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.
Who Can I Trust?
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, I write rhymes, for niggas at night time
Consider your life mine
Whether you pumpin 5 packs or 5 dimes
My time I'm livin' it, my persona eminent
Real niggas don't keep beef we finish it
No retreat, no surrenderin
No rockin me to sleep
A whole different level of rhyme several of my
Competitors try comin better than mine
Verbally I'm way ahead of my time, Mega
Immortalized through words
Son I'm livin off the time you served
Stay focused, keep a eye open for straight vultures
Everybody gotta go, everydays a day closer
I'm soakin in my sofa, Reminiscin Tony coked up
Life is fucked up, even when you blow up
[Chorus: repeat 2X]
Lil Wayne: Who can ya trust?
Mega: Only a few and my nine will bust
Lil Wayne: What do you lust?
Mega: The money and the power nigga
Lil Wayne: Who you respect?
Mega: All my niggas that's no longer with us
And all the drug king pins who showed us how ta get up
[Cormega]
Who's the nicest nigga spittin a trife shit
Ghetto drama, Sagas for niggas with enditements, flippin white shit
Screamin fuck the feds
Squeezing ya heat at police till your cuffed to your hospital bed
Thug general, write rhymes for criminals to listen to
If you ain't real, my shit ain't even meant for you
My pen stain the paper like blood
My mind is like a nine and my rhyme is like a slug
Before I snitch like a bitch, I'd rather die like a thug
If they arraign me for bangin I throw my sign up at the judge, I'm almighty
Defy me, feel the 44 beside me
Red light to guide me to your vital point
With my heat I anoint you a second from death
My only regret, is that I emptied out my whole clip in your soul BIATCH
[Chorus]
[Cormega]
To my thugs, its unconditional love I'm givin you
I've been out the motha fuckin system too
Hunger pains when I was younger made me ready 2 face
Consequences of life the streets fed me
Ready rock chop the pumped I bought my high top dunks
And crack fiends only a baby nah, hold up
The sense of shit I just made up in the rhyme this is the realness
In a reflection of a sinner I spit
Yo feel this, my name alone had me maintainin a phone
On a come through not to mention the banger I hold
Ain't nothing new why would I front for you
I'm a felony offender, you showin your jealousy nigga
[Chorus]
Cormega's song "Who Can I Trust" is a raw and honest expression of his thoughts and experiences as a street rapper from New York. In the verses, Cormega talks about the life he leads, surrounded by violence and danger, and the need to be ever-vigilant as he navigates through it. He declares his allegiance to his fellow criminals and shows disdain for those who are not true to themselves. In the chorus, Lil Wayne asks the questions that many in Cormega's position would ask; who can be trusted, what do you desire, who do you respect? Cormega's answers are straightforward and uncompromising, reflecting his philosophy of life.
The first verse is all about Cormega's dedication to his craft and his way of life. He describes himself as someone who writes rhymes for the "niggas at night time", the people who live a life similar to his own. He considers his life theirs and is committed to serving them with his music. He is also someone who is always prepared for anything, whether it's selling drugs, getting into fights, or defending himself or his people. He is not someone who will back down or be intimidated. In the second verse, Cormega talks about his status as a criminal and how he is proud of it. He is not someone who will snitch or betray his brothers. He acknowledges that his rhymes are not for everyone, just for those who are real and true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I write rhymes, for niggas at night time
I make music for people to listen to in the nighttime.
Consider your life mine
If you have my back, I'll have yours.
Whether you pumpin 5 packs or 5 dimes
Whether you get money illegally or not, I'll still support you.
My time I'm livin' it, my persona eminent
I'm living in the moment and my personality stands out.
Real niggas don't keep beef we finish it
True friends don't hold grudges, we settle things and move on.
No retreat, no surrenderin
I won't back down or give up.
No rockin me to sleep
Don't try to manipulate or deceive me.
I keep the heat up in my premises
I always have weapons on me for protection.
A whole different level of rhyme several of my
My rap skills are unparalleled compared to my competitors.
Competitors try comin better than mine
Other rappers try to compete with me but can't surpass my skills.
Verbally I'm way ahead of my time, Mega
I'm ahead of my time in terms of lyrical ability.
Immortalized through words
My legacy will live on through my music.
Son I'm livin off the time you served
I'm grateful for those who came before me and paved the way for my success.
Stay focused, keep a eye open for straight vultures
Stay alert and don't trust everyone, some people are only out for themselves.
Everybody gotta go, everydays a day closer
Everyone will die eventually, so make the most of your time.
I'm soakin in my sofa, Reminiscin Tony coked up
I'm sitting on my couch, remembering the times when my friend Tony was addicted to cocaine.
Life is fucked up, even when you blow up
Life is unfair and difficult even when you become successful.
Who can ya trust?
Who can you truly rely on?
Only a few and my nine will bust
I only trust a select few and I will use my gun to protect them.
What do you lust?
What do you desire?
The money and the power nigga
I desire wealth and influence.
Who you respect?
Who do you hold in high regard?
All my niggas that's no longer with us
I have respect for my friends who have passed away.
And all the drug king pins who showed us how ta get up
I have respect for the drug dealers who taught us how to make money.
Who's the nicest nigga spittin a trife shit
Who is the best rapper talking about gritty topics?
Ghetto drama, Sagas for niggas with enditements, flippin white shit
I make music about the reality of life in the ghetto, including drugs and crime.
Screamin fuck the feds
I'm against the government and the police.
Squeezing ya heat at police till your cuffed to your hospital bed
I will use violence against the police if necessary and will face the consequences.
Thug general, write rhymes for criminals to listen to
I am a leader of the streets and make music for those involved in illegal activities.
If you ain't real, my shit ain't even meant for you
If you're not authentic or don't live the same lifestyle as me, my music isn't for you.
My pen stain the paper like blood
My writing is so powerful that it creates an intense image.
My mind is like a nine and my rhyme is like a slug
I have a sharp mind and my words hit like a bullet.
Before I snitch like a bitch, I'd rather die like a thug
I would rather be loyal to my friends and die than betray them.
If they arraign me for bangin I throw my sign up at the judge, I'm almighty
If I'm arrested for gang activity, I will still be proud of my lifestyle and show it in court.
Defy me, feel the 44 beside me
If you challenge me, I will use my gun to defend myself.
Red light to guide me to your vital point
I know exactly where to shoot you to kill you instantly.
With my heat I anoint you a second from death
I can kill you quickly with my gun.
My only regret, is that I emptied out my whole clip in your soul BIATCH
I will kill you so violently that I will have no bullets left in my gun.
To my thugs, its unconditional love I'm givin you
I have love for my friends and will support them no matter what.
I've been out the motha fuckin system too
I've been able to live outside of the law and avoid getting caught by the police.
Hunger pains when I was younger made me ready 2 face
Growing up poor made me stronger and prepared me for life's challenges.
Consequences of life the streets fed me
I learned about the harsh realities of life from the streets.
Ready rock chop the pumped I bought my high top dunks
I sold drugs to make money and spent it on designer shoes.
And crack fiends only a baby nah, hold up
I sold drugs to even pregnant women and children.
The sense of shit I just made up in the rhyme this is the realness
The stories I tell in my music are based on true events in my life.
In a reflection of a sinner I spit
I am a flawed person and I express that in my music.
Yo feel this, my name alone had me maintainin a phone
Just my reputation alone kept me connected to the streets and my drug customers.
On a come through not to mention the banger I hold
I always have my gun with me when I'm making drug deals.
Ain't nothing new why would I front for you
This is nothing new for me, so there's no reason to lie.
I'm a felony offender, you showin your jealousy nigga
I have a criminal record and those who are jealous of my success try to bring me down because of it.
All my niggas that's no longer with us
I have respect for my friends who have passed away.
And all the drug king pins who showed us how ta get up
I have respect for the drug dealers who taught us how to make money.
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CORY MCKAY, DWAYNE WILLIS, KENNETH JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brendan Carpenter
Still get chills every single time
MAJ ALIJU
still one of my favorite beats all time & mega period is always gold
E R
Bumping this on the regular!
Zak Ali Fitness
i cant explain how realistic this song is
WyGuysDad
he basically says the same thing in every song he's ever made, gets kinda old. Every song is about betrayal and loyalty. Love Mega but his act got tired once he got signed, his mixtape shit was much harder
Lennard
@WyGuysDad I kinda feel this is true but its still poppin for me.
Rayster
Cormega is the realness....period.
🎵MUZIK-DEPOT🎵
Mega killed this shit, drug dealer slash lyricist stay true to the game...shine son
Michael Howard
I love that Mega - Montana shit. Cormega got his own brand of Queens Bridge flavor. Mega - Montana , Mega - Montana. Salute to the O.G.
BushkillMusic
Still my favorite!