The Cross
Nas Lyrics
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I'd still be carried in the chariot by stampeding horses
Had to bring it back to New York
I'm happy that the streets is back in New York
For you rappers, I carry the cross
I carry the cross, if Virgin Mary had an abortion
I'd still be carried in the chariot by stampeding horses
Had to bring it back to New York
I'm happy that the streets is back in New York
For you rappers, I carry the cross
Y'all can keep y'all weak beats, from your corny producers
There's a new king of the streets, you're gonna get used to
I was the old king of the streets, that y'all once hated
But now I reinvented myself, and y'all all waited
Nas, N.A.S. mean Niggas Against Society
Noisy I aim not silently, noose all surroundin' me
I hang 'em I string 'em up ain't no thing I just drop 'em
To which doctor you copped and you locked and it ain't what it was
I changed it up from that pop shit it's hard to see R&B
Rappers arguably, started fuckin' up the game horribly
Cause, I parted the sea, then these novices targeted me
Bitches infatuated say they love me lyin to me
What I've discovered is my brother's tryin' to be
The next me, yeah I support him but he's blinded I see
Jealousy he love me to death am I buggin' I love him for life
We both still mournin' on our mother's, life
And I don't need much but a Dutch, a bitch to fuck
A six, a truck, some guns to bust
I wish it was that simple, the last emperor, hit yo' ass
With the Nasty Nas, diary, get out my path
I carry the cross, if Virgin Mary had an abortion
I'd still be carried in the chariot by stampeding horses
Had to bring it back to New York
I'm happy that the streets is back in New York
For you rappers, I carry the cross
I carry the cross, if Virgin Mary had an abortion
I'd still be carried in the chariot by stampeding horses
Had to bring it back to New York
I'm happy that the streets is back in New York
For you rappers, I carry the cross
I can't keep a bitch cause none of them come up for a little less
I can't be too rich, too many hoes, lined up for sex
I can't rest until my niggas in houses with pretty maids
Water and flowers in 'em
While my niggas walk around in they trousers grinnin'
Gotta keep a lot of heat; 30 cals 10 millimeters
40 cals plus the heckler, to set y'all straight
You too light? I shoot your freckles out
You too dark? The infrared show you what the tech about
Huh? I'm stressin' out, need more offices for bosses
Secretaries and meetings with big sharks, who mad greedy
We can sell mo', boats on the coast
Give, coats to the po' and give, hope to the broke then live low
But that ain't reality, I look happy but under the sky
You see a nigga who know, out of three women 2 out of 3
Will love you but lead you to they own, hidden evil
Bitch! You the reason niggas be beefin', hoe get on
'Posed to be Earth, ain't worth the pussy that you sit on
From here on, it's a new day
Million dollars ain't, what it was yesterday
Many problems, many niggas, most involved but they fake
Hope y'all relate
I carry the cross, if Virgin Mary had an abortion
I'd still be carried in the chariot by stampeding horses
Had to bring it back to New York
I'm happy that the streets is back in New York
For you rappers, I carry the cross
I carry the cross, if Virgin Mary had an abortion
I'd still be carried in the chariot by stampeding horses
Had to bring it back to New York
I'm happy that the streets is back in New York
For you rappers, I carry the cross
I carry the cross
In Nas's song "The Cross," he uses vivid imagery and shocking hypotheticals to emphasize the weight of his responsibility as a leader in the rap game. Nas declares that he carries the cross, likening himself to Jesus Christ, and claims that even if the Virgin Mary had an abortion, he would still be carried in a chariot by stampeding horses. He then brings it back to New York, expressing his joy that he can bring the streets back to its former glory. Nas also takes aim at other rappers, calling himself the "new king of the streets" and stating that he reinvented himself. He also addresses the jealousy and infatuation that his success brings from both fans and fellow rappers.
Throughout the song, Nas voices his frustrations with the current state of the music industry and his desire to do more than just make money. He expresses his desire to provide for his friends and family, while also doing good for the people in his community. Nas recognizes that being a leader comes with immense pressure and that he must remain vigilant against those who would seek to tear him down. Despite all of this, Nas declares that he will carry the cross and continue to lead despite the hardships that lie ahead.
Overall, "The Cross" is a powerful statement from Nas about his role as a leader in the rap game and the immense pressure that comes with that responsibility. Through his lyrics, Nas emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, even when faced with criticism and adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I carry the cross, if Virgin Mary had an abortion
I am committed to my path, even if circumstances were different
I'd still be carried in the chariot by stampeding horses
My faith and determination are unshakeable
Had to bring it back to New York
I am proud of my roots and where I come from
I'm happy that the streets is back in New York
I am pleased to see my hometown thriving again
For you rappers, I carry the cross
I am here to represent and elevate the rap game
Y'all can keep y'all weak beats, from your corny producers
I won't settle for mediocre music or artists
There's a new king of the streets, you're gonna get used to
I am making my presence known and establishing my reign
I was the old king of the streets, that y'all once hated
I have overcome my past obstacles and enemies to reach my current position
But now I reinvented myself, and y'all all waited
I have evolved and improved, and people are eager to hear what I have to say
Nas, N.A.S. mean Niggas Against Society
My name and music reflect my defiance against societal norms and oppression
Noisy I aim not silently, noose all surroundin' me
My enemies and critics are loud and threatening, but I refuse to be silenced
I hang 'em I string 'em up ain't no thing I just drop 'em
I am ruthless towards those who come against me, and it doesn't phase me
To which doctor you copped and you locked and it ain't what it was
Other rappers may associate with certain producers or styles, but I am not bound by those limitations
I changed it up from that pop shit it's hard to see R&B
I have adapted my style and stayed true to my roots despite the changing industry trends
Rappers arguably, started fuckin' up the game horribly
I believe that many rappers have contributed to the decline of the hip-hop industry
'Cause, I parted the sea, then these novices targeted me
I have paved the way for many new rap artists, but some have turned against me
Bitches infatuated say they love me lyin to me
Women claim to love me, but I can see through their lies and false intentions
What I've discovered is my brother's tryin' to be
My own family members are envious and trying to emulate me
The next me, yeah I support him but he's blinded I see
I encourage and mentor my brother, but he lacks clarity and vision
Jealousy he love me to death am I buggin' I love him for life
My brother is consumed by jealousy, but I still care for him deeply
We both still mournin' on our mother's, life
My brother and I are still grieving the loss of our mother
And I don't need much but a Dutch, a bitch to fuck
I am not materialistic, but I do desire certain pleasures in life
A six, a truck, some guns to bust
I have a few simple but important possessions
I wish it was that simple, the last emperor, hit yo' ass
Life is not always easy, and sometimes unexpected challenges arise
With the Nasty Nas, diary, get out my path
I am a powerful force, and those who oppose me should step aside
I can't keep a bitch cause none of them come up for a little less
I have trouble maintaining relationships because women are often only interested in my wealth and status
I can't be too rich, too many hoes, lined up for sex
My success attracts attention from women who are only interested in my money and fame
I can't rest until my niggas in houses with pretty maids
I am determined to help my friends achieve success and stability
Water and flowers in 'em
I want my friends' homes to be beautiful and luxurious
While my niggas walk around in they trousers grinnin'
I want my friends to feel confident and successful, both inside and outside of their homes
Gotta keep a lot of heat; 30 cals 10 millimeters
I need to stay prepared and protected, and I have a variety of weapons at my disposal
40 cals plus the heckler, to set y'all straight
I am not afraid to use my weapons to defend myself and my friends
You too light? I shoot your freckles out
I am a skilled marksman and can hit my target with precision
You too dark? The infrared show you what the tech about
I am not biased and will use my weapons on anyone who threatens me or my friends
Huh? I'm stressin' out, need more offices for bosses
Despite my success, I am constantly working and trying to expand my empire
Secretaries and meetings with big sharks, who mad greedy
I am involved in high-level business dealings with powerful and wealthy individuals
We can sell mo', boats on the coast
I am always looking for new opportunities to make money and expand my business
Give, coats to the po' and give, hope to the broke then live low
I want to use my wealth and success to help those in need and make a positive impact on the world
But that ain't reality, I look happy but under the sky
Despite my outward success and confidence, I still face challenges and struggles
You see a nigga who know, out of three women 2 out of 3
I have experienced the negative effects of women who are only interested in my status and money
Will love you but lead you to they own, hidden evil
These women may appear to care for me, but they have their own ulterior motives and hidden agendas
Bitch! You the reason niggas be beefin', hoe get on
I blame women like this for causing conflict and drama among men
'Posed to be Earth, ain't worth the pussy that you sit on
Women may believe they are in a position of power, but their actions and motives are ultimately worthless
From here on, it's a new day
I am looking forward to the future and leaving the past behind
Million dollars ain't, what it was yesterday
Money and success can be fleeting and are not the ultimate measure of one's worth
Many problems, many niggas, most involved but they fake
There are numerous challenges and obstacles in my life, and many people who claim to be on my side are not genuine
Hope y'all relate
I hope my struggles and experiences resonate with my listeners and they can find inspiration in my journey
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CLARENCE E. JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind