You're The Man
J.Period & Nas Lyrics


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Uh uh, yo
They plan was to knock me out the top of the game
But I overstand they truth is all lame
I hold cannons that shoot balls of flames
Right in they fat mouth then I carve my name
Nas, too real, Nas, true king
It's however you feel, g'head, you swing
Your arms too short to box with god
I don't kill soloists only kill squads
Fame went to they head, so now it's "Fuck Nas"
Yesterday you begged for a deal, today you tough guys
I seen it coming
Soon as I popped my first bottle I spotted my enemies tryna' do what I do
Came in with my style, so I fathered you
I kept changing on the world since "Barbeque"
Now you wanna hang with niggas I hung with
Fuck bitches I hit, it's funny I once said
If I, ever make a record
I take a check and put something away for a rainy day to make my exit
But look at me now, ten years deep
Since in the project, crack in my socks weep
I never asked to be top of rap's elite
Just a ghetto child tryna' learn the traps of the streets
But look at me now

"You're the man" "You're the man"
"You're the man" "You're the man"
"You're the man" "You're the man"
"You're the man" "You're the man"
"You're the man" "You're the man"

Now wait a sec', give me time to explain, women and fast cars
And diamond rings can poison a rap star
It's suicidal, how I smoke in so much la'
I saw a dead bird flying through a broken sky
Wish I could flap wings and fly away
To where black kings and Ghana stay
So I could get on my flesh right away
But that'll be the day when it's peace
When my gat don't need to spray
When these streets are safe to play
Sex with death, indulge in these women
Vision my own skeleton swimming in eternal fire
Broads play with pentagrams in they vagina
Like the Exorcist, then they gave birth to my seeds
I beg for God's help, why they love hurting me?
I'm your disciple, a thug certainly
I'm the N the A to the S-I-are
If I wasn't I must've been Escobar
Forty-five in my waist, staring at my reflection
In the mirror, sitting still in the chair like my conception
When everything around me got cloudy, the chair became a king's throne
My destiny found me
It's clear why the struggle was so painful
Metamorphosis, this is what I changed to
And God, I'm so thankful

"You're the man" "You're the man"
"You're the man" "You're the man"
"You're the man" "You're the man"




"You're the man" "You're the man"
"You're the man" "You're the man"

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of J. Period and Nas's "You're The Man," Nas boldly declares his status as a king of rap, refusing to be knocked off his throne by envious competitors. He boasts of his lyrical prowess and the sheer firepower of his cannons, ready to take down squads of enemies who dare to cross him. Nas sees through the phoniness and greed of those who have turned against him, recalling that they were once begging for deals and now act as if they are too hardcore for him. He even tells them that they are too short to try to box with God, fully confident in his own divine status.


In the second verse, Nas reflects on the darker side of fame, the temptations of sex, drugs, and material excess that can drive a rapper to self-destruction. He wishes to escape from this hellish world and find a more spiritual, regal realm like that of Ghana's kings. But even as he tries to find a way out, Nas finds himself haunted by his own mortality and the dangers that lurk around every corner. He sees the way that women use the occult to manipulate and control men, and he feels like his own struggles have been painful and difficult for a reason. Nonetheless, Nas ends the song by expressing his gratitude for everything he has been through and for the power of transformation that has brought him to where he is now.


Line by Line Meaning

Uh uh, yo
Introduction, indicating that Nas is about to speak.


They plan was to knock me out the top of the game
Nas recognizes that others were looking to take him down from his position as a top rapper and artist.


But I overstand they truth is all lame
Nas understands that his competitors' attempts to undermine him is based on falsehoods and is not threatened by them.


I hold cannons that shoot balls of flames
Nas feels his skill in rap is so powerful that it is like he has weapons to protect himself.


Right in they fat mouth then I carve my name
Nas intends to show off his power by defeating his enemies and leaving a permanent legacy.


Nas, too real, Nas, true king
Others recognize Nas's talent and leadership in rap.


It's however you feel, g'head, you swing
Nas is not threatened by competition and is willing to allow others to try to defeat him.


Your arms too short to box with god
Nas suggests that others cannot measure up to his talent, which is godlike.


I don't kill soloists only kill squads
Nas is only concerned with defeating groups, as individuals pose no threat to him.


Fame went to they head, so now it's "Fuck Nas"
Nas recognizes that others are jealous and hate him because of his success.


Yesterday you begged for a deal, today you tough guys
Nas remembers how some who are now his competition were once lesser-known and in need of help.


I seen it coming
Nas was aware of his rising competition.


Soon as I popped my first bottle I spotted my enemies tryna' do what I do
As soon as Nas became successful, he noticed others trying to replicate his style and competing with him.


Came in with my style, so I fathered you
Nas fathered the style of rap that is now being used by others.


I kept changing on the world since "Barbeque"
Nas has been evolving as an artist since his first album, and his style has continued to change.


Now you wanna hang with niggas I hung with
Nas recognizes that others want to align themselves with people he has collaborated with.


Fuck bitches I hit, it's funny I once said
Nas reflects on how his attitudes have changed over time.


If I, ever make a record
Nas remembers how he hoped one day to be successful as a rapper.


I take a check and put something away for a rainy day to make my exit
Nas planned to save his money to establish financial stability for himself.


But look at me now, ten years deep
Despite the challenges, Nas has remained successful for an extended period of time.


Since in the project, crack in my socks weep
Nas remembers his upbringing in the projects, and the ways in which that environment shaped him.


I never asked to be top of rap's elite
Nas never sought to be the best rapper, but his talent pushed him there.


Just a ghetto child tryna' learn the traps of the streets
Nas's upbringing was defined by learning the ways of survival in a violent environment.


But look at me now
Nas reflects on his success once again.


"You're the man" "You're the man" "You're the man" "You're the man" "You're the man" "You're the man" "You're the man" "You're the man" "You're the man" "You're the man"
Hook: Nas is confident in himself and his talent, and others recognize him as the best.


Now wait a sec', give me time to explain, women and fast cars And diamond rings can poison a rap star
Nas recognizes that the trappings of fame can negatively affect famous artists.


It's suicidal, how I smoke in so much la'
Despite the risks of heavy marijuana use, Nas continues to smoke.


I saw a dead bird flying through a broken sky
Nas sees symbolism in the world around him, including the death of the bird and the state of the sky.


Wish I could flap wings and fly away To where black kings and Ghana stay
Nas has a desire to experience life in a different, more positive environment than the one he currently inhabits.


So I could get on my flesh right away
Nas sees being around positive people and cultures as a way to improve himself.


But that'll be the day when it's peace
Nas realizes that peace is hard to come by.


When my gat don't need to spray
Nas looks forward to a time when he doesn't need to carry a gun for protection.


When these streets are safe to play
Nas wants the areas he grew up in to be safer for all people to live in.


Sex with death, indulge in these women
Nas recognizes the dangers of continually engaging in risky behavior.


Vision my own skeleton swimming in eternal fire
Nas imagines his own death and the spiritual afterlife that follows.


Broads play with pentagrams in they vagina Like the Exorcist, then they gave birth to my seeds
Nas sees the women he has had sex with in a negative way and associates them with dark imagery.


I beg for God's help, why they love hurting me?
Nas wonders why he seems to face more challenges than other people.


I'm your disciple, a thug certainly
Nas sees himself as a leader in rap and as someone who is seen as a tough guy.


I'm the N the A to the S-I-are If I wasn't I must've been Escobar
Nas once again asserts his importance and success in rap.


Forty-five in my waist, staring at my reflection In the mirror, sitting still in the chair like my conception
Nas is reflective about his life and looks towards his future.


When everything around me got cloudy, the chair became a king's throne My destiny found me
Nas experienced a moment of realization where he felt his place in the world.


It's clear why the struggle was so painful
Nas understands the reasons behind the struggles he has faced.


Metamorphosis, this is what I changed to And God, I'm so thankful
Nas has gone through significant changes in his life and is grateful for where he is now.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nasir Jones, Paul Mitchell, Sixto Rodriguez

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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