Bittersweet Dirt Off Your Shoulder

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders offLadies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders offNiggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told youGet, that, dirt off your shoulder

Bittersweet Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Jay-Z vs. The Verve Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin greatest
Turn the music up in the headphones
Tim, you can go and brush your shoulder off nigga I got you, yeah

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder


I probably owe it to y'all, proud to be locked by the force
Tryin' to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
Feelin' no remorse, feelin' like my hand was forced
Middle finger to the Lord, nigga grippin' my balls
Stab the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin'
All the ballers is bouncin' they like the way I be leanin'
All the rappers be hatin', off the track that I'm makin'
But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Came from the bottom of bottom, to the top of the pots
Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
I can run it back, nigga, 'cause I'm straight with the Roc

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
Tryin' to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yessir
Keep the heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin'
Now fifty-two bars come out, now you feel 'em
Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin'
With a boss bitch of course S.C. on the sleeve
At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

Your boy back in the building, Brooklyn we back on the map
Me and my beautiful bitch in the back of that 'Bach
I'm the realest that run it, I just happen to rap
I ain't gotta clap at 'em, niggas scared of that black
I drop that "Black Album" then I back, out it
As the best rapper alive nigga ask about me
From Bricks to Billboards, from grams to Grammy's
The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
You gotta pardon Jay, for sellin' out the Garden in a day
I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
Got some, dirt on my shoulder, could you brush it off for me?

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin' greatest

Best rapper alive, best rapper alive


Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jay-Z vs. The Verve's song "Bittersweet Dirt Off Your Shoulder" are an anthem to brushing yourself off and getting back up after facing adversity. Jay-Z's powerful and confident flow exudes that he has been through tough times but has come out on top, feeling proud and accomplished. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with Jay-Z brushing his shoulder off in a symbolic gesture of getting rid of the dirt - which could represent negativity, hard times, or the haters that try to bring him down. The chorus suggests that both men and women should feel empowered to brush their shoulders off, while the second verse speaks to Jay-Z's grit and determination to succeed in his profession by working hard and persevering. The ending verse highlights the singer's success, from the clubs to the billboards, and his ability to sell out Madison Square Garden in just one day. Overall, the lyrics convey a message of strength, resilience, and success in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

You're now tuned into the mu'fuckin greatest
Attention please, I am the greatest


Turn the music up in the headphones
Make the music louder so I can hear it better


Tim, you can go and brush your shoulder off nigga I got you, yeah
It's okay to brush off any problems you have because I'm here for you


If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
If you're feeling confident and successful, brush off any negativity that comes your way


Ladies is pimps too, gon' brush your shoulders off
Women can also be confident and successful, so they should brush off any negativity like men


Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Don't underestimate how unpredictable and dangerous men can be


Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Forget about any problems or negativity and move on


I probably owe it to y'all, proud to be locked by the force
I owe my success to my fans who support me and my hard work


Tryin' to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
I'm hustling to maintain my luxurious lifestyle


Feelin' no remorse, feelin' like my hand was forced
I have no regrets about my actions and feel justified in them


Middle finger to the Lord, nigga grippin' my balls
I don't care about religion and am expressing my defiance


Stab the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin'
Women love me and show their support from the crowds


All the ballers is bouncin' they like the way I be leanin'
Athletes are dancing to my music and enjoying my style


All the rappers be hatin', off the track that I'm makin'
Other rappers are jealous of my success and criticize my music


But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
People who worked hard to succeed appreciate and support success in others


Came from the bottom of bottom, to the top of the pots
I came from a humble background and worked my way up to success


Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
I'm popular and successful globally, but I still represent my roots


Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
I am constantly moving forward and succeeding, despite my humble beginnings


I can run it back, nigga, 'cause I'm straight with the Roc
I can succeed again and again because I am in partnership with Roc-A-Fella Records


Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
I am in control and have power, like a drug dealer in the kitchen


I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
I made quick money and want to use it to buy a fancy car


Tryin' to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yessir
I'm trying to maximize my profits, like a wrestler stretching before a match


Keep the heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
I need to keep a gun close, because drug addicts might try to rob me


But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin'
I am in control and successful, like a skilled card dealer


Now fifty-two bars come out, now you feel 'em
Now that my music is released, listeners can enjoy my lyrics


Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
I'm so successful that I can afford to buy many luxury cars with retractable roofs


In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin'
I am so attractive and successful that women will be interested in me


With a boss bitch of course S.C. on the sleeve
I'm with a powerful and successful woman who is wearing designer clothing


At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
I'm at a popular sports bar watching ESPN


I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
I spent a lot of money on my expensive jeans and clean shoes


No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real
I don't need flashy car accessories to prove my independence and maturity


Your boy back in the building, Brooklyn we back on the map
I am back and representing for Brooklyn


Me and my beautiful bitch in the back of that 'Bach
I am with my attractive partner, riding in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class


I'm the realest that run it, I just happen to rap
I am a genuine and authentic person, who just happens to be a rapper


I ain't gotta clap at 'em, niggas scared of that black
I don't need to use violence, because people recognize my power and respect me


I drop that "Black Album" then I back, out it
I released a popular album, and then I became less involved in the music industry


As the best rapper alive nigga ask about me
I am highly respected and known for being the best rapper of my time


From Bricks to Billboards, from grams to Grammy's
I came from a difficult background and am now successful in the music industry


The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
I went from being broke and having nothing, to having everything and more


You gotta pardon Jay, for sellin' out the Garden in a day
I sold out Madison Square Garden in one day, and it's okay to be impressed


I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
I am like a talented and successful artist like Marvin Gaye was in his prime


I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
I am successful and hardworking, while others are just consumers


Got some, dirt on my shoulder, could you brush it off for me?
I have faced some challenges, and am asking for help in overcoming them


You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You need to forget about any problems or negativity and move on, just like I did


You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You need to brush off any negative experiences and failures, just like I did


You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You need to forget about any problems or negativity and move on, just like I did


You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You need to brush off any negative experiences and failures, just like I did


Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Timothy Mosley, Shawn Carter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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