memory lane
Nas(나스) Lyrics

I rap for listeners, blunt heads, fly ladies and prisoners
I create music for a diverse audience including intellectuals, drug users, attractive women, and incarcerated individuals.

Henessey holders and old school niggas, then I be dissin' a
My music also resonates with those who enjoy alcohol and people from my generation, but I do not hesitate to criticize those who deserve it.

Unofficial that smoke woolie thai
I do not associate with people who do not use quality drugs, like those who smoke low-quality marijuana.

I dropped out of Kooley High, gassed up by a coke head cutie pie
I left school early and was influenced by a woman who used cocaine, making me feel confident and invincible.

Jungle survivor, fuck who's the liver
I have survived in a dangerous environment and do not care about others' survival.

My man put the battery in my back, a difference from Energizer
My friend motivated and encouraged me more than any commercial battery brand could have.

Sentence begins indented, with formality
My writing is precise and formal, following proper grammatical structure.

My duration's infinite, money wise or physiology
My longevity as an artist is limitless, financially or physically.

Poetry, that's a part of me, retardedly bop
My music incorporates elements of poetry with a unique style and flow.

I drop the ancient manifested hip-hop, straight off the block
I bring an authentic, old-school style of hip-hop directly from the streets where I grew up.

I reminisce on park jams, my man was shot for his sheep coat
I look back on fond memories of outdoor music events, but also recall a friend who was fatally shot for his fashionable coat.

Childhood lesson make me see him drop in my weed smoke
Witnessing my friend's death while smoking marijuana has made a lasting impact on me.

It's real, grew up in trife life, did times or white lines
My upbringing was marked by hardships, including facing imprisonment or addiction.

The hype vice, murderous night times, and knife fights invite crimes
Violent and illegal activities, such as drug use, murder, and fighting, only encourage further criminal behavior.

Chill on the block with Cognac gold strap
I relax on the streets with my friends, carrying a gold gun for protection.

With my peeps that's into drug money, market into rap
I associate with people who make money through illegal drug sales, but also see potential for them to transition into the music industry.

No sign of the beast in the blue Chrysler, I guess that means peace
Not seeing any police officers in a particular car indicates a lack of danger or trouble.

For niggaz no sheisty vice to just snipe ya
There are no untrustworthy individuals around who might try to harm you clandestinely.

Start off the dice-rollin' mats for craps to Ceelo
We begin by gambling on various games, from craps to Ceelo dice.

With side bets, I roll a deuce, nothin' below (Peace God!)
I make additional wagers and roll a two, confident that I will not roll a number lower than that. (Peace God is a friendly greeting)

Peace God, now the shit is explained
I am now at peace and have clarified the situation.

I'm takin' niggas on a trip straight through memory lane
My music takes listeners on a journey through my past experiences and memories.

One for the money
I acknowledge the importance of financial success.

Two for pussy and foreign cars
I also value relationships and luxury items.

Three for Alize niggas deceased or behind bars
I drink alcohol in honor of those who have died or been imprisoned.

I rap divine Gods check the prognosis, is it real, or showbiz?
My rhymes come from a higher power and I question whether they are genuine or just part of the entertainment industry.

My window faces shootouts, drug overdoses
I witness violence, drug use, and death from my living space.

Live amongst no roses, only the drama, for real
I live in a harsh, challenging environment without any luxuries or comforts.

A nickel-plate is my fate, my medicine is the ganja
I believe that owning a nickel-plated gun is in my destiny, and that marijuana is my cure for any ailment.

Here's my basis, my razor embraces, many faces
I rely on my razor (gun) for self-defense, and often encounter people who are deceptive and untrustworthy.

Your telephone blowin', black stitches or fat shoelaces
You receive nonstop phone calls, and your clothing is adorned with either discreet or flashy details.

Peoples are petrol, dramatic automatic fo'-fo' I let blow
People can be explosive and unpredictable, and I have a powerful firearm that I am willing to use if necessary.

And back down po-po when I'm vexed so
I will resist and confront police if I am feeling agitated or annoyed.

My pen taps the paper then my brain's blank
I struggle to come up with ideas, despite attempting to write.

I see dark streets, hustlin' brothers who keep the same rank
I am surrounded by fellow hustlers who are stuck in the same cycle of poverty and illegal activity.

Pumpin' for somethin', some up-rise, plus some fail
We are all striving for something, but some will succeed while others will fail.

Judges hangin' niggas, uncorrect bails, for direct sales
Judges unfairly punish black people and set unreasonably high bail amounts for drug sales charges.

My intellect prevails from a hangin' cross with nails
My intelligence and mental strength come from enduring difficult, painful situations like being crucified.

I reinforce the frail, with lyrics that's real
I strengthen those who are weak with my honest and meaningful lyrics.

Word to Christ, a disciple of streets, trifle on beats
I am a follower of Jesus and view myself as a student of the streets who expresses himself through music.

I decipher prophecies through a mic and say peace.
I interpret and communicate divine messages using a microphone and spread a message of peace.

I hung around the older crews while they sling smack to dingbats
I spent time with older, experienced individuals while they sold drugs to naïve customers.

They spoke of Fat Cat, that nigga's name made bell rings, black
I heard rumors about a notorious drug dealer named Fat Cat that brought him fame and fortune.

Some fiends scream, about Supreme Team, a Jamaica Queens thing
Desperate drug addicts rave about the infamous Supreme Team gang from Jamaica, Queens.

Uptown was Alpo, son, heard he was kingpin, yo
An individual named Alpo was believed to be a major drug kingpin in the Uptown area.

Fuck 'rap is real', watch the herbs stand still
I reject the notion that the authenticity of hip-hop is demonstrated by violence and instead mock those who cling to that stereotype.

Never talkin' to snakes cause the words of man kill
I avoid speaking to deceitful individuals because their words can cause harm or betray me.

True in the game, as long as blood is blue in my veins
I remain devoted to the hip-hop industry as long as I am alive and breathing.

I pour my Heineken brew to my deceased crew on memory lane
I honor and remember my deceased friends and colleagues by drinking Heineken and taking a trip down memory lane.

The most dangerous MC is, me number won, and you know where me from
I am the most formidable rapper because I come from Queensbridge and have faced and overcome adversity.