Cover art for Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator ’99) by JAY-Z

Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator ’99)

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Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator ’99) Lyrics

[Intro: Jay-Z]
Uh-huh, uh-huh
G-Geah, g-geah
Roc-A-Fella y'all
Uh-huh uh-huh, Jigga
Timbaland shit, nine-eight, biatch!
Say what, say what?
Uh-huh, uh-huh, follow me, biatch!

[Refrain: Amil (Jay-Z)]
Nigga, what?
Nigga, who? (Y'all niggas can't fuck with me)
Nigga, what (Get ready, yo)
Nigga, who?
Spit your flow, get your dough
Can't fuck with this Roc-A-Fella shit, though
Spit your flow, get your dough
Can't fuck with this Roc-A-Fella shit though
(Uh-huh uh-huh, yeah, yeah)

[Verse 1: Jay-Z]
Motherfuckers wanna act loco
Hit 'em with numerous shots with the fo'-fo'

Faggots wanna talk to po-po's, smoke 'em like coco
Fuck rap, coke by the boatload
Fuck that, on the run-by, gun high, one eye closed
Left holes through some guy clothes
Stop your bullshit, Glock with the full clip

Motherfuckers better duck when the fool spit
One shot could make a nigga do a full flip
See the nigga layin' shocked when the fool hit
Oh, hey ma, how you? Know niggas wanna buy you
But see, me? I wanna fuck for free like Akinyele

Take this ride, make you feel it inside your belly
If it's tight, get the K-Y Jelly
All night, get you wide up inside the telly
Side to side 'til you say, "Jay-Z, you're too much for me."

[Chorus: Jay-Z & (Amil)]
(Nigga what?) Make you think you can fuck with me
(Nigga who?) Recognize bitch, Jay to the Z
(Nigga what?) Make you think you can fuck with me
(Nigga who?) Recognize girl, Jay to the Z
(Nigga what?) Make you think you can fuck with me
(Nigga who?) Recognize girl, Jay to the Z
(Nigga what?) Make you think you can fuck with me
(Nigga who?) Recognize bitch, Jay to the motherfuckin' Z

[Verse 3: Jay-Z]
Got a vendetta even though I been better
Left him in the cold with a thin sweater

Rap niggas on Prozac get the bozack
Niggas threw two at me, I threw four back, hold that

Let the dough stack
Way before Biggs had the gold Ac', Dame had the Lex black

Motherfuckers wanna test that, stress that
And right where you're stressed at, where you rest at

I suggest that niggas invest in a vest
When I come through with the Glock, jet-black
You niggas step back

I'm the best at, you know I ain't no apprentice to this
Me and my niggas, we invented the shit
I came into the business with this
The Originator, none greater, Jaz-O, finish this shit!

[Verse 4: Big Jaz (Jay-Z)]
Better learn, Jaz'll relax that, ever heard of me?
Worldwide Originator, say word to me
The population holla, "Certainly"
I burn a nigga like a third degree
See me shine so bright
Nigga, I'm my light, runnin' rulin' with rigor and vigor
Nobody bigger than me and my nigga Jigga
You fly-by-night, stop chirpin' B
Heavyweight's light work for me
For the time in this motherfucker ain't nobody hurtin' me
What, cut your face in like surgery
Who the fuck got a VS
Fuckin' BM's on the road
When you had to be in bed at the PM
Need the info, Jaz on the C-N-N
Forever touchin', my work is beginnin', you’re endin'
Nigga, your style's no style, my style's hostile, c'mon
Faggot nigga, down to take the gun home
The o-ri-gi-na-tor!
(Can't fuck with it, can ya?!)

[Chorus: Jay-Z & (Amil)]
(Nigga what?) Make you think you can fuck with me
(Nigga who?) Recognize bitch, Jay to the Z
(Nigga what?) Make you think you can fuck with me
(Nigga who?) Recognize bitch, Jay to the Z
(Nigga what?) Make you think you can fuck with me
(Nigga who?) Recognize bitch, Jay to the Z
(Nigga what?) Make you think you can fuck with me
(Nigga who?) Recognize bitch, Jay to the motherfuckin' Z

[Refrain: Amil]
Spit your flow, get your dough
Can't fuck with this Roc-A-Fella shit though
Spit your flow, get your dough
Can't fuck with this Roc-A-Fella shit though
Spit your flow, get your dough
Can't fuck with this Roc-A-Fella shit though
Spit your flow, get your dough
Can't fuck with this Roc-A-Fella shit though
Spit your flow, get your dough
Can't fuck with this Roc-A-Fella shit though
Spit your flow, get your dough
Can't fuck with this Roc-A-Fella shit though

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About

Genius Annotation

This track finds Jay-Z linking with his early rap mentor Jaz-O for a sequel to one of their first collaborations; with the hook being delivered by one of Roc-A-Fella Records‘ newest signees Amil. Produced by frequent Hov collaborator Timbaland, the track samples Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Sunshine” and Playa’s “Cheers 2 U.”

The track is commonly known as “Jigga What, Jigga Who (Originator ‘99)” to conform to censorship regulations. Released on March 1, 1999 as the fourth official single from Hov’s third studio album, it peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and #84 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The track had a resurgence in mainstream popularity in 2004, when it was mashed with Linkin Park’s “Faint” on Hov and LP’s 2x Platinum collaboration EP Collision Course.

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Recorded At
Manhattan Center Studios (New York City)
Release Date
March 1, 1999
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