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 5β15 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.
III feat Lil Fame of M.O.P. and Baby Pun
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For my G-pack niggas
Right, right
Shooting at cops nigga what
For my G-pack niggas
Fuck the police
N.Y.P.D. - New York Pricks and Dicks
Straight up (for you crackheaded bitches)
For my A.M. niggas (for you crackheaded bitches)
My Ante Meridian niggaz; what up dunn?
Liqour store closed
Hit the bootlegger, let's hit the bootlegger
Straight up, yo
[Prodigy]
Yo dunn, we got guns in the grass, it's three at night
I'm about to take the last swallow of the Eases Jesus
Who got fifty on the next tree, we gotta stop at the store
We need D batteries for the theme music
Snatch the biscuits from out the lawn
Fuck a cab, lets take cracked-out Yolanda's Saab
We gave that bitch two wibbles
And skated off with her vehicle for that pillow
All outside the borough, dunn what happened to Queens
Like Supton(?) and 1-2-1, Farmers and 116th
The got us on the be -Q-E, just to get a taste of that greenery
We took our smoke out to Coney Island, posted up by the Himalaya
Pina Colada champales mixed with Dani'
That's St. Ide's in dunn lingo
Spillin' it on the floor for our dead people
While I spark the sequel shit; my niggaz got lungs
When we smoke, that shit only go around once
Dogs, we just killin' time
Somebody just got they shit twisted on the block fuckin' up the grind
So, 'til it pipe down
We just going at these sluts - bitch, we want to fuck right now
[Cormega]
Son I'm on a bench high eatin' chicken wings and french fries
A crackhead fuck spent his last bucks on six dimes
I'm one gram from big time, a spliff away from overdosin'
My heart is broken, my man started smokin' again
P, I heard the tunnel open again
I spoke to Flex he said he's gonna let both of us in
It's time to load up the autos and semis
I wish my niggas bank was in a physical form unlike
I got my uptown nikes thugged out and icy
Mad deep, jumpin' out the Cocaine white Jeep
Through was strugglin', so I resume hustlin'
Rap game or crack game my crew is still bubblin'
Yo, three in the morning and the D's on the corna still
Seems we were born to kill, yo P meet me on the hill
So we can jet through Queens in SUV's
Show these motherfuckers how we rep this thing, ya know?
The song βThreeβ by Cormega and Prodigy is a story about the dangers of street life in New York City. The lyrics include references to drug use, violence against police officers, and the struggles of living in the boroughs of the city. This song is about βG-pack niggas,β or drug dealers, who are using their profits to live the high life while constantly looking over their shoulders.
The themes in "Three" are prevalent throughout the song, with Cormega describing the struggles of living in the ghetto, mentioning crackheads and the quest for money. Prodigy describes their situation as being constantly under threat, always looking over their shoulders and never knowing who to trust. The song ends with both artists coming together to show their solidarity and strength, promising to represent their place in Queens and ride together no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
For my G-pack niggas
This song is dedicated to my fellow gang members who also deal drugs.
Right, right
Agreeing with the previous line.
Shooting at cops nigga what
We are so angry at the police that we would even shoot at them if given the chance.
Fuck the police
We hate the police and think they are corrupt and abusive.
N.Y.P.D. - New York Pricks and Dicks
We are insulting the NYPD with this derogatory name, implying that they are incompetent and unprofessional.
They can't stop our floss
Even though the police are trying to stop us from enjoying our money and success, they cannot succeed.
Straight up (for you crackheaded bitches)
This is a declaration of truth, and it's being said to the women who use drugs.
For my A.M. niggas (for you crackheaded bitches)
A.M. stands for Ante Meridian, which means before noon. We are addressing our friends who are up early in the morning, as well as the women who use drugs.
My Ante Meridian niggaz; what up dunn?
We are saying hello to our friends who are up early in the morning.
Liqour store closed
The liquor store is closed and we cannot buy alcohol legally.
Hit the bootlegger, let's hit the bootlegger
We will go find a bootlegger who can sell us alcohol.
Straight up, yo
This is the truth, and it's being said emphatically.
Yo dunn, we got guns in the grass, it's three at night
We have hidden guns in the grass, and it's three in the morning.
I'm about to take the last swallow of the Eases Jesus
Eases Jesus is a type of drug, and I am about to take the last of it.
Who got fifty on the next tree, we gotta stop at the store
I am asking who wants to bet $50 on the next tree we see, and we need to stop at a store first.
We need D batteries for the theme music
We need D batteries to play some music that is important to us.
Snatch the biscuits from out the lawn
We are taking guns out of the grass.
Fuck a cab, lets take cracked-out Yolanda's Saab
Instead of taking a taxi, we'll take Yolanda's car, even though she is a drug addict.
We gave that bitch two wibbles
We gave her some drugs.
And skated off with her vehicle for that pillow
We stole her car so we can sleep in it.
All outside the borough, dunn what happened to Queens
We are outside of our usual area, and we are questioning what has happened to Queens.
Like Supton(?) and 1-2-1, Farmers and 116th
These are street names that are associated with Queens.
The got us on the be-Q-E, just to get a taste of that greenery
The police have us under surveillance, even though we are only trying to buy marijuana.
We took our smoke out to Coney Island, posted up by the Himalaya
We went to Coney Island to smoke marijuana and hung out near the Himalaya ride.
Pina Colada champales mixed with Dani'
We mixed Pina Colada and Champale, two types of alcoholic drinks.
That's St. Ide's in dunn lingo
St. Ide's is a brand of malt liquor, and we are talking about it in our slang language.
Spillin' it on the floor for our dead people
We are pouring some liquor on the floor as a tribute to our deceased friends.
While I spark the sequel shit; my niggaz got lungs
I am about to smoke some more marijuana while my friends are doing the same.
When we smoke, that shit only go around once
Our marijuana is very good, and it only needs to be smoked once before we feel the effects.
Dogs, we just killin' time
We are just wasting time, waiting for something to happen or someone to arrive.
Somebody just got they shit twisted on the block fuckin' up the grind
Someone is causing trouble on our street and disrupting our business.
So, 'til it pipe down
Until things calm down, we will continue to wait and waste time.
We just going at these sluts - bitch, we want to fuck right now
We are trying to find women to have sex with at the moment.
Son I'm on a bench high eatin' chicken wings and french fries
I am on a bench, high on drugs, and eating fast food.
A crackhead fuck spent his last bucks on six dimes
A drug addict spent all his money on drugs.
I'm one gram from big time, a spliff away from overdosin'
I am close to becoming a major drug dealer and one hit away from overdosing.
My heart is broken, my man started smokin' again
I am sad that my friend has started using drugs again.
P, I heard the tunnel open again
I heard that a night club called The Tunnel has reopened.
I spoke to Flex he said he's gonna let both of us in
I talked to DJ Funkmaster Flex, and he said he will let both of us into the club.
It's time to load up the autos and semis
It's time to prepare our guns and get ready for a potential confrontation.
I wish my niggas bank was in a physical form unlike
I wish my friends had more money, and that it was not just in the form of drugs or other illegal activities.
I got my uptown nikes thugged out and icy
I am wearing my expensive Nike shoes, which are designed to look tough and stylish at the same time.
Mad deep, jumpin' out the Cocaine white Jeep
We are driving around in a white Jeep, and it looks like we are involved in drugs.
Through was strugglin', so I resume hustlin'
My drug business was struggling, so I decided to start selling again.
Rap game or crack game my crew is still bubblin'
Whether we are making money from music or drugs, we are still succeeding and making a lot of money.
Yo, three in the morning and the D's on the corna still
It's three in the morning, and the police are still on the corner.
Seems we were born to kill, yo P meet me on the hill
We are using violent language to describe ourselves and our situation, and we want to meet up with each other.
So we can jet through Queens in SUV's
We want to leave Queens quickly and travel in our SUVs.
Show these motherfuckers how we rep this thing, ya know?
We want to show our rivals how we represent our gang or crew.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: ALAN MAMAN, ALBERT JOHNSON, CORY MCKAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DaRocknessMonsta187
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@DaRocknessMonsta187
1. Billy Danze & TooBusy - The Beginning (feat. Lil Fame) 0:00
2. O.C. & Lil' Fame - Jugganots 0:22
3. Termanology - Watch How It Go Down (DJ Premier Remix) (feat. Papoose & Lil Fame) 3:58
4. Marco Polo - Fame For President (feat. Lil Fame) 7:16
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6. Dom Dirtee - Kill Switch (feat. Lil Fame & Teflon) 12:58
7. Cormega - III (feat. Lil Fame & Baby Pun) 15:30
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