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.
The Machine
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Dona]
Yo, honest living gets no respect
Get money on the streets, niggaz show your love
Fast cars, gold chains, son, doing his thing
I'm doing my thing, together we bring
That hard street shit, niggaz been waiting weeks to get
Lobster and crystal, the nigga fuck with me
Cuz I keep its real, and I'm from the Ville
XXL wanna put me on the cover, enemies
Undercover, wanna take a nigga under
Fuck these niggaz talkin' bout how they discovered
Mad at ya girl, cuz I ain't fuck ya
Powder blue prada's, Dona, the don dada
It get's not hotter, top shotters
Blocka, I got this whole game in a smash
You couldn't do a song with me, cuz all your shit is trash
[Miz]
Look at me now, Mega, I'm trynna ice the crown
Blow shots at your crew, when ya'll actin' wild
The streets be us, and dog, you can't fuck with us
Real niggaz been shackled on the back of the bus
Been blowin' mad niggaz, for talkin' like they be tough
So please don't fuck with us, niggaz will scuff you up
Got the goon squad, postin' up in the rear
Ready to start something, pop about two in ya ear
You hear? Get it clear, never fuck with the man
Cuz if you, talk to the man, you'll be layin' in sand
You hear? Never scared, it's the block in here
106 and cardin', that's how we startin' this here
Rest in peace, Fly Ty, wish my nigga was here
Not in the mental, the physical, standin' right there
Talk to me ya'll, Legal Hustle that's how we do
What, ho..
[Cormega]
In the street I'm known, for heat I hold
My road dogs, Moe Dog and Bebo's home
Niggaz be fightin' over syrup, by my kilo sold
Now I'm a motherfuckin' Legal Hustle, C.E.O
I brought the pain, it hurt y'all to see me blow
Like the hurricane, you thought it was a game
Til the hummer came, you numb like, novacaine
Scuff like purple haze, nigga, know your place
I don't wanna blow your brains
Will leave dead or like something in a produce lane
There's no use mayne, you know you lame
Your re-up is weak, my peeps told you wait
You didn't like the Realness, you know you fake
My success got you vexed, that know you hate
The fact I'm eatin' like my peoples do in soul food plates
Uh, Don P, shit, we go through cases
And, we got lawyers, that blow through cases
I will walk through your projects with no shoe laces
And laugh at them niggaz with them broke school faces
What, you can't fuck with my team, the Legal Hustle regime
We the fucking machine, nigga, fuckin' with me
Get love in the street, cuz we was huggin' to eat
Now we chillin', pullin' up in them fleece
The Machine is a song by Cormega featuring Dona and Miz that talks about street life and the struggle for respect in that world. The first verse by Dona talks about how honest living does not get any respect in the streets, and the only way to gain respect is by making money on the streets. She speaks about how her and her partner, who is doing his own thing, bring the hard street shit that people have been waiting to see. She also talks about her authenticity being the reason why people fuck with her and how she is from the Ville. In the second verse by Miz, he talks about how he is trying to ice the crown and be on top of the streets. He discusses how real people on the streets have been shackled on the back of buses and how niggas will scuff you up if you try to mess with them. He also speaks about having the goon squad that is always ready to start something, pop about two in ya ear.
In the third verse, Cormega talks about how he is known on the streets for the heat that he holds. He speaks about how niggas have been fighting over syrup that he sold by the kilo and how he is now a Legal Hustle C.E.O. He talks about how his success makes people hate him, but he is still eating like his people do on soul food plates. He mentions how they're a fucking machine and how anyone who messes with them gets love in the streets. The song is a perfect representation of street life and the struggles that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, honest living gets no respect
Making an honest living is undervalued and not respected by society
Get money on the streets, niggaz show your love
Money earned through illegal means is highly regarded and respected among people
Fast cars, gold chains, son, doing his thing
A person who flaunts materialistic possessions such as fast cars and gold chains is considered to be successful
I'm doing my thing, together we bring
I am pursuing my individual goals while working with others to achieve a bigger success
That hard street shit, niggaz been waiting weeks to get
People enjoy consuming gritty and hardcore street content and can't wait to hear more of it
Best of both words, Chinese and Sunnydale
Merging different cultures and backgrounds can result in the best of both worlds
Lobster and crystal, the nigga fuck with me
People associate with those who can provide them with lavish and expensive things like lobster and crystal
Cuz I keep its real, and I'm from the Ville
People respect realness and authenticity, especially when it comes from someone's local community
XXL wanna put me on the cover, enemies
Despite achieving a high level of popularity, there are still people who want to bring the artist down
Undercover, wanna take a nigga under
There are people who pretend to be friends but secretly want to sabotage an artist's career
Fuck these niggaz talkin' bout how they discovered
The artist doesn't care about those who try to take credit for their success
Mad at ya girl, cuz I ain't fuck ya
Jealousy and resentment can arise when someone is not interested in having sexual relations with another person
Powder blue prada's, Dona, the don dada
Dona wears fashionable Prada shoes in a powder blue color that command admiration and respect among others
It get's not hotter, top shotters
There are no better and more powerful people in the streets than Dona and her associates
Blocka, I got this whole game in a smash
Dona has a tight control over the illegal activities and businesses in her area
You couldn't do a song with me, cuz all your shit is trash
Dona doesn't want to collaborate with people whose music she doesn't like or finds to be poor quality
Look at me now, Mega, I'm trynna ice the crown
Miz wants to become the most successful and powerful person in their field, like a king with an iced out crown to symbolize their wealth and status
Blow shots at your crew, when ya'll actin' wild
Miz will retaliate with violence if Cormega's associates pose a threat or act out of line
The streets be us, and dog, you can't fuck with us
Miz identifies strongly with the street culture and feels unbeatable when it comes to their lifestyle and values
Real niggaz been shackled on the back of the bus
The struggle for African Americans goes way back to the days of forced segregation and injustice, and continues to affect people in many ways
Been blowin' mad niggaz, for talkin' like they be tough
Miz has taken revenge on several people who acted tough but didn't back it up
So please don't fuck with us, niggaz will scuff you up
Miz warns others to think twice before crossing their path, as they are not afraid to get physical
Got the goon squad, postin' up in the rear
Miz has a group of people who are ready to defend and protect them, and who are stationed behind them to watch their back
Ready to start something, pop about two in ya ear
Miz's team is prepared to use guns and violence if necessary to defend themselves and retaliate against enemies
You hear? Get it clear, never fuck with the man
Miz advises others to never mess with them or their associates, as they are powerful and dangerous
Cuz if you, talk to the man, you'll be layin' in sand
Miz threatens to kill anyone who talks to the authorities and potentially derails their illegal activities
Never scared, it's the block in here
Miz feels fearless and unbeatable when operating in their local neighborhood
106 and cardin', that's how we startin' this here
Miz is starting their takeover of the rap game from Cardington Avenue, located in their hometown of Baltimore, and uses the local slang term '106' to refer to the area
Rest in peace, Fly Ty, wish my nigga was here
Miz honors the memory of someone named Fly Ty who has passed away, and expresses their wish to still have them by their side
Not in the mental, the physical, standin' right there
Miz is not talking about Fly Ty's ghost or afterlife, but rather a physical presence that they wish was present
Talk to me ya'll, Legal Hustle that's how we do
Miz invites others to speak up and engage with their crew, emphasizing their association with a record label called Legal Hustle
In the street I'm known, for heat I hold
Cormega is recognized in the streets for carrying and using firearms
My road dogs, Moe Dog and Bebo's home
Cormega has associates and loyal friends named Moe Dog and Bebo who he considers to be like family
Niggaz be fightin' over syrup, by my kilo sold
People are in competition over the drug syrup or codeine, and Cormega profits from the sale of large amounts of it
Now I'm a motherfuckin' Legal Hustle, C.E.O
Cormega has become the CEO of Legal Hustle, a record label that he co-founded
I brought the pain, it hurt y'all to see me blow
Cormega has experienced success and fame despite facing obstacles and adversaries, which makes some people jealous and upset
Like the hurricane, you thought it was a game
People underestimated Cormega's power and influence, before realizing too late that he was a force to be reckoned with
Til the hummer came, you numb like, novacaine
Cormega's presence and display of wealth had a numb and paralyzing effect on his competitors and enemies
Scuff like purple haze, nigga, know your place
Cormega will defeat and humiliate his rivals, similar to the effects of strong weed called purple haze, and wants them to understand their inferior position
I don't wanna blow your brains
Cormega doesn't want to physically harm anyone, despite his tough talk and assertion of dominance
Will leave dead or like something in a produce lane
While not explicitly threatening violence, Cormega suggests that those who cross him may end up dead or disposed of like rotten produce
There's no use mayne, you know you lame
Cormega doesn't see any use or value in associating with people he considers to be weak or inferior
Your re-up is weak, my peeps told you wait
Cormega's associates have informed him that his rivals' supply of drugs is low quality or scarce, and they should wait to purchase more
You didn't like the Realness, you know you fake
Cormega's debut album was called 'The Realness', and he suggests that those who didn't like it or his message are fake and insincere
My success got you vexed, that know you hate
Cormega's enemies resent his success and feel jealous of his achievements
The fact I'm eatin' like my peoples do in soul food plates
Cormega is enjoying a high level of financial success, and compares it to the comfort and satisfaction of eating soul food
Uh, Don P, shit, we go through cases
Cormega and his associates drink Don Perignon champagne frequently and go through many cases of it
And, we got lawyers, that blow through cases
Cormega has hired expensive and powerful lawyers who are capable of dealing with many legal cases and challenges
I will walk through your projects with no shoe laces
Cormega feels comfortable and fearless when walking through hostile neighborhoods without shoelaces to show off his confidence and strength
And laugh at them niggaz with them broke school faces
Cormega finds humor in people who don't have money or power and have plain, unremarkable faces
What, you can't fuck with my team, the Legal Hustle regime
Cormega takes pride in his association with Legal Hustle and feels that he and his team are unbeatable
We the fucking machine, nigga, fuckin' with me
Cormega and his associates are a powerful and efficient force, and people who try to challenge them will face defeat
Get love in the street, cuz we was huggin' to eat
Cormega and his associates achieved success and reputation through hard work and loyalty to each other, which earned them admiration from others in their community
Now we chillin', pullin' up in them fleece
Cormega and his associates are now enjoying the fruits of their labor, relaxing and driving around in comfortable and warm clothes made of fleece fabric
Contributed by Leah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chris
Mega is and will continue to be the most underrated lyricist ever heard.
O Sizzle
One of my favorite Mega songs.
onblock7
Still Raw, Mega should have had there verses on this song.
AJ
This album was tough! And the features... Jacka (RIP) AZ. Ghost. Kurupt. MOP... Not as well received as his previous albums, perhaps. Solid, nonetheless.
Simon Forrest
Facts.. I made sure I kopped this, when it came out.. This is my joint though
onblock7
I will walk through your projects with no shoe laces, and laugh at them niggaz with the broke screw faces!!!! Damn that part was just ruthless there! One of my fave lyrics ever.
polo bubble vest
IN THE STREET IM KNOWN, FOR HEAT I HOLD!
Ill El-Zorro
Hidden gem.
onblock7
@verbul9 That line there is just flat out ruthless! One of the hardest lyrics ever!
troy osborne
very good song