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.
You Don't Want It
Cormega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guerilla war nigga, what what (4x)
It's on..
Ya'll niggaz don't know the art of war
Now you dyin and my gun'll keep burstin, till yo' mama cryin
I defy your whole crew, ya'll niggaz weak
It could be on officially, if you had heart
Not known for sprayin, what the fuck you sayin?
Your crew fell, you jail 'cause mine doin it
Yo, quit the jealousy, and get to felonies
My niggaz sellin ki's, you niggaz sellin dreams
Your plans ain't precise, you need better schemes
'cause yo, I ain't tryin to lose another nigga
And if so, enough blood'll spill to fill a river
And I'll part the sea like Moses' staff
And smite my enemies, despite the penalties
You can live like king, but die from injuries
You about to be a memory, nigga YOU DON'T WANT IT
I don't hate you, I despise you
I call you cocksucker, 'cause it describes you
I know you wish you had a real crew, like I do
Niggaz who send shots to get props like my crew
Look at you, nigga you had status
Most of that vanished, ya'll niggaz have been addicts
Unestablished, what the fuck happened?
You had the block cliquein, now you denial ya'll, I finish
You opposition but you no competition to my niggaz
With heaters yo, we not feelin you either, what?
You want to talk violent, with ?sick piece? for solution
I stalk silent, when I proceed execution
Talk by the, realest niggaz to what they plannin
Who once thought you vanished, like a corps remainin
You on the Ave with your weak mens frontin
When you see my niggaz comin, YOU DON'T WANT IT
My nigga Biggie must have prophecised (uh!)
When he says somebody gotta die
I'm like Doc Jekyll when I attack you, down from jab wounds
Frank Nitty couldn't do it that smooth
Life's a bitch, I'm the pimp, ?your old man do's you?
I proved you weak, you ride dick to eat
You ain't real, ill, or prepared to kill
Man you better chill, you could get it for real
I live this life of gangstas, every second in danger
The enemy is really a stranger
The treachery in our hearts' a man and jealousy's best friend
That's the reason felonies'll never end
How you feel is neutral
I don't feel retaliation, I'm shootin you
This is a main evaluation I do with you too scared to do
Muthafucka, I'm prepared, YOU DON'T WANT IT nigga
In the song "You Don't Want It" Cormega discusses the art of war and the importance of having a strong crew of individuals with precise plans and strategy. He describes himself as being someone who doesn't hate his opposition, but rather despises them and sees them as weak and unprepared for the kind of violence that he and his crew are capable of. He warns his opponents that they don't want it, meaning they don't want the kind of violent conflict that he is ready and willing to engage in. He relates this back to the treacherous world of gang warfare where jealousy and betrayal are common, and people will do whatever it takes to protect themselves and their crews.
The use of the phrase "guerilla war nigga," repeated several times throughout the song, invokes a sense of battle and warfare in the listener's mind. It highlights the idea that street life and gang culture can be just as violent and deadly as any battlefield. Cormega's lyrics paint a picture of a world where individuals must use any means necessary to protect themselves and their crew, even if it means employing violent tactics.
Line by Line Meaning
Guerilla war nigga, what
Initiating a guerilla warfare and challenging the opponent
Guerilla war nigga, what what (4x)
Reiterating the challenge
It's on..
Confirming the commencement of the confrontation
Ya'll niggaz don't know the art of war
Taunting the opponent's lack of combat skills
Now you dyin and my gun'll keep burstin, till yo' mama cryin
Promising to keep shooting until the opponent is dead and their family is mourning
I defy your whole crew, ya'll niggaz weak
Challenging the entire opposing team and labeling them as feeble
It could be on officially, if you had heart
Proposing to fight formally if the opponents have the courage
Nigga you overrated, props old decayin
Dismissing the opponent's supposed greatness as outdated
Not known for sprayin, what the fuck you sayin?
Questioning the opponent's credibility as a shooter
Your crew fell, you jail 'cause mine doin it
Boasting about the superiority of the rapper's team that put the opponent in jail
Yo, quit the jealousy, and get to felonies
Urging the opponent to stop being envious and start committing crimes
My niggaz sellin ki's, you niggaz sellin dreams
Comparing the rapper's team's drug dealing activities with the opponent's ineffective schemes
Your plans ain't precise, you need better schemes
Mocking the opponent's flawed strategies and suggesting better ones
'cause yo, I ain't tryin to lose another nigga
Expressing concern over not wanting to lose another team member to violence
And if so, enough blood'll spill to fill a river
Threatening to avenge the team member's death with massive bloodshed
And I'll part the sea like Moses' staff
Claiming to have the ability to perform miracles like Moses in the Bible
And smite my enemies, despite the penalties
Vowing to defeat the enemies, even if it results in legal consequences
You can live like king, but die from injuries
Warning the opponent that even if they live like royalty, they will eventually die from inflicted injuries
You about to be a memory, nigga YOU DON'T WANT IT
Threatening to make the opponent a mere memory and daring them to continue the conflict
I don't hate you, I despise you
Clarifying that the rapper doesn't have mere hatred but intense contempt towards the opponent
I call you cocksucker, 'cause it describes you
Insulting the opponent with a vulgarity that the rapper considers fitting
I know you wish you had a real crew, like I do
Belittling the opposition's team and highlighting the rapper's superior team
Niggaz who send shots to get props like my crew
Bringing attention to the rapper's team members who shoot to earn respect
Look at you, nigga you had status
Pointing out the opponent's lost social standing
Most of that vanished, ya'll niggaz have been addicts
Attributing the opponent's downfall to drug addiction
Unestablished, what the fuck happened?
Rhetorically asking what went wrong for the opponent's team to become unsuccessful and unrecognized
You had the block cliquein, now you denial ya'll, I finish
Revealing that the opponent's team was previously successful in the neighborhood but now the rapper's team dominates the area
You opposition but you no competition to my niggaz
Asserting that the opponent's team is not a worthy rival for the rapper's team
With heaters yo, we not feelin you either, what?
Mocking the opponent's guns and asserting that the rapper's team is not intimidated by them
You want to talk violent, with ?sick piece? for solution
Mocking the opponent's desire to resolve the conflict violently
I stalk silent, when I proceed execution
Claiming to conduct the execution of the opponent silently and swiftly
Talk by the, realest niggaz to what they plannin
Suggesting that only the most genuine and trustworthy members of the team know about the plan
Who once thought you vanished, like a corps remainin
Relating the opponent's supposed disappearance to a dead body that remains on the battlefield
You on the Ave with your weak mens frontin
Describing the opponent's team being on the avenue that they don't own, pretending to be tough
When you see my niggaz comin, YOU DON'T WANT IT
Warning the opponent to retreat upon seeing the rapper's team approaching
My nigga Biggie must have prophecised (uh!)
Referencing a line from another rapper's song to support the idea that the opposing team needs to be eliminated
When he says somebody gotta die
Recalling Biggie's song lyric that death is inevitable in violent conflicts
I'm like Doc Jekyll when I attack you, down from jab wounds
Comparing the rapper's attack on the opponent to Dr. Jekyll's transformation into Mr. Hyde from the resultant wound
Frank Nitty couldn't do it that smooth
Boasting that the attack was done so masterfully that even a notorious gangster like Frank Nitty couldn't do it better
Life's a bitch, I'm the pimp, ?your old man do's you?
Drawing an analogy between life and a prostitute, the rapper claiming to be a pimp and reducing the opponent's worth to nothing
I proved you weak, you ride dick to eat
Proving the opponent's team members are weak and easily influenced by others to survive
You ain't real, ill, or prepared to kill
Labeling the opponent as someone who is not authentic, skilled or ready to commit murder
Man you better chill, you could get it for real
Warning the opponent to back down or face a fatal consequence
I live this life of gangstas, every second in danger
Stating that the rapper lives a life of a gangster, constantly prone to danger
The enemy is really a stranger
Arguing that the opponent is an unfamiliar entity and therefore a legitimate enemy
The treachery in our hearts' a man and jealousy's best friend
Admitting that the threat from enemies and one's own mistrustful thoughts fueled by jealousy are closely intertwined
That's the reason felonies'll never end
Blaming treachery and jealousy for the perpetuation of crimes and offenses
How you feel is neutral
Expressing indifference to the opponent's state of mind and emotions
I don't feel retaliation, I'm shootin you
Stating that the rapper doesn't plan on retaliating, but rather shooting the opponent
This is a main evaluation I do with you too scared to do
Explaining that this is the rapper's main assessment of the opponent's fearlessness
Muthafucka, I'm prepared, YOU DON'T WANT IT nigga
Asserting that the rapper is ready for any attack and taunting the opponent to continue the conflict
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Killah Beatz
Yo, y'all niggas don't know the art of war
Now you dyin' and my gun'll keep burstin' 'til your mama cryin'
I'm defying your whole crew, y'all niggas weak
It could be on officially, if you had heart
Nigga your overrated, props old decaying
Not known for sprayin', what the fuck you sayin'
Your crew fell, you jeal', cuz mine doin' it
Yo quit the jealousy, let's get the felonies
My niggas sellin' keys, your niggas sellin' dreams
Your plans ain't precise, you need better schemes
Cuz yo, I ain't tryin to lose another nigga
And if so enough blood'll spill to fill a river
And I'll part the Red Sea like Moses' staff
And smite my enemies, despite the penalties
You could live like kings, but die from injuries
You about to be a memory nigga (You don't want it!)
I don't hate you, I despise you
I call you cocksucker, cuz it describes you
I know you wish you had a real crew, like I do
Niggas'll send shots and get props like my crew
Look at you nigga, you had status, most of that vanished
Y'all niggas has been, addicts, unestablished
What the fuck happened? You had the block clickin'
Now you in denial, y'all are finished
You opposition, but you no competition
To my niggas with heaters yo, we not feelin' you either, what
You wanna talk violent, but sing peaceful solution
I stalk silent, when I precede execution
Taught by the, realest niggas to walk the planet
With one thought you vanish, like the court remanded
You on the ave. with your weak mans frontin'
When you see my niggas comin' (You don't want it!)
My nigga Biggie must have prophesized
When he said somebody got to die
I'm like the jackal, when I attack you die from gat wounds
Frank Nitty couldn't do it that smooth
Life's a bitch, I'm the pimp, you owe mad dues to
I proved you weak, you ride dick to eat
You ain't real, ill, or prepared to kill
Man you better chill, you could get it for real
I live this life of gangstas, ever second it's changin'
The enemy is rarely a stranger
The treachery in the heart cemented jealousy's best friend
That's the reason felonies will never end
How you feel is mutual, I don't fear retaliation, I'm shootin' you
This is a mere evaluation, I do what you to scared to do
Motherfucker I'm prepared, you don't, want it
Jonathan Pimentel
"You ain't real, ill, or prepared to kill
Man you better chill, you could get it for real"
Love that line #megamontana
Darren Devine
This tune is my new favourite hiphop song im walking out to it in my next fight.
TRILL BVSED
Probably one of the greatest songs ever made
Nathaniel Lowry
Produced by my man Godfather Don!! Straight 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Patryk Turczynski
TRILL BVSED it's grimey. ahead of its time.
9LvlsAbvenBelow
This is one of the most underated and slept on albums.
760 TOADLINE
The enemy is rarely a stranger 💯💯💯
Mc001Rem002
Bray
Ryan Kines
💯
cassidy erickson
That beat!!! 🔥🔥🔥