A reference to the famous Nas single “If I Ruled the World” featuring Lauryn Hill released only a month before Beats, Rhymes and Life. Consequence makes an awkward yet respectable attempt to sing this line like Lauryn Hill did.

The Nas record along with its hook was itself a reference to an older Kurtis Blow jam “If I Ruled the World” released in 1985 on the Krush Groove soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeGnWyL3_2M

Interstate 95 – The main freeway running up and down the east coast.

A lot of the focus in the rap game is either north of him (New York) or south of him (Atlanta, Miami). Being in D.C. he is geographically in the middle of these places.

This is from a speech Ronald Reagan gave on November 18, 1982 in Homestead, Florida. The intro seems to be a middle finger of sorts from Mobb Deep.

A bonus track from Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city” album, found on the deluxe edition. This collaboration mixes a “new” up-and-coming artist with a well-established one (to say the least of Mary J. Blige) for a powerful duo. This upbeat tune describes Kendrick’s life as he is gaining fame, recognition, and money. These could all be speculated as topics for his next studio album, slotted for release later this year.

The Rap Genius annotation for the song can be found by clicking here.

Possible message from Dilla:
After he has passed, don’t mourn his death. Celebrate his contributions to Detroit, hip-hop, music, and the world. This album especially – Jay Dee’s final masterpiece (he was probably aware it was so as he was making it).
Rest in peace James Dewitt Yancey.

This is a reference to Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio:

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death"

Working with an independent label like the one CJ is signed to (Cinematic Music Group) is great. You can make the music you want and you’re not selling out… but it also has its draw backs. One of those is that they will put a relatively small budget on your various projects (mixtapes, albums etc) as they have less money than the major labels. Being an important up and coming artist in the game right now, CJ still doesn’t have the monetary funds he would like to have to make his music.

Another way this line could be looked at is how CJ has a “budget” with his personal money, and he’s saying he isn’t proud of what it is. If you’re coming out of high school in Brooklyn while trying to make a rapping career for yourself you’re probably not gonna be stacked with cash.