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.
Genuine Article
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody gave a fuck
And I ain't wanna ask for a
Hand and get the finger
Understand I ain’t tryna hear it
I'm what they wanna hear
The art is regarded as the
Heart of the streets, you wasn't there
Resonated through pen and paper
Stimulated many ain't it
Deep how I never let opinions fade me?
I know they hate me 'cause they ain't me
So to see me make it
Agonizes snakes and liars have
No grace and desire
I patiently waited then came with the
Fire that rages inside me
Flamin' rhymer, dreamin' ain't nicer
See the light when they awake
Into my greater horizon
Require change of environment, no love lost
Haters inspirin'
New ways of thinkin’ makin’ me rise
To the occasion like Kyrie
Determined to reap the goal, whoever oppose
I serve them
Food for thought, I put work in
My word is bond
To my culture is proud that I wrote this
Art is exalted, calm yet ferocious
God bless the child who could hold his
I'm focused, starin’ at the ocean
Searchin' for peace as I
Question life's purpose
Seem certain, indeed, these verses
Hold weight like Ace in the cleaners
Able to distinguish the difference
Between thinkin' and schemin’
It's like bein' tired of waitin'
When patience is needed
Is it safe for a dreamer in
A city that never sleeps?
Every day you awake is succeeded
Indeed the degree of separation
Increases with measures taken
Inconceivable within reach, no limitations
If you ever hesitated on Mega
Maybe you ain't know
I never needed your validation
In these lyrics, Cormega expresses his determination and resilience in the face of adversity. He starts off by highlighting the fact that he has worked hard for everything he has achieved and that nobody showed him any support or care. He didn't want to ask for help and risk being rejected or taken advantage of.
Cormega emphasizes that he is not interested in hearing people's negative opinions or criticisms. He knows that his art, his music, is what people want to listen to and it is highly regarded as the voice of the streets. Those who were not present during his struggles and experiences in the streets lack the proof to challenge or question the authenticity of his lyrics.
Cormega acknowledges that there are people who hate him because they envy his success and the fact that he made it when they couldn't. The sight of his achievements frustrates these snakes and liars who lack grace and genuine desire. He patiently waited for his time and when he finally emerged, he unleashed his fire and passion through his music.
He compares himself to a flame, a rapper who ignites and inspires others with his rhymes. He dreams bigger and sees the light that others overlook. Cormega believes in the power of changing his environment and leaving behind those who don't support him. Haters only serve as motivation for him to think differently and rise above their negativity.
Cormega is confident in his abilities and knows that his words hold weight and value. He can distinguish between genuine thoughts and intentions, as opposed to scheming and manipulative behavior. He uses the metaphor of being tired of waiting when patience is required, illustrating his desire to achieve success without compromising his integrity.
He questions whether it is safe for a dreamer like himself to pursue his goals in a city that never sleeps, where competition and challenges are constant. However, he realizes that each day he wakes up is a small victory and evidence of his progress. The more he perseveres, the greater the distance between him and those who doubted him.
Cormega concludes by asserting that he never needed anyone's validation. He is proud of his cultural heritage and writes lyrics that exalt his people and his art. His focus and determination remain unshakable as he stares at the vast ocean, searching for inner peace and contemplating the purpose of his life.
Overall, these lyrics showcase Cormega's journey of self-belief, resilience, and the unwavering passion he has for his craft. He has overcome obstacles, grown stronger, and remains determined to achieve his goals, regardless of others' opinions or validation.
Line by Line Meaning
I bust my ass for what I have
I worked extremely hard to achieve what I currently possess.
Nobody gave a fuck
No one cared or showed any concern.
And I ain't wanna ask for a
And I didn't want to beg for a
Hand and get the finger
Assistance and then be treated disrespectfully in return.
Understand I ain’t tryna hear it
Comprehend that I don't want to listen to it.
I'm what they wanna hear
I am the artist that they desire to listen to.
The art is regarded as the
The music is seen as the
Heart of the streets, you wasn't there
Essential aspect of the urban community, but you were not present.
You lack burden of proof, my rap’s truth
You do not possess evidence to support it, my rap consists of honest and authentic experiences.
Resonated through pen and paper
Expressed through the act of writing.
Stimulated many ain't it
Excited and inspired numerous individuals, isn't it?
Deep how I never let opinions fade me?
Profound how I never allow others' opinions to diminish my spirit?
I know they hate me 'cause they ain't me
I am aware that they dislike me because they cannot be like me.
So to see me make it
So, witnessing my success
Agonizes snakes and liars have
Torments deceitful and treacherous individuals
No grace and desire
Lack any grace or ambition
I patiently waited then came with the
I calmly waited and then arrived with the
Fire that rages inside me
Passionate and intense drive within me
Flamin' rhymer, dreamin' ain't nicer
Explosive lyricist, dreaming is not better
See the light when they awake
Experience clarity when they become aware
Into my greater horizon
Towards my vast future
Require change of environment, no love lost
Necessitate a change in surroundings, without any affection lost
Haters inspirin'
Detractors serving as motivation
New ways of thinkin’ makin’ me rise
Adopting innovative perspectives leading to personal growth
To the occasion like Kyrie
Responding appropriately like the basketball player Kyrie Irving
Determined to reap the goal, whoever opposes
Committed to achieving the objective, regardless of opposition
I serve them
I defeat and outperform them
Food for thought, I put work in
Intellectual nourishment, I invest effort
My word is bond
My word is my solemn promise and commitment
To my culture is proud that I wrote this
The community I belong to takes pride in the fact that I created this
Art is exalted, calm yet ferocious
The artistic expression is elevated, displaying both serenity and ferocity
God bless the child who could hold his
May God bless the individual who maintains their composure
I'm focused, starin’ at the ocean
I am concentrated, gazing upon the vast ocean
Searchin' for peace as I
Seeking tranquility while I
Question life's purpose
Doubt and contemplate the meaning of life
Seem certain, indeed, these verses
Appear confident, these lyrics
Hold weight like Ace in the cleaners
Possess significance similar to a heavyweight boxer in peak condition
Able to distinguish the difference
Capable of recognizing the distinction
Between thinkin' and schemin’
Differentiating between thoughtful contemplation and plotting
It's like bein' tired of waitin'
It feels like becoming weary of waiting
When patience is needed
In situations requiring patience
Is it safe for a dreamer in
Can a person with aspirations feel secure in
A city that never sleeps?
A constantly active and bustling city?
Every day you awake is succeeded
Each day you wake up is followed
Indeed the degree of separation
Truly, the level of difference
Increases with measures taken
Grows larger as actions are taken
Inconceivable within reach, no limitations
Unbelievable but attainable, without any restrictions
If you ever hesitated on Mega
If you ever doubted Cormega
Maybe you ain't know
Perhaps you were unaware
I never needed your validation
I never required your approval or endorsement
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@volcommerce
mega one of the deepest artists of all time, top lyricist
@KD_SWAGGER
This track is official!
@oskee305
Had to go back in this bag today. Thanks for creating this masterpiece of a song King!
@DATRIBEINC
U killed it my brotha bless peace luv n respect
@Slimexich
Heck yeah keep doing it! ❤
@TripleBProduktionz
favorite track on the EP
@whynotyou783
“Is it safe for a dreamer to live in a city that never sleeps?” -Mega
@moududahmed2757
Cormega writes bars that’s makes us contemplate about reality and life.
@jermainewashington2224
A true GENUINE ARTICLE 😜
@realdeal139
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥