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.
Say No More
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Especially not yours, I stand up
You got weak posture
Ineffectively plannin' my demise
You're intellectually challenged
Not understandin' wisdom brings balance
Between sophistication and savage
I'm a different cloth (Cloth)
Often lie, I speak my truth
A clear advantage
I wear honor like a rare medallion
On my chest lays the burden of proof
My reputation earned, not given
No words could dispute
A wise man would rebuke a servant with juice
Cup overflows for the thirstiest fool (Fool)
Yearns to consume what he's never tasted
Success is taken bitter with
Sweet and elevatin'
No expectation, no disappointment
A thorough thinker has great
Respect for preparation, uh
In these lyrics, Cormega expresses his confidence and resilience in the face of adversity. He begins by stating that no army formed against him will succeed, especially not the antagonist's army, as they have weak posture and lack the ability to effectively plan his downfall. Cormega sees himself as intellectually superior, understanding that wisdom brings a balance between sophistication and savagery.
He emphasizes his uniqueness and superiority in the rap game, claiming that no other rapper possesses a similar fabric or level of skill. While others may often lie, Cormega speaks his truth, giving him a clear advantage. He carries honor like a rare medallion, signifying his strong sense of integrity.
Cormega believes that his reputation is not something that can be easily refuted with mere words. He suggests that a wise man would dismiss someone with illogical arguments, comparing them to a servant who foolishly craves something he has never experienced. Success, to Cormega, is bittersweet but ultimately uplifting. He embraces the notion of having no expectations to avoid disappointment, and he respects the importance of thorough preparation as a thoughtful individual.
Overall, these lyrics are about Cormega's self-assuredness, intellectual prowess, and unwavering commitment to the truth. He rejects the false and seeks to elevate himself through wisdom and preparation.
Line by Line Meaning
No army formed against me shall prosper
Any attempts to harm or hinder me will be unsuccessful
Especially not yours, I stand up
Specifically, your attempts won't affect me, I remain resilient
You got weak posture
You lack strength and confidence
Ineffectively plannin' my demise
Your plans to bring me down are futile and ineffective
You're intellectually challenged
You lack intellectual capacity or understanding
Not understandin' wisdom brings balance
Failing to comprehend that wisdom leads to equilibrium
Between sophistication and savage
Finding the balance between refinement and ferocity
I'm a different cloth (Cloth)
I am unique and separate from others
No similar fabric exists in rappers
Other rappers cannot compare to my individuality
Often lie, I speak my truth
While others frequently deceive, I always speak honestly
A clear advantage
This gives me a distinct upper hand
I wear honor like a rare medallion
I proudly display integrity like a precious insignia
On my chest lays the burden of proof
The responsibility to prove my worth rests upon me
My reputation earned, not given
I have built my reputation through hard work and merit, not by chance
No words could dispute
No arguments or statements can challenge or discredit me
A wise man would rebuke a servant with juice
A wise person would criticize a subordinate using their intellect
Cup overflows for the thirstiest fool (Fool)
An extremely desperate person wants more than they can handle
Yearns to consume what he's never tasted
They crave to experience something they have never encountered
Success is taken bitter with
Achievement is accompanied by hardships and difficulties
Sweet and elevatin'
But it is also rewarding and uplifting
No expectation, no disappointment
If one has no anticipations, they won't be let down
A thorough thinker has great
An individual who ponders deeply has immense
Respect for preparation, uh
Appreciation for being ready and well-prepared
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind