All eyes are on JAY-Z with the release of his latest project on Friday, and fans are particularly interested in all the Beyoncé references in JAY-Z's 4:44 . Some were wondering if the rapper's 13th studio album would feature his superstar wife, and it turns out she made a surprise guest appearance on "Family Feud" with background vocals. Of course, every time JAY-Z mentions Blue Ivy, it's an indirect reference to her mother and their famous little family. But beyond that, there are direct traces of Beyoncé all over the album, with the couple's 11-year marriage also having a clear influence.
Some references are purely positive, like JAY-Z praising his significant other's incredible success as an artist and moneymaker in "Family Feud." Other songs have overtones of regret and apology, like "4:44," which reads like an open love letter to Beyoncé, with the rapper seemingly apologizing for her past misdeeds and vowing to Better.
In short, this album covers the gamut of A-list relationships, with all its ups and downs. It's an incredibly vulnerable offering that gives listeners a glimpse into the marriages of the industry's most powerful couples. Here are some of the clearest references to Beyoncé from "4:44" for all you curious fans out there who want to know the truth.
"Kill JAY-Z"
The album's first song is vulnerable in a way that JAY-Z has never been before. The rapper told iHeartRadio that "Kill JAY-Z" is about "killing yourself so we can have this conversation from a place of vulnerability and honesty." Part of being vulnerable is admitting your mistakes, the 47-year-old This seems to be done in the following lyrics:
"You almost went to Eric Bennett
Let the baddest girl in the world escape
I don’t even know what else to say.”
He was referring to Eric Benét's three-year marriage to Halle Berry, which ended in 2003. Bennett has since admitted that the breakup was due to his own infidelity, and JAY-Z seemed to indicate that he was on the verge of a breakdown. (Bennett responded via Twitter with the lyrics.)
"Smile"
JAY-Z told iHeartRadio that the third track at 4:44 is about the ups and downs of life. But the rapper also appears to mention his wife in the song's third verse.
“All that hard-earned money, I giggle.
Even my wife's habits can't support it
Buying jewelry in Paris
All you jewelers should be embarrassed, haha”
He talked about the money he made in the past compared to the money he makes now. Today, the hard-earned money is no longer enough to support his wife, "Mrs." - diamond. (Not that she needs any help with that.)
"4:44"
Rap Genius describes the album's title track as a love letter and apology to Beyoncé, and it's woven throughout. He said it wasn't until my kids were born that he saw things from his wife's perspective and admitted he felt he wasn't good enough for her, especially after their relationship began. He recalled making demands for her time while she was on tour, even describing the moment he asked for an exclusivity:
"Say: 'Don't embarrass me,' not 'Do it mine.'
This is my suggestion for our stable development
It was your 21st birthday, you mature faster than me
I'm not ready yet, so I apologize."
According to a throwback photo Beyoncé posted in 2014, the Lemonade singer's 21st anniversary event was an '80s-themed skate party in Atlanta. And according to these lyrics, this is also the time and place where JAY-Z asked her to be his girlfriend. But instead of saying something more mature, the rapper ruefully asked his future wife not to embarrass him. According to Rap Genius , Beyoncé knows what he means - she shouldn't act like she's single because JAY-Z wants to be her boyfriend.
Later in the song, things get even deeper and darker, as the rapper appears to take some responsibility for Beyoncé's miscarriage.
"I still mourn this death and I apologize for all stillbirths
Because your body won’t accept my absence.”
He then appeared to apologize for the infidelity, saying:
"Like those before me, I cut off my nose to insult my face
I never want another woman to know
Something you don’t know about me
I promised, I cried, I can't hold on
I suck at love, I think I need a do-over
If I invited you over, I’d be happy to accept.”
"Family Feud"
The sixth song on the album is also full of Bey elements, and the background vocals she sings highlight this. It all started with this line: "My wife fed the kids liquid gold in their crib," which the Rap Genius collaborator explained to be a reference to Beyoncé's breast milk. He further refers to the status of family with the following lyrics:
“What’s better than a billionaire?
Two ( two ) "especially if they are the same shade as you"
Forbes reports that, as a group, the couple have become billionaires, and they also claim that JAY-Z himself is approaching billionaire status. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows in the Carter household. Just like in "4:44," JAY-Z seems to admit that sometimes he can be his own worst enemy. He raps,
"Yeah, I'll mess up a good thing if you let me
Leave me alone, Becky
A person who does not take care of his family cannot be rich."
The addition of the name "Becky" in particular seems to be a clear reference to Beyoncé's album Lemonade , as well as the infamous and oft-speculated line "Becky has beautiful hair." The name may represent JAY-Z's belief that he has let his wife down during their marriage of more than ten years.
"Marcy Me"
Aside from some deeper references elsewhere on the album, sometimes JAY-Z just wants to keep things simple and pay tribute to his wife. In "Marcy's Me," he compares Beyoncé to another beauty her age: Lisa Bonet, the "Cosby Show" star who plays Dennis Hernandez That seems to be the case for Denise Huxtable, also Zoë Kravitz's mother.
He raps about growing up "when Lisa Bonet was the Beyoncé of her time," implying that his wife is a beauty of her generation. It’s hard to argue with that!
"heritage"
On the album's final song, JAY-Z goes introspective, imagining how his wealth will be distributed after his death. He listed the names of family members he wished to receive and concluded by writing:
"Leave the rest to B to do what she wants to do
She might start an institute
She might put poor kids through school
My shares in Roc Nation should be yours."
He expressed confidence that his wife would do the right thing with his millions — more likely billions — and direct his legacy for good. Nothing says love more than letting her decide how he will leave his mark on the world.
It’s the perfect way to end an album that is a testament to their relationship in so many ways. By the sounds of it, Beyoncé and JAY-Z have been through a lot, and 4:44 proves that the family is stronger than ever.
