisville it was funny, ‘cause you know how when you be in and everybody don’t know who you are when you walk through the door. Me, I never used to get haircuts or nothing, 'cause people used to judge you by your look. So I never used to do that type of stuff. But when I first walked on the camp you could tell allmy so-called brothers were looking at me like 'He fucked up!’ They already judging you. But then by the time word got around [that he was Jay-Z’s best friend] they come back and I’d laugh because I’m like ‘You know you showed your true colors already, right?’

I was there when I heard the song. I was at a camp dinner, which was real loose and comfortable. The guards used to always try to be friendly. I was like ‘Hold up, this ain’t a good look.’ Even though not all guards are bad people, they just got a job. One day a guard pulled me into the office and played the song for me off a mixtape. I was like ‘Wow.’ That got me through that last two years, I was like ‘I’m good now! I can ride this out!’ [laughs] That’s the beautiful thing of the music. Jay’s music got me through, and I think that’s why I’m still [here].

It makes it better for me [hearing the song] ‘cause I know it, not just understand it. I think now people are only just catching up to things he said years ago. You really can’t fathom that this is all real. That’s the world we living in, with so much alternative facts. You really don’t believe that this is real.

What did Emory have to say upon his release from prison?
Genius Answer

After his Big Homie helped facilitate his early release in September 2010, Emory offered some wise words to those following on his earlier path:

The last 10 years of my life have been a turbulent roller coaster ride of ups and downs. But through it all, I’ve managed to stand strong, and not let myself drown in this cesspool of despair that we call: “THE BELLY OF THE BEAST”. My body is fettered, but my mind, heart and soul run free. I’ve come to grips with myself, and have made a conscience decision to deal with the hand that I was dealt, because I have no one to blame but myself. I will not impugn or malevolently criticize the powers that be for my demise, nor will I deem my incarceration as some sort of “Badge of Honor,” in light of keeping it real. However, what I will do is make an O.G. call out there to the young brothers lifestyle, and tell you all “to put the guns and drugs down, educate yourselves, and get on a righteous path.” Because whether you know it or not, this may be the beginning to your end.

Credits
Featuring
Produced By
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Synthesizer
Recording Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Assistant Engineer
Additional Instrumentation
Recorded At
Sony Music Studios (New York City)
Release Date
November 21, 2006
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