Jay-Z “Run This Town” Featuring Kanye and Rihanna: Bonafied Summer Anthem

By Jessica Madison on July 24th, 2009

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Summer’s not over yet, not if Jay-Z’s new single, “Run This Town” has anything to do with it. The second single from the rapper’s upcoming album, The Blueprint 3 – out September 11 – the song is based around a fun and bouncy guitar sample over which Rihanna sings a sleek and pop-friendly chorus. Her first outing since the Chris Brown blowup too. And she sounds great. But the real fun comes at the end with Kanye’s song-stealing performance. Although you can’t fault Jay-Z either. Both come out swinging on this outing, showing the world why they’re still at the top of their games.

Released earlier this morning at 9:11 a.m. – as specifically dictated by Jay-Z – the song is sure to be all over the net by now. And soon to be all over your radios too. America, welcome your new #1 Jam. Sorry, Will.I.Am, the Kings (and Queen) have returned. And they, well, Run This Town.

Check below for audio and lyrics.

Jay-Z – “Run This Town”

As mentioned above, both Jay-Z and Kanye have some tight verses, but I think Kanye’s still got the edge. His lyrics flow better and have a little more punch too. But check for yourself. Here are the “Run This Town” lyrics.

(Rihanna)
Feel it coming in the air
Hear the screams from everywhere
I’m addicted to the the thrill
It’s a dangerous love affair
Can’t be scaring nickels down
Got a problem, tell me now
Only thing that’s on my mind
Is who gon’ run this town tonight
Is who gon’ run this town tonight
We gon’ run this town

(Jay-Z)
We are, yeah, I said it, we are
This is Roc Nation, pledge your allegiance
Get y’all fatigues on, all black everything
Black cards, black cars, all black everything
And our girls are blackbirds, riding with they Dillingers
I 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 tryna get back
I gave Doug a grip, I lost a flip for five stacks
Yeah, I’m talking five comma six zeroes dot zero, here girl
Back to running circles ’round niggas, now we squared up
Hold up

(Rihanna)
Life’s a game but it’s not fair
I break the rules so I don’t care
So I keep doing my own thing
Walking tall against the rain
Victory’s within the mile
Almost there, don’t give up now
Only thing that’s on my mind
Is who gon’ run this town tonight
Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey-ey, ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey-ey, ey-ey-ey-ey
Who gon’ run this town tonight?

(Jay-Z)
We are, yeah, I said it, we are
You can call me Caesar, in a dark Caesar
Please follow the leader, so Eric B. we are
Microphone fiend, it’s the return of the God, peace, God
And ain’t nobody fresher
I’m in Maison, uh, Martin Margiela
On the table, screaming fuck the other side, they jealous
We got a bankhead full of broads, they got a table full of fellas
(Ewww) And they ain’t spendin’ no cake
They should throw they hand in, ’cause they ain’t got no spades
(Ewww) My whole team got dough
So my bankhead is lookin’ like Millionaires’ Row
(Ewww)

(Rihanna)
Life’s a game but it’s not fair
I break the rules so I don’t care
So I keep doing my own thing
Walking tall against the rain
Victory’s within the mile
Almost there, don’t give up now
Only thing that’s on my mind
Is who gon’ run this town tonight
Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey-ey, ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey-ey, ey-ey-ey-ey
Who gon’ run this town tonight?

(Kanye West)
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 Volvos
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 fuckin’ Rav 4?
But I know that if I stay stunting
All these girls only gon’ want one thing
I could spend my whole life good will hunting
Only good gon’ come is it’s good when I’m coming
She got an ass that’ll swallow up her G-string
And up top, uh, two bee stings
And I’m beasting, off the re-sling
And my nigga just made it out the precinct
We give a damn about the drama that you do bring
I’m just tryna change the color on your mood ring
Reebok, baby, you need to try some new things
Have you ever had shoes without shoestrings?
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 run it, huh?
Now you know how we feel

(Jay-Z)
Wha’sup?

(Rihanna)
Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey-ey, ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey-ey, ey-ey-ey-ey

(Jay-Z)
Wha’sup?

(Rihanna)
Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey-yeah, ey-ey-ey-yeah
Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey-yeah
We gon’ run this town tonight

(Jay-Z)
Wha’sup?