---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I was to stop making music tomorrow…"
description: "\"If I was to stop making music tomorrow doesn't mean suddenly there is this gap. You don't get elected. The people decide where you are. Whether I'm her..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/jay-z-713_determination_if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-d_3219835.png"
---

#  If I was to stop making music tomorrow doesn't mean…

![“If I was to stop making music tomorrow doesn't mean suddenly there is this gap. You don't get elected. The people decide where you are. Whether I'm here or not, if they want you to be at the top then the people will move me out the way.” quote by Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/jay-z-713_determination_if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-d_3219835.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/jay-z-713_determination_if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-d_3219835.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/jay-z-713_determination_if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-d_3219835.png)

> “If I was to stop making music tomorrow doesn't mean suddenly there is this gap. You don't get elected. The people decide where you are. Whether I'm here or not, if they want you to be at the top then the people will move me out the way.”

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Success is determined by public perception and collective choice, not just personal effort.

**In simple terms:** People decide who rises.

Key Takeaway

Earn public trust and relevance.

Themes

leadership public opinion politics

Mood

assertive strategic

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

- campaigns
- brand building
- community organizing
- career advancement

Key Concepts

sociology social capital

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you maintain authenticity while seeking approval?
- What strategies sustain influence beyond trends?

A Different Perspective

Popularity can be fleeting and fickle.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Elected People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elected-people-871379/) [Gaps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaps/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Making Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-music/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-tomorrow-5538015/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Decide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-decide/) [Stop Making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-making/) [Suddenly Gap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suddenly-gap-5179815/) [Tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tomorrow/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Where you are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where-you-are/)

## Related quotes

> [All the big artists I talk to say that they are trapped in a formula and they are looking for the music of tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guetta/all-the-big-artists-i-talk-to-say-that-they-are-trapped-in-a-formula/)

[David Guetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guetta/)

> [“Homework, classes, running around, and then—bam—nothing but a life of work stretching out before you. No one prepares you for that feeling or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lish-mcbride/homework-classes-running-around-and-then-bam-nothing-but-a-life-of/)

[Lish McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lish-mcbride/)

> [The President is the direct representative of the American people and is elected by the people and responsible to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-jackson/the-president-is-the-direct-representative-of-the-american-people-and/)

[Andrew Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-jackson/)

> [I was elected by the people of Australia as Prime Minister of Australia. I was elected to do a job, I intend to continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-rudd/i-was-elected-by-the-people-of-australia-as-prime-minister-of/)

[Kevin Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-rudd/)

> [Well, first, if I am fortunate enough to be elected to the U.S. Senate, it won't be a party that will have elected me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/well-first-if-i-am-fortunate-enough-to-be-elected-to-the-u-s-senate/)

[Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/)

> [“He won that election in the byways,” Bill Deason says. Ava Cox says: “That’s what made Lyndon Johnson be elected the first time.… He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-caro/he-won-that-election-in-the-byways-bill-deason-says-ava-cox-says-that/)

[Robert A. Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-caro/)

> [ \[He\] understood the people in a new way...The people is not everyone who speaks our language, nor yet the elect marked by the fiery… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/he-understood-the-people-in-a-new-way-the-people-is-not-everyone-who/)

[Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/)

> [Ours is a government elected by the people and it will not succumb to threats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawaz-sharif/ours-is-a-government-elected-by-the-people-and-it-will-not-succumb-to/)

[Nawaz Sharif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawaz-sharif/)

> [Carrie Lam is not the leader elected by people of Hong Kong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/carrie-lam-is-not-the-leader-elected-by-people-of-hong-kong/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [“Why are people who don't believe in government running for office? If elected, why would these people ever do anything for the people of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-akadjian/why-are-people-who-don-t-believe-in-government-running-for-office-if/)

[David Akadjian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-akadjian/)

> [“We have two Governments in Washington: one run by the elected people—which is a minor part—and one run by the moneyed interests, which control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/we-have-two-governments-in-washington-one-run-by-the-elected-people/)

[Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/)

> [President Obama hasn't been elected by the American people in order to be pleasant to Russia. And your humble servant hasn't been elected by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/president-obama-hasn-t-been-elected-by-the-american-people-in-order/)

[Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/)

> [Biden is a president elected by the people, not a king ruling from on high. He needs a House and Senate that will send…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/biden-is-a-president-elected-by-the-people-not-a-king-ruling-from-on/)

[Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/)

> [Health care is very complicated, and the government's had its tentacles woven deeply into this whole charade for over 50 years. But I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/health-care-is-very-complicated-and-the-government-s-had-its/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [People who are elected by the people need to remember they need to listen to the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-taylor-greene/people-who-are-elected-by-the-people-need-to-remember-they-need-to/)

[Marjorie Taylor Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-taylor-greene/)

## More by Jay-Z

> [At 42 be better than 24, I carried the 4-5, mastered 48 laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/at-42-be-better-than-24-i-carried-the-4-5-mastered-48-laws/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [Wherever I go, I bring the culture with me, so that they can understand that it's attainable. I didn't do it any other way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/wherever-i-go-i-bring-the-culture-with-me-so-that-they-can-understand/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [Everyone who makes music is a good collaborator at their foundation because in order to make music, you have to connect to it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/everyone-who-makes-music-is-a-good-collaborator-at-their-foundation/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [New York - I'm connected. This is my core. I feel like if I'm not connected to New York, then I don't even know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/new-york-i-m-connected-this-is-my-core-i-feel-like-if-i-m-not/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [It was a very intense and stressful situation. There was playing in the Johnny-pump (an opened fire hydrant) and the ice-cream man coming around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/it-was-a-very-intense-and-stressful-situation-there-was-playing-in/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [“THEY NEVER TAUGHT MARCUS GARVEY IN OUR SCHOOL CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS IS THEIR GOLDEN RULE”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/they-never-taught-marcus-garvey-in-our-school-christopher-columbus-is/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [I'm a person that works off of music. I let the music dictate the direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/i-m-a-person-that-works-off-of-music-i-let-the-music-dictate-the/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [Tears on the mauseoleum floor. Blood stains the coliseum doors. Lies on the lips of a priest. Thanksgiving disguised as a feast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/tears-on-the-mauseoleum-floor-blood-stains-the-coliseum-doors-lies-on/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [Around 20. I'd been trying to transition from the streets to the music business, but I would make demos and then quit for six…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/around-20-i-d-been-trying-to-transition-from-the-streets-to-the-music/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [There's the gift, there's the spirit, and there's the work-all three have to come together. If one of those things is off, it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/there-s-the-gift-there-s-the-spirit-and-there-s-the-work-all-three/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [All black everything, Ni\*\*a you know my fresh code. Im out here fightin for you, dont increase my stress load.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/all-black-everything-ni-a-you-know-my-fresh-code-im-out-here-fightin/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [I couldn't even think about wanting to be something else; I wouldn't let myself visualize another life. But I wrote because I couldn't stop.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/i-couldn-t-even-think-about-wanting-to-be-something-else-i-wouldn-t/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [Lord forgive me I never would've made it without sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/lord-forgive-me-i-never-would-ve-made-it-without-sin/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [In trouble waters I had to learn how to float](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/in-trouble-waters-i-had-to-learn-how-to-float/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [Their gunnin' for me, want to see me fall, you know my story, been through it all, times I felt like dyin', but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/their-gunnin-for-me-want-to-see-me-fall-you-know-my-story-been/)

[Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

[Explore all 397 Jay-Z quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

## More Determination quotes

> [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/)

[Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/)

> [In 1990, when they asked me to shoot a cover for 'British Vogue' to convey my personal vision of a woman, I explained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lindbergh/in-1990-when-they-asked-me-to-shoot-a-cover-for-british-vogue-to/)

[Peter Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lindbergh/)

> [“It is not the force of the wind, but the depth of the roots.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/it-is-not-the-force-of-the-wind-but-the-depth-of-the-roots/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/)

[Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-as-much-as-government-can-do-and-must-do-it-is-ultimately-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Don't let a breath escape from your body without Krishna's name. That should be our determination throughout our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/don-t-let-a-breath-escape-from-your-body-without-krishna-s-name-that/)

[Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/)

> [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/)

[Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/)

> [“Making a decision takes a moment, living a decision takes a life-time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherif-a-el-mawardy/making-a-decision-takes-a-moment-living-a-decision-takes-a-life-time/)

[Sherif A. El-Mawardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherif-a-el-mawardy/)

> [“Fate and future both are servant to the determined, for they are nothing but creation of human determination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/fate-and-future-both-are-servant-to-the-determined-for-they-are/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-cannot-go-back-in-time-and-change-the-past-but-we-can-repent-the/)

[Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/)

> [“She felt wild and unruly, determined and free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/she-felt-wild-and-unruly-determined-and-free/)

[Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/)

> [“The real failure is not the one who falls down, it's the one who refuses to get up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/habeeb-akande/the-real-failure-is-not-the-one-who-falls-down-it-s-the-one-who/)

[Habeeb Akande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/habeeb-akande/)

> [“I AM ALL ABOUT SELF-DETERMINATION. Will. Control. I determine my path in life. I decide my failures and successes. Screw fate. Destiny can kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/i-am-all-about-self-determination-will-control-i-determine-my-path-in/)

[Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/)

[Browse all 3,068 Determination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If I was to stop making music tomorrow doesn't mean suddenly there is this gap. You don't get elected. The people decide where you are. Whether I'm here or not, if they want you to be at the top then the people will move me out the way.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jay-Z"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-doesn-t-mean-suddenly-there-is/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Determination"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-doesn-t-mean-suddenly-there-is/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/jay-z-713_determination_if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-d_3219835.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/jay-z-713_determination_if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-d_3219835.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/jay-z-713_determination_if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-d_3219835.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If I was to stop making music tomorrow doesn't mean suddenly there is this gap. You don't get elected. The…” — Jay-Z",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jay-Z",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If I was to stop making...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-doesn-t-mean-suddenly-there-is/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/if-i-was-to-stop-making-music-tomorrow-doesn-t-mean-suddenly-there-is/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
