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..
Hero )
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chain gleaming
Switching lanes
Two-seating
Hate him or love him
For the same reason (wish)
Can't leave it
The games needs him
So in God's Son we trust
'Cause they know I'm gonna give 'em what they want
They looking for, a hero
I guess that makes me, a hero
[NaS]
Another chapter
Of the cleanest rapper
Distinguished gentlemen
Crooks and castle
On his back
Maybach-er
Exotic lady eye-catcher
Holla at'cha
Call me the chiropractor
Working like Muay Thai class
Get pers-pire out ya
And of course
I've been the boss
Since back when
Rocking D Boy
Fila, velor
In a 190 black Benz
Now they shut down the stores when I'm shopping
Used to be train robbing
Face covered in stocking
I'm him!
[Chorus]
[NaS]
Rubber-grip-holder
Reloader
Come at me I'ma rip your soldiers
In half
Silverback ape, nickle-plated mag
Young, rich, and flashy
Young, bitch, I'm nasty
All black clothes til ice lay on me so classy
And every time I close my lids
I can still see the borough, I can still see the Bridge
I can still see the dreams that my niggas ain't never lived to see
Tell them angels open the door for me
From nine Berettas and moving raw
To chilling in wine cellars
Sticks and humidors
That's what I call mature
That's what I call a g
That's what I call a pimp
That's what I call a gangsta
To the fullest, shit
I'm tryin' to make more cream
By every step to September 14th
That's my dream
So I can be more clean
As I grow yearly
I can see things more clearly
That's why they fear me
Let's go!
[Chorus]
[NaS]
It's universal apartheid
I'm hog-tied
The corporate side
Blocking y'all from going to stores and buying it
First L.A. and Doug Morris was riding wit it
But Newsweek article startled big wigs
They said, Nas, why is he trying it?
My lawyers only see the Billboard charts as winning
Forgetting
Nas the only true rebel since the beginning
Still in musical prison, in jail for the flow
Try telling Bob Dylan, Bruce, or Billy Joel
They can't sing what's in their soul!
So "Untitled" it is
I never change nothin', but people remember this
If NaS can't say it
Think about these talented kids
With new ideas
Being told what they can and can't spit
I can't sit and watch it
So shit, I'ma drop it
Like it or not
You ain't gotta cop it
I'm a hustler in the studio
Cups of Don Julio
No matter what the CD called
I'm unbeatable, y'all
Let's Go!
[Chorus]
The song "Hero" by Nas and Keri Hilson is an anthem for the people who are struggling to make something out of their lives. Nas portrays himself as a hero, who is rich, powerful, and influential. He is a distinguished gentleman who is also a thief, a gangsta, and a pimp. Nas's persona is a contradiction, but he is being honest with himself and the listener. He feels like he represents the people who need someone to believe in, and he aims to deliver what they want. In this sense, he is a hero.
Line by Line Meaning
Chain gleaming
Nas is wearing expensive jewelry that shines brightly.
Switching lanes
Nas is driving a fast car and changing lanes quickly.
Two-seating
Nas is driving a sports car that only seats two people.
Hate him or love him
Some people dislike Nas, while others are big fans of his music.
For the same reason (wish)
Regardless of whether people like or dislike Nas, they both wish they had his success and fame.
Can't leave it
Nas is devoted to the game of making music and cannot walk away from it.
The game needs him
The music industry depends on Nas making new songs and albums.
Plus the people need someone to believe in (this)
Nas has fans who listen to his music and look up to him as a role model.
So in God's Son we trust
Nas believes that his music is divinely inspired and worth trusting.
'Cause they know I'm gonna give 'em what they want
Nas is confident that he can create music that his fans will enjoy listening to.
They looking for a hero
Nas's fans want to hear his music and see him as a hero or role model.
I guess that makes me a hero
Nas accepts the fact that his fans view him as a hero and role model.
Another chapter of the cleanest rapper
Nas is considered a skilled rapper and lyricist, known for his use of clever wordplay and storytelling.
Distinguished gentlemen crooks and castle on his back
Nas is a mix of sophistication and street smarts with a brand to promote.
Maybach-er exotic lady eye-catcher
Nas drives a luxury car and attracts beautiful women.
Holla at'cha call me the chiropractor
Nas has the ability to adjust or fix problems in the music industry.
Working like Muay Thai class
Nas puts in a lot of hard work and dedication to create his music, comparing it to the intense physical training of Muay Thai martial arts.
Get pers-pire out ya
Making music is hard work, and Nas aims to push himself and others to the point of sweating and exertion.
And of course I've been the boss since back when
Nas has been in charge of his own music and career for many years and is an experienced leader.
Rocking D Boy Fila velor in a 190 black Benz
Nas used to wear fancy and expensive clothing and drive a luxurious car to show off his success and wealth.
Now they shut down the stores when I'm shopping
Nas is so famous and wealthy that stores close or cater to him when he goes shopping.
Used to be train robbing face covered in stocking
Nas once had a more difficult and criminal lifestyle before he became a successful musician.
I'm him!
Nas is confident and certain of his own identity as a rapper and musician.
Rubber-grip-holder reloader
Nas carries a gun and is prepared to reload it if necessary.
Come at me I'ma rip your soldiers in half
If someone tries to attack Nas, he is prepared to defend himself and defeat them.
Silverback ape nickle-plated mag
Nas is powerful and strong like a silverback gorilla, and he carries a gun with a nickel-plated magazine.
Young rich and flashy young bitch I'm nasty
Nas is young, successful, and confident, and he doesn't care what other people think of him.
All black clothes til ice lay on me so classy
Nas prefers to wear all black clothing and jewelry that makes him look stylish and sophisticated.
And every time I close my lids I can still see the borough I can still see the Bridge
Nas still remembers his roots and where he came from, even as his fame and success have taken him far from his hometown.
I can still see the dreams that my niggas ain't never lived to see
Nas thinks of his friends and loved ones who did not live to see his success, and honors their memory in his music.
Tell them angels open the door for me
Nas looks forward to entering heaven when he dies, and asks the angels to welcome him in.
From nine Berettas and moving raw to chilling in wine cellars
Nas used to be involved in drugs and crime, but now he prefers to relax and enjoy fine wine in his luxurious lifestyle.
Sticks and humidors that's what I call mature
Nas enjoys smoking cigars from expensive humidors, which he believes is a sign of maturity and sophistication.
That's what I call a g that's what I call a pimp
Nas sees himself as a gangster and pimp who has succeeded in the music industry.
That's what I call a gangsta to the fullest shit
Nas is proud of his status as a gangster and embraces it completely.
I'm tryin' to make more cream by every step to September 14th
Nas is focused on making more money and being successful, and he is working hard to achieve his goals every day until September 14th.
That's my dream so I can be more clean
Nas wants to make enough money to have a clean and comfortable life, free from the struggles of his past.
As I grow yearly I can see things more clearly
Nas is gaining more perspective and understanding as he gets older and learns more about the world.
That's why they fear me
Nas's enemies are afraid of him and the power he wields in the music industry.
It's universal apartheid I'm hog-tied
Nas feels restricted and powerless, similar to the system of racial segregation in South Africa known as apartheid.
The corporate side blocking y'all from going to stores and buying it
Record labels and corporations are preventing fans from buying Nas's music in stores or online.
First L.A. and Doug Morris was riding wit it
Nas's music was initially supported by some high-profile people in the industry, but they later turned on him.
But Newsweek article startled big wigs
An article in Newsweek magazine made influential people in the music industry nervous about Nas's power and influence.
They said, Nas, why is he trying it?
Nas's critics wonder why he is pushing against the corporate control of the music industry.
My lawyers only see the Billboard charts as winning
Nas's lawyers are only concerned with making him successful and earning money, measured by his performance on the Billboard charts.
Forgetting Nas the only true rebel since the beginning
Nas has always been a rebel in the music industry and should not be forgotten or underestimated.
Still in musical prison in jail for the flow
Nas feels trapped and limited by the expectations and control of the music industry, and cannot express himself freely as an artist.
Try telling Bob Dylan Bruce or Billy Joel they can't sing what's in their soul!
Nas believes that all musicians should be able to express what is in their heart and soul through their music, regardless of its commercial success.
So 'Untitled' it is
Nas decides to release an album without a title in protest of the music industry's control over his music.
I never change nothin' but people remember this
Nas stays true to himself and his values as an artist, and wants his fans to remember that.
If NaS can't say it
Nas feels that he is being silenced and oppressed by the music industry.
Think about these talented kids with new ideas
Nas is worried about young musicians who might face the same restrictions and censorship that he experiences.
Being told what they can and can't spit
Nas believes that new musicians are being censored and prevented from expressing themselves freely in their music.
I can't sit and watch it
Nas refuses to be passive or complacent about the censorship of music and artists he believes in.
So shit, I'ma drop it
Nas will release his new album despite the censorship and opposition he has faced from the music industry.
Like it or not you ain't gotta cop it
Nas's new music is for his fans to enjoy, and they can choose to listen to it or not based on their own preferences.
I'm a hustler in the studio
Nas is dedicated to making great music and is a hard worker in the recording studio.
Cups of Don Julio
Nas enjoys drinking tequila while he works on his music.
No matter what the CD called
Nas's new album may not have a title, but he knows that it will be successful and well-received by his fans.
I'm unbeatable y'all
Nas is confident in his abilities as a musician and believes that nothing can stop him from achieving success.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Walt Disney Music Company, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GHARAH DEGEDDINGSEZE, JAMIE JONES, JACK KUGELL, JASON PENNOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AtomLogic
Whoever made this beat and gave it to Nas, all the respect for you.
@lubabalomgidlana7466
+Atom i agree Its Polow da Don!!!
@JordanB347
That's what I'm saying
@AaronBurr17
Really helped make the song.
@mydasmurray
+Atom polow the don used a stock sound from massive plug in. its a stock loop. whatever though ...all good just saying i came across that loop recently. still a banger
@filionka
+4karatparadise Yeah, I found it too. Doesn't have to be a bad thing though. Whatever gets the job done.
@Martiano
this song is so underrated...
@Jon155mt
True shit.
@miz528aaaaaaa
yep for real my friend can't agree more.
@dangerous3442
Yasss bitchhhhhhhhh !:)