Run This Town

Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna

About Run This Town

"Run This Town" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z. The song also features Rihanna and Kanye West. It was written by the performing trio, with assistance from Ernest Wilson and Jeff Bhasker. Production of the track was made by West and Wilson (also known as "No I. D."). "Run This Town" was released as the second single from Jay-Z's eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3, and is used as the theme song of Battlefield 4."Run This Town" received mixed reviews from music critics; some praised what each member of the trio brought to the track, whilst others thought that Rihanna and Kanye West out-performed Jay-Z. The song was a commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in the United Kingdom. It additionally made top ten chartings in ten other countries including in Australia, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. "Run This Town" won Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. The song's accompanying music video, directed by Anthony Mandler, depicts the trio in a post-apocalyptic environment, featuring scenes involving angry protesters surrounding them. "Run This Town" was performed by Jay-Z, West, and Rihanna on the series premiere of The Jay Leno Show in the United States. 


Year:
2010
4:28
608 
#1

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Feel it comin' in the air (Yeah)
And the screams from everywhere (Yeah)
I'm addicted to the thrill (I'm ready)
It's a dangerous love affair (What's up, c'mon)
Can't be scared when it goes down
Got a problem, tell me now (What's up)
Only thing that's on my mind (Whats up)
Is who's gonna run this town tonight (What's up)
Is who's gonna run this town tonight (What's up)
We gonna run this town

We are, yeah I said it, we are,
This is Roc Nation, pledge your allegiance
Get ya'll black tees on, all black everything
Black cards, black cars, all black everything
And our girls are blackbirds, ridin' with they Dillingers
I'd get more in depth, if you boys really real enough
This is la familia, I'll explain later
But for now let me get back to this paper, I'm a couple bands down
And I'm tryin' to get back
I gave the other grip, I lost a flip for five stacks
Yeah I'm talkin' five comma's, six zeros, dot zeroes here it go,
Back to runnin' circles 'round niggas, now we squared up, hold up

Life's a game but it's not fair
I break the rules so I don't care
So I keep doin' my own thing
Walkin' tall against the rain (What's up)
Victory's within the mile,
Almost there, don't give up now (What's up)
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gon' run this town tonight (What's up)
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, heyy
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, heyy, (What's up)
Is whos gon' run this town tonight?

We are, yeah I said it we are,
You can call me Caesar, in a dark Czar
Please follow the leader, So Eric B. we are
Microphone fiend, it's the return of the God, peace God
(Ah! Ah!) And ain't nobody fresher, I'm in Mason
Martin Margiela,
On the tape we're screamin' f*ck the other side, they jealous
We got a banquet for the broads, they got a table for of fellas
And they ain't spending no cake
They should throw they hand in,
'Cause they ain't got no spades
My whole team got dough
So my banquette is looking like millionaires' row

Life's a game but it's not fair
I break the rules so I don't care (What's up)
So I keep doin' my own thing
Walkin' tall against the rain
Victory's within the mile (What's up)
Almost there, don't give up now
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who gon' run this town tonight (What's up)
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, heyy
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey (What's up)
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, heyy,
Is who's gon' run this town tonight?

It's crazy how you can go from being Joe Blow
To everybody on your dick, no homo
I bought my whole family whips, no Volvo's
Next time I'm in church, please no photos
Police escorts, everybody passports
This the life that everybody ask for
This a fast life, we are on a crash course
What you think I rap for, to push a fucking Rav-4?
But I know that if I stay stun-ting
All these girls only gonna want one thing
I could spend my whole life good will hunting
Only good gon' come is as good when I'm coming
She got a ass that'll swallow up a g-string
And up top, uh, two bee stings
And I'm beasting, off the Riesling
And my nigga just made it out the precinct
We give a damn about the drama that you do bring
I'm just trying to change the color on your mood ring
Reebok, baby, you need to drop some new things
Have you ever had shoes without shoe strings?
What's that 'Ye? Baby, these heels
Is that a may? What?
Baby, these wheels
You trippin' when you ain't sippin', have a refill
You feelin' like you runnin', huh? Now you know how we feel, (What's up)

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey hey, (What's up)
Hey, hey, hey hey, hey, hey,
Hey hey, hey, hey,
Hey, hey, hey hey, hey, hey,
We gonna run this town tonight!

What's up!

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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: Athanasios Alatas, Dion Wilson, Jeff Bhasker, Kanye West, Robyn Fenty, Shawn Carter, NIKO GRAPSAS, MARINOS GIAMALAKIS, CHRISTOS VLACHAKIS, NIKOS DOUNAVIS, RIHANNA FENTY

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, A.E.P.I., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Date
"Run This Town" was released on July 24, 2009, as the second single from Jay-Z's 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3.
Collaboration
The song features major contributions from two renowned artists— Barbadian singer Rihanna and Kanye West. Rihanna provided the hooks, while Kanye West was involved in both production and vocals.
Producers
"Run This Town" was produced by Kanye West, No I.D., and Jeff Bhasker.
Chart Performance
Upon release, the song topped the charts in the United Kingdom and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
Grammy Awards
In 2010, "Run This Town" won two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, capping off its immense critical success.
Music Video
The music video for "Run This Town," directed by Anthony Mandler, features Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West in a post-apocalyptic setting, surrounded by a rebellious crowd.
Critical Reception
The song received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the collaboration and the production, but criticizing the song's lack of Jay-Z's presence.
Cultural Impact
"Run This Town" has been featured in various media, including movies and video games. For instance, it was used in the trailer for the 2010 film "The Town," and was included in the soundtrack of the video game, "Battlefield 4."
Live Performances
Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Rihanna performed "Run This Town" live at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
Lyrics
The song is a bold anthem of victory and power, with lyrics referring to the trio's dominance in the music industry.
Certified Platinum
The song was certified platinum in the United States, selling over a million copies.
Debate About Song Meaning
Some listeners and critics have speculated that "Run This Town" might have a deeper, possibly political, meaning, relating to themes such as power, society, and control. However, the artists themselves have not commented on these speculations.

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    Run This Town

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2009

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