Lyrics
"Man I worked for one of the biggest companies in New York City
Working for a major company in NYC, acknowledging hierarchical power dynamics.
He didn't own his own company, white man owned it, so they owned him
Highlighting the lack of ownership and control due to being subordinate to a white owner.
Nobody owns me though"
Asserting personal independence and resistance to being owned or controlled.
(Your gangster is not defined)
Exploring the abstract nature of the term "gangster," emphasizing its subjective definition.
Your gangster is not defined by how low your jeans fall by your waist
Rejecting superficial measures like low-hanging jeans as criteria for being a gangster.
But more how your genes stand up to their expectations
Focusing on one's genetic qualities and character in meeting societal expectations.
"Never forgetting where you came from"
Emphasizing the importance of remembering one's origins and roots.
(Your gangster, your gangster)
Reiterating that true gangster identity transcends material possessions.
Your gangster is not defined by how many rocks are in your watch
Challenging the idea that wealth or materialism defines a person's gangster status.
But more, how many rocks you move while on your watch
Measuring gangster credibility by one's impact and influence, not just possessions.
(Gangsters, hustlers, republicans, democrats, pimps and hoes)
Listing various societal roles and groups, suggesting a diverse range of individuals can be gangsters.
Conservatives, labor, the seller, the buyer, the product, the producer
Highlighting the interconnectedness of various roles and entities in society.
"See you are what you are in this world"
Stating that individuals are defined by their actions and roles in the world.
The gangster is absorbed and adored by those that don't understand the laws that govern gangsterment
Exploring the admiration of the gangster figure by those unfamiliar with the associated laws.
(Gangsterment, gangsterment)
Introducing the concept of "gangsterment" and its ability to create rules and language.
Gangsterment allows you to make up your own laws and create brand new words
Describing the freedom to establish personal rules and language through gangsterment.
Gangster mentality
Emphasizing the mindset and attitude associated with being a gangster.
(Gangster mentality, an American way created by the white
Connecting gangster mentality to an American way influenced by both black and white elements.
Mastered by the black, and absorbed by the fiends, taxed by the governmentality, charted by Forbes
Detailing the influence of gangster mentality in society, including government and business.
If you believe in Jay-Z then you too can be a gangster)
Encouraging belief in Jay-Z's vision as a pathway to adopting a gangster identity.
Then you too can be a gangster by any means necessary
Promoting the idea that anyone can become a gangster through determination and any means necessary.
By owning that dream, I mean it's a long walk to freedom but
Linking the pursuit of one's dreams to the concept of being a gangster.
While deep, deep, deep inside the bush
Metaphorically referencing the challenges and obstacles on the path to freedom.
(The war on terror screams, damn it feels good)
Connecting the internal struggles (inside the bush) to the broader context of the war on terror.
Damn it feels good to be a gangster
Expressing the satisfaction of being a gangster despite societal challenges.
(To be a gangster, swagger is not a must, it's a liability, a cliche, a bad suit
Rejecting the importance of swagger and emphasizing its drawbacks as a liability.
Cut the bullshit, you know if it wasn't for this, there would be no that)
Addressing the necessity of certain elements for the existence of others in the gangster lifestyle.
Which we call, the American Gangster
Labeling the whole concept as the American Gangster and affirming its existence.
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