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.
One Purpose
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For one purpose to rep
I love life too much to
Keep flirting with death i swallow my pride
I no longer thirst success
The things we can't change we
Must learn to accept
They say money's the root of evil
You or help your seed bloom
Yet they constantly gossip like
They exceed you
Don't talk about it be about it
I speak truth
My knowledge of the street grew
As did my desire for jeeps and coupes and
Heat where rapid fire plagued my youth
I paid my dues in math to survival
Rappers are liars my
Factual rhyming surpasses
My rivals are in massive denial
Talent defines me like Mark Jackson on the
Fast break the past is behind me
The lyrics of Cormega's song "One Purpose" convey a sense of self-determination and resilience in the face of adversity. The opening lines suggest that the artist's mother brought him into this world with a specific purpose, which he interprets as representing and representing his truth. He expresses a deep love for life and a desire to distance himself from anything that may potentially lead to his demise.
The next lines demonstrate a shift in perspective, where the artist acknowledges the importance of accepting the things that cannot be changed. He comments on the destructive nature of money, highlighting that even one's own family may not provide the support needed to thrive. There is a sense of disappointment in the way people gossip and compete rather than coming together to uplift one another. Cormega urges action over empty words, emphasizing the importance of living by one's principles. He acknowledges his own growth and experiences in the streets, juxtaposing material desires with the harsh reality of violence that has shaped his youth.
The closing lines of the lyrics convey a sense of personal growth and leaving the past behind. The artist states that he has paid his dues to survive and distances himself from other rappers who he perceives as liars. He asserts that his authenticity and skill define him, comparing himself to Mark Jackson, a basketball player known for his fast break skills. The lyrics overall convey a message of self-reliance, resilience, and the pursuit of truth and success.
Line by Line Meaning
My moms put me on this earth
I was born with a purpose, guided by my mother's love and influence.
For one purpose to rep
My purpose is to represent and express myself through my music.
I love life too much to
I value life deeply and don't want to risk losing it.
Keep flirting with death i swallow my pride
I choose to let go of my ego and pride to avoid dangerous situations.
I no longer thirst success
I have fulfilled my desire for material success and no longer crave it excessively.
The things we can't change we
It is important to accept the aspects of life that are beyond our control.
Must learn to accept
We need to develop the ability to embrace and come to terms with life's circumstances.
They say money's the root of evil
Society often portrays money as the source of corruption and wrongdoing.
Sadly your own family tree won't feed
Unfortunately, even our own family members may not support or provide for us financially.
You or help your seed bloom
They cannot assist in our personal growth or the growth of our future generations.
Yet they constantly gossip like
Despite this, they engage in continuous gossip, as if they are superior.
They exceed you
They act as if they are better than you or have achieved more.
Don't talk about it be about it
Rather than just discussing things, it is essential to take action and demonstrate it.
I speak truth
I express my honest and authentic thoughts and experiences through my music.
My knowledge of the street grew
I gained wisdom and understanding from my experiences in the streets.
As did my desire for jeeps and coupes and
Alongside my knowledge, my aspiration for material possessions like cars grew as well.
Heat where rapid fire plagued my youth
Gun violence and intense conflicts were prevalent during my younger days.
I paid my dues in math to survival
I endured and overcame challenges and obstacles in order to survive.
Rappers are liars my
Many rappers are dishonest in their portrayal of reality through their lyrics.
Factual rhyming surpasses
My style of rapping focuses on truth and authenticity, surpassing those who fabricate.
My rivals are in massive denial
My competitors are deeply unwilling to acknowledge my superiority.
Talent defines me like Mark Jackson on the
My creative abilities and skills define my identity, similar to Mark Jackson's prowess on the basketball court.
Fast break the past is behind me
I am moving forward with momentum, leaving my past behind and embracing new opportunities.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Poetics
I can't believe this only has 209 views... "Talent defines me/ like Mark Jackson on the fast break the past is behind me". Mega's poetry is too deep... with or without melodic arrangements.