“Agency owners, brace yourselves: You are like Jay-Z’s Can I Get A…. Not just Jay-Z himself—but this specific song." - Bill Fow

Introduction:

Agency owners, brace yourselves, because this might sound ridiculous at first: You are like Jay-Z’s iconic track Can I Get A… Not just Jay-Z, not just the entrepreneur or artist—but this specific song.

I know what you’re thinking. How could a late-90s anthem dripping with audacity, ambition, and raw cultural critique possibly mirror my life running an agency?

Stay with me. Beneath the provocative lyrics lies a brilliant, unapologetic exploration of self-worth, relationships, ambition, and stigma. Themes that every single agency owner grapples with, whether they realize it or not.

So let’s break it down, verse by verse, bar by bar, and uncover why you, an agency owner, are the embodiment of this track—and why this realization will transform how you see yourself, your work, and the legacy you’re building.

The Chorus: The Critique of Transactional Relationships 👊

“Can I get a f** you to these bes from all of my ns

Who don’t love hoes, they get no dough?

Can I get a woop woop to these ns from all of my bes

Who don’t got love for n***s without dubs?”

On the surface, this chorus feels brash and confrontational—but it’s a direct callout of transactional relationships. Jay-Z critiques the people who measure worth by what someone can provide: money, status, or material possessions. He’s calling out the emptiness of relationships that hinge on surface-level exchange.

As an agency owner, haven’t you felt this? The client who only values you for results on a spreadsheet, not for your creativity, intuition, or innovation. The industry stigma that says you’re only as good as your last ROI. The subtle, dehumanizing feeling of being reduced to a service provider rather than a partner.

Like Jay-Z, you know better. You know your work carries meaning beyond the transaction. You know the campaigns you run, the strategies you build, and the relationships you nurture aren’t just about profit—they’re about legacy, purpose, and transformation.

This song? It’s a reminder to reject superficial exchanges and demand real connection, real respect, and real value.

Verse 1: Ambition and the Fear of Stagnation

“You ain’t gotta be rich, but f** that

How we gon’ get around your bus pass?”*

Jay-Z acknowledges that ambition isn’t about being born into wealth. It’s about showing up with the drive to contribute meaningfully. The “bus pass” becomes a metaphor for complacency—a refusal to grow or evolve.

Sound familiar? As an agency owner, you know the fear of stagnation all too well. You’re not in this game just to get by. You didn’t start your business to play it small. Like Jay-Z, you know the value of forward momentum—of pushing boundaries, scaling your vision, and refusing to settle for mediocrity.

But ambition isn’t just about financial success; it’s about alignment. For you, it’s not just about running a profitable agency—it’s about creating work that resonates with purpose, breaking free from outdated systems, and building something authentic.

The Bridge: The Stigma of Success

“Now can you bounce with me, bounce with me…”

The repetition in this refrain is more than just a hook—it’s a challenge. Jay-Z dares his listeners to match his energy, his vision, and his ambition. But beneath this swagger is a frustration many agency owners will recognize: why should success need justification? Why does the world so often attach stigma to ambition, especially when it looks unconventional?

Jay-Z knows this feeling well. His rise to power sparked conspiracy theories, including the infamous Illuminati rumors—a stigma that suggests people can’t achieve extraordinary success without shortcuts or shady deals.

As an agency owner, you’ve likely faced a version of this. When you innovate with holistic marketing, AI tools, or mindfulness practices, people may not understand your methods. They may question your success or label your work as unconventional or “out there.”

Like Jay-Z, your role is to rise above the noise, to embrace your unconventional brilliance, and to educate the skeptics through your results.

Amil’s Verse: The Duality of Success and Security

“What’s better than a $100 million? Is two.”

Amil’s verse complicates the narrative. She critiques superficial relationships in one line but acknowledges the allure of financial security in the next. Her words reflect the contradictions many face in balancing personal values with societal pressures.

For agency owners, this is deeply relatable. You live in the tension between building a business for stability and growth versus the desire to align with your higher purpose. Amil’s verse reminds us that it’s okay to wrestle with these contradictions. What matters is that you stay intentional about your journey.

The Lesson of Can I Get A…: Stigma, Ambition, and Legacy

This song isn’t just a club banger; it’s a blueprint for navigating a world that stigmatizes ambition, rewards superficiality, and challenges authenticity. Agency owners, you are living proof of these tensions:

• You’re stigmatized for success. Just as Jay-Z faced Illuminati rumors, you might be judged for your unconventional methods, holistic practices, or bold ideas.

• You reject shallow relationships. Like the song’s critique of transactional love, you prioritize meaningful partnerships over hollow exchanges.

• You balance dualities. Amil’s contradictions mirror the complexities you face in balancing profit with purpose, ambition with alignment.

• You build empires. Like Jay-Z, you’re creating something bigger than yourself—a legacy that redefines what success means in your industry.

Why This Matters

As agency owners, you’re not just running businesses—you’re reshaping culture. You’re introducing new ways of thinking about marketing, relationships, and purpose. And like Jay-Z’s Can I Get A…, your work is bold, disruptive, and unapologetic.

So next time you hear this track, don’t just vibe to the beat. Recognize yourself in its lyrics. Share this article and let people know: “This is me. This is my story.”

Agency owners, you are Can I Get A…—and the world needs to hear your voice.

Author Bio:

Bill Fow is the founder of Resonance Agency, an innovator in holistic marketing, AI-driven solutions, and personal growth consulting. As a skateboarder, musician, and entrepreneur, Bill empowers agency owners and entrepreneurs to align their work with their higher purpose.

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Your Agency Owner Anthem Checklist:

Use this quick checklist to align your work, relationships, and success with purpose and authenticity.

• Reflect on your relationships: Identify which of your client or partner relationships feel transactional. What steps can you take to create deeper, more authentic partnerships?

• Define your legacy: Write down what you want your agency to stand for beyond profits. How does your work contribute to a greater purpose?

• Embrace your ambition: Ask yourself if there’s a “bus pass” in your business—areas where you’ve been complacent or stagnant. Set one bold goal to push past it.

• Rewrite the narrative: Think about any stigmas or judgments you’ve faced in your success. What story will you tell to rise above the noise?

• Evaluate your alignment: Review your current services or offerings. Are they aligned with your purpose, or are there areas that need realignment?

• Set your boundaries: Identify clients or projects that don’t align with your values. Plan how you’ll transition out or adjust terms.

• Celebrate your wins: Write down your biggest accomplishments this year—no matter how big or small. You’re building an empire one step at a time.

• Take bold action: Choose one insight from this blog post and act on it today. Whether it’s reaching out to a dream client, refining your vision, or creating a bold piece of content—do it unapologetically.

Agency owners, it’s time to create your anthem. Use this checklist to embody the lessons of Can I Get A… and share your journey with your community. Let the world know: This is me. This is my story

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