Izzo (H.O.V.A.)

Jay-Z

About Izzo (H.O.V.A.)

"Izzo (H. O. V. A.)" (often referred to as "H to the Izzo") is the first single released by Jay-Z from his sixth album The Blueprint. It is among his most popular singles. This was the second song released off The Blueprint, after the diss track "Takeover", but the lead single from it. The song reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. It was Jay-Z's first top 10 single as a lead artist. The song, produced by Kanye West, prominently features a sample of "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5, the second major hit in 2001 to sample that song (after "My Baby" by Lil' Romeo). Jay-Z premiered the song live, at the inaugural BET Awards on June 19, 2001. The song was later mashed up with Linkin Park's "In the End" for their collaborative EP, Collision Course. 


Year:
2001
4:01
113 
#8

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Ladies and gentlemen let's put our hands together for the astonishing
(*girls singing*)
H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a...

[jay-z]
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 8th wonder of the world
The flow of the century.. oh it's timeless.. hov'!
Thanks for comin out tonight
You coulda been anywhere in the world, but you're here with me
I appreciate that.. uuunnnh..

H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a
Fo' shizzle my nizzle used to dribble down in va
Was hurtin 'em in the home of the terrapins; got it dirt cheap for them
Plus if they was short with cheese i would work with them
Brought in weed, got rid of that dirt for them
Wasn't born hustlers, i was birthin 'em
H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a
Fo' sheezy my neezy keep my arms so freezy
Can't leave rap alone the game needs me
Haters want me clapped and chromed it ain't easy
Cops want to knock me, d.a. want to box me in
But somehow, i beat them charges like rocky
H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a
Not guilty, he who does not feel me
Is not real to me, therefore he doesn't exist
So poof -- vamoose, son of a bitch!

[chorus]
H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a
Fo' shizzle my nizzle used to dribble down in va
H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a
That's the anthem get'cha damn hands up
H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a
Not guilty why'all got to feel me
H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a
That's the anthem get'cha damn hands up!

[jay-z]
Holla at me...
I do this for my culture
To let 'em know what a nigga look like, when a nigga in a roaster
Show 'em how to move in a room full of vultures
Industry shady it need to be taken over
Label owners hate me i'm raisin the status quo up
I'm overchargin niggaz for what they did to the cold crush
Pay us like you owe us for all the years that you hoed us
We can talk, but money talks so talk mo' bucks

[chorus]
[jay-z]
Yeah...
Hov' is back, life stories told through rap
Niggaz actin like i sold you crack
Like i told you sell drugs; no, hov' did that
So hopefully you won't have to go through that
I was raised in the pro-jects, roaches and rats
Smokers out back, sellin they mama's sofa
Lookouts on the corner, focused on the ave
Ladies in the window, focused on the kinfolk
Me under a lamp post, why i got my hand closed?
Cracks in my palm, watchin the long arm of the law
So you know i seen it all before
I seen hoop dreams deflate like a true fiend's weight
To try and to fail, the two things i hate
Succeed in this rap game, the two things that's great
H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a
What else can i say about dude, i gets bu-sy

[chorus]
(*girls singing*)
H to the izz-o, v to the izz-a... (*repeat 4x to fade*)

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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: Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, Deke Richards, Berry Gordy Jr, Kanye West, Shawn Carter

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Details
"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" was released by American rapper Jay-Z as the lead single from his sixth studio album, "The Blueprint," in August 2001.
Successful Performance
The song peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, marking it as one of Jay-Z's highest-charting songs at that point in his career.
Production Credits
"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" was produced by famed record producer Kanye West, marking one of his earliest major credits as a producer.
Decoding the Title
The title "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" is a play on Jay-Z's nickname 'Hova,' assumed from the name Jehovah, referring to God. 'Izzo' is derived from Jay-Z's real name, Shawn Carter (S.C., hence 'Izzo').
Cultural References
The song makes a host of cultural references, including mentions of pop culture icons like Muhammad Ali and Michael Jackson, socio-political issues, and references to the mafia.
Sampled Music
Kanye West sampled "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 to create the beat for "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)". This marked one of the first and most notable uses of this sample in hip-hop music.
Live Performance History
Jay-Z performed "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards with surprise guest Michael Jackson, which was a significant moment in pop culture.
Reaction from Michael Jackson's Family
According to reports, after the song's release, Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine expressed his unhappiness about the sampling of The Jackson 5's songs, although the sample was legally cleared.
Influence on Kanye West’s Career
Kanye West's creative sampling for "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" played a major role in solidifying his reputation in the industry, helping him to launch a successful solo career later on.
Song's Place in Jay-Z's Discography
"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" is often considered one of Jay-Z's signature songs and has frequently featured in his live performances.

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    Izzo (H.O.V.A.)

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2001

    Billboard #8


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