387 Quotes by Jay-Z

The average rap life is two or three albums. You’re lucky to get to your second album in rap!

I’m trying to tell the story in the most clear, concise, and truthful way, taking those everyday words and phrases and capturing them in a way that they become something else.

When I listen to great music, the first thing I wonder is what people were saying when this came out of the speakers in the studio. I want to know what happened when they played it and said, “This is the one!”

I had success. I had a number one record. I had a number one album. I have to make this kind of record again or else I’m going to lose it all. That’s how you end up making the same song over and over.

The fans get to see you, and you can do great by your record if you have a great performance or a great night there. That’s all part of the business. But at their core, awards shows are not really a sincere thing. For a lot of years, the artists had to pay to play their own set.

I think Lil Wayne is extremely talented. I think he’s one of the most talented ones out there.

I seen the worst of the worst. I deserve every blessing I receive I’m from the dirt.

Everybody can tell you how to do it but they never done it.

They say a midget standing on a giant’s shoulders can see much further than the giant. So I got the whole rap world on my shoulders, they trying to see further than I am.