All of Jay-Z’s 4:44 Lines That Directly Address Beyoncé’s Lemonade

The moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived. Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Spike

Eric Benét, god bless your mentions. Beyoncé told you Jay-Z cheated. Solange intimated that Jay-Z cheated. And, with 4:44, Jay-Z references Benét (he dated Halle Berry, remember?) to confirm that he goofed: “You almost went Eric Benét,� Hov raps. “Let the baddest girl in the world get away.� 4:44 — a personal rumination on Jay’s legacy, his marriage, and black identity — doesn’t bury the truth. He cops to the long-gestating tea: Jay is taking responsibility for everything Lemonade accused him of, almost line by line. Here are 4:44’s clearest responses to Bey’s Lemonade:

“Hold Up�: “Never had the baddest woman in the game up in your sheets�
“Kill Jay-Z�: “You almost went Eric Benét / Let the baddest girl in the world get away�

“Pray You Catch Me�: “You can taste the dishonesty / It’s all over your breath as you pass it off so cavalier�
“Kill Jay-Z�: “You egged Solange on / Knowin’ all along, all you had to say you was wrong�

“Sorry�: “He always got them fucking excuses / I pray to the lord you reveal what his truth is / I left a note in the hallway / By the time you read it, I’ll be far away�
“4:44�: “I suck at love, I think I need a do-over / I will be emotionally available if I invited you over / I stew over what if you over my shit?�

“Sorry�: “Me and my baby, we gon’ be alright / We gon’ live a good life�
“4:44�: “And if my children knew, I don’t even know what I would do / If they ain’t look at me the same / I would prolly die with all the shame�

“Forward�: “Go back to your sleep in your favorite spot just next to me�
“4:44�: “And all this ratchet shit and we more expansive not / Meant to cry and die alone in these mansions / Or sleep with our back turned�

“Sorry�: “He only want me when I’m not there / He better call Becky with the good hair�
“Family Feud�: “Yeah, I’ll fuck up a good thing if you let me / Let me alone Becky!�

“Sorry�: “Now you want to say you’re sorry / Now you want to call me crying�
“4:44�: “We talked for hours when you were on tour / Please pick up the phone, pick up the phone�