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 Basquiat
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spittin' that shit that had Pookie doing jumping jacks
Getting money when you was watching Thundercats
We not the same; my lifestyle ain't come from rap
Until recently, instinctively I must adapt
The bars are hard but I'm easily crushing tracks
Even elite rappers fall back when Cory rap
Truth is spoken; you can't ignore the fact
I'm showing you glimpses
Growth of potential require total commitment
Those that say I don't come around, I'm home with my children
On some real shit I'm no longer dealing
And I don't fuck with anyone showing resentment
Can talk that shit walkin'
I'm focused and driven
In life nothing is given so I'm going to get it
I'm a different pedigree poetically
Those who momentarily slept
You just encouraged me to take it to a level rarely seen
Apparently rappers lack the intensity that you presently hear from me
It's a unique ability to speak with sincerity
I'm deep with lyrics giving the streets clarity
Lack of patience will have you catching cases
And when you free, resiliency converts negative energy to inner peace
Enables me to realize I'm blessed to be able to live successfully
On something that was just a dream yesterday
Tomorrow wasn't promised but I'm here today
Which illustrates how far skill will take you
If you got the will to make it to the realm of greatness
Can be reached through dedication
And desire inspired by deep determination
Keeps me motivated like faithless motherfuckers
Praying I don't make it cuz they ain't eatin' and tasteless
Rappers be hatin'; I'm creating like Anthony Mason
And if you waiting for me to fail
You have to be patient; I lack limitation
I can turn a bad situation to rap innovation
My pen advances the paper; enhancing my way up
Life I'm actually grateful I made it
'Cuz scheming away a situation aiming for greatness is a journey not a destination
Preparation is what separates me from those with self-doubt and reservation
Should know hesitation delays elevation
And shows why they never made it
Let me explain it
Dedication is a measure of strength and character
Like a diamond pressure can't break me
In Cormega's song Rap Basquiat, the rapper discusses his lifestyle and achievements without any hesitation. He starts by addressing the notion that some people are fronting and coming back with the intention to spit fire that even sparked Pookie to do jumping jacks. Cormega mentions that he has been making money all along, and his lifestyle does not solely come from rap. He continues by stating that he is indeed very confident, and his content is hard-hitting enough to crush tracks with ease while other top-tier rappers fall back. He admits that he is vocally gifted, and his ability to deliver the truth is something that even the haters cannot ignore.
Cormega shows a different level of poetic ability, mentioning that the intensity that he offers is rarely seen in the rap game. He believes that rappers lack sincerity and that he offers the streets clarity with his lyrics. He cautions rappers about the lack of patience that can sometimes lead to catching cases and tells them that resiliency is the key to conquering negative energy. Cormega acknowledges that he has come a long way and is grateful for the journey. He encourages listeners not to hesitate as it delays elevation and highlights the importance of dedication.
Interesting facts about the song Rap Basquiat include:
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas frontin' so I'm coming back
I'm returning to the rap game to show up rappers who are pretending
Spittin' that shit that had Pookie doing jumping jacks
My raps are so good that they can make anyone excited and energized
Getting money when you was watching Thundercats
While you were wasting time, I was already making money
We not the same; my lifestyle ain't come from rap
I have achieved success in life beyond being a rap artist
Until recently, instinctively I must adapt
I have recently realized the need to adjust my approach to the music industry
The bars are hard but I'm easily crushing tracks
I'm confident in my rapping skills, they come naturally to me
Even elite rappers fall back when Cory rap
Even the best rappers take notice and give respect to my rapping skills
Truth is spoken; you can't ignore the fact
I speak the truth and it can't be denied
I'm vocally gifted; the confidence is obvious
I have an amazing talent for rapping and my confidence shows it
I'm showing you glimpses
I'm giving you a taste of my skills
Growth of potential require total commitment
To develop my potential, I need to be fully committed
Those that say I don't come around, I'm home with my children
I prioritize spending quality time with my family over socializing with others
On some real shit I'm no longer dealing
I have moved past the struggles of my past and no longer need to resort to illegal activities to survive
And I don't fuck with anyone showing resentment
I have no interest in associating with people who hold grudges
Can talk that shit walkin'
I can back up everything I say with action
I'm focused and driven
I have a clear goal and I'm determined to achieve it
In life nothing is given so I'm going to get it
I don't expect success to come easy, I will work hard for it
I'm a different pedigree poetically
My unique style and talent for rapping sets me apart from other artists
Those who momentarily slept
Those who underestimated my talent
You just encouraged me to take it to a level rarely seen
Your lack of belief in me motivated me to push myself to new heights
Apparently rappers lack the intensity that you presently hear from me
Other rappers don't have the same level of passion and dedication as me
It's a unique ability to speak with sincerity
My gift for speaking truthfully and genuinely through my raps
I'm deep with lyrics giving the streets clarity
My lyrics are insightful and provide clarity to those in the streets
Lack of patience will have you catching cases
Impatience can lead to getting in trouble with the law
And when you free, resiliency converts negative energy to inner peace
The ability to bounce back from adversity can bring inner peace
Enables me to realize I'm blessed to be able to live successfully
My ability to overcome challenges has made me appreciate my success
On something that was just a dream yesterday
I have achieved success that was once just a hope or dream
Tomorrow wasn't promised but I'm here today
The future is uncertain, but I feel grateful to be alive and well now
Which illustrates how far skill will take you
My success is proof of the power of talent and hard work
If you got the will to make it to the realm of greatness
Success requires more than talent; it also takes determination and ambition
Can be reached through dedication
To achieve greatness, you must be completely dedicated to your craft
And desire inspired by deep determination
Motivation and ambition are necessary to achieve your goals
Keeps me motivated like faithless motherfuckers
Even those who don't believe in me motivate me to succeed
Praying I don't make it cuz they ain't eatin' and tasteless
Those who are jealous of my success hope that I fail out of spite
Rappers be hatin'; I'm creating like Anthony Mason
Other rappers may hate on me, but I'm still creating art like the basketball player Anthony Mason
And if you waiting for me to fail
Those who want me to fail will have to wait a long time
You have to be patient; I lack limitation
I won't be limited by anything, and those who want me to fail will have to wait patiently
I can turn a bad situation to rap innovation
I can find inspiration even in difficult situations
My pen advances the paper; enhancing my way up
My writing skills are helping me to climb the ranks in the rap game
Life I'm actually grateful I made it
I feel grateful for the success I have achieved in life
'Cuz scheming away a situation aiming for greatness is a journey not a destination
Working towards greatness is a process that requires time and effort, not just a final destination to reach
Preparation is what separates me from those with self-doubt and reservation
My preparation and confidence separate me from those who lack self-confidence and doubt their abilities
Should know hesitation delays elevation
Hesitation can prevent you from achieving your goals
And shows why they never made it
Their hesitation is why they never achieved success
Let me explain it
I'll clarify this even more
Dedication is a measure of strength and character
How committed you are to your goals reflects on your inner strength
Like a diamond pressure can't break me
I'm strong enough to handle any pressure or adversity thrown my way
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind