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..
Destroy & Rebuild
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And notorious projects, Queensbridge
Listen while nas saves his hood from the most
Cowardest rappers
He held a mass appeal and a little boy smile
Depressed has a complex his mouth was foul
You need to stay around I feel like telling some stories
Hung around my mans Lake and Big Trevor
Trevors still locked up, Lake's getting his cheddar
Cory changed his name to arr, whatever
Cornchip, buckwheat lookalike, it's Mega
Right Mega was his name sorry about that
But it's so hard to put a cowards name in my rap
Always acting tough, a jokester be fronting
He got snuffed, he got shot in the thigh, he did nothing
But that's nas always looking out for breadrin
Cause when breadrin they return love they don't stress him
Cause gangstas do gangsta shit, real recognize real
Still laughing to the bank and shit
Back to Cor, got him a deal but his rhymes was whack
Def Jam now that he signed a contract
Now he got jealous and mad at my shine
Making silly tapes, I'm always on his mind
Nonsense, not to be obnoxious kid
Mega for the record you could suck my dick
Bitch you from around the way its sad what this do to me
But queensbridge, we gotta have unity
They say the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
They say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah we the strongest hood but weak niggas kill it
So they say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
They say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah we the strongest hood, but it's the cowards that kill it
Since we on the subject of traders and flunkies
Mega ain't the only faggot in my hood dummies
There's plenty that want to be me but cannot
It's like King Arthur and knight Sir Lance-a-lot
Lefty and Donnie Brasco, Gotti and Paul
Before I woulda told you Prodigy's my dog
Through the ups and downs, robberies and all
Though I always knew he wanted my downfall
He would say his little slick shit and act real funny
For what nigga you're butt and it got back to me
Asking a braveheart to get back your jewelry
You ain't from my hood, don't even rep q.b.
Nature moved to marcy
Man dick riding Nature, nothing else to say
Man Nature moved to Marcy
Back with ass niggas in fear
Fuck them niggas go head with the progam man proceed
Old lady pocketbook snatcher, car thief
Of course we ain't friends, you never stood on no blocks
Streets or corners with zombies, ghouls and gangstas
Cops, drug dealers with pools of blood anger
Just fills me when niggas let out of town to set shot
And get filthy rich, it's just not
No more morals, no loyalty, no more community
Queensbridge, we gotta have unity
They say the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
They say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah we the strongest hood but weak niggas kill it
So they say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
They say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah we the strongest hood but it's the cowards that kill it
I put the name on the map after Marly and Shan
Q.b. before the Roc had one jam
Before the Death Row and Bad Boy beef
Had streets locked with raw talent, I laugh at the weak
So this about cleaning up house, my own backyard
Famous home of rap stars well known be getting robbed
P how many times ain't you shamed that
Jungle was busting his gun to get your weak chain back
They don't respect you a checks due for me for your fame
Mega I hope you blow so I'm saying your name (mega, mega)
Hoes play your position cause you'll never be king
Even jigga want the crown, poor thing
I'm representing queensbridge U.S.A.
Where two sk's go off every day new flesh lay
All you little roaches and rats
Besides my man Ricky, Nas the true ruler is back
So haters say
The bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
They say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah we the strongest hood but weak niggas kill it
So they say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
They say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Nah we the strongest hood, but it's the cowards that kill it
The bridge is over my dick, bridge'll never be over
Long as I'm alive and breathing, braveheart to the graveyard
I'm the William Wallace of this shit
Ayo P, Prodigy I got love for you man, I love you man
You know what I'm saying, just get them unloyal niggas
From out your circle, you can't save everybody
Niggas invited you to the hood, rep it right my nigga
Be untouchable my nigga, so it be Mobb for life for real
And that's real, ayo Nature I can't hold your hand through this shit man
I'm not your father man, be your own man, stand on your own two
I believe in you, believe in yourself nigga or don't even rep this
Ayo Mega you want to be a gangsta? There's real gangsta
Shit going on in the streets man, yo niggas is in the grind
Where you be at man? Niggas be bucking
Why you never bucking, where you be at man?
All of a sudden you the motherfuckin Nino Brown of the fucking hood
It's disgusting man, stay out the magazines
Keep my name out your motherfucking mouth
There's no more room for jealousy, we destroying and rebuilding
That means the cowards get out and the real niggas stay
Niggas been hating me since I been nine, shining
With suede motherfucking balles on in silks
I'ma always be the young don, don't be like the niggas on the other side
Hating me cause I'm beautiful, real niggas in Queensbridge
Young niggas come up and get this money and move on baby
Q.b.
The song "Destroy" by Nas is an ode to his hometown, the Queensbridge projects in New York City. Nas starts off the song with a journey into the world's largest and notorious projects, Queensbridge, and talks about his experiences growing up there. He tells stories of people he knew, including an arrogant friend named Cory who changed his name to Arr, a cowardly rapper named Mega, and other traders and flunkies in his hood. Nas speaks about the need for unity in his community, to destroy and rebuild it, rather than let the weak niggas kill it. He talks about how Queensbridge was responsible for putting names on the map, has been home to rap stars, and is known for its raw talent, but it has also been the site of robberies and weakness.
Nas uses lyrical storytelling throughout the song, to convey a message of loyalty, community, and strength. He refers to the bridge being over, and how it's time to destroy and rebuild it, to rid himself and his neighbourhood of cowards and flunkies. Nas also speaks about the need for unity in his community, to survive and thrive in the harsh environment of Queensbridge. He urges his listeners to stand on their own two feet and be their own men, rather than rely on others to give them direction. Overall, the song encourages listeners to be real and stand up for what they believe in, rather than being a cowardly follower.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a journey into the worlds most largest
We're embarking on an exploration of one of the biggest neighborhoods
And notorious projects, Queensbridge
Specifically, we're focusing on the infamous Queensbridge projects
Listen while nas saves his hood from the most
Listen as Nas protects his community from the
Cowardest rappers
most cowardly rappers
He held a mass appeal and a little boy smile
Nas had a wide fanbase and a youthful charm
Depressed has a complex his mouth was foul
However, he also struggled with depression and had a tendency to speak negatively
You need to stay around I feel like telling some stories
Nas wants his audience to stick around because he wants to share some important stories
First there's this arrogent fuck, his names Cory
First, there's this arrogant person named Cory
Hung around my mans Lake and Big Trevor
Cory used to associate with Nas's friends, Lake and Big Trevor
Trevors still locked up, Lake's getting his cheddar
Trevor is still in prison, but Lake is making money
Cory changed his name to arr, whatever
Cory decided to change his name to Arr, but Nas isn't impressed
Cornchip, buckwheat lookalike, it's Mega
Nas refers to Cory/Arr as a person who resembles Cornchip or Buckwheat, and his nickname is Mega
Right Mega was his name sorry about that
Apologies for the confusion, but Mega is the correct name
But it's so hard to put a cowards name in my rap
Nas finds it difficult to include the name of a coward in his lyrics
Always acting tough, a jokester be fronting
Mega always tries to act tough, but Nas sees through his facade
He got snuffed, he got shot in the thigh, he did nothing
Mega got punched and shot in the thigh, but he didn't retaliate or defend himself
But that's nas always looking out for breadrin
However, Nas is always looking out for his friends
Cause when breadrin they return love they don't stress him
Nas knows that true friends reciprocate love and support without causing him stress
Cause gangstas do gangsta shit, real recognize real
In Nas's world, true gangsters engage in authentic activities and can identify one another
Still laughing to the bank and shit
Despite everything, Nas is still able to find humor in his financial success
Back to Cor, got him a deal but his rhymes was whack
Returning to Cory/Arr, he managed to secure a record deal, but his lyrics were subpar
Def Jam now that he signed a contract
Cory/Arr signed with Def Jam, a prominent record label
Now he got jealous and mad at my shine
However, he became envious and angry at Nas's success
Making silly tapes, I'm always on his mind
Cory/Arr attempted to undermine Nas by making foolish recordings and constantly thinking about him
Nonsense, not to be obnoxious kid
Nas dismisses this behavior as nonsensical and refuses to be bothered by it
Mega for the record you could suck my dick
Addressing Mega directly, Nas expresses his disdain and disrespect towards him
Bitch you from around the way its sad what this do to me
Nas finds it disheartening that someone from their neighborhood would act this way towards him
But queensbridge, we gotta have unity
Despite the drama, Nas emphasizes the importance of unity within Queensbridge
They say the bridge is over, the bridge is over
There are rumors that the bridge is in decline or no longer relevant
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
However, Nas believes it's time to dismantle and reconstruct the bridge
Nah we the strongest hood but weak niggas kill it
Although Queensbridge is a strong community, weak individuals can hinder its progress
So they say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Many claim that the bridge has lost its significance or power
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
But Nas insists that now is the moment to demolish and resurrect the bridge
They say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
People continue to assert that the bridge has diminished in importance
Nah we the strongest hood, but it's the cowards that kill it
Nevertheless, Queensbridge remains a powerful community, but it's the presence of cowards that weaken it
Since we on the subject of traders and flunkies
Shifting gears to discuss traitors and fake people
Mega ain't the only faggot in my hood dummies
Nas indicates that Mega is not the only coward in the neighborhood
There's plenty that want to be me but cannot
Many individuals aspire to be like Nas, but they cannot achieve his level of success or authenticity
It's like King Arthur and knight Sir Lance-a-lot
The situation parallels the legend of King Arthur and his loyal knight, Sir Lancelot
Lefty and Donnie Brasco, Gotti and Paul
Nas draws comparisons to infamous partnerships like Lefty and Donnie Brasco, or Gotti and Paul
Before I woulda told you Prodigy's my dog
In the past, Nas would have considered Prodigy his close friend
Through the ups and downs, robberies and all
Despite the challenges and criminal activities, they stood by each other
Though I always knew he wanted my downfall
However, Nas had a sense that Prodigy secretly wished for his failure
He would say his little slick shit and act real funny
Prodigy would make snide remarks and behave humorously
For what nigga you're butt and it got back to me
Nas questions why Prodigy, who is insignificant, would say anything negative about him knowing that the information would reach him
Asking a braveheart to get back your jewelry
Prodigy had the audacity to ask a loyal person to retrieve his stolen jewelry
You ain't from my hood, don't even rep q.b.
Nas asserts that Prodigy doesn't truly belong to Queensbridge and shouldn't claim it
Nature moved to marcy
Nas mentions that Nature, another person from their neighborhood, relocated to Marcy
Man dick riding Nature, nothing else to say
There are individuals who blindly follow and support Nature, and Nas finds it disappointing
Man Nature moved to Marcy
Nas reiterates that Nature left Queensbridge for Marcy
Back with ass niggas in fear
Nature returned to associating with people who are cowardly and scared
Fuck them niggas go head with the progam man proceed
Nas dismisses those individuals and encourages them to continue with their own plans
Old lady pocketbook snatcher, car thief
Nas highlights the criminal activities happening in the neighborhood, such as purse snatching and car theft
Of course we ain't friends, you never stood on no blocks
Nas clarifies that he and these individuals were never friends because they never stood on the same street corners
Streets or corners with zombies, ghouls and gangstas
Nas describes the streets and corners of Queensbridge as inhabited by individuals involved in criminal activities
Cops, drug dealers with pools of blood anger
The environment includes police officers, drug dealers, and a lot of violence
Just fills me when niggas let out of town to set shot
It frustrates Nas when people from outside the neighborhood come in to sell drugs
And get filthy rich, it's just not
These outsiders profit greatly from their illegal activities, which Nas finds unjust
No more morals, no loyalty, no more community
Nas laments the loss of values, loyalty, and community spirit in his neighborhood
Queensbridge, we gotta have unity
Despite everything, Nas emphasizes the essential need for unity in Queensbridge
I put the name on the map after Marly and Shan
Nas claims credit for bringing recognition to Queensbridge after Marly Marl and MC Shan
Q.b. before the Roc had one jam
Queensbridge was significant before Roc-A-Fella Records gained popularity
Before the Death Row and Bad Boy beef
Even before the feuds between Death Row and Bad Boy Records
Had streets locked with raw talent, I laugh at the weak
Queensbridge streets were filled with highly talented individuals, and Nas takes pleasure in mocking the less capable
So this about cleaning up house, my own backyard
Nas aims to address the issues within his own neighborhood before looking elsewhere
Famous home of rap stars well known be getting robbed
Despite being the birthplace of famous rappers, Queensbridge is also known for its high crime rates
P how many times ain't you shamed that
Nas questions how many times Prodigy has felt embarrassed by this
Jungle was busting his gun to get your weak chain back
Jungle, a friend of Nas, resorted to violence to retrieve Prodigy's stolen necklace
They don't respect you a checks due for me for your fame
Nas believes Prodigy deserves no respect or financial compensation for the fame he gained
Mega I hope you blow so I'm saying your name (mega, mega)
Nas expresses his wish for Mega to become successful while sarcastically mentioning his name multiple times
Hoes play your position cause you'll never be king
Nas addresses women who try to gain attention or status, reminding them that they will never be in a position of power like him
Even jigga want the crown, poor thing
Nas mentions that even Jay-Z, a notable rapper, desires to be recognized as the best but pities him for it
I'm representing queensbridge U.S.A.
Nas proudly represents Queensbridge in the United States
Where two sk's go off every day new flesh lay
Queensbridge is a dangerous place where gunfire occurs daily and lives are lost
All you little roaches and rats
Nas derogatorily refers to the individuals causing trouble in the neighborhood as insignificant pests
Besides my man Ricky, Nas the true ruler is back
Among all these people, Nas considers himself, along with his friend Ricky, to be the true leader of Queensbridge
So haters say
Therefore, Nas challenges his haters to express their thoughts
The bridge is over, the bridge is over
Once again, people claim that the bridge has lost its significance
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
Nas rejects that notion and insists on dismantling and reconstructing the bridge
They say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Continuing to address the naysayers who believe the bridge is obsolete
Nah we the strongest hood but weak niggas kill it
Nas reiterates that Queensbridge is a powerful community, but it's weakened by the presence of weak individuals
So they say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
Once more, people proclaim that the bridge has lost its relevance
Nah this is a time we destroy and rebuild it
Yet again, Nas affirms his determination to break down and reconstruct the bridge
They say, the bridge is over, the bridge is over
People consistently assert that the bridge is no longer important
Nah we the strongest hood but it's the cowards that kill it
However, Nas stresses that Queensbridge is a resilient community, but it's undermined by the presence of cowards
The bridge is over my dick, bridge'll never be over
Nas dismisses the notion that the bridge is finished and reaffirms his dominance
Long as I'm alive and breathing, braveheart to the graveyard
Nas proclaims that he will continue to uphold his courageous persona until his dying day
I'm the William Wallace of this shit
Comparing himself to William Wallace, Nas sees himself as a fearless leader
Ayo P, Prodigy I got love for you man, I love you man
Nas expresses his love and affection for Prodigy
You know what I'm saying, just get them unloyal niggas
Nas advises Prodigy to rid himself of disloyal individuals
From out your circle, you can't save everybody
Nas reminds Prodigy that he can't save everyone and should remove them from his inner circle
Niggas invited you to the hood, rep it right my nigga
Nas reminds Prodigy that when he was invited to the neighborhood, he should have represented it properly
Be untouchable my nigga, so it be Mobb for life for real
Nas advises Prodigy to maintain a strong and invincible image, solidifying their allegiance as Mobb Deep forever
And that's real, ayo Nature I can't hold your hand through this shit man
Nas informs Nature that he can't guide him through his journey and development as a man
I'm not your father man, be your own man, stand on your own two
Nas encourages Nature to become independent and self-reliant, standing firmly on his own two feet
I believe in you, believe in yourself nigga or don't even rep this
Nas expresses his faith in Nature's abilities and advises him to have self-belief. If he doesn't, he shouldn't claim their neighborhood
Ayo Mega you want to be a gangsta? There's real gangsta
Nas questions Mega's desire to be a gangster when there are already authentic gangsters in the neighborhood
Shit going on in the streets man, yo niggas is in the grind
Nas highlights the real street life and hustling that is happening, suggesting that Mega should be involved in that
Where you be at man? Niggas be bucking
Nas questions Mega's absence, mentioning that there are conflicts and confrontations happening
Why you never bucking, where you be at man?
Nas questions why Mega never stands up for himself and wonders where he is
All of a sudden you the motherfuckin Nino Brown of the fucking hood
Nas sarcastically calls out Mega for acting like a powerful drug lord from the movie 'New Jack City'
It's disgusting man, stay out the magazines
Nas finds it repulsive how Mega tries to gain attention and advises him to stay away from media exposure
Keep my name out your motherfucking mouth
Nas demands that Mega stops mentioning his name disrespectfully
There's no more room for jealousy, we destroying and rebuilding
Nas declares that there is no place for jealousy as they work towards breaking down and reconstructing their community
That means the cowards get out and the real niggas stay
As part of the rebuilding process, Nas insists that the cowards should leave while the genuine individuals should remain
Niggas been hating me since I been nine, shining
Nas highlights that people have been envious and resentful toward him since he was a young child, successful and shining
With suede motherfucking balles on in silks
He further emphasizes his success by mentioning his luxury clothing, like suede sneakers and silk garments
I'ma always be the young don, don't be like the niggas on the other side
Nas affirms his leadership in the neighborhood and urges others not to follow the negativity of the people on the opposite side
Hating me cause I'm beautiful, real niggas in Queensbridge
He attributes the hate he receives to his attractiveness and emphasizes that real people from Queensbridge understand and support him
Young niggas come up and get this money and move on baby
Nas encourages the younger generation to pursue financial success and then move on to better opportunities
Q.b.
Short for Queensbridge, the neighborhood that the song represents
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: LAWRENCE KRSONE PARKER, MICHAEL RISKO, NASIR JONES, PAUL HENDRICKS, SCOTT MONROE STERLING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind