Illmatic was a critically acclaimed bestseller and is widely considered one of the greatest rap albums of all time. He married R&B singer Kelis in 2005, they have one son together, and she filed for divorce on the 29th of April 2009. Nas was also a part of hip hop supergroup The Firm, which released one album.
In the years following the release of Illmatic, Nas pursued a more commercial direction, which resulted in wider success but decreased artistic credibility among critics and hip-hop purists. Furthermore, Nas' increased commercial success was accompanied by stylistic changes that fostered accusations of "selling out". Nevertheless, the LP Stillmatic is often credited for restoring Nas' credibility among fans. Since the success of Stillmatic, Nas continues to maintain a high profile within the hip hop community, and has pursued a decidedly progressive and personal aesthetic. While Nas' current artistic direction differs greatly from his most successful work, it has ensured that he remains one of the most respected and acclaimed contemporary rappers.
1973–1992: Childhood and early career
Nas was born in Brooklyn, New York, as the elder of Olu Dara and Fannie Ann Jones's two children; his brother Jabari (nicknamed "Jungle" because he was born in the Congo) is the younger of the two. The family lived for a time in Brooklyn, before moving to Queensbridge, the largest public housing project in the United States. Olu Dara left the household in 1986, when Nas was 13, and Ann Jones raised her two boys on her own. Nas dropped out of school in the eighth grade and began selling drugs on the streets of New York. He educated himself, reading about African culture and civilization, the Qur'an, the Bible and the Five Percent Nation. He also studied the origin of hip hop music, taping records that played on his local radio station. As a child, Nas had wanted to be an instrumentalist (at the age of three, Nas played his father's trumpet on the step of their Brooklyn home) and also a comic book artist. Shortly after his parents separated, Nas began to write short stories as he immersed himself deeper into hip-hop culture.
By his preteen years, he had settled on pursuing a career as a rapper, and as a teenager enlisted his best friend and upstairs neighbor Willie "Ill Will" Graham as his DJ. Nas first went by the nickname Kid Wave before adopting his more commonly known alias of Nasty Nas. Nas and Graham soon met hip-hop producer and Flushing Queens resident Large Professor, who introduced Nas to his group, Main Source. In 1991, Nas made his on-record debut with a verse on "Live at the BBQ", from Main Source's LP Breaking Atoms. Despite the substantial buzz for Nas in the underground scene, the rapper was rejected by major labels and was not signed to a recording deal. Nas and Graham continued to work together, but their partnership was cut short when Graham was shot and killed by a gunman in Queensbridge on May 23, 1992.
1992–1995: The recording and release of Illmatic
In mid-1992, Nas was approached by MC Serch of 3rd Bass, who became his manager and secured Nas a record deal with Columbia Records the same year. Nas made his solo debut on the single "Halftime" from Serch's soundtrack for the film Zebrahead. The single increased the buzz surrounding Nas and when MC Serch’s solo album is released later in the year, Nas’ standout appearance on "Back To The Grill" only intensified interest in his upcoming album, amid immense anticipation. Hailed as the second coming of Rakim, his rhyming skills attracted a significant amount of attention within the hip-hop community. However, many were concerned that Columbia, being a major label, would try to dilute his New York based style.
In 1994, Nas' debut album, Illmatic was finally released. Critically acclaimed and widely regarded as one of the premier rap albums ever created, Illmatic featured lyrics that portrayed stunning visual imagery and production courtesy of several producers . The album featured production from Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest) and DJ Premier, as well as guest appearances from Nas' friend AZ and his father Olu Dara on the song "Life's a Bitch", Illmatic was immediately hailed as a masterpiece by critics, and is still highly regarded as one of the definitive hip-hop albums of all time. Notable songs on the album included "NY State of Mind" (produced by Premier), "The World Is Yours" (produced by Pete Rock), "One Love" (produced by Q-Tip) and "It Ain't Hard To Tell" (produced by Large Professor and featuring a sample of "Human Nature" by Michael Jackson). However, due in part to extensive bootlegging, the record sales fell below expectations.
Following Illmatic, Nas appeared on AZ's Doe Or Die album, and collaborated with his Queensbridge-associates, Mobb Deep, on their album, The Infamous. One notable achievement during this period was Nas' verse on "Verbal Intercourse" on Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. After this appearance, Nas received a Source Quotable as he had the distinction of being the only non-Wu-Tang Clan member to be featured on one of the group's solo albums.
1996–1998: From It Was Written to The Firm
Columbia began to press Nas to work towards more commercial topics like the rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who had become successful by releasing street singles that still retained pop-friendly appeal. Nas traded manager MC Serch for Steve Stoute, and began preparation for his second LP, It Was Written, consciously working towards a crossover-oriented sound. It Was Written, chiefly produced by Poke and Tone of Trackmasters Entertainment, was released during the summer of 1996. Two singles, "If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)" (featuring Lauryn Hill of The Fugees) and "Street Dreams" (a remix features R. Kelly) were instant hits. These songs were promoted by big-budget music videos directed by Hype Williams, making Nas a common name among mainstream hip-hop. Other notable tracks on the album included "The Message" and "I Gave You Power," which tells a story from the perspective of a gun. It Was Written also featured the debut of The Firm, a supergroup consisting of Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, and Cormega. The album also introduced Nas's Mafioso-inspired character "Nas Escobar", who lived more of a Scarface/Casino-esque lifestyle. On the other hand, Illmatic, which, while having numerous references to Tony Montana and the theatrical hit featuring Al Pacino, was more about Nas' life as a teenager in the projects, hustling and smoking marijuana.
The Firm signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment label, and began working on their debut album. Halfway through the production of the album, Cormega was fired from the group by Steve Stoute, who had unsuccessfully attempted to force Cormega to sign a deal with his management company. Cormega therefore became one of Nas' most vocal opponents, releasing a number of underground hip-hop singles dissing Nas, Stoute, and Nature, who was Cormega's replacement in The Firm. The Firm's The Album was finally released in 1997 to mixed reviews and lackluster sales and the members of the supergroup went their separate ways.
At about this time, Nas became a spokesperson for the Willie Esco urban clothing line, but had no other connection with the clothing line. He stopped promoting Willie Esco in 2000, dissatisfied with the company's operations. During the same period, Nas co-wrote and starred in Hype Williams' 1998 feature film Belly, which also featured DMX, Taral Hicks, and T-Boz of TLC among its cast.
1998–2000: I Am... to Nastradamus
In 1998, Nas began work on a double album to be entitled I Am...The Autobiography, which he intended as the middle ground between the extremes of Illmatic and It Was Written. The album was completed in early 1999, and a music video was shot for its lead single, Nas Is Like, produced by DJ Premier and featuring vocal samples from "It Ain't Hard to Tell". However, much of the LP was leaked in MP3 format onto the Internet, and Nas and Stoute quickly recorded enough substitute material to constitute a single-disc release.
The second single for I Am was "Hate Me Now," featuring Sean "Puffy" Combs (now "Diddy"), was used as an example by Nas' critics for moving towards commercial themes. Hype Williams shot an allegorical video for the single, which featured Nas and Puffy being crucified in a manner similar to Jesus; After the video was completed, Combs, a Catholic, requested his crucifixion scene be edited out of the video. However, the unedited copy of the "Hate Me Now" video made its way to MTV, and was premiered on April 15, 1999 on TRL. A furious Combs and his bodyguards allegedly made their way into Steve Stoute's office and assaulted him, at one point apparently hitting Stoute over the head with a champagne bottle. Stoute pressed charges, but he and Combs settled out-of-court that June.
Columbia had scheduled to release the pirated material from I Am under the title Nastradamus during the latter half of 1999, but, at the last minute, decided Nas should record an entirely new album for release. Nastradamus was therefore rushed to meet a November release date. Though critics were not kind to the album, it did result in a minor hit, the Timbaland-produced "You Owe Me," featuring R&B singer Ginuwine. The only pirated track from I Am... to make it onto Nastradamus was "Project Windows," featuring Ronald Isley. A number of the other bootlegged tracks later made their way onto The Lost Tapes, a collection of underground Nas songs that was released by Columbia in September 2002. The collection saw decent sales and received glowing reviews.
2000–2001: The Nas vs. Jay-Z rivalry and Stillmatic
The highly publicized rivalry between Nas and Jay-Z began as a rivalry between Nas and Jay-Z's protege, Memphis Bleek. On his debut album Coming of Age, Bleek made a song entitled "Memphis Bleek Is", which was similar in concept to Nas' single "Nas is Like". On the same album, Bleek recorded "What You Think Of That" featuring Bleek's mentor Jay-Z, which contains the refrain, "I'ma ball 'til I fall/what you think of that?". In retaliation, "Nastradamus", the title track from Nas' second 1999 album, featured a reference to "What You Think Of That". The lyrics state, "You wanna ball till you fall, I can help you with that/You want beef? I could let a slug melt in your hat." Memphis Bleek perceived the reference on "Nastradamus" as a diss, and therefore dissed Nas on the lead single for his The Understanding LP, My Mind Right".
QB's Finest was a compilation album that featured Nas and a number of other rappers from Queensbridge, including Mobb Deep, Nature, Littles, The Bravehearts (which included Nas' younger brother Jungle among its members), and Cormega, who had briefly reconciled with Nas. The album also featured guest appearances from Queensbridge hip-hop legends Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, and Marley Marl. Shan and Marley Marl both appeared on the lead single "Da Bridge 2001", which was based on Shan & Marl's 1986 recording "The Bridge". "Da Bridge 2001" also featured a response from Nas to Memphis Bleek, in which Nas called out most of the Roc-A-Fella Records roster, including Bleek, Damon Dash, Beanie Sigel, and Jay-Z.
Jay-Z responded to Nas' songs with an onstage swipe during the 2001 Hot 97 Summer Jam concert in New York City, when he premiered his song "Takeover." Initially, the song was to only be a Mobb Deep diss, only including one line about Nas near the end. Nevertheless, Nas recorded the "Stillmatic Freestyle," an underground single which sampled Rakim and Eric B.'s "Paid in Full" beat, and attacked Jay-Z and his Roc-A-Fella label. On his 2001 album, The Blueprint, Jay-Z rewrote "Takeover," dedicating half of the song to dissing Nas, claiming that he had a "...one hot album every ten year average" record (referring to Illmatic) that his flow was weak, and that he had fabricated his past as a hustler.
Nas responded with "Ether", the track begins with gunshots and a repeated, slowed-down sample of Tupac rapping "Fuck Jay-Z." (taken from Tupac's "Fuck Friends") In "Ether," Nas accuses Jay-Z of stealing ("biting") lyrics from The Notorious B.I.G. and brown-nosing Nas and other rappers for fame. Ether was included on Nas' fifth studio album, Stillmatic, released in December 2001. Stillmatic managed to be not only a critically-acclaimed comeback album, but a commercial success as well, albeit not on the level of It Was Written and I Am...; the album debutted at #7 on the Billboard album charts and featured the singles "Got Ur Self A..." and "One Mic." In terms of commercial success, Jay's The Blueprint was certified double-platinum, while Stillmatic went platinum.
Jay-Z responded to "Ether" with a freestyle entitled "Supa Ugly." going into detail about how he had sex with Carmen Bryan, the mother of Nas' daughter Destiny. Nas dismissed the track by claiming that he was no longer with Bryan during the time the affair took place. In a recent interview, however, New York radio station Hot 97 settled the battle taking votes comparing "Ether" and "Supa Ugly," and Nas won with 58% while Jay-Z got 42% of the votes. By 2005, the two rappers had eventually ended their feud without violence or animosity. During Jay-Z's I Declare War - Power House concert, Jay-Z announced to the crowd, "It's bigger than 'I Declare War'. Let's go, Esco!" Nas then joined Jay-Z onstage, and the two then performed "Dead Presidents" together, which Jay-Z had sampled from Nas' song "The World is Yours."
2002–Present: From God's Son to Street's Disciple and beyond
In December 2002, Nas released the God's Son album. and its lead single, "Made You Look". The album debuted at #18 on the Billboard charts despite widespread internet bootlegging. Time Magazine named his album best hip-hop album of the year. Vibe Magazine gave it 4 stars and The Source gave it 4 mics. The second single, the inspirational "I Can", which reworked elements from Beethoven's "Fur Elise", became Nas' biggest hit to date during the spring and summer of 2003, garnering substantial radio airplay on urban, rhythmic, and top 40 radio stations, as well as on the MTV and VH1 music video networks. God's Son also includes several songs dedicated to memory of Nas' mother, who died of cancer in 2002. In 2003, Nas was featured on the Korn song "Play Me", from KoЯn's Take a Look in the Mirror LP.
Nas released his seventh studio album, the critically acclaimed double-disc Street's Disciple, on November 30, 2004. The album's first singles were "Thief's Theme" and "Bridging the Gap", which features his father Olu Dara on vocals. The album also includes "These are Our Heroes", which accuses prominent sports stars and actors such as Kobe Bryant, Lenny Henry, Tiger Woods, and Cuba Gooding, Jr. of neglecting their heritage and background in favour of white values. The videos for "Bridging the Gap" and "Just A Moment" received moderate airplay on MTV and BET. Although the album went platinum, its commercial profile was relatively low compared to the rapper's previous releases.
Nas was featured on Kanye West's album Late Registration on a song titled "We Major". West said the song was Jay-Z's favorite on the album, but West was unable to get Jay-Z to record a vocal for the final mix of the song. He also appeared on Damian Marley's song "Road to Zion" (which also featured newcomer The Game in the video, widening Nas' still growing universally appreciated raps) and several other songs such as "Death Anniversary" and "It Wasn't You" (featuring Lauryn Hill). In addition, Nas was most recently married to the R&B singer Kelis, who is mostly known for her work internationally, but nonetheless released great hits in the U.S. The couple wed on Jan. 8, 2005 in Atlanta, GA, after a two-year engagement.
During this time, Nas announced that his next album would be entirely self-produced and feature no other rappers, and would be titled Nasir, and later that the project would feature other producers after all and would be called Nasdaq: Dow Jones. Neither of these albums ever materialized.
At a free concert in Central Park, New York, Nas made a statement regarding the quality of 50 Cent's music. "this is the real shit, not that 50 Cent shit!" In response, 50 Cent included a stab at Nas by speaking negatively of his wife Kelis on his single "Piggy Bank," implying that Kelis was promiscuous and calling Nas a "sucker for love." Nas was quoted as saying that he feels no obligation to retaliate, remarking "[50 has] got a good five to six more albums before I can really respond to him." Nas eventually decided to retaliate, and in July 2005 released "Don't Body Ya Self (MC Burial)", a song which taunts 50 Cent and his G-Unit crew, stating that 50 was "a sucka for death if I'm a sucka for love." However, despite all of this, Nas still claims to "have a lot of love towards 50," claiming 50 didn't understand his moves when they both were together at Columbia Records.
In January 2006, Nas signed a label deal with Jay-Z's Def Jam, further emphasizing the Jay-Z/Nas truce and raising expectations for a collaboration even higher. His album due in fall of 2006 will come out in a joint deal with this imprint and Columbia Records. He recently announced to MTV News that his album is to be named, "Hip Hop is Dead...the N," the N being a play on the word the "end." The title is supposed to reflect what some would term the current low quality of rap music. The highly anticipated album is due out in December 19th, 2006.
Musical style and Technique
Nas has long been famed for his creativity and storytelling prowess, which has earned him acclaim from both the hip-hop community and critics. In his early stages, from his first appearance on the Main Source's Breaking Atoms and throughout the recording of Illmatic, he was perhaps best known for his street-oriented topics, complex lyrical schemes (which often incorporated multi-syllabic internal rhymes), and witty phrasing and imagery. As he progressed and matured, Nas began to branch out into different subjects and developed a richer voice and slower rapping technique.
Following Illmatic's release, Nas developed a penchant for hyper-visual storytelling and topical creativity. For instance, "Undying Love" (featured on I Am...) is a tale of his wife's betrayal told in first person, "Rewind" (featured on Stillmatic) is a narrative in which a story is recited backwards, while on "I Gave You Power" (featured on It Was Written), Nas assumes the role of a gun who recounts brutal tales of murder and violence. Over the years Nas' style has changed significantly. In contrast to his previous work, Nas’ most recent material is distinctively socially aware and often politically inflammatory. Songs such as "I Can" (featured on God's Son) convey moral messages of black youth empowerment, while "These Are Our Heroes (Coon Picnic)" accuses several African-American celebrities of being Uncle Toms. Furthermore, controversial songs such as "My Country" and "A Message to the Feds (Fuck The Police II)" (which are featured on Stillmatic and Street's Disciple, respectively) question the conduct of the American government. Nas' views in his lyrics throughout his career have made references to Islam and the Five Percent Nation..
Come_get_me
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have asked America's foremost young poet
To read his latest poem for us
Ladies and gentlemen,
Na-Na-Na-Nastradamus
Everybody watch him
Ladies and gentlemen,
We-we-we came a long way
Ladies and gentlemen,
Na-Na-Na-Nastradamus
Everybody watch him
Ladies and gentlemen,
Na-Na-Na-Nastradamus
Yo,
Yo, yo,
Power and crime, the thugs slinging powder and dimes
Twenties of D, is yo' niggas wilder than mine?
My niggas bust nines, puff lye and stick up cowards
For they shine, you resist, then you push up flowers
I'm like Luca Brasi, Vito's best hit-man
That's "Godfather" shit, back seat, next lit plans
Revolvers spit, I'm too tough to bargain with
And you don't want the God to pull up the cars that's sick
Arms and wrists is lit up, Queensbridge Kings
Plaques awards applause when I do my thing
Streets is black as midnight, the concrete gray
With stains of blood and germ and piss all day
Come on the ave, get sized up, plus appraised
Duck and pray that my guns don't bust your way
Niggas with names, living off reputation
Sometimes gotta remind you ain't nothing changing
Ladies and gentlemen,
Na-Na-Na-Nastradamus
Everybody watch him
[Chorus: x2]
If you ill come get me, cause I ain't runnin
If your gun's off the hook then we'll both be gunnin
Come get me if you real, cause I ain't scared
It's all fair in love and war
And I'm well prepared
We can take it there
You don't like me clown? Now you wanna take me down?
If I bring my face around, you gon' do what? You butt
Your crew knew I blew up, I been shining, baseball diamonds
Dick rings for your chicklings
Niggaz know what my nine pearl handle's about
Fuck you say girlie mouth? Get it krunk like the Dirty South
And I know you see me flossed out, multi-milli-I
Hear your bitch talk about me, you give her the cold eye?
Girls dig you, imagine what she feel for me?
You make hot songs, but she know you steal from me
Who I'll as me? I wild on haters in album three
Next level, I take y'all niggas to 3-D
Can't find a nigga shook from Queens
I'll be with the most grimy killers
(what nigga) and they all look clean
Who put bombs underneath cars, if you want beef then start
Your next stop is to the graveyard
If you ill come get me, cause I ain't running
If your gun's off the hook then we'll both be gunning
Come get me if you real, cause I ain't scared
It's all fair in love and war
And I'm well prepared
We can take it there
You too feminine to kill again, jail got you soft
You talk but you scared to go back up North
Keep your face twisted, but you don't really want nothing
Talk a bunch of shit motherfucker and stop fronting
You don't wanna flip again, and sell drugs again
Be on the run again, catch you at the Comfort Inn
Shoot up your door, bust in on you and your whore
Put y'all in bags, clean the blood off of the floor
So play tough, I want y'all to get out of line
I got nines, every color shape and design
I sent killers every race to put one in your spine
Two in your ear, get your crew, who do I fear?
Nobody never get involved and none of em dying
I think like you do, roll with about two irons
Catch me flying, high in the aircraft wining
And dining, you die, then we laugh, you bitch-ass
? to gauze up, your stab wounds
While I'm getting head, in a Lear jet, bathroom
With all my goons, all my ice, and suitcases
Full of paper, not money it's bank statements
The Illmatic that explains how we rock
Yachts and co-ops, we buy the hood and sell you a block
If you ill come get me, cause I ain't running
If your gun's off the hook then we'll both be gunning
Come get me if you real, cause I ain't scared
It's all fair in love and war
And I'm well prepared
We can take it there
Ladies and gentlemen,
Na-Na-Na-Nastradamus
Everybody watch him
Ladies and gentlemen,
Na-Na-Na-Nastradamus
We-we-we came a long way
Ladies and gentlemen,
Na-Na-Na-Nastradamus
Everybody watch him
Ladies and gentlemen,
Na-Na-Na-Nastradamus
Ladies and gentlemen..
Ladies and gentlemen..
In Nas's song "Come Get Me," he discusses the power and crime prevalent in his neighborhood. Nas compares himself to the character Luca Brasi, the best hit-man in "The Godfather." He describes the streets as dark and dangerous, with blood, germs, and piss staining the concrete. Nas's lyrics express his willingness to fight back against anyone who threatens him. He challenges his enemies to come get him and states that he's well-prepared for any altercation.
The chorus, "If you ill come get me, cause I ain't running. If your gun's off the hook then we'll both be gunning. Come get me if you real, cause I ain't scared. It's all fair in love and war, and I'm well prepared. We can take it there," highlights Nas's intense bravado and his readiness to face any challengers head-on. Nas's lyrics are a true representation of his upbringing and the street life of Queensbridge, his hometown.
Line by Line Meaning
And as a special treat this evening
Introduces a poem by the rapper.
I have asked America's foremost young poet
Announces the rapper Nas, aka Nastradamus.
To read his latest poem for us
A request for Nas to perform his new song.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Addressing the audience to pay attention.
Na-Na-Na-Nastradamus
Introducing Nas, a rapper, through a clever wordplay.
Everybody watch him
Encouraging the audience to pay attention to Nas's performance.
We-we-we came a long way
Acknowledging progress made in life or career.
Power and crime, the thugs slinging powder and dimes
Describing the violence in drug-dealing communities.
Twenties of D, is yo' niggas wilder than mine?
Asking if the other sides' drug dealers are more dangerous.
My niggas bust nines, puff lye and stick up cowards
Explaining how Nas's people deal with their rivals.
For they shine, you resist, then you push up flowers
Referring to how those who resist Nas's people may end up dead.
I'm like Luca Brasi, Vito's best hit-man
Referencing the famous hit-man character from The Godfather.
That's "Godfather" shit, back seat, next lit plans
Continuing the reference to the character from The Godfather.
Revolvers spit, I'm too tough to bargain with
Comparing himself to an uncompromising killer.
And you don't want the God to pull up the cars that's sick
Warning rivals not to mess with him, as he has many deadly weapons.
Arms and wrists is lit up, Queensbridge Kings
Describing the jewelry worn by Nas and his people.
Plaques awards applause when I do my thing
Boasting about his success in the music industry.
Streets is black as midnight, the concrete gray
Describing the setting in a rundown urban neighborhood.
With stains of blood and germ and piss all day
Referencing how dirty and unsanitary the streets are.
Come on the ave, get sized up, plus appraised
Inviting potential rivals to come face him on the avenue.
Duck and pray that my guns don't bust your way
Threatening any potential threats to his life.
Niggas with names, living off reputation
Describing the importance of having a notorious reputation in the drug game.
Sometimes gotta remind you ain't nothing changing
Suggesting that things will always be the same in this life of crime and hardship.
If you ill come get me, cause I ain't runnin
Challenging his rivals to confront him openly.
If your gun's off the hook then we'll both be gunnin
Warning that he is armed and dangerous.
Come get me if you real, cause I ain't scared
Encouraging his opponents to face him if they are fearless.
It's all fair in love and war
Suggesting that violence and crime are harsh but accepted parts of life.
And I'm well prepared
Confirming that he is ready to defend himself.
You don't like me clown? Now you wanna take me down?
Questioning the motives of his enemies who were once friendly or indifferent.
If I bring my face around, you gon' do what? You butt
Taunting his rival and daring him to attack him.
Your crew knew I blew up, I been shining, baseball diamonds
Boasting about his success and the jewelry he owns.
Dick rings for your chicklings
Making a graphic reference to the jewelry he wears around his genitalia.
Niggaz know what my nine pearl handle's about
Referring to his gun and the fear it inspires in others.
Fuck you say girlie mouth? Get it krunk like the Dirty South
Challenging his rival again and taunting them for being cowardly.
And I know you see me flossed out, multi-milli-I
Boasting about his wealth and success again.
Hear your bitch talk about me, you give her the cold eye?
Asking if his rival is jealous of him and his success with women.
Girls dig you, imagine what she feel for me?
Taunting his rival again over the attention and admiration he receives from women.
You make hot songs, but she know you steal from me
Accusing his rival of stealing from him and taking credit for his ideas.
Who I'll as me? I wild on haters in album three
Boasting about his success and how he has overcome his critics.
Next level, I take y'all niggas to 3-D
Taunting his rivals and declaring that he is superior to them.
Can't find a nigga shook from Queens
Boasting about how tough and fearless he and his fellow Queens residents are.
I'll be with the most grimy killers
Boasting about his association with violent criminals.
(what nigga) and they all look clean
Implies that his associates are skilled at appearing innocent and hiding their crimes.
Who put bombs underneath cars, if you want beef then start
Referencing the Mafia-style tactics of killing someone through car bombs.
Your next stop is to the graveyard
Threatening his rivals' lives with death.
You too feminine to kill again, jail got you soft
Calling his rival weak and cowardly.
You talk but you scared to go back up North
Implies that his rival is afraid of going back to prison.
Keep your face twisted, but you don't really want nothing
Implying that his rival is angry but not willing to fight back.
Talk a bunch of shit motherfucker and stop fronting
Calling out his rival for talking but not taking action.
You don't wanna flip again, and sell drugs again
Suggesting that his rival has been in prison before and does not want to go back.
Be on the run again, catch you at the Comfort Inn
Threatening his rival's safety and security.
Shoot up your door, bust in on you and your whore
Threatening violence against his rival and his lover.
Put y'all in bags, clean the blood off of the floor
Threatening to kill his rival and his lover violently and dispose of their bodies.
So play tough, I want y'all to get out of line
Challenging his rival to confront him directly.
I got nines, every color shape and design
Boasting about his collection of guns in all shapes and colors.
I sent killers every race to put one in your spine
Brags about his influence and the ability to hire people from any race to do his dirty work.
Two in your ear, get your crew, who do I fear?
Threatening to kill his rival and his entire crew if they come after him.
Nobody never get involved and none of em dying
Implying that those who associate with Nas never get hurt or caught by the police.
I think like you do, roll with about two irons
Suggesting that he thinks like his rival and that he is prepared for anything.
Catch me flying, high in the aircraft wining
Boasting about his wealth again, suggesting that he travels in private jets.
And dining, you die, then we laugh, you bitch-ass
Threatening his rival's life again and bragging about his power and influence.
? to gauze up, your stab wounds
Referencing the use of gauze to treat knife wounds sustained during a fight.
While I'm getting head, in a Lear jet, bathroom
Boasting about the luxury and extravagance of his lifestyle.
With all my goons, all my ice, and suitcases
Describing his fashion accessories, people, and wealth.
Full of paper, not money it's bank statements
Explaining that his suitcases are full of bank statements, not cash.
The Illmatic that explains how we rock
Referencing his classic album Illmatic, which established him as a hip-hop icon.
Yachts and co-ops, we buy the hood and sell you a block
Boasting about his wealth again and suggesting his ability to control his environment through purchases and real estate deals.
Ladies and gentlemen..
Closing the song statement.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NASIR JONES, CHRIS E. MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gyanfranciskumar
If this album is Nas at his absolute worst...then Nas is one hell of an artist.
@samadbiobaku2038
Gyan Kumar love ur comment bro that's why Nas is greatest
@nathancifuentes2448
HAHQHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
DAMN RIGHT
NAS IS THE 2ND GOAT
@cocopuff19bx
Word
@jordanbrown7837
The words ''Nas'' ''Album'' ''Worst'' does not even exist every single thing Nasir did is fucking awesome
Just people are 2 weak 2 recognize him their minds and souls are a piece of shit talking shit for albums like Nastradamus and for real fucking artists
Nastradamus is a fucking masterpiece by the way even if Illmatic Stillmatic It Was Written The Lost Tapes I am Life Is Good God's Son Hip Hop Is Dead are better still this one is way better than today's ''Rap'' music
Fucking fake trashes talking trash bout golden lyrics styles and flows while all they do is sucking a fucking dick for money
@abdulbeyt.v.180
@The Answer He Said it
@ilikeduke
Nas and Primo fit together so perfectly
@AZAR7787
HE CALLED JAY "GIRLY MOUTH"!! 🤣🤣
@IntellectualPyscho
This album was and is dope. Real Nas fans & real hip-hop fans vibe to it. I bought the cassette back in the day, then bought it again on cd bout 15 years ago.
@I_Kan
🔥🔥🔥🔥