Gotta Have It

Jay-Z, Kanye West

About Gotta Have It

"Gotta Have It" is a song by American hip hop artists Kanye West and Jay-Z from their first collaborative album Watch the Throne (2011). The song was produced by West and The Neptunes, and samples three original compositions by James Brown: "Don't Tell a Lie About Me and I Won't Tell the Truth About You", "People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul" and "My Thang". The song explores themes of wealth, decadence and the economic stature in the US. The song received positive reviews from critics who complimented the production and the clever wordplay of the two rappers. The song was released as the sixth single from Watch the Throne on December 6, 2011. The song peaked at number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100 entered the top 15 both the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. The song has since been certified Platinum in the United States. Jay-Z and West performed the song as part of the set list of their Watch the Throne Tour and at the 2012 Radio 1's Big Weekend musical festival. 


Year:
2011
2:21
110 
#2

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Turn my headphones up, louder
Uh-huh, uh-huh

(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need)

Hello, hello, hello, hello, White America, assassinate my character
Money matrimony, yeah, they tryna break the marriage up
Who gon' act phonier? Who gon' try to embarrass ya?
I'ma need a day off, I think I'll call Ferris up
(Bueller had a Mueller, but I switched it for a Miele)
('Cause I'm richer, and prior to this shit was movin' freebase)
Had a conference with the DJ's (Yeah), Puerto Rico three-days
(Parlay with them PDs, now they got our shit on replay)
Sorry I'm in pajamas, but I just got off the PJ
And last party we had, they shut down Prive
(Ain't that where the Heat play?) Yep (Niggas hate ballers these days)
Ain't that like LeBron James? (Ain't that just like D-Wade) (Wait)

(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need)

Whats up, whats up, whats up, whats up
Whats up ma'fucka, where my money at?
You gon' make me come down to your house where yo' mommy at
Mummy wrap the kids, have 'em cryin' for they mommy back
Dummy that your daddy is, tell 'em I just want my racks
(Racks on racks on racks) Racks
(Maybachs on bachs on bachs on bachs on bachs) Who in that?
(Oh shit, it's just blacks on blacks on blacks)
(Hundred stack) How you get it? (Nigga, layin' raps on tracks)
I wish I could give you this feelin', I'm planking on a million
I'm riding through yo' hood, you can bank I ain't got no ceiling
(Made a left on Nostrand Ave.) Right (We in Bed Stuy)
Made a right on 79th, I'm coming down South Shore Drive
(I remain Chi-town) Brooklyn 'til I die

(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(Take 'em on home)
(What you need, what, what you need)
(I got what you need, what, what you need)
(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(Take 'em on home, take 'em on home)
(Tryna hurt my name, huh?)

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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: James Brown, Fred Wesley, St. Clair Pickney, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Shawn Carter, Joseph Roach

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Gotta Have It" is a song by American hip-hop artists Jay-Z and Kanye West from their first collaborative album, "Watch the Throne" (2011).
Album Success
The album "Watch the Throne" debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and was both a critical and commercial success.
Production Team
The song was produced by The Neptunes, a production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.
Sample Usage
"Gotta Have It" uses multiple samples, most prominently the song "Don't Tell a Lie About Me and I Won't Tell the Truth About You" by James Brown.
Awards
Along with other tracks from the album, "Gotta Have It" won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 2013.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100, and at number 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Cultural Influence
The song's hook, "lo' what you doin'?" became a popular catchphrase after the track's release.
Unique Song Structure
Unlike most mainstream hip-hop songs, "Gotta Have It" does not feature a traditional verse-chorus-verse structure.
Multiple Writers
Besides Jay-Z and Kanye West, the song was co-written by Pharrell, who also was a producer on the track.
Live Performances
"Gotta Have It" was included in the setlist of the Watch the Throne Tour that took place from October 2011 to June 2012.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised "Gotta Have It" for its innovative production, memorable lyrics, and the chemistry between Jay-Z and Kanye West.
Commercial Impact
As of 2020, it has sold over a million digital copies in the United States.

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