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..
Live Nigga Rap
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For niggas don't know how to act (no doubt, son)
Fresh out the motherfuckin' pack (no doubt, son)
For niggas don't know how to act
Yo, NYC,U-N-I-verse, seriously
Havoc and P, Queens niggas, so it seem to be
Monopolize, strategies of war, exercise
The D.A. got video cassette tape of
The god with the God-U-Now, pullin' a caper
Runnin' up in the spot, mask and duct taped up
Pig-tie they motherfuckin' wrists to they ankles
I been through, crime shit my niggas into
Peep the issue, situation like this, we stickin' him too
JFK on our way to LA
Got links with big cats down in Santa Barbre
My crew do it the Mobb way, every day
Crime pay, who wanna gunplay? Thrill me
Niggas kill me, grillin' me, you wanna look? Peep the nine milli
Now undress, you know the drill-y
Niggas suspect, weak links pose threats
I have yet to met challenger who go against my set
Gem Stars razor sharp like Gillette
Shavin' closely on any character approach me
I let the streets get the best of me, infamy, my destiny
While cat burglars tryna sneak peep the recipe
Inside my rap cookbook, paragraphs is gourmet
You pay about $5,000 a plate
No doubt, kid, I hit them niggas like a bid
The prosecutor, runnin' up in your crib
Do your dirt, I do my dirt all by my lonely
It's only me, and the gat that's holdin' me
We got it locked beyond measure, yourclick's under pressure
Extort you for your treasure, smack you with the undresser
Represent your clique, go ahead, get that ass whipped
Have you floating in a river with your body wrapped in plastic
Wannabe thug, get smacked for back talkin'
QB represent, fuck that, it can happen
While you rappin', I'm busy tryna sneak the gat in
Contamin', cut the party short while you jammin'
We think smarter, reach harder
Got the .44, bodyguard of somethin' you don't want a part of
If I was you, then I would do what I have to
But you ain't me, you hesitated so I clapped you
Then stepped off casually, naturally me
Niggas thinkin' shit sweet, I carry big heat
Wavy hair chipped teeth
Up in this bitch deep
Queens murder cliques meet
Yellow tapes on black gates
Mediterranean, projects is like Kuwait
I escape into zones that's irregular
Why debate on a phone? I'm solar cellular
Escobar 600
You just a crumb inside a world where the rich run it
Curriculum of a mathologist
Deep throats, they try to swallow this
Anthropologists, dynasties of great knowledgists I preserve in my dome
Niggas' mics is full of silicone, spot's blown
Guerrilla ice on this killer's life, I put my word on it
Now you can sleep on or rock a swerve on it
Nas is ménage a trois on Mount Airy Lodges
We like a smooth fam, but rougher than how DeBarge is
Catchin' charges of marksmen, livin' heartless
Grab a cartridge, cock my shit on some Mobb shit
We mobbin', puttin' niggas in mausoleums
From Queens 'cross the Throgs Neck, heads bop, I see 'em
For niggas don't know how to act
To all my niggas on the block slangin' crack
Rest in peace to my niggas layin' on they back
To all the niggas who bust gats (live nigga rap)
For niggas don't know how to act
To all my niggas on the block slangin' crack
Rest in peace to my niggas on they back
To all the niggas who bust gats (live nigga rap)
For niggas don't know how to act
To all the niggas on the block slangin' crack
Rest in peace to my niggas on they back
To all the niggas who bust gats
(If you'se a live nigga)
In Live Nigga Rap, Nas discusses the harsh realities of life in the hood and the violent nature of the streets. The lines, "I shot the motherfucker back, right out the ass son, for niggas don't know how to act" are particularly telling, as they highlight the tendency for violence to beget more violence. The singer is retaliating against someone who has wronged him, someone who has made him feel threatened, and the language he uses is extremely forceful and violent.
The song also features references to major cities throughout the United States, including New York and Los Angeles. Nas raps about the drug trade and other criminal activities that take place on the streets of these cities, and he speaks to the idea that violence is an unfortunate part of life for those who grow up in certain neighborhoods. Despite its gritty subject matter, Live Nigga Rap reveals Nas's artistry as a lyricist and storyteller, and it showcases his ability to capture the unique rhythms and sounds of the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
I shot the motherfucker back
I retaliated with gunfire.
Right out the ass son
Immediately and forcefully.
For niggas don't know how to act
In response to individuals who lack respect and restraint.
What the deal son
What's going on, my friend?
Yo NYC you N I verse seriously
Addressing New York City residents, I assert my authority on this track alongside my collaborator.
Havoc and P Queens niggas so it seem to be
Havoc and Prodigy, inhabitants of Queens, appear to be on this track with me.
Monopolize strategies of war exercise mega
We dominate in our tactics for confrontations and exercise our might in grand fashion.
Got word back from Noreaga
Received intel from the rapper Noreaga.
The D.A. got video cassette taper
The authorities obtained recorded evidence of our illegal activities.
The God with the God-you-Now, pulling a caper
My crew and I, acting under the guidance of a higher power, committed a robbery.
Running up in the spot, mask and duct taped up
We entered the location while concealing our identities and restraining the occupants.
Pig tied they motherfucking wrists to they ankles
We immobilized them by binding their wrists and ankles together.
I been through, crime shit my niggas in-to
I have experienced various criminal activities alongside my associates.
Peep the issue situation like this, we sticking him too
Consider the predicament: we are targeting this individual as well.
JFK on our way to L.A.
We are en route to Los Angeles from John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Got links with big cats down to Santa Barbre (Barbara)
We have connections with significant figures in Santa Barbara.
My crew do it the Mobb way, everyday
We execute our operations in the manner of the Mobb Deep rap group on a consistent basis.
Crime pay, who wanted gun play? Drill me
Engaging in criminal activity is lucrative, so who desires a gunfight? Come at me if you dare.
Niggas kill me, thrilling me, you want to look?
I am amused by those who seek to harm and impress me. Would you like to observe?
Peep the nine milli, now undress, you know the drill-why
Observe my powerful firearm, and follow instructions to disrobe. You understand the procedure, correct?
Niggas suspect, weak links pose threats, I have yet
I suspect individuals who seem unreliable and recognize that vulnerabilities could surface. However, I have not encountered a formidable challenger.
To met challenger who go against my set
I have not encountered anyone who can match my crew's capabilities and challenge us.
Gem stars razor sharp like Gillette, shaving closely on
Our shining jewelry is as sharp as a Gillette razor and intimidatingly close to those who face us.
Any character approach me
Anyone who comes near me.
I let the streets get the best of me, infamy, my destiny
I have succumbed to the influence of the streets and notoriety is to be my fate.
While cat burglars trying to sneak peep the recipe
Amateur thieves are attempting to view the recipe contained in my rap lyrics without being noticed.
Inside my rap cookbook, paragraphs is gourmet
The lines in my rap songs are well-crafted and of high quality, comparable to gourmet food.
You pay about $5,000 a plate
My high-caliber rhymes are comparable to a $5,000 meal.
No doubt kid, I hit them niggas like a bid
Without a doubt, I assaulted those individuals with force similar to a prison sentence.
The prosecutor, running up in your crib
An official is barging into your home with legal authority.
Do your dirt, I do my dirt all by my lonely
Commit your illicit activities, but I choose to carry out mine alone.
It's only me, and the gat that's holding me
It is only me and the handgun that I am carrying.
We got it locked beyond measure, the click's under pressure
We have a decisive advantage, and our team is under intense scrutiny.
Extort you for your treasure smack you with the undresser
We will take your valuables by force and then physically assault you with a blunt object.
Represent your click, go ahead, get that ass whipped
Stand up for your group, but be prepared to get beaten badly.
(Floating in the river with your body wrapped in plastic)
(You will end up dead and disposed of in the water with plastic surrounding your remains.)
Wannabe thug, get smacked for back talking
Someone who wants to seem tough but is not will receive physical punishment for speaking out of line.
QB represent fuck that, it can happen
Representing Queensbridge, anything can happen and should not be taken lightly.
While you rapping, I'm busy trying to sneak the gat in
While you are performing music, I am working on concealing my gun.
Could tear men, cut the party while you jamming
I could cause serious harm and put an end to any festivities while you are enjoying the music.
We think smarter, reach harder, got the 44
We use intellect to achieve our goals and possess a powerful .44 caliber firearm.
Bodyguard of something you don't want a part of
I am an intimidating protector of something that you should avoid getting involved with.
If I was you, then I would do what I have to
If I were in your position, I would take whatever action is necessary.
But you ain't me, you hesitated so I clapped you
You are not like me, and your indecision prompted me to shoot you.
Then stepped off casually, naturally me
I calmly departed the scene, behaving in my typical manner.
Niggas thinking shit sweet, I carry big heat
People mistakenly believe that things are uncomplicated, but I possess a powerful weapon.
Wavy hair chipped teeth, up in this bitch deep
I have distinctive features and am heavily involved in this environment.
Queens murder clicks meet, yellow tapes on black gates
Some of us from Queens involved in violent crimes converge, and crime scene tape is used to cordon off sites.
Mediterranean, projects is like Kuwait
Similar to the tensions in Kuwait, life in the Queensbridge housing projects where I am from can be dangerous.
I escape into zones, that's irregular
I retreat into unfamiliar areas where I can be undetected.
Why debate on a phone, I'm solar cellular
I do not argue on the phone because I am self-reliant and will fight my own battles.
Escobar 600, you just a crumb inside a world
My associates and I are powerful, and you are insignificant in comparison.
Where the rich run it, curriculum of a mathologist
The wealthy control everything, and I have incredible intelligence to navigate their schemes.
Deep throats, they try to swallow this
Deceptive people attempt to conceal my truths.
Anthropologists, dynasties of great knowledgists
Professional academics and rulers with abundant knowledge and power exist in our world.
I preserve in my dome, niggas mics is full of silicone
I keep valuable thoughts in my mind while other rappers produce fake content.
Spot's blown, guerrilla ice on this killer's life
My cover has been blown, and the cost of death is being paid.
I put my word on it
I offer my word and guarantee my claim is true.
Now you can sleep on or rock a swerve on it
You can ignore the offer or consider it as an option.
Nas is menage a trois' on Mount Aire lodges
I attract the attention of multiple romantic partners at a luxurious resort.
We like a smooth fam', but rougher than how DeBarge is
We appear refined but are capable of being rougher than the DeBarge family's music suggests.
Catching charges, of marksmen, living heartless
We are attracting the attention of the law and have skilled shooters on our side. We are capable of showing no mercy.
Grab a cartridge, cock my shit on some Mobb shit
I load my firearm and prepare to act aggressively like someone from the Mobb Deep rap group.
We mobbing, putting niggas in mausoleums
We are acting as a mob and killing people to the point of entombing them in mausoleums.
From Queens cross the Throsnic, heads bop, I see 'em
From Queens to the Throgs Neck Bridge, I observe people nodding their heads to the beat of my music.
For niggas don't know how to act
This song is dedicated to those who act inappropriately and lack respect.
To all my niggas on the block slanging crack
This song is also dedicated to those who sell drugs on street corners.
Rest in peace to my niggas laying on they back
I pay tribute to my deceased friends who passed away while lying on the ground.
To all the niggas who bust gats (live nigga rap)
This song is for those who use guns to fight back (live nigga rap).
If you'se a live nigga
If you are a brave individual who is not afraid to resort to violence.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Albert Johnson, Kejuan Waliek Muchita, Nasir Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind