99 Problems

Jay-Z

About 99 Problems

"99 Problems" is the third single released by American rapper Jay-Z in 2004 from The Black Album. The chorus hook "I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one" is taken from the Ice-T single "99 Problems" from the album Home Invasion (1993). The hook was coined during a conversation between Ice-T & Brother Marquis of Miami-based 2 Live Crew. Marquis later used the phrase in the 1996 2 Live Crew song "Table Dance". In the song, Jay-Z tells a story about dealing with rap critics, racial profiling from a police officer who wants to search his car, and an aggressor. The song reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. 


Year:
2010
224 
#1

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If you're having girl problems I feel bad for you son
I got ninety nine problems but a bitch ain't one

I got the rap patrol on the gat patrol 
Foes that want ta make sure my casket's closed 
Rap critics that say he's "Money Cash Hoes" 
I'm from the hood, stupid?what type of facts are those?
If you grew up with holes in your zapatos
You'd celebrate the minute you was having dough
I'm like "F*ck critics" you can kiss my whole asshole 
If you don't like my lyrics, you can press fast forward? 
Got beef with radio if I don't play they show 
They don't play my hits, well, I don't give a shit, so 
Rap mags try and use my black ass 
So advertisers can give 'em more cash for ads, fuckers 
I don't know what you take me as 
Or understand the intelligence that Jay-Z has 
I'm from rags to riches, niggas I ain't dumb 
I got ninety nine problems but a bitch ain't one, hit me 

[Chorus] 
Ninety nine problems but a bitch ain't one 
If you having girl problems I feel bad for you son 
I got ninety nine problems but a bitch ain't one, hit me 

Year's '94 and my trunk is raw 
In my rear view mirror is the motherfucking law 
I got two choices y'all, pull over the car or, hmm,
Bounce on the devil, put the pedal to the floor 
Now I ain't trying to see no highway chase with Jake 
Plus I got a few dollars I could fight the case 
So I, pull over to the side of the road 
I heard "Son, do you know why I'm stopping you for?" 
Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hat's real low 
Or do I look like a mind reader, sir?  I don't know 
Am I under arrest or should I guess some mo? 
"Well you was doing fifty-five in the fifty-four", uh huh
"License and registration and step out of the car
"Are you carrying a weapon on you, I know a lot of you are" 
I ain't stepping out of shit, all my papers legit 
"Well do you mind if I look around the car a little bit?" 
Well my glove compartment is locked, so is the trunk and the back 
And I know my rights so you goin' need a warrant for that 
"Aren't you sharp as a tack? You some type of lawyer or something?
"Somebody important or something?" 
Child, I ain't passed the bar, but I know a little bit 
Enough that you won't illegally search my shit 
"Well we'll see how smart you are when the K-9 come" 
I got ninety nine problems but a bitch ain't one, hit me 

[Chorus: x2] 

Now once upon a time not too long ago 
A nigga like myself had to strong arm a ho
This is not a ho in the sense of having a pussy 
But a pussy having no goddamn sense try and push me 
I tried to ignore 'em, talk to the Lord 
Pray for 'em, cause some fools just love to perform 
You know the type, loud as a motorbike 
But wouldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight 
The only thing that's goin' happen is I'ma get to clapping and
He and his boys goin' be yapping to the captain 
And there I go trapped in the Kit Kat again 
Back through the system with the riff raff again 
Fiends on the floor scratching again 
Paparazzi's with they cameras, snapping them 
D.A. tried to give a nigga shaft again 
Half a mil for bail cause I'm African 
All because this fool was harassing them 
Trying to play the boy like he's saccharine
But ain't nothing sweet 'bout how I hold my gun 
I got ninety nine problems being a bitch ain't one, hit me 

[Chorus: x2] 

Having girl problems I feel bad for you son 
I got ninety nine problems and a bitch ain't one 

You're crazy for this one, Rick, it's your boy

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Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. In 2012, Forbes estimated Carter's net worth at nearly $500 million. He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving fourteen Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations. He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all-time. He was ranked #1 by MTV in their list of The Greatest MCs of All-Time in 2006. Two of his albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and The Blueprint (2001) are considered landmarks in the genre with both of them being ranked in Rolling S… more »

6 fans

Written by: Tracy Lauren Marrow, Norman Landsberg, Felix Pappalardi, Rick Rubin, Leslie Weinstein, John Ventura, Shawn Carter, Alphonso Henderson, Felix A. Pappalardi, George Jr. Clinton, John Elis Ventura, Shawn Corey Carter, Tracey Lauren Marrow, Weinstein A. Leslie, William H. Squier

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Ice-T's Influence (Premise
Originally, "99 Problems" was a track created by rapper Ice-T in 1993 for his Home Invasion album. This predates the Jay-Z version by a decade.
Ice-T's Version (Variation
Ice-T's version of the song was actually more of a reference to having 99 issues but with none related to a woman.
Jay-Z's Contribution (Continuation
Jay-Z used the hook of Ice T's original "99 Problems" and featured it in his own version of the song in 2003.
Rick Rubin's Role (Collaboration
The track from Jay-Z was produced by Rick Rubin, who is a legendary producer in the hip hop industry.
Album Release (Achievement
Jay-Z's "99 Problems" is from his eighth studio album, The Black Album.
Popularity (Recognition
Despite its controversial lyrics, "99 Problems" became one of Jay-Z's most famous songs, topping various music charts.
Grammy Awards (Tribute
"99 Problems" won Jay-Z the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2005.
Music Video (Artistic Representation
The music video directed by Mark Romanek won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video, Best Director, Best Special Effects, and Best Editing in 2004.
Lyrics Interpretation (Interpretation
The lyrics of Jay-Z's version of "99 Problems" has led to numerous interpretations. For instance, some perceive the pivotal line, "I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one." as a reference to the rapper's conflict with the police.
Rock Mashup (Fusion
There is a popular mashup of "99 Problems" with the song "Viva la Vida" by the British rock band Coldplay, known as "Viva la Hova."
Cultural Impact (Cultural Influence
"99 Problems" has been referenced and parodied in popular culture many times, proving its significant societal impact.

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    99 Problems

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2004

    Billboard #30


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