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.
Dirty Game
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know what I'm sayin' Premo'
Tell these niggas about my life know what I mean
It's been a crazy, crazy journey for me, know what I mean
I spend my days in a steel cage
Where brothers feel rage
And get real with razor blades
my brain cells expose
and my pen excels to a part of hell froze
Inside of me was tellin' me to stay out
Reality was tellin' me that if I find a way out
I had to stay out
Plans I had to lay out
In order to elevate from my identity
mentally accelerate
I seen a lot of men break down
Being an inmate
Now I realize I couldn't make the same mistakes
It was real being concealed in steel gates
Where brothers who feel hate against a another race
Which only indicates a snake mentality
These are my days of reality
Hook:
The streets is a dirty game
My heart's still home in the streets
It's a damn shame
The streets is a dirty game
but niggas stay strapped in the hood
It's a damn shame
The streets is a dirty game
My heart's still home in the streets they still callin'
It's a damn shame
The streets is a dirty game
but niggas stay strapped in the hood
It's a damn shame
The streets is a dirty game
My heart's still home in the streets
Often I think of my people the board denied they freedom, a mirage
Disappearing before our eyes
We were born to strife
Now living in courts decide
Missing their children we can feel it when our mommas cry
We was hustlin' but would the jury find me guilty?
They seen us strugglin'
Doing what we have to do to ease the sufferin'
We know its wrong but so was havin' us freezin'
Left the stove on wearing our sneakers until the soles are gone
We constantly holdin' on, being broke
And hopin our phone is our only escape
And when our favorite TV shows is on shots ringin' echo in the ear before the cops came kids was everywhere
and women cryin niggas going to jail
A mothers eyes fill with tears as she nears
Realizing he's surviving she exhales like Angela Bassett
I'm a poet amongst slums, crimes, and crack addicts
Hook
I live a lonely existence
Lately I've become a mathematician
As I divide my friends with phony niggas I confide in God
As for sins may he forgive ‘em
If you have dreams they can be achieved never give up
Look at me once a convicted felon
Once addicted to sellin'
The substance which corrupted many men in my era
I stood in awe at the dope fiends
Drove by those caught in the coke game
Some proper some locked up some sold claim
The main team wanted the shine
Streets so alive I felt the air breathe
Not only did I misplace time
I could remember as an inmate
At midstate I stayed in the law library
Some chose to lift weight, fine
As if they content with they time
They strip us at the visit
Limit our education
Ridicule us niggas
modern enslavement
Even though I'm out of the cages
I'm the voice of the soldier in the yard with the banger
The song "Dirty Game" by Cormega is a powerful reflection on the harsh reality of life on the streets and in prison. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the struggles and hardships faced by those who are caught up in the drug trade and the criminal justice system. The song starts with Cormega describing his time in prison, where he spent his days in a steel cage and saw firsthand the violence and desperation that can consume inmates. He talks about the mental toll that prison takes on him and how he had to find a way out in order to survive.
Cormega then moves on to reflect on the broader issues facing his community, including the corrupt criminal justice system and the poverty and desperation that drives so many young people into a life of crime. He talks about his own experiences hustling and how he had to make difficult choices in order to survive. Despite the bleakness of his situation, he never loses hope and encourages others to never give up on their dreams.
Overall, "Dirty Game" is a powerful and deeply personal song that speaks to the struggles and injustices faced by many in our society. It shows the power of music to tell important stories and give voice to those who might otherwise go unheard.
Line by Line Meaning
I spend my days in a steel cage
The singer spent time in prison.
Where brothers feel rage
The prison is a place where inmates are angry.
And get real with razor blades
Inmates often resort to violence using razor blades.
my brain cells expose
The artist's brain opens up when he is in his cell.
and my pen excels to a part of hell froze
The artist uses his writing to escape his surroundings.
Plans I had to lay out
The singer had to create plans to improve his life.
In order to elevate from my identity
The singer wanted to leave behind his past self and become someone better.
mentally accelerate
The artist wanted to improve his mental state.
Where brothers who feel hate against a another race
Some inmates in prison have racist attitudes.
These are my days of reality
The artist is describing his life in prison as a reality he had to face.
The streets is a dirty game
The world outside of prison is full of danger and corruption.
but niggas stay strapped in the hood
People in poor neighborhoods stay armed for protection.
Often I think of my people the board denied they freedom, a mirage
The singer reflects on the many people who have been unjustly imprisoned.
Now living in courts decide
The criminal justice system decides the fate of people's lives.
Missing their children we can feel it when our mommas cry
The families of incarcerated individuals suffer emotionally.
We know its wrong but so was havin' us freezin'
People may commit crimes out of necessity due to poverty.
We constantly holdin' on, being broke
People in poverty struggle to make ends meet.
And hopin our phone is our only escape
People in prison hope to find some solace by talking to loved ones on the phone.
I'm a poet amongst slums, crimes, and crack addicts
The singer is a writer who observes and reflects on the harsh realities of life.
Lately I've become a mathematician
The artist has learned to be discerning in choosing his friends.
Once a convicted felon
The artist has a criminal record.
Once addicted to sellin'
The artist used to sell drugs.
The substance which corrupted many men in my era
The drug trade had a negative impact on many people's lives.
I stood in awe at the dope fiends
The artist is surprised and saddened by the drug addiction he observes.
modern enslavement
The singer sees the prison system as a form of slavery.
Even though I'm out of the cages
The singer is no longer in prison.
I'm the voice of the soldier in the yard with the banger
The singer is speaking for those still in prison who are not free to express themselves.
Contributed by Elena W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ason Unique
I spend my days in a steel cage, where brothers feel rage
And get real with razor blades in ill ways
So when my cell close, my brain cells expose
And my pen excels to a part of hell froze
Inside of me was lookin' for a way out
Reality was tellin' me if I find a way out
I had to stay out, plans I had to lay out
In order to elevate from my identity
Mentally accelerate
I seen a lot of men break down being an inmate
Now I realize I couldn't make the same mistakes
It was real being concealed in steel gates
Where brothers who feel hate against another race
Which only indicates a snake mentality
These are my days of reality
The streets is a dirty game, my heart's still roamin' the streets
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
But niggas stay strapped in the hood
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
My heart's still roamin' the streets, they still callin'
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
But niggas stay strapped in the hood
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
My heart's still roamin' the streets
Often I think of my people the board
Denied they freedom, a mirage disappearin' before our eyes
We were born to strife, now living in courts decide
Missing their children we can feel it when our mommas cry
We was hustlin' but would the jury find me guilty?
They seen us strugglin', doin' what we have to do to ease the sufferin'
We know its wrong but so was havin' us freezin'
Left the stove on wearin' our sneakers until the soles are gone
We constantly holdin' on, being broke
And hopin' our phone is our only escape
And when our favorite TV shows is on shots ringin'
Echo in the ear before the cops came kids was everywhere
And women cryin' niggas goin' to jail
A mothers eyes fill with tears as she nears
Realizin' he's survivin' she exhales like Angela Bassett
I'm a poet amongst slums, project, crack addicts
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
But niggas stay strapped in the hood
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
My heart's still roamin' the streets, they still callin'
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
But niggas stay strapped in the hood
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
My heart's still roamin' the streets
I live a lonely existence, lately I've become a mathematician
As I divide my friends with phony niggas I confide in God
As for sins may He forgive 'em if you have dreams
They can be achieved never give up
Look at me, once a convicted felon, once addicted to sellin'
The substance which corrupted many men in my era
I stood in awe at the dope fiends drove by those caught in the coke game
Some proper, some locked up, some sold claim
The main team wanted the shine
Streets so alive I felt the air breathe not only did I misplace time
I could remember as an inmate at Midstate I stayed in the law library
Some chose to lift weight, fine
As if they content with they time, they strip us at the visit
Limit our education, ridicule us niggas, modern enslavement
Even though I'm out of the cages
I'm the voice of the soldier in the yard with the banger
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
But niggas stay strapped in the hood
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
My heart's still roamin' the streets, they still callin'
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
But niggas stay strapped in the hood
It's a damn shame, the streets is a dirty game
My heart's still roamin' the streets, the streets, the streets
1Wit$elf
The main team wanted the shine
Streets so alive I felt the air breathe
Not only did I misplace time
I could remember as an inmate
At midstate I stayed in the law library
Some chose to lift weight, fine
As if they content with they time
They strip us at the visit
Limit our education"
🦙🦙🦙
AP
This is one of the best rap songs ever.
Mike Woszczynski
It fukin is
Mike Larry
it really is though
1st WORLD
No DOUBT!!!
Michael Lewis
💯
Joaquin
Still get chills every time I hear this.
Adam Gordon
Real talk 🔥🔥
That Guy
Facts
Wally M Werdek
Only the real ones can feel this right here.
Jose Ortiz
Between him and az literally the most underrated rappers of all time from rhymes to keeping it street from making u visualize the street life with your eyes close and seeing the suffering and not the illusion of it is inane felt this from heart to heart for real !