It Sounds Like Jay Z Addressed His Relationship With Kanye on 'Everything Is Love'

After dissecting some of the lyrics to Jay and Beyoncé’s new joint album, it appears several of the tracks include references to Jay and Kanye West's strained relationship.

Now that we’ve had a few hours to dissect Jay Z and Beyoncé’s surprise album Everything Is Love, it’s time to address the big question on many fans’ minds: did Hov have bars for Kanye West?

Well, it certainly sounds like he did. On the project’s sixth track, “Friends,” Jay alludes to the fallout with his Watch the Throne partner, and why he was a no-show at Kanye and Kim Kardashian’s 2014 wedding:

I ain't going to nobody for nothing when me and my wife beefing
I don't care if the house on fire, I'm dying, nigga, I ain't leaving
Ty Ty take care of my kids, after he done grieving
If ya'll don't understand that, we ain't meant to be friends

As most fans know, Kanye has expressed his disappoint in Jay for failing to attend his wedding ceremony. He spoke about this during his one-on-one interview with Charlamagne tha God last month.

“Respectfully, I have to say I was hurt that they didn’t come to the wedding," he said. "I understand they were going through some things, but if it’s family, you’re not gonna miss a wedding.”

Jay seemingly addressed ‘Ye’s comments in “Friends,” by claiming he was not going to leave his family while he and Beyoncé were “beefing.” Even if it was a matter of life and death.

Hov also may have addressed Kanye on “Boss,” with the lines:

Hundred million crib, three million watch, all facts
No cap, false nigga you not a boss, you got a boss
Niggas getting jerk, that shit hurts, I take it personally
Niggas rather work for the man than to work with me
Just so they can pretend they on my level, that shit is irkin' to me
Pride always goeth before the fall, almost certainly

These lyrics are a little less obvious; however, it’s not a significant reach. The lyrics, “Nigga you not a boss, you got a boss,” could be a reference to Kanye’s contracts with big-name companies like Def Jam and Adidas, and how those deals wouldn't allow 'Ye to be on the same level as Hov. The lyrics could also allude to Kanye’s decision to leave Tidal—the streaming company that Jay partly owns: “Niggas rather work for the man than to work with me.”

In summer 2017, it was reported that Kanye left Tidal because of a financial dispute. Though Jay appeared to address the situation in his 4:44 track “Kill Jay Z,” neither of the rappers have publicly spoken on it.

More recently, Jay Z talked about his relationship with Kanye during an interview with David Letterman. "That's my brother, we're beyond friends," he said. "And like your little brother, things happen sometimes."

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