Throughout his career, Jay Z has channeled the energy of multiple artists, athletes, and pioneers to create his music. Below are 50 people that he said he was (ordered by album and lyrics.)
1. Errol Flynn: Cashmere Thoughts
“Ghetto’s Errol Flynn, hot like heroin”
2. Robert De Niro: Bring it On
"Mannerisms of a young Bobby DeNiro, spent Spanish wisdoms"
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3. The Fonz: Streets Is Talking
“I just — flip and, pop my collar like the Fonz”
4. Tiger Woods: Who You Wit II
“I sink this ball in your hole, I’m Tiger Woods”
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5. Brett Favre: Paper Chase
“More arms than Green Bay’s Brett Favre for ya”
6. Latrell Sprewell: It’s Alright
“On the Jew-els I blew more money than Latrell, who else?”
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7. Oprah: S.Carter
“Hustler, n*gga move weight like Oprah”
8. Noah: It’s Hot (Some Like It Hot)
“Hovah’s like Noah keep two in the truck”
9. Bobby Bucher: Come and Get Me
“Round the way, n*ggas called me Bobby Boucher”
10. Kevin Bacon: Hova’s Song
“There’s “Seven Degrees of Separation” and I’m Kevin Bacon”
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11. Stevie Wonder: Intro
“I’m Stevie Wonder with, beads under the doo-rag”
12. Johnnie Cochran: Guilty Until Proven Innocent
“Just like Cochran, c*cksuckers you never see me boxed in”
13. Billy Blanks: Breathe Easy
“The ghetto’s Billy Blanks”
14. Alex Rodriguez: All I Need
“Shut ya bumba' got A-Rod numbers”
15. Randall Cunningham: Heart of the City(Ain’t No Love)
“I scramble like Randall with his Cunningham but the only thing running is numbers fam”
16. Magic Johnson: Hola Holvito
“If you haven’t heard, I’m Michael, Magic and Bird”
17. Miss Cleo: The Rulers Back
“I could predict the future like Cleo the psychic”
18. Right Said Fred: The Rulers Back
“I’m too sexy for jail like I’m Right Said Fred”
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19. Kordell Stewart: Hovi Baby
“Rapper slash exec, Kordell Stewart”
20. David Copperfield: 2 Many Hoes
“Disappear like Copperfield, go cop a feel”
21. Glenn Robinson: Blueprint 2
“I’m Big Dog, Glenn Rob, listen God you a flea”
22. Michelangelo: Guns n’ Roses
“The Michelangelo of flow I paint pictures with poems”
23. Ralph Lauren: Guns n’ Roses
“Roc-a-wear I’m the young black Ralph Lauren”
24. Michael Corleone: Guns n’ Roses
“Every time I get out they put me right back in. The Michael Corleone of the microphone”
25. Ichiro: All Around The World
“Konichiwa ladies when I’m out in Japan. I’m a Tokyo Giant like Ichiro, I am”
26. Rembrandt: What They Gonna Do Part II
“All sorts of flow, Rembrandt, Rilkey”
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27. Branch Rickey: Brooklyn Go Hard
“Now when I bring the Nets, I'm the black Branch Rickey”
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28. Marvin Gaye: Dirt Off Your Shoulder
I’m like a young Marvin in his hey'
29. Che Guevara: Public Service Announcement
“I’m like Che Guevara with bling on, I’m complex”
30. Warren Buffet: Threat
“You lookin at the black Warren Buffett so all critics can duck sic”
31. Martha Stewart: What More Can I Say
“The Martha Stewart that’s far from Jewish”
32. Grateful Dead: Encore
“I’m young H.O., rap’s Grateful Dead”
33. Hakeem Olajuwon: My 1st Song
“Had to had to get these chips. Had to make moves like Olajuwon”
34. Michael Schumacher: Justify My Thug
“I am the Michael Schumacher of the Roc roster”
35. Joe Pesci: Threat
“I’m especially Joe Pesci wit it, friend”
36. Halle Berry: Threat
“But catch me down the Westside, drivin like Halle Berry”
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37. Flash Gordon: Kingdom Come
“Flash Gordon when recording, spark the light in the dark”
38. Superman: Kingdom Come
“Step inside the booth Superman is alive”
39. Heidi Klum: Beach Chair
“In great shape like Heidi Klum, Maricón, I am on”
40. Spiderman: Kingdom Come
“Peter Park, Spiderman, all I do is climb the charts”
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41. Frank Lucas: No hook
“Compare me to trappers, I’m more Frank Lucas than Ludacris”
42. Al Pacino: Party Life
“Sippin on my pinot got me cooler than Pacino”
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