Cormega was raised in Long Island City, Queens, forming childhood friendships with future rappers such as Nas, AZ, Nature, and Capone-N-Noreaga.
1980s
He was featured on Hot Day's "Going Straight Up" from his album "It's My Turn". He was also featured on Blaq Poet & DJ Hot Day's track "Set It Off" from their album "Without Warning" in 1991.
1990s
Cormega was sentenced to 5โ15 years in prison for armed robbery in 1991. Despite his incarceration, Cormega gained some attention following a shout-out from Nas on his song "One Love", from the critically acclaimed Illmatic album.
Cormega was released from prison on appeal after serving almost 4 years in New York's Mid-State Correctional Facility. Following his release in 1995, Cormega became determined to pursue rapping. Nas included him on a song entitled "Affirmative Action" for his second album It Was Written. The song also featured AZ and Foxy Brown, and became The Firm's first appearance. Based on his performance, he was signed to Def Jam and recorded an album called The Testament. Based on the buzz from "Affirmative Action," Nas, his manager Steve Stoute and producers Dr. Dre and Trackmasters joined to produce The Firm. Cormega was replaced with another artist, Nature, because either he would not sign a contract with Stoute or Stoute felt Nature was a better rapper. This led to an alleged altercation between Cormega and Nature. Cormega's dispute with Stoute also ended his friendship with Nas. Following the end of his membership in The Firm, Alex Trojano contributed in producing his album The Testament. Meanwhile, following a falling-out over creative differences with his manager Chris Lighty and Def-Jam imprint Violator Records, his debut album The Testament was indefinitely shelved. During the recording for The Testament Cormega responded to Nas' "One Love" in the form of a letter also entitled "One Love".
2000s
In 2000, he was released from his contract and he started his own record company, Legal Hustle Records. Cormega vented his disappointment with Nas and The Firm in a mixtape song titled "Never Personal".This song was never directly pointed to Nas, but the media made it look like that. In 2001, he released his new debut album, The Realness, which was acclaimed by critics. Many of the songs share a theme of betrayal. Nas responded to Cormega on his song "Destroy and Rebuild" from his album Stillmatic. Cormega retaliated with more mixtape tracks, "A Slick Response" and "Realmatic". Nas revisited the Cormega beef in his song "The Cross" on the album God's Son. In reference to Cormega, Nas rapped "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 and I'm buggin I love him for life/ We both still mournin on our mother's life" (referencing the fact that Cormega's mother was murdered when he was four).
Cormega's follow-up album, The True Meaning won the Source Magazine's prestigious Underground Album of the Year Award. In 2004, he followed up with Legal Hustle (a compilation album showcasing his label's artists) and other talented hip-hop lyricists such as Ghostface Killah, Large Professor, AZ, Kurupt, Jayo Felony, and several others. This album is considered by some as more of a project than an actual solo album; nonetheless it was well received. In 2005, he was able to release The Testament on his own label, which saw good reviews and sales and featured the original banned version of "Dead Man Walking" as a hidden track.
In early September 2005, Cormega posted a statement on his website that he and Nas had spoken and ended their feud. Cormega explained that their conversation had come about due to the death of Cormega's grandmother. Both rappers have stated the possibility of a collaboration. On December 22, 2006 at the Nokia Theatre Times Square, Cormega appeared on stage at a Nas concert and went on to perform with Nas (and Foxy Brown as well), further evidence that their feud is over.
The feud was settled in Cormega's home in early December 2005, when Cormega and Nas realized that it was destructive for each of them. It is not known who was responsible for their meeting but both artists are now working alone. In the mid-2000s Cormega helped produce a few albums and was featured on several songs with The Jacka and the Mob Figaz.
An album collaboration with Lakey The Kid entitled My Brother's Keeper was released independently on August 22, 2006. On November 20, 2007, Cormega finally released his DVD in-the-making Who am I?. The DVD took over four years of filming of Cormega in all aspects of his life and what others thought of Cormega, unedited. The DVD was released as a soundtrack plus DVD. Cormega intended to release an album which was to be entitled Urban Legend before T.I.'s album of the same name was released (Cormega mentions this on the Who Am I DVD, dated circa 2003); the new title is Born and Raised. The album was released October 20, 2009. The first single is called "Journey."
2010s
Cormega has stated his desire to work with a variety of artists including Scarface, Lauryn Hill, Slick Rick, as well as past collaborators M.O.P., Mobb Deep, and tha Dogg Pound.
Cormega's Album "Raw Forever" was released on 2011.
His latest work is the Album Mega Philosophy. It was produced by Large Professor and released on July 22, 2014.
A Thin Line
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your depiction of a thug nigga, is fiction
Your words hung my nigga lines were drawn
You sided with the judge I ain't a hater
I don't love squellers that's me
You have the audacity to talk like you real
Nigga you fold under pressure, my life is real
You sold your soul to detectives I could get you murdered
The truth came to light you a fake nigga
You helped the D.A.'s case my nigga
Fuck your life I hate the side of your face nigga
Only a fake nigga would respect you
You went against the cause and signed papers
The signatures yours that's that bullshit pardon me
?Sammy the bullshit? take the stand betraying the fam
Should have kept it real you put your fate in ya hand
I guess that's the way it was planned
(Hook) [Cormega]
There's a a thin line between love and hate and you crossed it
You had respect around the way and you lost it
If a coward dies a thousand deaths how you gon' live?
Nigga you get no love
[Cormega]
Death before dishonor
You sacrificed your breath so respect a nigga power in jail
I get you hit up in the shower
I'm a real nigga I walk the streets with pride
I'm the turth, you living a lie
You a part-time prosecuter, full time ?hosa?
I right rhymes with great'ness you write statements nigga
And think the streets don't know
Tssk, yo it was all good just a week ago
How could you live with being the D.A.'s witness
And knowing ya names associated with snitches
You could pray for forgiveness I'ma fact you a stool pigeon
Ain't nothing you can do nigga, might I mention
Only a bitch would snitch to get a lighter sentence
Take it like a man nigga like official prints and cornbread nigga
I'm a warrior you deserve a bullet in ya head nigga
(Hook)
[Cormega]
Uhh, I'm tired of you coming through like snitching justifiable
I once admired you, you rap bastard
Ain't no need to explain you not my man
Everytime you give me five I wash my hands
What nigga, M-E-G-A bitch tell the D.A. bricks
I move in three days not including the grindin
What polluted ya mind was it alluded time
my words are exulted yours ruin lives
You a disgrace to ya race I'm true to mine
All my doggs doing time, no before I side with the law
I rather ride with the fours and deprive you of your, coward exsistence
You probably send ya momma to prison to beat a sentence BITCH!
(Hook)
In Cormega's "A Thin Line", he speaks directly to a former friend and associate who has betrayed him and become a snitch. Cormega condemns his former friend's cowardice, calling him out for "living a lie" and "siding with the judge". He accuses his former friend of selling out to the detectives and, in doing so, aiding in the prosecution of their mutual acquaintances. Cormega highlights the thin line between love and hate by discussing how he once had respect for this individual, but how that respect quickly turned to hatred once he found out about the snitching.
Throughout the song, Cormega uses strong language to express his disdain for his former friend. He makes it clear that the snitch is not his man, and that he is nothing more than a "stool pigeon". Cormega is not afraid to make threats against his former friend, stating that he could have him "hit up in the shower" if he desired. In the end, Cormega's message is clear: snitching is never acceptable, and those who engage in it will find themselves on the wrong side of a very thin line.
Line by Line Meaning
Your depiction of a thug nigga, is fiction
You are only pretending to be a tough streetwise person, which is not true.
Your words hung my nigga lines were drawn
Your words have led to the separation of our friendship.
You sided with the judge I ain't a hater
You have taken the side of the law enforcement, but I hold no grudges against you for that.
I don't love squellers that's me
I am not a fan of people who betray their friends and cooperate with the authorities.
You have the audacity to talk like you real
You speak as if you are tough and genuine, but you're not.
Nigga you fold under pressure, my life is real
You are not capable of handling difficult situations, but I have had to deal with real challenges.
You sold your soul to detectives I could get you murdered
You have betrayed our trust and collaborated with the authorities, risking your life.
But you dying a slow death denying you told yet
You are suffering the consequences of your betrayal, even though you deny it.
The truth came to light you a fake nigga
Your lies and deceit have been exposed, revealing your true nature.
You helped the D.A.'s case my nigga
You have assisted the prosecution in their case, betraying our friendship.
Fuck your life I hate the side of your face nigga
I have no respect for you and despise even the sight of you.
Only a fake nigga would respect you
Only someone who values betrayal and disloyalty would consider you a worthy acquaintance.
You went against the cause and signed papers
You have betrayed our common interest and signed a document that compromised our cause.
The signatures yours that's that bullshit pardon me
?Sammy the bullshit? take the stand betraying the fam
You have signed your name on a document that has betrayed our cause and put our entire community at risk.
Should have kept it real you put your fate in ya hand
I guess that's the way it was planned
You should have been honest and not betrayed us, but I suppose this was your fate.
There's a a thin line between love and hate and you crossed it
You had respect around the way and you lost it
If a coward dies a thousand deaths how you gon' live?
Nigga you get no love
You have crossed a fine line between loyalty and betrayal, losing my respect for you. If a coward dies many times, how will you survive? I have no love for you.
Death before dishonor
You sacrificed your breath so respect a nigga power in jail
I get you hit up in the shower
It is better to die than to betray your cause. You have risked your life to gain power in jail, but I might have you killed in the shower.
I'm a real nigga I walk the streets with pride
I'm the turth, you living a lie
I am genuine and proud of who I am, while you are fake and living a lie.
You a part-time prosecuter, full time ?hosa?
I right rhymes with great'ness you write statements nigga
You are sometimes a prosecutor, and other times a big shot, while I write great rhymes, and you write statements for the authorities.
And think the streets don't know
Tssk, yo it was all good just a week ago
How could you live with being the D.A.'s witness
And knowing ya names associated with snitches
You believe the streets are not aware of your deceit. It was only a week ago when we were on good terms, and you have to live with your shame of being a witness for the prosecution and being associated with snitches.
You could pray for forgiveness I'ma fact you a stool pigeon
Ain't nothing you can do nigga, might I mention
Only a bitch would snitch to get a lighter sentence
You could beg for forgiveness, but you are still a snitch. You cannot do anything about it, and only a weak person would betray their friends to get a lighter sentence.
Take it like a man nigga like official prints and cornbread nigga
I'm a warrior you deserve a bullet in ya head nigga
Accept the consequences of your betrayal, like a real man, and not like a coward. I am a warrior, and you deserve to be killed for what you have done.
Uhh, I'm tired of you coming through like snitching justifiable
I once admired you, you rap bastard
Ain't no need to explain you not my man
Everytime you give me five I wash my hands
I am tired of you coming around and trying to justify your betrayal. I used to respect you, but you are a rap bastard. There is no need for an explanation, as we are no longer friends. Every time you try to be friendly with me, I feel the need to wash my hands.
What nigga, M-E-G-A bitch tell the D.A. bricks
I move in three days not including the grindin
What polluted ya mind was it alluded time
What? You want me to tell the district attorney that I am selling bricks? I am moving in three days, not counting the time I will be working hard. What has corrupted your mind? Is it a lack of time?
my words are exulted yours ruin lives
You a disgrace to ya race I'm true to mine
My words uplift people, while yours harm them. You are a disgrace to our shared race, while I stay true to our roots.
All my doggs doing time, no before I side with the law
I rather ride with the fours and deprive you of your, coward exsistence
You probably send ya momma to prison to beat a sentence BITCH!
All of my friends are in jail, so I will never side with the law. I would rather take revenge against you by killing you in prison. You are so weak, you probably sent your mother to jail to avoid a sentence, you bitch!
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Fisher
one of the most conscious dudes to ever put hands on the mic. mc's like this are life changing.
pistol pete
I always crack up when he says "you put your fate in your hand" ,๐๐๐๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
GLB from [JustGian]
pistol pete ๐
Calm Trapish.
pistol pete ๐ญ
SuperBootyman
50, nas, Mega all bring something to the game. They all have something to like. I personally just appreciate the poetics of coming from a real hustler. poignant tales. Totally different the usual cats. Music really only comes to opinion. In my opinion Mega is my favorite.
AbzMan Gaming
Man I love this shit... Found this 2012 and still love this shit
rbeast100
Good for u kid u on the right path
LaChele
Just a lil' somethin' that you can nod yo' head to. Damn, he's underrated. I know things do what they're supposed to do ultimately, but DAMN!
Axekk
met mega at a concert ,, dude is hella humble
Heidi Muchka
one of d most underrated MCs ever along wit nature, az ,Cuban Link,inspectah deck.....they all top 25 MC's ever.....real hip hop!