JAY-Z aspires to inspire with “Dream. On.,” a poetic new visual that features original spoken word from the Roc Nation boss.
Filled with vintage vibes, the video acts as a time capsule for June 1983, back when Hov was just 13 years old. It features dilapidated walls and ceilings, dusty vinyls, beat up Puma classics, and pages filled with his lyrics for Big L’s “Da Graveyard” next to an old tape recorder.
While boomboxes, large headphones, basketballs, and paper planes are displayed, Shawn Carter speaks about the importance of dreaming.
“I’m from where dreaming ain’t allowed,” he says. “Especially when you’re dreaming aloud.”
Explaining that success requires
“blood, sweat, and tears,” Young H.O. raps about hope, too. “I know what a kid from 5C see’d,” he says. “Heaven knows, all I had was hella hope / Speed dating with destiny, I couldn’t tell her nope.”
Finally, he reveals the power of visualization.
“You are whatever you say you are,” he says. “Turn any situation around / Who are you? God.”
Released by TIDAL and Budweiser, “Dream. On.” comes ahead of the upcoming Made in America festival, which is set to take place this weekend, with headlining sets by J. Cole (Saturday) and JAY-Z (Sunday). See the lineup below.