Songfacts®:

• In this song, the "Dirt" represents the people who are always trying to bring you down and are jealous of your success. Jay-Z expounds on his accomplishments and lavish lifestyle, and notes that these disparaging types are nothing more than dirt that he must brush off his shoulder.
• After this song was released, "Get that dirt off your shoulder" became a common catch phrase, often accompanied by a gesture of casually wiping your shoulder. It became popular among athletes after making a big play.
• In this song, Jay-Z mentions the "40/40 Club," which is a restaurant he owns. He also mentions ESPN in that line, which is a sports network he enjoys and has interviewed him.
• Jay-Z collaborated with Linkin Park on the 2004 mash-up EP Collision Course that included this tune paired with the rap-rock band's "Lying From You."
• "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" was the second single, following "Change Clothes," from The Black Album, which Jay-Z said would be his last. He even had a retirement send-off concert at Madison Square Garden and released a film called Fade To Black to chronicle his swan song, but he returned to music in 2006 with his album Kingdom Come. Hey, Jordan retired and came back too.