Released: December 14, 2002

Featuring: Talib Kweli Yasiin Bey

Songwriter: Yasiin Bey Talib Kweli Kanye West

Producer: Kanye West

[Intro: Talib Kweli & Kanye West]
Alright. In case y'all don't know, he did "H to the Izzo", he did "Takeover", he did "Guess Who's Back", he did my joint "Good to You", he did "Turn Out The Lights". Give it up for my nigga Kanye West, you know what I'm saying? Now Kanye, y'all also don't know my man got skills, he's a rapper, he's on my projects, so I want him to bust a verse, can we let my man bust a verse? What's up Kanye, what's up? (They gonna play my beat, they gonna play my beat?) Yeah, yeah, chops, listen. Woo, woo, woo, mic check, mic check-

[Verse 1: Kanye West]
Golly, more of that bullshit ice rap
I got to 'pologize to Mos and Kweli (probably)
But is it cool to rap about gold
If I told the world I copped it from Ghana and Mali? (Mali!)
First nigga with a Benz and a backpack
Ice chain, Carti lens, and a knapsack
Always said if I rapped I'd say somethin' significant
But now I'm rappin' 'bout money, hoes, and rims again
And it's still about the Benjamins
Big faced hundreds and whatever other synonyms
Strippers named Cinnamon
More chips than Pentium
What'cha gon' buy next? Whatever new trend it is
I'm tryin' to spend my stacks
And I'm so broke I look back like "Damn, was I on crack?"
I mean two platinum chains, was I on that?
What the hell was wrong with me dog?
Sing along with me y'all

[Hook: Kanye West & Talib Kweli]
New York City here! New York City here!
New York City here! New York City here!
It's like, guess who's bizzack, back on the track with the blow
Kanye to-the, representing his gold
Guess who's come back, better than I supposed
Heard that beat, shit it's all I know
Guess who's bizzack, live from the Plaza
The Roc' is definitely in the building
Back on the track, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Verse 2: Talib Kweli]
It's time to change up, my lyrics rip ya frame up
Askin' if I'm nice like fuckin' with a chick
Who don't give head, that's a no-brainer
Niggas back bangers you don't even know the names of
Imma bout to meet my quota, you about to meet ya Saviour
You wack nigga, you about to get shot
Fuck with Talib Kweli, that's how you get got!
Not that I'm wildin' or even promote violence
You're fuckin' up my high, can a nigga smoke in silence?
Damn, New York City in the house!
Talib Kweli gotta tell you what it's about
Because my man Kanye from the Chi' will say hi
Wave your hands from side to side
Mos Def, Kweli--
I got my man, he represent the [?] projects
[?]

[Verse 3: Mos Def]
I say guess who's bizzack, Kweli, Kanye, and Mos
Punk niggas getting way too close
[?] Broadway doing them all day
Niggas [?] but don't take it the wrong way
[?]
Doing Iving Plaza, causing disaster
You bring the time but we bring the prescription
Pick up your ears so you all could listen
[?]

[Outro: Kanye West]
I be killin' these niggas on this lyrical shit
Mayonnaise colored Benz, I push miracle whips
And since takeover, it seems like the whole hood want to get a Jimmie Jones makeover
Niggas forcing me to keep the heater
Black strap, white handle, I got Jungle Fever

Kanye West

The ubiquitous Kanye West—from his famous quip, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people,” to “I'ma let you finish,” to marrying Kim Kardashian, to announcing that he’s running for President, and admitting his love for President Trump—you can see that he’s a staple of the tabloids and the entertainment world, industry-wide.

That certainly doesn’t take anything away from his music; as a matter of fact, it only seems to add to his fortuitous career. For instance, his 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, was universally praised by fans and critics alike; it was recorded during the backlash he received from the Swift interruption and during his break-up with then-girlfriend Amber Rose.

He has scored other well-known hits, as well, from each of his previous studio albums—such as “Stronger,” “Heartless,” and “Gold Digger.” Each of his albums has been massive critical and commercial successes, including his collaboration album with JAY-Z, Watch the Throne. As of 2020, West has won an astounding 21 Grammys, tied with JAY-Z as the most decorated hip-hop artist in Grammy history.