Takeover Lyrics

[Chorus]
R-O-C, we runnin' this rap shit
B. Sigel, we runnin' this rap shit
M Easy, we runnin' this rap shit
Get zipped up in plastic, when it happens, that's it
O and Sparks, we runnin' this rap shit
Freeway, we runnin' this rap shit
Chris and Neef, we runnin' this rap shit

(Watch out, we run New York)

[Verse 3]
I know you miss it, Nas, the (Fame)
But along with celebrity comes 'bout seventy shots to your frame
Nigga, you a (Lame)
You's the fag model for Karl Kani, Esco ads

Went from Nasty Nas to Esco's trash
Had a spark when you started, but now, you're just garbage
Fell from top ten to not mentioned at all

To your bodyguard's "Oochie Wally" verse better than yours (Oochie wally wally, oochie wally wally)
Matter of fact, you had the worst flow on the whole fuckin' song

But I know, the sun don't shine if son don't shine
That's why your (Lame), career's come to an end
It's only so long fake thugs can pretend

Nigga, you ain't live it, you witnessed it from your folks' pad (Yup)
You scribbled it in your notepad and created your life

I showed you your first TEC on tour with Large Professor (Me, that's who)
Then I heard your album 'bout your TEC on the dresser
So yeah, I sampled your voice, you was using it wrong (I'm out for dead fuckin' presidents to represent me)
You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song (Woo)
And you ain't get a coin, nigga, you was gettin' fucked then
I know who I paid, God, Serchlite Publishing

Use your (Brain)
You said you've been in this ten, I've been in it five, smarten up, Nas

Four albums in ten years, nigga? I could divide
That's one every, let's say two, two of them shits was doo
One was nah, the other was Illmatic
That's a one hot album every ten year average
And that's so (Lame)

Nigga, switch up your flow, your shit is garbage
What, you tryna kick knowledge? (Fuck outta here)
Y'all niggas gon' learn to respect the king
Don't be the next contestant on that Summer Jam screen
Because you-know-who (Who)
Did you-know-what (What?), with you-know-who (Yeah)
But just keep that between me and you for now

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About

Genius Annotation

Jay Z’s diss song aimed at Mobb Deep and Nas. The song is better remembered for its Nas diss as it catalyzed the long-running and epic Jay-Z/Nas beef.

The first 2 verses were debuted live at NYC radio station Hot 97’s Summer Jam concert, complete with a childhood picture of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy in 80’s MJ-inspired dance gear.

The brilliant beat is sampled from “5 to 1” by The Doors, and KRS-One’s “Sound of Da Police.” “Takeover” was the first song Young Guru ever mixed for Jay-Z, beginning a long and fruitful relationship.

Q&A

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

What did JAY-Z say about "Takeover"?
Genius Answer

“For me it was like a sport. ‘Takeover’ was like a sport,” Jay-Z said during an interview with Angie Martinez at the time of the record’s release.

I respected dude lyrically. I feel like I’m on top of my game. I don’t feel you can compare his career to my career, but that’s just my opinion. It just pushes everybody to sharpen their skills. That’s what rap is about. It’s a competitive sport.

What was Jay saying about diss tracks prior to the track's release?
Genius Answer

In an interview with MTV in May 2001, Hov spoke on the other rappers taking shots at him, alluding to the creation of “Takeover” during his recent seven-tracks in one-day recording session:

When you on top of the game, or on top of your game, everyone is frustrated, everyone wants to be in your position. It’s ambition. That’s what rap is built on. What it does to me, it makes the competitive spirit come out. Like, ‘Yeah, lets do it.’ It just gives me fire.

Whose beat Kanye produced first: JAY-Z’s “Takeover” or J Dilla‘s “We F‘ed Up”?
Genius Answer

Kanye wrote about J Dilla‘s “We F’ed Up”:

I made this beat in 2001, of course right after “Takeover”… We were havin’ problems clearing The Doors sample so I made this version originally 4 Big Bro Hov.

In April 2008 Dilla’s unreleased album Pay Jay was leaked (originally it was intended for release in 2002 through MCA Records). There was a song, in which Kanye West used the same The Doors’ sample as in “Takover.”

“Never heard this song till now,” wrote Kanye.

Credits
Produced By
Written By
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Recording Engineer
Publisher
Mixing Engineer
Additional Vocals
Recorded At
Baseline Studios
Release Date
September 11, 2001
Takeover Live Performances
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