"American Boy" lyrics - JAY-Z

Poor me, dad was gone, finally got my dad back
Never that he wouldn't live long, they snatched my dad back
Guidance I never had that, streets was my second home
Welcomed me with open arms provided a place to crash at
A place to study math at, matter fact I learned it all
Burnt it all this music is where I bury the ashes at
Flash back not having much, not having that
Had to get some hollerest you can holla back at
Holla that my Jewish lawyer do enjoy the fruit of within my cash stack
Just in case a nigga got to use his rat-ta-ta-ta-tat
Own boss own your, masters, slave
The mentality I carry with me to this very day
F**k rich lets get wealthy who else gon' feed we
If I need it imma get it however god help me

(And I don't need no hook for this shit!)

I'm so for sure is known for sha
Stay out of trouble, momma said as momma sighs
Her fear her youngest son being victim of homicide
But I got to get you out of here momma or imma-die
Inside-and either way you lose me momma so let loose of me
I got the rain our direction'll soon change
To live and die in n.y. in the hustle game
Hustle cane, hustle clothes, or hustle music

But hustle hard in any hustle that you pick
Skinny nigga toothpick but, but I do lift
Weight like I'm using roids Rolls Royce
Keep my movements smooth while maneuvering
Through all the manuers in the sewers that I grew up in
Choi-ces we make trying to escape

(And I don't need no hook for this shit!!!)

This is not for commercial usage
Please don't categorize this is music
Please don't compare me to other rappers
Compare me to trappers I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris
And luda's my dude I ain't trying to diss
Like Frank Lucas is cool but I ain't trying to snitch
Imma follow the rules no matter how much time imma get
Imma live and die with the decisions that imma pick
So fuck the haven for cave in, thats why we don't speak
Made men ain't supposed to make statements
End of the story I followed the code cracked the safe
Other niggas ain't in the game so they practice hate
Leave that boy Hov alone why don't ya
You don't have to if you don't want to but don't say I didn't warn ya

Oh (and I don't need no hook for this shit!!!)