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.
La Familia
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ayo guns and roses sons and soldiers drug game cocaine ac's and range rovers snakes plan a way to set they own man up for grams when they bag up cristal white at night pistols might lift you like heat seeking missles streets tempt you police stop to get you 'cause niggas you ran wit got knocked and snitched too ya bitch knew time you faced you didn't hide the safe now she's fuckin in your fly estate by the fireplace my shine stay laced mind original Firm La Familia organized criminals boy you just a hand to hand soldier I'm a general one way ticket to hell is what I'm sendin you yo you idiot rookie cops know my props go high like himilayan mountains Mega bouncin in the a z3 countin up g's wit no doubt son
Nas:
I'll die for my niggas stick you for pies and lie for my niggas plead guilty hit the chair and fry for my niggas its essential that we all ????
We been through life cold blood living sinful though we learn from old thugs who made it peeped how they played it we rated and evaluated calculated the ages we be the day we see chips freely beyond whips and tv's stockbonds loot and flippin cd's but niggas hate to see you on top they'd rather be you what not I keep the desert eagle up on cock spot the snitch and he's got quick why pop shit my niggas leave you shot quick in a hop skip specialize in fly shit vs on my breath while niggas gossip I'm on some dough or die shit
Foxy Brown:
Ill nana capo the Firm team gustapo 36 moves 37 ways triple days triple pays nana Fox boogy Firm mama kniver the lady kadaver or scarlet whichever o'hara the hazardous we lace the lazerous drippin gambinana
The lyrics of the song La Familia by Cormega, Nas, and Foxy Brown showcase the reality of a life involved in organized crime, drug dealing, and other illegal activities. The song is an ode to their respective criminal organizations or "families" and the loyalty, trust, and brotherhood they share. The song highlights the hypocrisy of those who pretend to be their friends but plan to set them up for their own gain. The artists also talk about the harsh reality of life in their world, where the police are always after them, and betrayal is the norm. The artists show no remorse for their actions and are ready to die for their fellow members, even if it means going to jail for them. The song, therefore, becomes a commentary on the socioeconomic conditions that push young men towards crime and the consequences that follow.
Line by Line Meaning
Ayo guns and roses sons and soldiers drug game cocaine ac's and range rovers snakes plan a way to set they own man up for grams when they bag up cristal white at night
Drug dealers and gangsters drive expensive cars and plan to frame their own colleagues to earn more money by selling cocaine. They also celebrate their victory at night by drinking crystal white liquor.
pistols might lift you like heat seeking missles streets tempt you police stop to get you 'cause niggas you ran wit got knocked and snitched too
The streets are tempting and dangerous, and anyone can get shot with a gun, which works like a heat-seeking missile. The police target those who associate with criminals, even if they don't commit any crime themselves.
ya bitch knew time you faced you didn't hide the safe now she's fuckin in your fly estate by the fireplace
Your girlfriend knew you were in trouble with the law, but you didn't secure your assets and she's now enjoying your wealth in your fancy home without you.
my shine stay laced mind original Firm La Familia organized criminals boy you just a hand to hand soldier I'm a general
I always shine in my style and mentality, which is original and belongs to the Firm La Familia. You are just a small-time drug dealer, while I'm a leader who commands an organized criminal group.
one way ticket to hell is what I'm sendin you yo you idiot rookie cops know my props go high like himilayan mountains
If you cross me, you'll face serious consequences and end up in hell. Even inexperienced police officers know how powerful and influential I am.
I'll die for my niggas stick you for pies and lie for my niggas plead guilty hit the chair and fry for my niggas its essential that we all ?
I'm willing to risk my life, freedom, and reputation for my closest friends. It's crucial that we all help and protect each other, even if it means lying or taking the fall for one another.
We been through life cold blood living sinful though we learn from old thugs who made it peeped how they played it we rated and evaluated calculated the ages we be the day we see chips freely beyond whips and tv's stockbonds loot and flippin cd's but niggas hate to see you on top they'd rather be you what not
We grew up in a harsh reality and committed various crimes, but we also learned valuable lessons from veteran gangsters who succeeded. We plan and strategize how to make more money, beyond just owning luxury cars and electronics. However, other people envy our success and want to harm us because they can't achieve it themselves.
I keep the desert eagle up on cock spot the snitch and he’s got quick why pop shit my niggas leave you shot quick in a hop skip specialize in fly shit vs on my breath while niggas gossip I’m on some dough or die shit
I carry a powerful gun with me and act swiftly against anyone who betrays us. I have no patience for those who talk nonsense, and my colleagues will quickly eliminate them. I always focus on making money and living luxuriously, rather than wasting time on trivial matters like gossip.
Ill nana capo the Firm team gustapo 36 moves 37 ways triple days triple pays nana Fox boogy Firm mama kniver the lady kadaver or scarlet whichever o'hara the hazardous we lace the lazerous drippin gambinana
I'm the female boss of the Firm and lead my team with authority. We have various tactics and strategies to make more money, and we work hard and smart. I'm known for being dangerous and unpredictable, regardless of which persona I adopt.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joey P
One of the most epic songs of all time. "Then my voice disappeared off La Familia, then it appeared there wasn't no real love" -Cormega Love in Love Out
enc
My man mega kills this shit son. One love to Nas & AZ
Mubanga Moonze
These four are legendary and made a good rap group.
Sammy sess
So raw...mega’s poetic, the way he set it, delivers on da mic, it’s energetic
gangstarr17gg
I hate that Dr Dre always downplays this album as merely a flop . Commercially maybe but this is album is a hip hop classic off the talent involved alone .
iLL MANORS
Werd - i still play this album
Kahleef El-Amin
Your absolutely right An sold 3 million copies
JM NYC
It has some joints but it was always lackluster considering the talent involved. This track and everything else that led to the album like Affirmative Action OG and remix rightly had people think we'd get a cohesive 5 mic classic. Instead it felt like a cluttered compilation and was so out of focus with the original vision that this cut didn't even make the album.
Johnathan Cunillera
gangstarr17gg yes sir
Bob Fole
Nah