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.
Come on
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't too many, as true as us
Prestidge elluded us, 'til recently
Yo son I still be, in the streets
Was raised me, and taught me, morals engraved in me
I treasure all those who stayed with me
Trials and tribulations some assumed I was through
I seen smiles on niggas faces, now I'm smilin too
Life's a bitch I hope I seduce
Look in my eyes you see a childish youth
Who grew up in a drug spot, and blew my first shot on the roof
My movement's like the automatic top on a coupe
Smoothness, like Allen Houston got when he shoots
I'm consumed with, the essence of the street
I'm destined to be, on a level I've yet to see
Son I had 'em so comfortable they slept on me
Like the draft did McGrady, this rap shit is crazy
(Large Pro)
Aiyyo, give me a beatbox, you'll heal my soul
Watch me get down for my platinum and gold
And keep a fire arm kept
Most definitely rep, everyday I see sun up
So don't you sweat
When the chips was down
We didn't run we stayed around
Now all y'all niggas know what's happenin now
It's the come up, the rise of the genuine type
That'll just cut through like against suge knight
Leavin cuts, bruises, scrapes, scratches and scars
Spent a straight decade rappin in bars
With oc', but I seldomly flow with the flock
Hear the game, make one grain grow into a crop
Like farmers, I promise
This be large
Ain't they're ain't near a nigga who could disregard
The science that I drop, cause it's on the world
Every man, woman, child, each boy and girl
(Large Pro, talking)
Yeah mega, you that nigga, don't even worry 'bout it
I remember we was doin this show
For uncle Ralph Mcdaniels, with nas
I watched you come up
Now it's your time to skyrocket
And flourish on these niggas
Shoutout Queens
In "The Come Up," Cormega and Large Pro tell the story of their struggles and rise to success in the music industry. Cormega reflects on the lessons his upbringing in the streets taught him and how those principles have been ingrained in him. He expresses gratitude for those who stood by him throughout his hardships and how he's now able to smile alongside them. Cormega also raps about being overlooked in the past, but now he's on a different level, and people recognize his talent. He references his rough beginnings by recalling a moment where he wasted his first shot by shooting it into the roof of a drug spot. Meanwhile, Large Pro touches on being a veteran in the game and spending a decade rapping in bars, which ultimately led to his rise. He acknowledges the bruises, scrapes, scratches, and scars he's endured during his come-up but states that he has cut through it all.
Together, the pair highlights the grind and resilience it takes to make it in the music industry. They both acknowledge the obstacles that they've faced and overcome and their perseverance to succeed. They conclude the song with Large Pro acknowledging Cormega's talent and telling him that it's his time to shine.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't too many, as true as us
There aren't many people as genuine as Cormega and his friends
Prestidge elluded us, 'til recently
People with power and influence ignored or didn't recognize Cormega and his group until recently
Yo son I still be, in the streets
Cormega still spends time in the rough neighborhoods he grew up in
Was raised me, and taught me, morals engraved in me
The people who raised Cormega instilled strong values and principles that he still embodies
I treasure all those who stayed with me
Cormega is grateful for those who have stuck with him through tough times
Trials and tribulations some assumed I was through
Many people thought Cormega wouldn't make it through his struggles and difficulties
I seen smiles on niggas faces, now I'm smilin too
Now that Cormega is achieving success, he sees happiness in the faces of those around him
At the hawaiin view, they say that I'm the truth
Cormega has gained a reputation for being honest and genuine among those with power and influence
Life's a bitch I hope I seduce
Cormega hopes to overcome the challenges in life and come out victorious
Look in my eyes you see a childish youth
Despite his success and maturity, Cormega still has a youthful, playful energy
Who grew up in a drug spot, and blew my first shot on the roof
Cormega grew up in a neighborhood rife with drugs and violence, and he wasted his first opportunity to succeed
My movement's like the automatic top on a coupe
Cormega's progress and success are smooth and automatic, like the retractable top on a sports car
Smoothness, like Allen Houston got when he shoots
Cormega's progress and movements are as smooth and effortless as NBA player Allen Houston's jump shot
I'm consumed with, the essence of the street
Cormega is deeply connected to his upbringing and the raw culture of inner-city streets
I'm destined to be, on a level I've yet to see
Cormega believes he has yet to reach his full potential and is destined for even greater success
Son I had 'em so comfortable they slept on me
People underestimated Cormega and didn't recognize his potential for success
Like the draft did McGrady, this rap shit is crazy
Cormega compares his experience with being overlooked to NBA player Tracy McGrady not being picked high in the draft, and comments on how the rap industry is unpredictable and chaotic
Aiyyo, give me a beatbox, you'll heal my soul
Large Pro requests a beatbox, believing it will uplift his spirits
Watch me get down for my platinum and gold
Large Pro is confident in his ability to perform and entertain for his fans
And keep a fire arm kept
Large Pro carries a weapon for protection
Most definitely rep, everyday I see sun up
Large Pro is dedicated to his craft and works hard every day
So don't you sweat
Large Pro tells his fans not to worry or stress about his well-being
When the chips was down
During tough times when everything seemed to be going wrong
We didn't run we stayed around
Instead of giving up, Large Pro and his friends persisted and didn't give in to the pressure
Now all y'all niggas know what's happenin now
Large Pro is now successful and respected, and everyone knows it
It's the come up, the rise of the genuine type
Large Pro sees the current moment as his time to shine and show his true character and talent
That'll just cut through like against suge knight
Large Pro's talent and success will be undeniable, even in the face of powerful people like music mogul Suge Knight who might try to block his progress
Leavin cuts, bruises, scrapes, scratches and scars
Large Pro's success will come at a cost and he will face many obstacles and challenges
Spent a straight decade rappin in bars
Large Pro has dedicated the last ten years of his life to honing his craft and performing in small clubs and bars
With oc', but I seldomly flow with the flock
Large Pro has performed with his group OC, but he doesn't often follow the crowd and tries to stand out
Hear the game, make one grain grow into a crop
Large Pro wants to inspire others to improve and succeed, even if they start small
Like farmers, I promise
Large Pro compares his ability to inspire growth and development to that of farmers planting seeds
This be large
Large Pro introduces himself and his talent
Ain't they're ain't near a nigga who could disregard
No one can ignore or deny Large Pro's skill and success
The science that I drop, cause it's on the world
Large Pro's music and knowledge will have a worldwide impact and influence
Every man, woman, child, each boy and girl
Large Pro's messages and lyrics are for everyone, regardless of age or gender
Yeah mega, you that nigga, don't even worry 'bout it
Large Pro assures Cormega that he is talented and successful
I remember we was doin this show
Large Pro recalls a past performance he did with Cormega
For uncle Ralph Mcdaniels, with nas
The show they did was for producer Ralph McDaniels, and rapper Nas was also present
I watched you come up
Large Pro was witness to Cormega's rise to success
Now it's your time to skyrocket
Large Pro believes it is now Cormega's moment to shine and excel
And flourish on these niggas
Cormega should use this opportunity to outdo his competition
Shoutout Queens
An acknowledgement and respect to the neighborhood where Cormega and Large Pro grew up
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Solarisxx
this has the same instrumental as cormega's sugar ray and hearns with large professor. I like both songs though