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.
Verbal Graffiti
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silent when I strike the paper
Like a dagger in your heart
When I write I leave a mark
I seen a NARC before they even bark
Told son "leave the block"
Get that money upstairs
In case the 'covers see it's marked
My enemies die in the street if my heat is empty
Coindentally
The same fate was meant for me
My AK's my lawyer
When it's on, it represent for me
Vacate the sentence
Case acquitted when your face get splitted
I stay spittin' with grace, chain glistenin'
Gray timberlands, my niggas face predicaments
But we could either live, die, or face imprisonment
Take a hit of this,
Uncut raw, a taste will numb your jaw
My rhyme is on consignment
Just in case you wanted more
Lyrics are furious
I reign imperious
Niggas ain't fuckin' with me son, I'm dead serious
Streets personify me
Like heat I keep beside me
Either I be, the most underrated lyrical
Drug related nigga who gun be blazin in the projects
A prosperous drug block is subject to conquest
Where I'm from
A fiend is selling heated for five jungs (?)
Dealers scatter when D's or why come
R.I.P. is written on walls for people who die young
And niggas either dream of be -balling, or to be balling
Sometimes it's hard for me to write,
Son, the streets calling
Patience is a virtue
Temptation will hurt you
And sentence to a bid
Your fake friends will desert you
Til' you're assed out
Screaming life's a bitch that burnt you
I don't expect a fake nigga to feel this
Look in my eyes, stare at the realness
I was corrupted by drug supply
Fly kicks, and buckin' nines
Looking up at the skies
Thinking I'm too young to die
Thoughts are conquering
Though we were taught not to since
Supreme Court and death got a nigga losing lots of friends
My pen's immortal like Mommy in heaven
No man can harm you
An army of angels with true love is there to guard you
Tell my dog Blue, I love him like a brother
The deep shit
Three bricks remain uncut
But the industry didn't want me in
They try to condemn me
Sprewell of rap, they even try to suspend me
Yet a thug nigga rise
People are snakes, and justice is blind
My jury is my gun at my side
Son I write with the trifeness
Engraved in Tyson
Curse the shots that left BIG and Pac lifeless
The realness
Some try to conceal this
Despite that fact, niggas can't match my lyrical illness
I'm a key
You three grams with cut in it
If you want it
I don't give a fuck, nigga
Rapper slash Drug dealer
Slash I bust my gun, nigga
Slash your face with a rug, nigga
What's the meaning (echoes 9x)
In Cormega's song Verbal Graffiti, the rapper portrays himself as a panther in the dark, silently striking the paper with his words like a dagger in the heart. He claims to leave a mark with his writing and can see a NARC before they even bark. He advises his friend to leave the block and get the money upstairs in case the authorities see it marked. Cormega then talks about how he's had to defend himself from those who plotted against him, and how his enemies die in the street if his gun is empty. He even describes how he and his friends face predicaments but can choose to either live, die or face imprisonment. He discusses the drug-related violence in his neighborhood and how people either dream of becoming a baller or trying to ball. In the end, Cormega says he writes with the trifeness, engraved in Tyson, and curses the shots that left BIG and Pac lifeless. He declares that despite the attempts to conceal his realness, no other rapper can match his lyrical illness.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm like a panther in the dark
I move stealthily and confidently through difficult situations.
Silent when I strike the paper
My writing is powerful and impactful.
Like a dagger in your heart
My words cut deep and leave a lasting impression.
When I write I leave a mark
My writing is memorable and significant.
I seen a NARC before they even bark
I'm aware of my surroundings and perceptive of potential threats.
Told son "leave the block"
I advised a young protégé to leave a dangerous neighborhood for their own safety.
Get that money upstairs
I instructed my associates to hide their profits to avoid potential raids or confiscation by law enforcement.
In case the 'covers see it's marked
To avoid detection by law enforcement, we keep our illicit profits hidden from plain sight.
Beat a man who plot against me, God forgive me
I resorted to violence against someone who threatened my safety, but I recognize the moral implications and seek forgiveness from a higher power.
My enemies die in the street if my heat is empty
I'm willing to use lethal force to protect myself and eliminate those who seek to harm me.
Coincidentally
Interestingly enough, a similar fate could have befallen me.
The same fate was meant for me
Like my enemies, I'm exposed to danger and the threat of violence in my line of work.
My AK's my lawyer
My weapon serves as my means of protection and defense, similar to how a lawyer would defend me in a court of law.
When it's on, it represent for me
In moments of conflict, my weapon symbolizes my strength and courage to stand up for myself.
Vacate the sentence
I was acquitted of criminal charges and avoided a prison sentence.
Case acquitted when your face get splitted
My legal victory was made possible by resorting to violence against those who threatened to harm me.
I stay spittin' with grace, chain glistenin'
I'm a skilled rapper and showcase my wealth with expensive jewelry.
Gray timberlands, my niggas face predicaments
My associates and I face difficult situations and hardship in our daily lives.
But we could either live, die, or face imprisonment
Our options in life are limited and often dangerous, including death or imprisonment for our actions.
Take a hit of this,
Try this drug, which has not been cut with any other substances.
Uncut raw, a taste will numb your jaw
This drug is potent and will elicit a strong physical response.
My rhyme is on consignment
My rapping career is dependent on the support and approval of others, including record labels and fans.
Just in case you wanted more
If you enjoy my music, I have more to offer.
Lyrics are furious
My raps are intense and passionate.
I reign imperious
I dominate and control the rap game.
Niggas ain't fuckin' with me son, I'm dead serious
My competitors can't match my skill and I take my craft seriously.
Streets personify me
I embody the hardships and struggles of inner city life and reflect this in my music.
Like heat I keep beside me
I carry a weapon for protection and defense in dangerous situations.
Either I be, the most underrated lyrical
I'm often overlooked and underrated as a rapper despite my exceptional skill.
Drug related nigga who gun be blazin in the projects
My involvement in illegal activity and possession of a firearm make me a threat to law enforcement and those around me.
A prosperous drug block is subject to conquest
The drug trade is a violent and competitive environment where rivals seek to take over each other's territories and profits.
Where I'm from
The environment and culture of inner city life shaped me as a person and a rapper.
A fiend is selling heated for five jungs (?)
Drug addicts are willing to pay inflated prices for drugs that have been heated or mixed with other substances.
Dealers scatter when D's or why come
Drug dealers flee the scene when law enforcement arrives.
R.I.P. is written on walls for people who die young
Death is a common occurrence in my community and is often memorialized through graffiti.
And niggas either dream of be-balling, or to be balling
In a place where opportunities are limited, people aspire to become wealthy and successful through legal or illegal means.
Sometimes it's hard for me to write, Son, the streets calling
The lure of the drug trade and street life often distracts me from my artistic pursuits.
Patience is a virtue
Being able to wait and persevere through difficult times is a valuable trait.
Temptation will hurt you
The allure of quick money and easy success can lead to dangerous consequences.
And sentence to a bid
Engaging in illegal activity can result in a prison sentence.
Your fake friends will desert you
Those who only associate with you for personal gain will abandon you in difficult times.
Til' you're assed out
Until you're left with nothing and in difficult circumstances due to your poor choices.
Screaming life's a bitch that burnt you
Blaming circumstances or bad luck for one's own mistakes and failures is not productive.
I don't expect a fake nigga to feel this
Those who are not authentic and true to themselves won't understand the depth and meaning of my music.
Look in my eyes, stare at the realness
My music and my life reflect my authentic self and experiences, and I encourage others to take notice.
I was corrupted by drug supply
My involvement in drug dealing and use corrupted me and led me down a dangerous path.
Fly kicks, and buckin' nines
My flashy style and possession of firearms were symbols of my dangerous and illegal lifestyle.
Looking up at the skies
Reflecting on my past and the choices that landed me in my current situation.
Thinking I'm too young to die
Despite the dangers of my lifestyle, I feel invincible and immune to consequences due to my youth and ego.
Thoughts are conquering
My thoughts and emotions are overwhelming and consuming, leading me to make poor decisions.
Though we were taught not to since
Despite knowing that drug dealing and violence are wrong, the environment and culture of the inner city taught me that these actions were necessary for survival and success.
Supreme Court and death got a nigga losing lots of friends
The criminal justice system and violence have taken a toll on my personal relationships, resulting in the loss of many friends and associates.
My pen's immortal like Mommy in heaven
My writing and music will live on long after I'm gone, and serve as a tribute to my mother who passed away.
No man can harm you
With the protection and guidance of love and positive energy, no one can hurt or defeat me.
An army of angels with true love is there to guard you
I have a support system of loved ones and spiritual forces that protect and guide me through life's challenges.
Tell my dog Blue, I love him like a brother
Pass on my affection and appreciation for my friend to him.
The deep shit
Serious and consequential situations or topics.
Three bricks remain uncut
I have access to a high quantity of uncut drugs.
But the industry didn't want me in
Despite my talent and potential, the music industry was hesitant to support or promote me due to my criminal past and lifestyle.
They try to condemn me
The public and media often judged and condemned me for my past actions and choices.
Sprewell of rap, they even try to suspend me
Similar to Latrell Sprewell, a basketball player who was suspended for choking his coach, I faced backlash and punishment for my controversial behavior and choices.
Yet a thug nigga rise
Despite the odds and obstacles against me, I continue to succeed and thrive in my music and life.
People are snakes, and justice is blind
People are deceitful and untrustworthy, and the legal system is often flawed and unjust.
My jury is my gun at my side
I rely on my weapon for protection and defense rather than the legal system or law enforcement.
Son I write with the trifeness
I write with exceptional skill and talent.
Engraved in Tyson
My writing is powerful and impactful, similar to the force of Mike Tyson's punches.
Curse the shots that left BIG and Pac lifeless
I condemn the violence and shootings that led to the deaths of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.
The realness
My music and life reflect an authentic and raw reality of inner city life and culture.
Some try to conceal this
Some people in power or of higher social standing try to hide or ignore the struggles and realities of poverty and crime in inner city communities.
Despite that fact, niggas can't match my lyrical illness
Despite the challenges and limitations I face, my talent and skill as a rapper is undeniable and unmatched by others.
I'm a key
I'm a valuable and important part of the drug trade, and provide access to a high quantity of uncut drugs.
You three grams with cut in it
If you buy drugs from someone else, they may have mixed in other, less desirable substances to increase profits.
If you want it
If you're looking for high quality, uncut drugs, I have what you need.
I don't give a fuck, nigga
I don't care about the potential consequences or risks of my actions.
Rapper slash Drug dealer
I am both a successful rapper and a profitable drug dealer, and I use my rap career to launder money and hide my illicit profits.
Slash I bust my gun, nigga
I'm not afraid to use my weapon to protect myself and my interests, even if it means resorting to violence.
Slash your face with a rug, nigga
I will inflict physical harm and disfigurement on those who cross me or threaten my safety and profits.
What's the meaning (echoes 9x)
I ask you, what is the true significance and impact of my words and actions?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Cory McKay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mouse
I'm like a panther in the dark
Silent when I strike the paper
Like a dagger in your heart
When I write I leave a mark
I seen a NARC before they even bark
Told son "leave the block"
Get that money upstairs
In case the 'covers see it's marked
Beat a man who plot against me, God forgive me
My enemies die in the street if my heat is empty
Coindentally
The same fate was meant for me
My AK's my lawyer
When it's on, it represent for me
Vacate the sentence
Case acquitted when your face get splitted
I stay spittin' with grace, chain glistenin'
Gray timberlands, my niggas face predicaments
But we could either live, die, or face imprisonment
Take a hit of this,
Uncut raw, a taste will numb your jaw
My rhyme is on consignment
Just in case you wanted more
Lyrics are furious
I reign imperious
Niggas ain't fuckin' with me son, I'm dead serious
Streets personify me
Like heat I keep beside me
Either I be, the most underrated lyrical
Drug related nigga who gun be blazin in the projects
A prosperous drug block is subject to conquest
Where I'm from
A fiend is selling heated for five jungs (?)
Dealers scatter when D's or why come
R.I.P. is written on walls for people who die young
And niggas either dream of be -balling, or to be balling
Sometimes it's hard for me to write,
Son, the streets calling
Patience is a virtue
Temptation will hurt you
And sentence to a bid
Your fake friends will desert you
Til' you're assed out
Screaming life's a bitch that burnt you
I don't expect a fake nigga to feel this
Look in my eyes, stare at the realness
I was corrupted by drug supply
Fly kicks, and buckin' nines
Looking up at the skies
Thinking I'm too young to die
Thoughts are conquering
Though we were taught not to sin
Supreme Court and death got a nigga losing lots of friends
My pen's immortal like Mommy in heaven
No man can harm you
An army of angels with true love is there to guard you
Tell my dog Blue, I love him like a brother
The deep shit
Three bricks remain uncut
But the industry didn't want me in
They try to condemn me
Sprewell of rap, they even try to suspend me
Yet a thug nigga rise
People are snakes, and justice is blind
My jury is my gun at my side
Son I write with the trifeness
Engraved in Tyson
Curse the shots that left BIG and Pac lifeless
The realness
Some try to conceal this
Despite that fact, niggas can't match my lyrical illness
I'm a key
You three grams with cut in it
If you want it
I don't give a fuck, nigga
Rapper slash Drug dealer
Slash I bust my gun, nigga
Slash your face with a rug, nigga
What's the meaning (echoes 9x)
Casa blanca
Beat a man who plot against me, God forgive me
my enemies die in the street and my heat is empty
coincidentally
the same fate was meant for me
my AK's my lawyer
when it's on, it represent for me
vacate the sentence
case acquitted when your face get splitted
i stay spittin' with grace, chain glistenin'
gray Timberlands, my niggas face predicaments
but we could either live, die, or face imprisonment
GrooTheWanderer80
17 years later, still the illest shit Mega ever kicked. Perfect track. Flawless.
deezy81
Hangmen 3!!!!
Jake Marsala
Dude idk I cant name a better one but mega is always I'll, but I will say this song is fucking flawless like you said
t fm
Right?
Atlas Maximillian
"My pen's Immortal, like Mommy in Heaven. No man can harm you!
An Army of Angels where True Love is there to guard you."
Bruh that line holds so much fucking weight its ridiculous.
Doug Stubbs
Yep
Jesse Dudas
If I was a professional fighter this would be my walkout song.....
Jesse Dudas
This still sends chills down my spine every time I hear it... Cormega is the man...
Poetics
Mega is way too underrated. This dude is like AZ, "the best kept secret". This dudes a legend in his own right. Love Hip Hop for that ill poeticism that penetrates the soul.
Young Skyler
Dont get me wrong I love some Mega but AZ is more slicker in clever with his words play I even think AZ is more slicker in clever then Naz at word play but Naz may be more clever at making overall track making