I see both ends of this point. I also admit, a song lyric isn’t a great place to get nuance. It’s possible to love your family, view them as whole and unique people, and still have thoughts of “Yeah, I screwed up and if I don’t make it right and not screw up again, this is the pain I will have to live with -…

Now this video makes more sense to me.

Seriously. I got 99 problems, but real estate ain’t one.

Totally

From reading some of these comments, we need a squad of the greatest literary and television detectives to solve the Curious Case of the Becky. Only then will we be able to move on...

Anybody else catch that Ciara/Future shade?

sooo no mention of his “jews own all the property in america” line?

I listened to Jay Z when I was younger and I’m pretty sure I heard rhymes that could interpreted as homophobic so this a big turn around.

Yeah and “Let me alone Becky” is more of a reflection of his own demons not leaving him alone, then some person.

BINGO

I don’t even know what you woulda done, in the future, other niggas playing football with your son.

Lecy/Alicia was always my favorite Becky.

That’s the real problem. If you can’t respect your wife and kids in the first place, fuck your bravado when she leaves and another man or woman takes your place.

It’s almost like men who are serial cheaters view women as possessions rather than as people.

Yeah, I think it’s more of a catchy reference to Future/Ciara/Russell Wilson than him literally saying he doesn’t want that to happen. I think he’s just saying, “I don’t wanna end up like Future, watching this dude that’s infinitely better than me having the great family I could have had if I weren’t a fuckboy.”

Jay has me shook. The album is genuinely really good. No I.D. did the damn thing with the production and Jay is not only rapping about something of substance, but he’s not holding back either.

other niggas playing football with your son.

Had no idea his mom was gay. Excited to hear the song about it because those lyrics (and her spoken word piece) are beautiful.

Aww, that’s sweet! Good for Jay and Mama Carter.