[Produced by Clark Kent]
[Hook: Jay-Z]
Gotta reach the top (You gotta persevere)
Can't wait another year
I gotta reach the top (Ayo Jay your time is near)
f** that my time is here Yeah!!!
[Verse 1: Jay-Z]
I came up far so brothers can know my name
I paid so many dues now I'm looking for change
Too many years wasted
Too many years on the set seeing the flavors but I never did taste it
I gotta reach the top before I'm done with it
So much hard work now its time to have some with it
I got my eyes on the number 1 n***a
Watch your spot on the charts, here I come n***a
You hear the foot steps, you hear the sound
The only way I got to go is up the only way you got to go is down
Now relax on your laurels I ain't faking Jackson's
With your $8.99 plus tax spent on my wax
Your Freud, paranoid
Brothers afraid to be unemployed because Jay-Zs ready to play with the big boys
I gots to get it till then I won't stop
Too many years rock bottom I gotta reach the top
[Hook]
[Verse 2: Jay-Z]
I gots to give them lots of rhythm
When all hell breaks loose I'm performing exorcisms
Lurking in the shadows
Ready to put work in
A hurtin on competitions is curtains
I scheme like a coke fiend
Keep brothers awake like codeine
Cuz when you sleep I dream
Deep right?
Brothers better sleep light
Cuz I keep sight on number 1, so go head sleep tight
I put them out conspire like I won the house
Things are looking up so brothers better be looking out
I'm closing the gap like Hidy
My sh**s selling more than Shea Whitey
I'm coming for your spot n***a
Ain't nothing calm about the things on my mind
sh** I leave it sunny cuz I won every time
You had your time now its my turn to rock
And let my cream rise
[Hook]
[Verse 3: Jay-Z]
I just won't stop there
I gotta maintain the status quo of being the baddest bro
The world is watching
Girls clocking my rhyming
I cracked the oyster took the pearl but can I keep it shining?
Too much pa**es the flame
Too much knowledge to ascertain
I made a mark but can I leave a lasting name?
Well put this in your pipe and smoke it
As long as I'm breathing I keep the world open
I skip to the Lou so don't sip the soup
Those your guys? Damn I gotta rip your crew
My format is all that so skip the small chat
If your all that then reach for the stars n***a!
I recycle them bars hot like stolen cars
? please if anything brothers is holding off
I got to have it till then I won't stop
Soo many years rock bottom I gotta reach
[Hook]