10 essential Jay-Z quotes

Here are some of his most memorable lines. I was born to dictate, never follow orders. Jay-Z, via "U Don't Know," 'The Blueprint'. Nobody built like you, you design yourself, Jay-Z, via "A Dream," 'The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse'. A loss ain't a loss, it's a lesson. , Jay-Z, via "Smile," '4:44'. 'Til you own your own, you can't be free. , Jay-Z, via "I Got the Keys," DJ Khaled's 'Major Key'. One day you're up, next day you're down / Long as you stay the same, it'll come back around. , Jay-Z, via "Sweet," 'American Gangster'.