Classic
Nas Lyrics


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Is y?all ready for Twenty-0-7, it?s now another drought
Everyone?s a killer, wow we buggin out
Since 86 showin the crowd what I?m about
And they still want to know when the album comin? out
Ask the teenagers, O?Gs and Ask the kids
What they definition of Classic is
Timeless, cause age don?t count in the booth
And your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth
And no doubt the truth I?m off the meters
Everybody co-signing even non-believers
I came in the door, became one of y?alls leaders
In the fresh pair of Air Force One sneakers
Uptown we call ?em uppies when they on divas
Prolly worn when KRS One teaches
Nas, made you look, before the haters
I bet you Kan had ?em on when he walked with Jesus
This is classic

classic, better than I'v ever been
Talent,
If it?s classic it?s gonna last forever than I?m everywhere you never been and better than I ever been
Classic
Better than I'v ever been

[Kanye West:]
Can?t buy this, superflyness, like a shyness, your highness
It?s performin?, look how long the line is
That?s what happens when you make shit that?s timeless
That?s what happens these rappers is the pioneers
What do it take to be a legend like Nas is?
That?s so novice, I?m so polished, I got a right to be a little bit snobbish
I did a little bit of college, semesters it took 2 like Rob Base
To let me figure out this wasn?t my place, the beat slowed til? you listened to my pace
'cause I be killin? shit, but that?s evident, and y?all feelin? it, but I expected it
If it?s classic it?s gonna last forever than I?m everywhere you never been and better than I ever been

classic, better than I'v ever been
Talent,
If it?s classic it?s gonna last forever than I?m everywhere you never been and better than I ever been
Classic
Better than I'v ever been

[Nas:]
Perseverance, see the fake hustler rapper to them it hurts to hear this
O you went platinum ? yeah that?s nice, now let me see you do the same thing twice
New times, 4 times, then been a couple of more times, please your amateur night is show time
It?s one life to live so live it the best you can, the world could use one less man
Not enough air, not enough car factories to manufacture new vehicles sedans and vans
When they do make the whip you like ya chips ain?t right, by the time you could afford it the car ain?t important
In the streets silent, it?s just I and - cops keep firin? in my environment
Leavin? your slum when they drive home far from the hood brothers they eager to jump on
I like to be the wall that they post up on, I like to see them fall, guilty for doing wrong
I?m classic like the Air Ones, the Hustler shoe, that?s what I?m accustomed to

classic, better than I'v ever been
Talent,
If it?s classic it?s gonna last forever than I?m everywhere you never been and better than I ever been
Classic
Better than I'v ever been

[KRS One:]
How many y?all got criminal minded you you you y?all don?t be blinded
Me I got no jewels on my neck, why ? I don?t need ?em I got your respect
KRS 1 20 years I rock I do it for JMJ and Scott LaRock ? this hip hop
And we?s a nation, don?t you want to hear more KRS on your radio station?
Instead of broadcasting how we smokin? trees, on the radio we need to hear more local MC?s
Where you at? Come on where you at? This is the difference between MC?ing and rap




Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal, MC?s spit rhymes to uplift they people
Peace, love, unity, and Havin? fun, these are the lyrics of KRS One

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nas ft. Kanye West & KRS-1's song Classic are an ode to staying relevant and timeless in the ever-evolving music industry. Nas pays tribute to his longevity in the rap industry and his influence on the younger generation, as everyone wants to know when his album will be dropping. He highlights the importance of staying fresh and relevant in the game by asking teenagers, O'Gs, and kids about their definition of classic, which demonstrates that what makes something classic is its timelessness and its ability to resonate with people. Nas declares that to be a classic, you need to have talent and perseverance, and you need to be polished, snobbish, and able to kill it in the booth.


Kanye West, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of being a pioneer in the rap industry to become a legend like Nas. He also acknowledges that the music he makes should be timeless, and it's why his fans line up for miles to see him perform. He talks about his college days and how it led him to realize that music was his true calling as he was not cut out for college. In a nutshell, the song Classic is an anthem for artists who strive for longevity.


Line by Line Meaning

Is y'all ready for Twenty-0-7, it's now another drought
Are you prepared for the year 2007? There's another industry slump occurring.


Everyone’s a killer, wow we buggin out
It seems like everyone is trying to be tough and violent, causing chaos.


Since 86 showin the crowd what I’m about
I've been exhibiting my skills in music since 1986, proving my worth to my audience.


And they still want to know when the album comin’ out
Even after all this time, fans are still anticipating the release of my album.


Ask the teenagers, O’Gs and Ask the kids
Consult with the young, old and children to know their interpretation of a classic.


What they definition of Classic is
Ask them what they consider as a classic.


Timeless, cause age don’t count in the booth
A track that never gets old, lyrically it doesn't matter how old one is.


And your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth
Your style remains relevant throughout the years.


And no doubt the truth I’m off the meters
I'm positively unique and excellent.


Everybody co-signing even non-believers
Even those who don't follow my music attest and support my talent.


I came in the door, became one of y'all's leaders
I emerged on the scene and became one of the industry's leading artists.


In the fresh pair of Air Force One sneakers
I came with a new flair, dressed in fresh sneakers.


Uptown we call 'em uppies when they on divas
In my neighbourhood, we refer to these shoes as 'uppies' when worn by women demanding attention.


Prolly worn when KRS One teaches
Most likely these shoes are worn when KRS One instructs his fans.


Nas, made you look, before the haters
I caught your attention and impressed you with my style before my critics.


I bet you Kan had 'em on when he walked with Jesus
It's highly likely that Kanye West wore these shoes during his rendezvous with the divine.


Can't buy this, superflyness, like a shyness, your highness
This level of supreme coolness and confidence cannot be purchased, my liege.


It's performin', look how long the line is
This performance is so good that people are queuing up for a prolonged period to witness it.


That's what happens when you make shit that's timeless
This is the result when you create something that never gets old.


That's what happens these rappers is the pioneers
These are the outcomes that occur when rappers lead the way for new trends.


What do it take to be a legend like Nas is?
What are the necessary steps to become an icon like Nas?


That's so novice, I'm so polished, I got a right to be a little bit snobbish
Being an amateur is so elementary while I'm a seasoned expert, giving me the license to be a bit haughty.


I did a little bit of college, semesters it took 2 like Rob Base
I attended college for a brief period, only two semesters, like Rob Base.


To let me figure out this wasn't my place, the beat slowed til' you listened to my pace
It took me time to realize that college was not for me, to the point that the beat of the music conformed to my style.


'cause I be killin' shit, but that's evident, and y'all feelin' it, but I expected it
My exceptional talent is obvious, and it's nice to see that you all enjoy it, which was what I had anticipated.


Perseverance, see the fake hustler rapper to them it hurts to hear this
Persistence is key, fake rappers pretending to hustle should listen up as they'll find what I have to say painful.


O you went platinum? Yeah that's nice, now let me see you do the same thing twice
Going platinum once is not a big deal, do it again and we'll talk.


New times, 4 times, then been a couple of more times, please your amateur night is showtime
Now is the modern era, four-time winners, and some have even won multiple times. It's time to step up to the plate because it's showtime.


It's one life to live so live it the best you can, the world could use one less man
You only have one chance to live, so make the most of it. The world is overpopulated, be sure to make a difference.


Not enough air, not enough car factories to manufacture new vehicles sedans and vans
Resources are limited, there aren't enough car companies to produce different kinds of vehicles.


When they do make the whip you like ya chips ain’t right, by the time you could afford it the car ain’t important
Even if you have a preference for a particular car model, if you're poor, owning it won't matter anymore by the time you can afford it.


In the streets silent, it's just I and - cops keep firin' in my environment
I am alone in the quiet streets, and unfortunately, police continue to shoot people in my neighbourhood.


Leavin' your slum when they drive home far from the hood brothers they eager to jump on
Police officers leave the slums on their way home, far from the hood, and some are quick to act aggressively towards others.


I like to be the wall that they post up on, I like to see them fall, guilty for doing wrong
I aim to be the barrier they lean on, enjoy watching them fail and held liable for their misdeeds.


How many y'all got criminal minded you you you y'all don't be blinded
How many of you are thinking criminally, you all, don't be naive.


Me I got no jewels on my neck, why ? I don't need 'em I got your respect
I'm not wearing any jewellery on my neck because I don't need it, I'm content with having your admiration.


KRS 1 20 years I rock I do it for JMJ and Scott LaRock – this hip hop
I've been rocking hip-hop for two decades now, and I continue doing so for Jam Master Jay and Scott LaRock, the pioneers of the genre.


And we's a nation, don't you want to hear more KRS on your radio station?
We're a whole nation, do you not request to see more of KRS on your local stations?


Instead of broadcasting how we smokin' trees, on the radio we need to hear more local MC's
Rather than airing songs that promote drug use, radio stations should play more tracks by local MCs.


Where you at? Come on where you at? This is the difference between MC?ing and rap
Where are you? This is the significant distinction between MCing and rapping that must be recognized.


Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal, MC?s spit rhymes to uplift they people
Rappers usually rap about unlawful subjects, while MCs uplift their audience with inspiring rhymes.


Peace, love, unity, and Havin' fun, these are the lyrics of KRS One
KRS One's music is all about spreading peace, love, unity, and having fun.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EUGENE STEVEN SANCHEZ, FRANK NITTI, OSCAR RODRIGUEZ, WYATT AHMAD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@KappaDaKappa

"Timeless, so age don't count in the booth, when your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth" - Rakim. Take notes youngsters.

@malikmullings2948

Definitely...

@Gabriel-gv1mx

Indeed. Kayne and others are just incapable of blending and bending magic phrases like this.

@jl2284

@merabakerng

This arguably a top 10 contender for one of the hardest bars in hip hop and it went unnoticed since this track dropped. Crazy... Goes to show people haven't been listening in this genre for the last 25 almost

@philipjimenez5596

8:25 am January 29,2023 I’ve been listening to Rakim since 86 Eric b is president I’ve seen and heard some dope rhymes over the years I’m 48 I remember my granny yelling turn that off and I would go outside and jam that paid in full tape KrsOne MAN all these guys are DOPE. Nobody ,Ames JAMS like this YO fire big respect to you guys for makin music

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@sidemotion

"By the time you can afford it, the car ain't important" that line is deep.

@gloriasteele7938

Timeless.

@BekOne88_eToro

Facts

@ConroyJointer

YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! Been quoting that for years!! It can't be said any better than that.👀

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