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 5–15 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.
Affirmative Action
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is what it's all about
Time to take Affirmative Action son
They just don't understand, you kna'mean
Niggas coming sideways thinking stuff is sweet man
Niggas don't understand the four devils; lust, envy, hate, jealousy
Wicked niggas, man
And let's all wash this money through this laundry mat
Sneak attack a new cat sit back, worth top dollar
In fact touch mine's and I'll react like a Rottweiler
Who could relate, we play for high stakes at gunpoint
Catch em and break, undress em, tie em with tape no escape
The Corleone, fettuccine Capone
Roam in your own zone or get kidnapped and clapped in your dome
We got it sewn, The Firm art of war is unknown
Lower your tone, face it homicide cases get blown
Aristocrats, politickin daily with diplomats
See me I'm an official mack, Lex Coupe triple black
Criminal thoughts in the blue Porsche, my destiny's to be the new boss
That nigga Paulie gotta die, he too soft
That nigga's dead on, a key of her-oin
They found his head on the couch with his dick in his mouth
I put the hit out
Yo, the smoothest killer since Bugsy, bitches love me
And Queens where my drugs be, I wear Guess jeans and rugbies
Yo, my people from Medina they will see you
When you re-up bring your heater all your cream go between us
Real shit, my Desert Eagle got a ill grip
I chill with niggas that hit Dominican spots and steal bricks
My red beam, made a dread scream and sprayed a Fed team
Corleone be turning niggas to fiends
Yukons and ninja black Lexus, Mega the pretty boy
With mafia connections it's The Firm nigga set it
Yo, my mind is seeing through your design like blind fury
I shine jewelry sipping on crushed grapes, we lust papes
And push cakes inside the casket at Just wake
It's sickening, he just finished bidding upstate
And now the projects is talking that somebody gotta die shit
It's logic as long as it's nobody that's in my clique
My man Smoke know how to expand coke in Mr. Coffee
Feds cost me two mill' to get the system off me
Life's a bitch but God-forbid the bitch divorce me
I'll be flooded with ice so hell fire can't scorch me
Cuban cigars meeting Foxy at the Mosque
Moving cars, your top papi Señor Escobar
In the black Camaro
Firm deep, all my niggas hail the blackest sparrow
Wallabee's be the apparel
Through the darkest tunnel
I got visions of multimillions in the biggest bundle
In the Lex pushed by my nigga Jungle
E Money bags got Moet Chandon
Bundle of sixty-two, they ain't got a clue what we about to do
My whole team, we shitting hard like Czar: Sosa, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Escobar
I keep a fat marquess piece, laced in all the illest snake skin
Armani sweaters Carolina Herrera
Be The Firm baby, from BK to the Bridge
My nigga Wiz, operation Firm Biz, so what the deal is
I keep a phat jew-el, sippin Crist-ies
Sitting on top of fifty grand in the Nautica Van
We stay incogni' like all them thug niggas in Marcy
The Gods they praise Allah with visions of Gandhi
Bet it on my whole crew is Don Juan
On Cayman Island with a case of Cristal and Baba Shallah spoke
Nigga with them Cubans that snort coke, raw though
An ounce mixed with leak that's pure though
Flipping the bigger picture
The bigger nigga with the cheddar
Was mad dripper
He had a fucking villa in Manilla
We got to flee to Panama but wait it's half-and-half
Keys is one and two-fifth, so how we flip
Thirty-two grams raw, chop it in half
Get sixteen, double it times three
We got forty-eight, which mean a whole lot of cream
Divide the profit by four, subtract it by eight
We back to sixteen now add the other two that Mega bringing through
So let's see, if we flip this other key
Then that's more for me, mad coke and mad leak
Plus a five hundred cut in half is two-fifty
Now triple that times three
We got three quarters of another ki
The Firm baby, volume one
Cormega's Affirmative Action is a boastful song that celebrates the power, wealth, and criminal activities of The Firm, a fictional organized crime syndicate that included Cormega, Nas, Foxy Brown, and AZ. The chorus asserts that their actions are a necessary response to the unfairness of the world, particularly the racism and poverty that they have experienced. They feel justified in committing crimes as they see no other way to make a living. The first verse outlines the four devils that corrupt people: lust, envy, hate, and jealousy. The second verse details the planning of a murder of a rival, Paulie.
The lyrics are a metaphor for the American dream as the characters strive for wealth and power at any cost. It shows the criminal element of America that is exploited for success, and it criticizes the system that has created this culture. It emphasizes the need for affirmative action, and that some of these communities have no choice but to act outside the law to achieve success. The prominent themes in the song are the need to take action, particularly affirmative action to the fight against systemic racism, and the notion of the American Dream.
Line by Line Meaning
This is what, this what they want huh
This is what they desire and expect
This is what it's all about
This is the essence and purpose
Time to take Affirmative Action son
It's time to proactively address and seize opportunities
They just don't understand, you kna'mean
They lack comprehension, you know what I mean
Niggas coming sideways thinking stuff is sweet man
People approaching with disrespect, underestimating the situation
Niggas don't understand the four devils; lust, envy, hate, jealousy
People fail to comprehend the destructive forces of desire, jealousy, and hatred
Wicked niggas, man
Evil individuals, man
Yo sit back, relax, catch ya contact, sip your cog-ni-ac
Take it easy, get high, drink your cognac
And let's all wash this money through this laundry mat
Let's legitimize this illicit money through a front business
Sneak attack a new cat sit back, worth top dollar
Quietly target and takeover someone new, highly valuable
In fact touch mine's and I'll react like a Rottweiler
If you threaten what's mine, I'll respond aggressively
Who could relate, we play for high stakes at gunpoint
Only those who've been through it understand, we take risks at gunpoint
Catch em and break, undress em, tie em with tape no escape
Capture, harm, immobilize, no chance of getting away
The Corleone, fettuccine Capone
Powerful and influential like the Corleone family, wealthy like Al Capone
Roam in your own zone or get kidnapped and clapped in your dome
Stay in your lane or face the consequences, being kidnapped and killed
We got it sewn, The Firm art of war is unknown
We have control, our strategic approach is unmatched
Lower your tone, face it homicide cases get blown
Speak with less aggression, understand that murder investigations are often unsolved
Aristocrats, politickin daily with diplomats
Upper-class individuals, engaging in political discussions with diplomats
See me I'm an official mack, Lex Coupe triple black
I am a certified player, driving a black Lexus Coupe
Criminal thoughts in the blue Porsche, my destiny's to be the new boss
Having unlawful ideas in a blue Porsche, my fate is to become the leader
That nigga Paulie gotta die, he too soft
Paulie needs to be killed because he's weak
That nigga's dead on, a key of her-oin
That person is surely dead, a kilogram of heroin
They found his head on the couch with his dick in his mouth
His head was discovered on the sofa, in a compromising position
I put the hit out
I ordered the execution
Yo, the smoothest killer since Bugsy, bitches love me
I am the slickest murderer since Bugsy Siegel, women adore me
And Queens where my drugs be, I wear Guess jeans and rugbies
I sell drugs in Queens, dressed in fashionable clothing
Yo, my people from Medina they will see you
My associates from Medina will handle you
When you re-up bring your heater all your cream go between us
When you resupply, bring your weapon and share your profits with us
Real shit, my Desert Eagle got a ill grip
I speak the truth, my Desert Eagle handgun has a strong hold
I chill with niggas that hit Dominican spots and steal bricks
I hang out with people who rob Dominican drug spots and steal narcotics
My red beam, made a dread scream and sprayed a Fed team
My laser sight scared a Rastafarian and shot a federal law enforcement squad
Corleone be turning niggas to fiends
My influence and power make people become drug addicts
Yukons and ninja black Lexus, Mega the pretty boy
Driving Yukon SUVs and black Lexus cars, I am the attractive and stylish one
With mafia connections it's The Firm nigga set it
Having connections to organized crime, The Firm gets things done
Yo, my mind is seeing through your design like blind fury
My intellect perceives your intentions clearly
I shine jewelry sipping on crushed grapes, we lust papes
I flaunt expensive jewelry while enjoying fine wine, we desire money
And push cakes inside the casket at Just wake
We smuggle drugs in coffins during funeral services
It's sickening, he just finished bidding upstate
It's disgusting, he just completed his prison sentence upstate
And now the projects is talking that somebody gotta die shit
Now people in the neighborhood are discussing the need for someone's death
It's logic as long as it's nobody that's in my clique
It makes sense as long as it doesn't involve anyone in my group
My man Smoke know how to expand coke in Mr. Coffee
My associate Smoke knows how to increase the distribution of cocaine
Feds cost me two mill' to get the system off me
Law enforcement authorities took two million dollars from me to avoid prosecution
Life's a bitch but God-forbid the bitch divorce me
Life can be challenging, but I hope to never be separated from its difficulties
I'll be flooded with ice so hell fire can't scorch me
I will be covered in diamonds, unaffected by any harm
Cuban cigars meeting Foxy at the Mosque
Enjoying Cuban cigars while meeting Foxy Brown at the Mosque
Moving cars, your top papi Señor Escobar
Operating drug trafficking operations, you're the boss like Pablo Escobar
In the black Camaro
Driving in a black Camaro
Firm deep, all my niggas hail the blackest sparrow
The Firm is united, all my people celebrate and admire the darkest bird
Wallabee's be the apparel
Wearing Wallabee shoes as part of our attire
Through the darkest tunnel
Navigating through the most difficult situations
I got visions of multimillions in the biggest bundle
I have dreams of making millions of dollars through a major drug deal
In the Lex pushed by my nigga Jungle
Driving a Lexus, accompanied by my friend Jungle
E Money bags got Moet Chandon
E Money bags has expensive champagne, Moet Chandon
Bundle of sixty-two, they ain't got a clue what we about to do
Package of sixty-two units, they have no idea of our upcoming plan
My whole team, we shitting hard like Czar: Sosa, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Escobar
My entire crew, we are dominating and achieving success like Czar, Sosa, Foxy Brown, Cormega, and Escobar
I keep a fat marquess piece, laced in all the illest snake skin
I carry a large expensive gun, decorated with the finest snake skin
Armani sweaters Carolina Herrera
Wearing Armani sweaters, Carolina Herrera
Be The Firm baby, from BK to the Bridge
Representing The Firm, from Brooklyn to Queens bridge
My nigga Wiz, operation Firm Biz, so what the deal is
My friend Wiz, running The Firm's operations, so what's the plan
I keep a phat jew-el, sippin Crist-ies
I wear expensive jewelry, drinking Cristal champagne
Sitting on top of fifty grand in the Nautica Van
Having fifty thousand dollars stacked inside the Nautica Van
We stay incogni' like all them thug niggas in Marcy
We remain low-key like all the gangster individuals in Marcy projects
The Gods they praise Allah with visions of Gandhi
The Gods worship Allah, envisioning the wisdom of Gandhi
Bet it on my whole crew is Don Juan
I guarantee my entire crew are charismatic womanizers
On Cayman Island with a case of Cristal and Baba Shallah spoke
Located on Cayman Island with a lot of Cristal champagne and receiving wise words from Baba Shallah
Nigga with them Cubans that snort coke, raw though
Individuals who consume cocaine from Cuba, in its purest form
An ounce mixed with leak that's pure though
An ounce of drugs mixed with a diluent, making it untainted
Flipping the bigger picture
Reversing and examining the greater context
The bigger nigga with the cheddar
The larger individual with the wealth
Was mad dripper
Showed great success
He had a fucking villa in Manilla
He owned a luxurious residence in Manila
We got to flee to Panama but wait it's half-and-half
We need to escape to Panama, but it's a risky situation
Keys is one and two-fifth, so how we flip
Drugs are measured as one and two-fifths of a kilogram, so how do we sell them
Thirty-two grams raw, chop it in half
Using thirty-two grams of pure drugs, divide it in half
Get sixteen, double it times three
Obtain sixteen grams, multiply it by three
We got forty-eight, which mean a whole lot of cream
This gives us forty-eight grams, which means a significant amount of profit
Divide the profit by four, subtract it by eight
Split the profit into fourths, then subtract it by eight
We back to sixteen now add the other two that Mega bringing through
Now we're back to sixteen grams, add the additional two that Mega is bringing
So let's see, if we flip this other key
So let's see, if we sell this additional kilogram
Then that's more for me, mad coke and mad leak
Then there's more profit for me, abundant cocaine and significant wealth
Plus a five hundred cut in half is two-fifty
Additionally, dividing a five hundred-dollar profit by half results in two hundred fifty dollars
Now triple that times three
Multiply that by three
We got three quarters of another ki
We now have three fourths of another kilogram
The Firm baby, volume one
The Firm, the first edition
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NASIR JONES, INGA D. MARCHAND, DAVE A. ATKINSON, SAMUEL J. BARNES, ANTHONY S. CRUZ, CORY MCKAY, JEAN CLAUDE OLIVIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rosszwelling1703
I've never moved on from this era.
@ibromeo9682
me too
@sundayokojaja8015
Me too
@Jaantastic
🔥same🔥
@piercemansfield7362
No one has
@ssemwogereresolomon8424
Neither have I
@saintskeyz
AZ’s flow is unparalleled, Nas drops gems as usual, and foxy KILLED IT.
@tthvrben1908
AZ dropped fire on this track tho
@northernking6610
Dont forget mega now... criminal thoughts in a blue porsche? Firrrrrre
@leaderofsound82
Yall always slept on mega real reason the firm was who they were