Sounds like he's saying that he does think like an artist who loves his artform, yet if he really showed us that, he would only sell like the Roots do, which won't get The Roots dropped but will make fans very anti-Jay.
Imagine Jay-Z dropping the Black Album at the end of this year. It's full of good experimentation, he's focused more on his flow (vocals NOT cash), he keeps the guests to a minimum, and the beats are top notch. Cats who only buy Jigga to hear him floss would put him down and say he's biting Talib's style! Since he came in like a baller, that's what is expected. Now his fans' expectations are high--and only going platinum is 99 and a half...