I Will Not Lose! The blueprint for greatness when good is not enough. (Excerpt)

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Transcript of I Will Not Lose! The blueprint for greatness when good is not enough. (Excerpt)

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    I Will Not Lose!

    Theblueprintforgreatnesswhengoodisnotenough.

    *InspiredbythesonglyricsofJay-Z

    2010byDuaneL.Lawton

    Book Excerpt:Intro

    Pgs. 24-25, 57-59, 126-27, 210-11, 294-296, 305-307

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    For

    Wife. Mother. Child.

    Shayla Ann Jalen

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    TableofContents

    Blueprint for Greatness

    Intro....................................................................................................................... 9

    GetYourMindRight .................................................................................13

    IntheTrenchesoftheHustle............................................................................44

    JumpingOverLifesHurdles............................................................................128

    FacingFailure .................................................................................................. 179

    TheSweetSmellofSuccess .............................................................................215

    TheGametoMaintain ...................................................................................... 244

    ReachingtheNextLevel................................................................................... 278

    Outro................................................................................................................. 334

    About the Author.............................................................................................339

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    SongList

    Song List

    4 Da Fam......................................................................................................281-82

    A Dream.....................................................................................................299-300

    A Week Ago .....................................................................................28-34, 137-39

    All I Need ........................................................................................122-23, 279-80

    Allure ..........................................................................................................143-44

    Already Home .................................................................................84-85, 261-62

    American Dreamin .........................................................................55-59, 149-50Anything....................................................................................................147-148

    Beach Chair.................................................................................................311-12

    Best of Both Worlds...................................................................................301-04

    Bitches and Sisters....................................................................................115-17

    Black Republican .........................................................................................86-87

    Blueprint (Momma Loves Me) ...................................................................287-88

    Bonnie and Clyde 03 ................................................................................120-21

    Brooklyn Finest ..............................................................................................212

    Can I Live................................................................. 35-37, 68-69, 249-50, 283-84

    Cant Knock the Hustle ..............................................................................247-48

    Come and Get Me ..........................................................................157-58, 165-66

    Coming of Age.................................................................................72-75, 271-72

    Coming of Age (Da Sequel) .......................................................................90-108

    Dead Presidents I .......................................................................................180-81

    Dead Presidents II ...........................................................................40-41, 255-56

    December 4th..............................................................................................184-86

    DEvils .................................................................................. 26-27, 60-61, 155-56

    Diamonds from Sierra Leone (remix) ..........................................204-09, 234-36

    Dirt Off Your Shoulder ...............................................................................219-21

    D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune).........................................................................45-46

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    Do It Again ..................................................................................................232-33

    Dont You Know..........................................................................................305-10

    Encore ................................................................................................226-27

    Feelin It ..........................................................................................269-70, 285-86

    Free Mason..................................................................................................163-64

    Freestyle (DJ Clue) ....................................................................................173-74

    Gangsta Shit ................................................................................................88-89

    Go Crazy (remix) ........................................................................................216-18

    Guess Whos Back .....................................................................................222-23

    Guns and Roses............................................................................111-12, 230-31

    Hard Knock Life.................................................................................49-50, 76-77

    Heart of the City (Aint No Love) ...............................................................297-98

    Hey Papi ......................................................................................................313-14

    Hovi Baby ...................................................................................................321-22

    I Did It My Way ............................................................................................228-29

    Imaginary Player ........................................................................................253-54

    Intro (from Dynasty album)........................................................................129-31

    Its Like That................................................................................................159-60

    Its On ..........................................................................................................259-60

    Izzo (H.O.V.A.) ..................................................................................51-52, 171-72Justify My Thug..........................................................................................197-99

    Kingdom Come...........................................................................................328-29

    Light It Up....................................................................................................169-70

    Lost One.........................................................................................140-42, 315-16

    Lucky Me .....................................................................................................151-52

    Moment of Clarity ..........................................................................273-74, 291-93

    Money Aint a Thang ..................................................................................240-41

    Most Kings..................................................................................................134-36

    Mr. Carter.....................................................................................................323-25

    My 1st Song ..................................................................................113-14, 275-77

    Never Change .................................................................. 82-83, 187-188, 251-52

    Never Let You Down ..........................................................................245-46

    No Hook............................................................................................22-23, 124-25

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    NYMP ................................................................................... 18-19, 66-67, 192-93

    Off That .........................................................................................................53-54

    Oh My God .................................................................................................167-68

    On to the Next One........................................................................242-43, 326-27

    Operation Corporate Takeover .................................................................331-33

    Paper Chase..................................................................................................70-71

    People Talkin .............................................................................................319-20

    Power (remix) .............................................................................................175-76

    Public Service Announcement (Interlude) ....................................20-21, 317-18

    Regrets ..........................................................................................153-54, 202-03

    Rhyme No More ...........................................................................................80-81

    Say Hello ........................................................................................109-10, 190-91

    So Ambitious ................................................................................................38-39

    So Appalled.................................................................................................294-96

    Some How, Some Way...............................................................................212-14

    Soon Youll Understand.............................................................................145-46

    Song Cry......................................................................................................118-19

    Squeeze 1st.................................................................................................194-96

    Stick 2 the Script ........................................................................................161-62

    Streets is Talking............................................................. 47-48, 132-133, 263-66Streets Is Watching.........................................................................64-65, 200-01

    Sweet ..............................................................................................182-83, 289-90

    Things That U Do........................................................................................177-78

    This Life Forever ............................................................................16-17, 210-11

    U Dont Know....................................................................... 24-25, 62-63, 126-27

    Watch Me ................................................................................................224-25

    Watcher 2 ......................................................................................................42-43

    What More Can I Say .................................................................................267-68

    What We Talkin About....................................................................14-15, 257-58

    Where Im From ...........................................................................................78-79

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    WhenitseemslikeImbraggingorthreateningorwhatever,whatImactually

    tryingtodoistoembodyacertainspirit,givevoicetoacertainemotion.Imgivingthe

    listenerawaytoarticulatethatemotionintheirownlives,howeveritapplies.

    FromDecoded

    Jay-Z

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    Intro

    Dontbefooled

    Mygameismental!CanILive

    IstillrememberafriendsreactionbackinJune2010whenItoldhimIwas

    publishingablogtitled,TheBookofHov,abouthowthelyricsofJay-Zare

    inspirational:

    IthoughtJaywasjustabout[money,cash,andhoes]!

    Ilaughedathisresponse(referringtooneofJayshitsongsfromthelate

    90s)becauseitsonethatstypicalofmostpeoplewhenitcomestoJay-Z.While

    manymayseeJaysstoryasinspirational,hislyricswell,notsomuch.Ivebeena

    bigfanofJayfromthebeginningofhiscareer.IthinkhesoneofHip-Hopgreatest

    MCs.ButIalsotrulybelievethathehasdeliveredsomeofthemostinsightfullyrics

    everperformedthroughmusic.

    Yeah,Isaidit.

    ItstruethatJayhasrecordedmanysongsthatarepurelyentertainmentand

    somemayfindcertainsongslikeBigPimpinasoffensive.Butthisbookisnot

    aboutBigPimpin.Jayhasconceived(hedoesntactuallywritelyrics)many

    profoundlyricsinsongsthatareoftenoverlookedandmanyofthesegemsarein

    someoftheradio-friendlypophitsthatweresuccessfulonthechartsthroughout

    his15-yearcareer.

    Canyoubeinspiredbythesonglyricsofanex-crackdealerturnedmusic

    mogul/businesstycoon?

    Jay-Z,likemanyrappers,iscriticizedforthearrogance,vulgarityandthe

    emphasisonmaterialisminhislyrics.RapperslikeJay-Zfaceafirestormofcriticism

    overthecontentoftheirlyrics.AsignificantamountofJayslyricsreflecthis

    experiencesasadrugdealerwhenhewasinhisteensthroughhisearly20s.Howin

    theworldcouldthatkindoflyricalcontentbeinspirational?Well,becauseatits

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    coreJayslyricsareaboutambition.Weallwanttobeabletoovercomestruggleand

    becomesuccessful,right?Whetheryoulovehim,hatehimorareindifferent,its

    hardtodisputethatJay-ZslifesstoryistheepitomeoftheAmericanDream;Hip-

    Hopstyle.

    AllowmetotalkaboutwhyIwrotethisbookandelaboratemoreonhow

    inspirationcanindeedbefoundinthelyricsofJay-Z:

    Over3yearsago,Iwroteamanuscript,aself-helpbookinspiredbyJay-Zs

    lyrics.IshoppedthebookaroundalittlebutIwasreallyintentonself-publishing

    thebook.Itdidnthappen.Themanuscriptbasicallysatonmycomputerhard

    driveforyears.TheninJune2010,Idecidedtostartablog,TheBookofHov

    largelyduetotheencouragementofCedricMuhammad,abusinessconsultantand

    authorwhomanagedWu-TangClanwhentherapsupergroupwasatitspeak.The

    purposeoftheblogistorevealtheinspirationfoundinJayslyrics.

    ThegreatfeedbackIreceivedfromtheblogmotivatedmetodustoffthe3-

    yearmanuscriptsittingonmyharddrive.Icompletelyrewrotethemanuscriptand

    addedsomeofthepostingsfromTheBookofHov.Theendresultisthebookthat

    yourereadingrightnow.

    WithTheBookofHov,ImnottryingtogetreaderstothinklikeJayor

    acceptandadoptmyinterpretationofhislyrics.Imsimplytryingtomotivate

    listenersofHip-Hop(andmusicingeneral)todevelopatrainedearandlistento

    lyricswithagreaterintentonfindinginsightandinspiration.Mygreatestsourceof

    inspirationisinconversation.

    LetmeexplainwhatImeanbyfindinginspirationinconversation.WhenI

    listentoJay(orotherMCs)itslikeImhavingaconversationwithhim.True,itsa

    one-wayconversation,butIlookatitasifhislyricsarethepointintheconversation

    whenhestalkingandImlistening.Peopleenjoytalkingaboutthemselves,dontthey?Thinkofthe

    conversationsyouhavehadwithafriend,arelative,acolleague,aneighbor,etc.

    Whenyourfriendistalkingtoyou,hestellingyouabouthimself;histhoughts,

    ideas,plans,actions.Whilehegoesonandonandonabouthimselfyouneedtoput

    yourmindtowork.Doyoutakementalnoteswhilelisteningtosomeonewhois

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    talkingtoyou?Whatarementalnotes?Mentalnotes:Specialattentionwithintentto

    remember.

    Takingmentalnotesmeansyougivedeliberatethoughttowhatisbeingsaid

    andoftentimesitcausesyoutothinkaboutyourownsetofcircumstances.

    Someoneelseswordsabouttheirthoughtsandactionscanhaveanimpactonhow

    youthinkandwhatyoudoinyourownlife.Itakementalnotesinmyconversations

    withpeople.Theytalkaboutthemselvesbutmytrainedearislisteningfor

    somethingintheirconversationthatIcanuseinmyownlife.

    Dontgetmewrong,Iallowotherstohavethefloorandgetwhattheyhave

    tosayofftheirchests,buttheresaselfishmotive:Iwanttofindinsightinwhatthey

    saythatcangivemeinspirationtoovercomeflawsinmymindsetoralackof

    executioninmyactions.BecauseItreatJayslyricslikeaconversation,Ilistenwith

    mytrainedearandItakementalnotesseekinginsightandinspirationformyself.In

    themidstofpraisinghislyricalprowess,Imselfishlyempoweringmyself.

    CriticsandhaterssaythatallJaydoesisrapabouthimself.And,thepointis?

    Whywouldherapaboutyouorme?Everyartistinjectshisvisioninhisart.Artis

    personal.Thenatureofrapmusicistorhymeaboutyourself.Thinkbacktoitsroots.

    Jayrhymesabouthislifejustlikeyoutalktoothers,goingonandon,aboutyourlife.

    Icanlearnasmuchaboutmyself,andlifeingeneral,fromlisteningtoyoutalkabout

    you.

    Icanlearnwhattosay(andhowtosayit),whatnottosay,whattodoand

    whatnottodo(andwhy),andhowtothinkandhownottothinkjustfromhavinga

    conversationwithyou.Thesamedynamicishappeningwhenyoulistentomusic

    whetheryourealizeitornot.JaywillneverrhymeaboutyouorI.Yethis

    conversationwithusintheformoflyricsprimarilyabouthimselfcangiveus

    insightthatwecanselfishlyuseinourownlives.ManyofusmaylookatJay-Zsstoryandseeswaggerandexcess.Butifthats

    allwesee,werenotpayingcloseenoughattention.Jaytoldusfromthevery

    beginningofhiscareeronthesongCanILivethathisgameismental.Itsnothis

    swaggerthatsgottenhimwherehisis-itshismind.Itsbecauseofhismind;hecan

    livehislifewithswagger.Themindisthemostpowerfulweapontobattleagainst

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    failureandtocapturesuccess.

    Thisbookisdividedinto7sections:

    GetYourMindRight:Theroadtosuccessstartswithhowyouthink.

    IntheTrenchesoftheHustle:Onceyougetyourmindrightthatswhenitstime

    togetonyourgrind.(Thisisthemeat-and-potatoespartofthebook)

    JumpingOverLifesHurdles:Thejourneytosuccessisnotwithoutitsroadblocks

    soyouhavetobeabletoavoidorgetaroundthemandkeepdrivingtowardyour

    destination.

    FacingFailure:Beingabletoovercomeadversityempowersyoutomoveforward

    despiteyoursetbacks.

    TheSweetSmellofSuccess:Oneofthegreatestexperiencesinlifeisthefeelingof

    accomplishment.

    TheGametoMaintain :Obtainingsuccessisnotnearlyaschallengingaskeepingit.

    ReachingtheNextLevel:Inthegameoflifeyouhavetokeepplayingtokeep

    winning.Youhavetopushyourselftogofurther,harderandhigherthanyoudidthe

    daybefore.

    Ineachsection,IspotlightlyricsfromsongsinJay-Zsdiscographyandshare

    howtheinsightinhisrhymescanbeeffectivelyappliedtoyourlife.Thisworkis

    inspiredbyJay-ZslyricsbutthefocusofthisbookisnotaboutJaysgreatness,its

    aboutthegreatnessthatYOUcanachievewiththesonglyricsofJay-Z,Hip-Hopmost

    ambitiousMC,servingasavaluablesourceofinspiration.

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    WhenYouGetYourMindRight

    TheDoorsofOpportunityWillOpen.

    Ifsomebodywouldatold'emthatHov'wouldsellclothing

    Notinthislifetime

    Wasn'tinmyrightmind

    That'sanotherdifferencethat'sbetweenmeandthem

    I'msmartenedup

    Openedthemarketup

    UDontKnow

    Jaysdebutalbum,ReasonableDoubtisthefirsttimethatIheard

    criminality(particularlythedrugtrade)intellectualizedinmusiconahighlevel.

    Duringthetimeofitsrelease,Icanremembertalkingwithhustlersinthedrugtrade

    whoIwasassociatedwiththattoldmethatReasonableDoubtcapturedthe

    essenceoftheirlifestylefrombothaphysicalandmentalperspective.

    Now,therewereothergreatalbumsreleasedbeforeReasonableDoubt

    (suchasRaekwonsOnlyBuiltforCubanLinx,BiggiesReadytoDieandNass

    Illmatic)thathadprofoundhardcorecriminalitythemes,Ijustbelievethatno

    otherMCbroughtasmuchinsightandperspectivewhenitcametotheinner

    workingsoftheillegaldrugtradeandthestreethustlerasJay-Zdidonhisdebut

    album,ReasonableDoubt.

    OntheBlueprint,IthinkJaygaveusmoreinsightintothedrugtrade,but

    evenmorenoticeably,hegaveusmoreofhispersonalexperiencesandobservations

    whenhewasinthestreets.IstartedofftheIntroofthisbookwithoneofJayslinesfrom,CanILiveoff

    theReasonableDoubt,Dontbefooled,mygameismental.Ithinkwhatseparates

    albumslikeReasonableDoubtandBlueprintfromitscontemporaries,isthatthe

    songsonbothofthesealbumsputabrightspotlightonthementalgameneededto

    succeedinthestreethustle.OnUDontKnow,Jayshowsushowtoplaythemental

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    gameinordertomakethetransformationthatwillchangethesituationsinour

    lives.IthinkthemostimportantlinesfromUDontKnowiswhenJaysays:

    Ifsomebodywouldatold'emthatHov'wouldsellclothing

    Notinthislifetime

    Wasn'tinmyrightmind

    Thislineinmyopinionisthemostimportantpartofthesong.Why?Because

    itrevealshownothavingtherightmindcankeepyoufrommaximizingyourfull

    potential.Jaystatesthathecouldntevenconceivetheopportunitytogetintothe

    fashiongame(Roc-a-wear)becausehewasntinhisrightmind.Thatdoesnt

    meanthathewascrazy!Jayistellingusthathewasntfocused;hewasntopen-

    mindedtothepossibilitiesinlife.

    Notbeingintherightframeofmindcouldeasilyapplytotheperiodwhen

    Jaywasinthestreets.Infact,Jayhastalkedaboutthisininterviews.Youcanbeso

    caughtupinwhatyouretryingtoaccomplishthatyoumissoutonbetter

    opportunities.Now,tobefair,therearesomeopportunitiesthatareprettydifficult

    toconceiveduetoyourphysicalcircumstances.ButthepointJayismakingisthat

    therightmindsetopensupthedoortoopportunity.

    Jayrevealsthatthedifferencebetweenheandothersisnotjusthisswagger,

    hislyricalprowessortheamountofmoneyinhisbankaccount-itshismindset.So

    manyofus(myselfincluded)areself-sabotagingareourownpersonalgrowthand

    development.Jaytellsusthathesmartenedup;hecametotherealizationofwhat

    hecouldaccomplishifheputhismindtoit.

    WhenJayrhymesthatheopenedthemarketup,firsthehadtobroadenhis

    horizonsandbydoingsohewasintherightplacebothmentallyandphysicallyto

    recognizegreatopportunitiesandtakeadvantageofthem.OnceJaytookadvantage

    oftheopportunitieshisnetworthskyrocketedtomillions.Wewillalwayslimitourownpotentialandopportunitiesuntilwesmartenup.ThepivotalpointofUDont

    Knowisthatinordertosucceedyoumustfirstgetyourmindright.Onceyourein

    therightframeofmindyoureabletofocus,seizethemomentandsucceed.

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    AimWithAmbition

    AndChangetheTarget

    Mamaforgiveme,shouldbethinking'boutHarvard

    Butthat'stoofaraway,niggasarestarving

    Ain'tnothingwrongwithmyaim

    Justgottachangethetarget

    AmericanDreamin

    IthinktheAmericanGangsteralbumisunderrated.Idontconsiderita

    classicbutitsasolideffort.Thefilmofthesamename,abiopicaboutFrankLucas,a

    drugkingpininHarleminthe70s,inspiresthesongsfromthealbum.Thelead

    characterofLucaswasplayedbyOscarawardwinningactor,DenzelWashington.

    Therewasmuchhypeinanticipationofthefilmsrelease.Ithoughtthemoviewas

    goodbutinmyopinion,AmericanGangster-Jay-Zsalbum-isbetter.

    OneofthethingsIloveabouttheAmericanGangsteralbumisthesoul

    samples.Intermsofmusicalproduction,thealbumisakindredspiritofthe

    ReasonableDoubtandBlueprintalbums.Ilovesoulmusicsomyfavoritekindof

    Hip-Hoprecordsaretheoneswhousesoulsamples.MarvinGayeismyfavorite

    musicalartistofalltime.Ithinktheguyhadthegreatestvoiceandhemadetimeless

    romanticandsociallyconsciousmusic.ImsureyouhavefiguredoutthatJay-Zis

    myfavoriterapartist.So,thesongAmericanDreaminfromtheAmerican

    Gangsteralbumistheperfectcombinationformymusicalpreferencebecausethe

    songsamplesoneofmyfavoriteMarvinGayesongs,SoonIllBeLovingyou.

    Intheselyrics,Jayplaystheroleofayoungambitiousguyfromthestreetthatishungrytosucceed.HeshouldbethinkingboutHarvard;gettingan

    education,buthestatesthatHarvard(pursuinghighereducation)istoofar

    awayandthatheandhiscrewarestarvingforsuccess.Inpromotional

    interviews,JaytalkedabouthowtheAmericanGangsterfilmtookhimbacktohis

    hustlingdaysinthedruggameandinspiredhimtomakeAmericanGangster-the

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    album.Well,thesongAmericanDreamininsomewaystookmebacktomy

    hustlingdays.Beforeyourollyoureyes,letmeexplain

    TheselyricsrepresenthowIfeltstraightoutofhighschoolbackin95.I

    shouldhavebeenthinkingboutHarvard,determinedtogetacollegeeducation,

    butinsteadIwasfocusedonbecomingwildlysuccessfulimmediately.College

    seemedtoofarawaynotindistancebutintermsofthetimeIknewitwouldtake

    tograduateandstartacareer.AfterhighschoolIdidntwanttogotocollege,I

    wantedtogetpaid,like,yesterday.IdidnttakethesamerouteJay-ZdidbutIdid

    getinvolvedinquestionableactivitiesinmylateteensintomyearly20s.People

    fromallwalksoflifecanrelatetoJayssentiment.Manyofusarequiteambitious

    butinsteadofpursuingsuccessinthemostprudentway,weseekimmediateresults

    fromriskyventures.

    Inhismemoir,Decoded,Jaytalksabouthisexperiencesofleaving

    Brooklynwherehegrewuptodealdrugsout-of-towninplaceslikeTrenton,New

    Jersey.InAmericanDreaminJaystatesthathisaimisfinebuthejusthasto

    changethetargetwhichseemstoreferencethedayswhenJaytookhiscriminal

    enterpriseout-of-town.Incidentally,ayearafterfinishinghighschool,Ileftthearea

    whereIgrewupwiththissamemindsetandrelocated,trulybelievingthatIwould

    comebackrich.Itdidnthappen!

    Butchangingthetargetisnotjustaboutphysicallyrelocatingfromone

    placetoanother.Tochangeyourtargetcouldmeantochangethewayyouhustle.

    Itcouldalsomeantochangeyourgoalsortoatleastgoadifferentroutein

    accomplishingthem.ThisissomethingthatIhavedonethroughouttheyears.Ive

    added,subtracted,modifiedandchangedgoals.Butjustasimportantly,Ivechanged

    howIvegoneaboutaccomplishingmygoals.Twoexamples:Nowadays,Iavoid

    gettinginvolvedinillegalactivityandInolongeradheretoaget-rich-quickmentalityevenifItrulyfocusedonlegitimateendeavors.

    Iusedtothinkthattheonlywaytomakethingshappenwastodoitquick,

    fastandinahurry.ButnowIrealizedthatifIjustslowdown,Iwontmissouton

    opportunities.Whenitcomestopursuinggoals,thebestspeedisneitherfastnor

    slow,itsnice-and-steady.Accomplishingyourgoalsmaynotbetoofarawaybut

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    itwilldefinitelytaketime.Ifyourehungry,starvingtosucceed,sometimesyou

    justhavetochangethetargetandbepatient.

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    MakingYourIdeasMove

    Iselliceinthewinter

    IsellfireinhellIamahustlerbaby

    I'llsellwatertoawell

    Iwasborntogetcake

    Moveonandswitchstates

    Copthecoupewiththeroofgoneandswitchplates

    Wasborntodictate

    Neverfolloworders

    UDontKnow

    TheselyricsfromUDontKnowmaycomeoffaspurebravadobyJay-Z,but

    theresdepthtotheboldclaimsthatcaneasilybeappliedtogoalswehave.Jay

    soundsconfidentwhiledeliveringtheselyricsandthataloneshouldmakeasolid

    impressiononus.Confidenceisbothunderratedandoverrated.Itsunderrated

    becauseifyouhavelittleornoneyouwontbementallyoremotionallyequippedto

    succeed.Butapersoncanalsohaveblindormisguidedconfidencethatmakesit

    hardtosucceedandeasytofailbecausealloftheswaggercloudsbetterjudgment.

    Still,confidenceplaysavitalroleinbeingsuccessfulandyougainvaluable

    confidencewhenyoureknowledgeableandexperienced.Ahustlerisabletoadapt

    tohisorherenvironmentandmakethingshappen,turningnothingintosomething.

    Anytruehustlerwhoisconfidentinhismentalgame(knowledge)andinthe

    masteryofhisskillset(experience)wouldmaketheexactsameboldstatementthat

    Jaymakesintheselyrics.AnyambitioussalesmanwouldadoptJayslyricsashe

    strivestomakeamarkinhisownhustle.

    Sellingiceinthewinter,fireinhellorwatertoawellisnotliteralof

    course.Whatitmeansisthatyoureabletoaccomplishextraordinarythings

    becauseyoureconfident,sharp(intellectually),charismaticandskilled.Youdont

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    speakonconfidence;youactonit.Youractionsprovetheclaimsthatyoumake.A

    salespersonforexamplewouldnthavethecredibilitytomakethestatementJay

    makesifhecantsell.Hissalenumberswillbackuphisboldnessorexposehim!

    Onlyasmart,skilled,persistentandexperiencedsalespersonwithaproventrack

    recordofsuccesswouldhavethechopstomakethisstatement.

    Jaytellsusthathewasborntogetcake(money)andtolivelifeinthefast

    lane.Therootofthisstatementmaybebasedonhishustlingdaysinthedruggame

    butitsconsistentwithhissuccessintherapgameandbusinessworld,isntit?Ever

    sinceIwasakid,Ivebeenfullofmoneymakingideas.Itellpeopleallofthetime

    thatIshouldvebeenamillionairemanytimesoverbythetimeIwas30justbased

    onmyideas.Butideasdontmakemillions,peoplewhotakeactiondo.Ideasshould

    notstandstill.Atruehustlersucceedsbecausehemakeshisideasmove,brings

    themtolifeandturnsthemintogold.

    Jaystatesthathewasborntodictateandneverfolloworderswhichmay

    comeacrossarrogantbuttheresagreaterpointtobemade.Itstruethatyouhave

    toknowhowtofollowinordertolead,butIalsothinkembracingleadershiptraits

    withinyourselfisempowering.Firstofall,youareborntodictatehowyoulive

    yourlife.Youareessentiallyinaleadershiprolewhenitcomestoyourownlife.

    Howyouliveyourlifeisagoodindicatoronyourabilitytoleadothers.Atrue

    hustlerpossessesqualitiesthatleadtopersonalsuccessandmakesotherswantto

    beledbyhim.

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    StrugglewithSwaggerandStyle

    Inthemidstofallyourmisery,nigga,stayfly

    NeverletemseeyoufrownEvensmilewhenyoudown

    Shit,Iflossonmyoff-days

    Fuckwhattheyallsay

    ThisLifeForever

    ItwouldntsurprisemeifmanyofJay-Zsfanswerentfamiliarwiththesong

    ThisLifeForever(Jaydecodesthelyricsfromthesonginhismemoir).Jay

    recordedthesongtobeincludedonamoviesoundtrackforafilmtitledBlack

    Gangsterthatwasnevermade.BlackGangsterwastobebasedonabookofthe

    sametitlewrittenbythelegendaryurbancrimewriter,DonaldGoines.Iread

    severalofGoinesbookswhenIwasinhighschool(includingBlackGangster)and

    IcanrememberanticipatingthefilmsreleasewhenIheardJaysThisLifeForever.

    Ivealwayslovedthissong.

    JaygivesapoignantperformanceonThisLifeForever.Thesongtacklesa

    commonthemeinJaysmusic-streethustling,butthelyrics(andthebeat)takeona

    particularlyserious,hardcoretone.JaygivesittolistenersrawonThisLife

    Foreverwiththelyricsrevealingtheintensityofboththephysicalandmental

    strugglethatstreethustlershavetoendureandovercomewithoutlosingtheir

    swagger.Thelyricsgiveusaninsidelookintothemindandlifestyleofastreet

    hustlerbuttherhymesalsogiveusinsightonhowtheproperuseofswaggercanbe

    apowerfulweaponinourpersonalbattlestoovercomestruggle.

    Inthemidstofallyourmisery,stayconfident.Dontcompromiseyour

    dignityandintegritybecauseofyourcircumstances.Itstruethatstubbornpride

    canstifleyourgrowthbutresilientpridefostersprogress.Ifyourecaughtupinthe

    struggleallowJayswordstogiveyouencouragement.Regardlessofwhatyoure

    goingthrough,stayflyandkeepshininguntilyourlight(yourhustle)isbright

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    enoughtobringyououtofthedarktimes.Youputyourselfinapositionof

    compromiseifyouallowotherstoseeyoufrown.WhenJaysayssmilewhenyou

    downhesencouragingustobeoptimisticduringtoughtimes.Optimismisagreat

    strengthtohaveduringstrugglebecauseitbroadensyourmindsetandinspires

    yourhustle.ThefollowinglinefromthissonghasstuckwithmesincethedayIfirst

    hearditsometimeinthelate90s:

    Shit,Iflossonmyoff-days.Fuckwhattheyallsay

    Sure,thelineiscleverbutthemessageiswhatstayswithyou.Ivehadmany

    off-days,infact,asIwritethis;IhavesomeissuesImdealingwithrightnowinmy

    personallife.ButIknowthatIhavetokeepflossingwhichsimplymeansthatI

    havetostaypositiveandkeeplivingmylifetothefullest.Youregoingtohaveoff-

    daysinyourlifebuthowyouhandlethesedayswilldeterminehowsoonbetterand

    brighterdayswillcome.Dontsweatthehate.Ifyouwanttoovercomelifes

    struggles-getyourmindright,keepyourhustletightandputupasmile-thatgives

    offpureswag,onyourface.

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    PlaytoWinBIGIntheBigLeagues

    DarkKnightfeeling:dieandbeahero

    OrlivelongenoughtoseeyourselfbecomeavillainIwentfromthefavorite,tothemost-hated

    Butwouldyouratherbeunderpaidorover-rated?

    Moralvictoriesisforminorleaguecoaches

    And'YealreadytoldyouWeMajor,youcockroaches!

    SoAppalled

    IthinkKanyeWestisoneofthegreatartistsofthisgeneration.Immensely

    talented,WesthasmadeanimpactonthemusicindustryasaproducerandMC.

    Hesalightningrodforcontroversywithsupremeconfidenceinhistalent-I

    definitelyseesomesimilaritiesbetweenhimandJay-Z.IhavetoadmitthatIdont

    buyrapmusicthewayIusedtoanymore.Thereareonlyahandfulofrapartists

    whosealbumsIwillactuallypurchase.Dontgetmewrong;therearesomegood

    MCsinthegame.WhenIwasyoungerIusedtobuyeverything,butnowadaysIm

    muchmoreselective.IbuyKanyeWestsalbumsandlookedforwardtopurchasing

    hishighlyanticipatedalbum,MyBeautiful,Dark,TwistedFantasywhenitwas

    releasedinlate2010.

    Jay-ZisfeaturedontwosongsfromWestsalbum,MonsterandSo

    Appalled.HegivesasolidshowingonMonster,buthislyricalperformanceonSo

    Appalledwasprofound.IheardaboutSoAppalledbeforeIactuallyheardit.

    TherewaschatterintheHip-HopcommunityoverlinesfromJay-Zsversethat

    manysawasadissto90sPop/RapsuperstarMCHammer.

    Wordonthestreet(andontheInternet)wasthatJayridiculedHammerfor

    hisinfamousfinancialproblemsthatculminatedinbankruptcyfilinginthemid90s.

    Hammer,whosecareerflamedoutrightaroundthetimethathefiledbankruptcy,

    apparentlyfeltlikeJaydissedhimandabeefbetweenthetwoensued.20yearsafter

    UCantTouchThis,Hammercameoutwithasonginlate2010dissingJay.Jay

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    thoughtthewholethingwasabigmisunderstanding...andfunny.SodidI.

    Whatissoironicisthatwhilefansandthemediafocusedonafewlinesin

    referencetoHammer,whichIbelievewasntreallyadissandseemedtobe

    accurate,theycompletelymissedtheinsightJaygaveusallonhisverse.Frankly,the

    ideaofHammergoingupagainstJay-Zisajokeanddoesntinterestmeatall.Im

    muchmoreinterestedinwhatJayhadtosayonSoAppalledthatmighthave

    relevancetomylife.

    Thelyricsthatarefeaturedinthispiecearejustbeforethecontroversial

    linesinreferencetoHammersfinancialtroublesinthe90s.JaysDarkKnight

    (Batmanfilmreleasedin2008)referenceisbrilliant.Successisreallyatrickything.

    Everybodywantstobesuccessfulandwelcomethepraiseandaccoladesthatcome

    withsuccessbuttheresadarkersidetoaccomplishment.

    IlikewhenJaysays,DarkKnightfeeling:DieandBeaHero.Orlivelong

    enoughtoseeyourselfbecomeavillain.Thelineisnotreallyaboutactuallydying.

    Peoplemayshowyoulovewhenyouresuccessful(beahero)butthemore

    successfulyoubecome,themoresomewillhate(youbecomeavillain).Peoplelove

    theunderdogteamthatbecomesachampionbuthatewhenthechampionshipteam

    becomesadynasty.Youcanbesuccessfulandreceiveadorationfromothersbutthe

    momentyougettoobigyourelikelytofacejealousyandresentment.

    Jaystatesthathewentfrombeingthefavoritetobeingthemosthated.

    WhenJaywasanup-and-comingrapartistwhograbbedtheearofthestreetswith

    hisdebutalbumReasonableDoubtandwentontoreleasesuccessfulalbums

    subsequently-hebecameafanfavorite.Hecertainlybecamemine.

    Jayscareerhasskyrocketedwithinthelast7yearsorsowhenmostMCs

    fromhisera(mid-late90s)haveeitherdeclinedordisappeared.Thoughhesstill

    lovedbymany,nowadays,hesapolarizingfigureinHip-Hopwhoisashatedasheisloved.Butthelove/hatedynamichasnthinderedhisgrind;infact,itsonlymade

    hiscareerstrongerprimarilybecausehesbeenabletoputthingsinproper

    perspective.

    Wouldyouratherbeunderpaidoroverrated?

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    OneoftheconstantcriticismstowardJay-Zisthathesoverratedasanartist.

    Youwouldbeaskingthewrongpersonifyouwanttoknowmyopinion.Imbias.

    Jaysmyfavoriteartist.Icanstillbeobjectivewhenitcomestohisartistry,hehas

    flaws,butIactuallydontthinkhegetsenoughdueforlyricalgenius.Butanyway,

    theunderpaid/overratedrhetoricalquestionthatJayaskshislistenersinSo

    Appalledmakesacriticalpoint.Itsmoreimportanttoknowyourtruevalueand

    receivewhatyoureworththantogetcaughtupinreceivingrecognitionorhowthat

    recognitionisperceived.Checkoutthisline:

    Moralvictoriesisforminorleaguecoaches.AndYealreadytoldyouWe

    Major[titleofasongbyKanyeWest],youcockroaches!

    Thisisnotonlyacleverlinebutalsoanenlighteningone.Idontknowabout

    you,butImnotintomoralvictories,Iwanttowin.Itsnotgoodenoughtojustbe

    competitive,atsomepointyouhavetobeabletotakeittothenextlevel.AsHerman

    Edwards,theformerNewYorkJetscoachoncefamouslysaid,Youplaytowinthe

    game.Thisisaresults-drivensociety.IthinkJayistellingusthatinlifeyou

    competeinordertowin,togetresultsandtocreatechange.Getoutoftheminor

    leagues!Stepupyourgamesothatyoucancompeteandplaytowininthemajors.

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    FollowtheFootprintsofSuccess

    Iwalkleavingfourfootprints:

    MyhoodsenseMybooksmarts

    Myfaithoftheunknown

    Andagoodheart

    DontYouKnow

    Jay-Zhasgivenushisblueprintforsuccessinlyricsfromsongsthroughout

    hiscatalog.ButIthinktheselyricsfromDontYouKnowsumsupwellthe

    compilationofqualitiesthatJayhaseffectivelyusedtoovercomestruggleand

    succeedinhislife.Rarelyisthereoneabsolutewaytosucceed.Youcantrely

    completelyonaspecificstrengthtoaccomplisheverythingyouwantinlife.Noone

    isperfect;weallhaveflaws.Therefore,youneedasetofstrengthsthatlloutweigh

    yoursetofweaknesses.OnDontYouKnowJayrevealswhatqualitieshas

    propelledhimtosuccess:

    Myhoodsense

    Jaysstreetsmartshelpedmakehimsuccessfulinthestreetsasahustlerbut

    hisexperiencesinthedruggamehasalsoproventobeusefulinhishustleinthe

    musicgameandinthelegitimatebusinessworld.Ididntgrowupinthehood,but

    letsjustsaythatIhavegonethroughexperiencesthatIcouldveavoidedbut

    actuallyendedupembracing(atleastafterthefact)becausetheyhelpedmegrow

    upandgavemethechopsIneededtobeabletohandleverychallenging

    adversitiesthathaveariseninmylife.

    Imnotsayingthatyouhavetogooutandselldopeorengageinotherillegal

    activitiesinordertobesuccessfullegitimately.Havingahoodsenseisnotsimply

    aboutbeingfromthestreets.Thetruthistherearealotofpeoplefromthehood

    withverylittlestreetsmartsatall.Youcansurviveasituationoryoucanthriveina

    situation.Someonewithstreetsmartsisreallyapersonwhocanadapttodifferent

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    situationsandhustleatahighleveloutsideofhisorhercomfortzone.

    Mybooksmarts

    IfyouvereadJay-Zsmemoir,Decoded,seenhisinterviews,followedhis

    businessmovesorlistenedtohismusic,thenyouhavetoacknowledgethathesa

    smartguyandhisintellectgoeswaybeyondwhathelearnedonthestreets.For

    thoseofyouwholivethestreetlifeandthatsvirtuallyallyouknow-payclose

    attentionrightnow.Yourstreetsmartsareavaluableassetbutalackofbook

    smartsisacostlyliability.

    Tothoseofyouwhohavedegreeshanginguponthewall:havingbook

    smartsisnotjustaboutbeingcollegeeducated.Istronglyencouragegettinga

    highereducation(Impursingacollegedegreeatthetimeofthiswriting-atage34)

    buthavinganinsatiablehungerforknowledgeisthefoundationofbooksmarts.

    Whenyouhavebooksmartsyourbreadthofknowledgeisgreaterthanthe

    averagepersonandgivesyouanadvantageinacompetitivesociety.YearsbeforeI

    pursuedmycollegedegree,IsoughtknowledgebeyondwhatIwouldnormally

    observeandexperienceinmyday-to-daylife.Someonewhoisbooksmartisnotjust

    seekingknowledgetoboosthisgradepointaverage.Ifyourebooksmartyouhavea

    greatbreadthofknowledgethatyoucanutilizetoaccomplishabroadsetofgoals.

    Myfaithoftheunknown

    Jay-Zsfaithoftheunknowngavehimtheconfidenceandstrengthto

    believeinhimselfevenwhenhiscircumstancesweregloomyandthosearoundhim

    haddoubts.Ithinkhavingfaithoftheunknownrequiresaspiritualconnectionwith

    adivineforcehigherandstrongerthanself.Thisdoesntmeanthatyouhavetobe

    religiousintheconventionalsense-Ijustthinkyouhavetotapintothepowerof

    destinyandutilizetherightmindsetandtaketherightactionstofulfillyourlifes

    purpose.Havingfaithoftheunknownisparamountwhenyourecaughtupinthe

    struggle.Beforeyourmindcanthinkupasolutionandbeforeyoucantakeactionto

    makethatsolutionasuccessfulreality,youhavetohavefaiththatthereisindeeda

    solutiontoyourlifesproblem.Basically,youhavetohavefaithasyougothrough

    struggleinordertohavesuccessatsomepointinyourlife.Jaytellsusthatdespite

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    GETTHEBOOK!!

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