Did Jay-z Take A Jab At Birdman On H.A.M?

 

“I’m like really half a billi n-gga, Really you got baby money, Keep it real with n-ggas, N-ggas aint got my lady money” – Jay-z

Kanye West and Jay-z released the first offering from their highly anticipated collaborative album “Watch The Throne” yesterday and critics are already dissecting the lyrics. Via Real Talk NY

On the track, released on Kanye’s Facebook page early Tuesday morning, Jay-Z complains that his competitors merely fantasize about what he does on a daily basis — including, but not limited to, schmoozing with Warren Buffet and Steve Forbes. He also cites this writer’s $450 valuation of his personal net worth, rounding up slightly to “half a billie,” before taking a shot at a fellow Hip-Hop Cash King or two: “Really, you got baby money.”

The line is a double entendre meant both as a general reference to the small amount of money that other rappers have in comparison to Jay-Z, and as a specific a reference to the wealth of rapper Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter, also known as “Weezy Baby,” and fellow New Orleans rapper and record executive Brian “Birdman” Williams, also known as “Baby.” – FORBES

In 2009, after Jay-z was crowned “Hottest Emcee In The Game” by MTV, Baby was quoted as saying:

I don’t think [Jay-Z] is the number one emcee in no kind of way. Wayne’s the best. He do the most and he make the most money. I don’t think no n*gga in the business make more money than us. How can you be the best if you don’t make the most money? And you don’t do the most? Lyrically, come on man, be for real, can’t nobody f*ck with Wayne…if you number one and you ain’t getting no money it don’t mean nothing.”