Published in the Saint Louis University Law Journal in 2012, this essay uses the second verse of Jay-Z’s hit song to teach .
Alternatively, it may refer to a collection of personal essays by author titled " 99 Problems " , which explores the intersection of running and writing. 1. The Legal Essay (Caleb Mason) 99 Problems
: Mason famously refutes the lyric implying that a locked trunk requires a warrant for a police search. He explains that if police have probable cause, the "automobile exception" allows them to search any part of the vehicle that could contain the evidence. Published in the Saint Louis University Law Journal
: The essay offers a "threefold" lesson for citizens: do not consent to searches, know the "reasonable suspicion" criteria, and record the encounter. 2. The Personal Essay Collection (Ben Tanzer) The Legal Essay (Caleb Mason) : Mason famously
: Tanzer treats running as a structural tool for his life and writing, using the physical act of exertion to process anxieties about aging, fatherhood, and his father’s death.
: The title is a play on Jay-Z's song, where Tanzer characterizes running as his "bitch"—a problem he wrestles with but ultimately cannot live without. 3. Other Cultural & Academic References
Because of the song's massive cultural impact, the "99 Problems" phrasing is frequently used as a framework for long-form analysis in other fields: Book Review : Ben Tanzer - 99 Problems - Dead End Follies