Represent
J.Period & Nas Lyrics

Represent, represent!
Emphasizes the importance of representing one's community and neighborhood.

Straight up shit is real and any day could be your last in the jungle
The streets are dangerous, violent, and unpredictable.

Get murdered on the humble, guns'll blast, niggas tumble
People can be killed without warning or reason, and gun violence is common.

The corners is the hot spot, full of mad criminals
Street corners are where criminal activity is prevalent.

Who don't care, guzzling beers, we all stare
People in the streets often engage in reckless behavior and attract attention.

At the out-of-towners (Ay, yo, yo, who that?) They better break North
People who are not from the area should leave quickly to avoid confrontation.

Before we get the four pounders, and take their face off
If people do not leave quickly, there will be violent consequences.

The streets is filled with undercovers, homicide chasing brothers
The streets are filled with plainclothes police officers and murderers.

The D.A.'s on the roof, trying to, watch us and knock us
District Attorneys are watching and waiting to make arrests.

And killer coppers, even come through in helicopters
Even police officers in helicopters are willing to use violence to make arrests.

I drink a little vodka, spark a L and hold a Glock for
To cope with the stress and danger of the streets, some people turn to alcohol and drugs.

The fronters, wannabe ill niggas and spot runners
People who pretend to be something they are not and those who run errands for drug dealers.

Thinking it can't happen til I, trap em and clap em
These people do not think that they will be caught and punished for their actions until they are.

And leave em done, won't even run about Gods
The people who are punished will not have time to pray or ask for forgiveness.

I don't believe in none of that shit, your facts are backwards
The singer does not believe in religion and thinks that others' beliefs are misguided or incorrect.

Nas is a rebel of the street corner
Nas defies social norms and expectations in his neighborhood.

Pulling a Tec out the dresser, police got me under pressure
When faced with pressure from the police, Nas relies on his weapon for self-protection.

Yo, they call me Nas, I'm not your legal type of fella
Nas is a renegade who breaks the law and does not conform to societal standards.

Moet drinking, marijuana smoking street dweller
Nas drinks alcohol and smokes marijuana as a way to cope with the stress and danger of his environment.

Who's always on the corner, rolling up blessed
Nas spends a lot of his time on the street corner rolling marijuana cigarettes.

When I dress, it's never nothing less than Guess
Nas values brand name clothing and always dresses in high-end clothing.

Cold be walking with a bop and my hat turned back
Nas walks with a confident swagger and his hat turned backwards to assert his dominance.

Love committing sins and my friends sell crack
Nas is not afraid to engage in illegal activity, and his friends sell drugs for a living.

This nigga raps with a razor, keep it under my tongue
Nas is a sharp and clever rapper who uses his words like a weapon for self-defense.

The school drop-out, never liked the shit from day one
Nas is a high school dropout who has always been critical of authority and mainstream culture.

Cause life ain't shit but stress fake niggas and crab stunts
Life is full of stress and full of people who pretend to be someone they are not and act disloyal.

So I guzzle my Hennesey while pulling on mad blunts
Nas uses alcohol and drugs to cope with the stress and danger of his environment.

The brutalizer, crew de-sizer, accelerator
Nas is a tough and strong leader who inspires and motivates his crew.

The type of nigga who be pissing in your elevator
Nas is not afraid to be defiant and disrespectful, even in public places like elevators.

Somehow the rap game reminds me of the crack game
The rap industry and drug industry have similarities, such as the focus on money and competition.

Used to sport Bally's and Gazelle's with black frames
Nas used to wear expensive clothing and accessories to signify his wealth and status.

Now I'm into fat chains, sex and Tecs
Nas now values flashy jewelry, sex, and firearms as symbols of power and success.

Fly new chicks and new kicks, Heine's and Beck's
Nas values new and fashionable clothing, attractive women, and expensive beer brands.

No doubt; see my, stacks are fat, this is what it's about
Nas values wealth and financial success, and views it as a sign of his hard work and talent.

Before the BDP conflict with MC Shan
Refers to a beef between two prominent hip hop groups in the 1980s.

Around the time when Shante dissed the Real Roxxane
Refers to a diss track released by female rapper Roxanne Shante.

I used to wake up every morning, see my crew on the block
Nas spent a lot of his time with his crew on the street corner.

Every day's a different plan that had us running from cops
Nas and his crew frequently engaged in illegal activities that attracted police attention.

If it wasn't hanging out in front of cocaine spots
Nas and his crew would spend time outside of buildings where drugs were being sold.

We was at the candy factory, breaking the locks
Nas and his crew broke into businesses to steal candy and other items.

Nowadays, I need the green in a flash just like the next man
Nas values money and financial success now more than ever.

Fuck a yard God, let me see a hundred grand
The singer does not believe in religion and prioritizes money over spirituality.

Could use a gun Son, but fuck being the wanted man
Nas is aware of the dangers of using firearms and wants to avoid being caught by authorities.

But if I hit rock bottom then I'ma be the Son of Sam
If Nas loses everything, he feels he has no other choice but to become violent and dangerous like the infamous serial killer Son of Sam.

Then call the crew to get live too
If Nas becomes violent, his crew will also become violent and aggressive.

With Swoop, Hakim, my brother Jungle, Big Bo, cooks up the blow
These are the names of Nas's crew members who participate in drug dealing.

Mike'll chop it, Mayo, you count the profit
Other crew members are responsible for processing drugs and counting the money earned from drug sales.

My shit is on the streets, this way the Jakes'll never stop it
Nas's music and message will continue to be popular and spread on the streets, regardless of police efforts to stop it.

It's your brain on drugs, to all fly bitches and thugs
A reference to an anti-drug public service announcement from the 1980s.

'Nough respect to the projects, I'm ghost, One Love
Nas shows his respect for his community and neighborhood before ending the song.