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.
Rap's a Hustle
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'ma pimp, a pen's my hoe
She don't ever move until I say so
Her only purpose in life is get me large
I got my pen workin' 16 bars
When I'm happy she happy, sad she sad
She make sure we both have
She know I got plenty more to replace her
I'm not lettin' no pen get out of line
You did it, I mean, can you dig it
She committed to me, she please niggas for me
My shit's so tight she leave a nigga for me
I met her in a studio, she caught my eye
With her over kickin' whack ass rhymes
I needed a pen, so she let me borrow her
Like my shit ain't ill enough to overpower her
I see he wasn't treatin' her right
So I gave her some paper
And let her do her thing that night
that's right, I took it from that player
He to concerned with his money and his pager
She told me, shit he be kickin' is so weak
I told him, your hoe chose me I'm goldie
Be cool, or we can make the heat come out
Your pen work for me 'till the ink run out (player)
[Chorus]
Money talks and bullshit walks
Rap is a hustle y'all
Only the strong survive, I was born to rhyme
Put me on the street I'm goin' for mines
Money talks and bullshit walks
Rap is a hustle y'all
Only the strong survive, I was born to rhyme
Put me on the street nigga
[Verse 2]
My rap is uncut raw, out the door
Type shit to have fiends lookin' for more
Your rap is lactose; you cooled off, the glass broke
Customers complainin' never comin' back yo
My rap flow is pure all white, in the hood all night
You made your first sale when I sold out
My shit numbs your whole mouth, yours leaves a foul taste
My rhymes a felony yours never seen a trial date
You need a legal aid, my pen got the DA's paid
My flows sleepin' in a cave
No day's I got the streets in this mad
You need a mask to repair the ? here
You see the glass once I flip this track
You should see my stash, I got rhymes for days
Fuck a right front page, I stay deliverin, ain't no middle men
I never short my man or cross my fans
Or switch my supply when money cross my hand
It's funny, I'm here, I'm like the crew I used to roll wit'
You might as well work for me, I got the clientele
y'all put to much cred in that stuff you tred to sell
that's the reason your empire fell like Goliath
I'm supplyin' the ghetto to satisfy you
Marks, NARC's, is analiyzin' why this kid
Crossed the bridge and came through with platinum shinin'
Bringin' heat to the street like I had the iron
[Chorus]
Money talks and bullshit walks
Rap is a hustle y'all
Only the strong survive, I was born to rhyme
Put me on the street I'm goin' for mines
Money talks and bullshit walks
Rap is a hustle y'all
In Cormega's song, "Rap's a Hustle," the artist uses the metaphor of being a pimp and his pen being his hoe to portray the often unglamorous and profit-driven world of rap. The pen's only purpose is to get him ahead and bring in a large profit, much like how a pimp uses their workers to bring in money. The artist proceeds to describe the symbiotic relationship he has with his pen, and how they both need each other to succeed. They both work in harmony, with the pen being the source of lyrical inspiration for the artist.
The artist then contrasts his own successful lyrics with those of his competitors, stating that his rap flow is uncut and raw, unlike others which are lactose and have cooled off. He describes himself as the supplier of the ghetto, providing satisfaction to his customers with his high-quality lyrics. In this way, rap is portrayed as a hustle, where the goal is to provide a product that can match the customer's demand in a competitive market.
Overall, the song "Rap's a Hustle" highlights the often-overlooked aspects of the rap industry that are prevalent in many other industries. The artist demonstrates that the drive to succeed can be relentless and brutal, and that often, it comes at a cost.
Line by Line Meaning
I'ma pimp, a pen's my hoe
I use my pen as a tool to make money and it is completely under my control.
She don't ever move until I say so
The pen is completely dependent on me and does not function without my direction.
Her only purpose in life is get me large
The pen's sole purpose is to help me make lots of money.
I got my pen workin' 16 bars
I am using my pen to write 16 lines of lyrics.
When I'm happy she happy, sad she sad
The pen's mood is entirely dependent on my satisfaction with its performance.
She make sure we both have
The pen and I work together to make sure we are both successful and profitable.
She know I got plenty more to replace her
The pen is aware that I have other tools I can use to make money.
Bitch better have mine
I demand that my pen be loyal and work hard for me.
I'm not lettin' no pen get out of line
I won't tolerate any behavior from the pen that does not serve my interests.
You did it, I mean, can you dig it
I am acknowledging that the pen is doing a good job and asking if others can see the same.
She committed to me, she please niggas for me
The pen is dedicated to serving me and pleasing others with the words I write.
My shit's so tight she leave a nigga for me
The quality of my writing is so good that people prefer it to others, even if it means leaving other writers behind.
I met her in a studio, she caught my eye
I discovered the pen while writing in a studio and was impressed with its quality.
With her over kickin' whack ass rhymes
I noticed that others in the studio were writing poorly, while my pen allowed me to stand out.
I needed a pen, so she let me borrow her
I borrowed the pen from someone else and have since claimed ownership over it.
Like my shit ain't ill enough to overpower her
I am confident in my writing ability and believe that the pen simply serves as a tool to enhance it.
I see he wasn't treatin' her right
I observed that the previous owner of the pen was not using it to its full potential.
So I gave her some paper
I provided the pen with the resources it needed to succeed.
And let her do her thing that night
I allowed the pen to work on its own and trust that it would perform well.
that's right, I took it from that player
I took ownership of the pen from the previous owner and am now the one in control.
Money talks and bullshit walks
Success is determined by how much money one can make, not by empty talk or claims.
Rap is a hustle y'all
The rap industry is a competitive field where only those who work hard and hustle can succeed.
Only the strong survive, I was born to rhyme
Only those who are strong and talented can succeed in this industry, and I believe I have the skills needed to make it.
Put me on the street I'm goin' for mines
If given the opportunity to perform, I will do whatever it takes to make money and be successful.
My rap is uncut raw, out the door
My style of rap is genuine and authentic, and appeals to my audience.
Type shit to have fiends lookin' for more
My rhymes are so good that people become addicted to them and want to hear more.
Your rap is lactose; you cooled off, the glass broke
Your style of rap is weak and unoriginal, and you can no longer attract an audience.
Customers complainin' never comin' back yo
Your audience is unhappy with your music and will not continue to support you.
My rap flow is pure all white, in the hood all night
My style of rap is of the highest quality and is appealing to everyone, regardless of their background.
You made your first sale when I sold out
I had already achieved success before you even started, and you are now trying to copy my style.
My shit numbs your whole mouth, yours leaves a foul taste
My rhymes are so powerful and impressive, while your music is weak and unpleasant.
My rhymes a felony yours never seen a trial date
My lyrics are so strong that they could be considered illegal, while your music is so weak that it has never been noticed by authorities.
You need a legal aid, my pen got the DA's paid
If you were ever in trouble with the law, you would need a lawyer to defend you, while my writing is so good that the district attorney would work for me instead.
My flows sleepin' in a cave
My creative abilities are so strong that they are almost mythical and hidden away, as if in a cave.
No day's I got the streets in this mad
My music is so strong that it is always being played on the streets and is very popular with my audience.
You need a mask to repair the ? here
Your music is so weak that it would be embarrassing to try and fix it.
You see the glass once I flip this track
You will see the true difference between my music and yours when I perform my next song.
You should see my stash, I got rhymes for days
I have so many strong lyrics that I could continue performing for days without running out of material.
Fuck a right front page, I stay deliverin, ain't no middle men
I don't need the validation of critics or the media to know that I am a strong performer, and I do not have any intermediaries between my talent and my audience.
I never short my man or cross my fans
I am loyal to my supporters and will never let them down or betray their trust in me.
Or switch my supply when money cross my hand
I will not change my style or sell out just to make more money.
It's funny, I'm here, I'm like the crew I used to roll wit'
I find it ironic that I am now more successful than the people I used to hang out with and perform music alongside.
You might as well work for me, I got the clientele
You would be better off working with me, since I have a larger and more loyal fanbase than you do.
y'all put to much cred in that stuff you tred to sell
You focus too much on trying to sell merchandise or other products instead of focusing on your music.
that's the reason your empire fell like Goliath
Your business failed because you were too concerned with making money and not focused enough on producing quality music.
I'm supplyin' the ghetto to satisfy you
My music is designed to appeal to my audience and meet their needs and expectations.
Marks, NARC's, is analiyzin' why this kid
The authorities and law enforcement are taking an interest in me and trying to understand how I have become so successful.
Crossed the bridge and came through with platinum shinin'
I have crossed over into mainstream success and have become very popular and profitable.
Bringin' heat to the street like I had the iron
My music is powerful and impressive, and is having a major impact on the rap industry and the streets where it is popular.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CORY MCKAY, LAMONT DORRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind