Nas Is Like
Nas Lyrics


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Freedom or jail, clip's inserted, a baby's being born
Same time a man is murdered, the beginning and end
As far as rap go, it's only natural I explain
My plateau, and also, what defines my name
First it was Nasty, but times have changed
Ask me now, I'm the artist, but hardcore, my science for pain
I spent time in the game, kept my mind on fame
Saw fiends shoot up and do lines of cocaine
Saw my close friends shot, flatline am I sane?
That depends, carry Mac-10's to practice my aim
On rooftops, tape CD covers to trees
Line the barrel up with your weak picture then squeeze
Street scriptures for lost souls, in the crossroads
To the corner thugs hustling for cars that cost dough
To the big dogs living large, taking in light
Pushing big toys, getting nice, enjoying your life
Is what you make it, suicide, few try to take it
Belt tied around their neck in jail cells naked
Heaven and hell, rap legend, presence is felt
And of course N-A-S are the letters that spell
NAS, NAS

"Nas is like" Earth, Wind & Fire, rims and tires
Bulletproof glass, inside is the realest driver
Planets in orbit, line 'em up with the stars
Tarot cards, you can see the pharaoh Nas
"Nas is like" Iron Mike, messiah type
Before the Christ, after the death
The last one left, let my cash invest in stock
Came a along way from blasting, tecs on blocks
Went from Seiko to Rolex, owning acres
From the projects with no chips, to large cake dough
Dimes, giving fellatio, siete zeros
Bet my nine spit for the pesos
But what's it all worth, can't take it with you under this Earth
Rich men died and tried, but none of it worked
They just rob your grave, I'd rather be alive and paid
Before my number's called, history's made
Some'll fall, but I rise, thug or die
Making choices, that determine my future under the sky
To rob steal or kill, I'm wondering why
It's a dirty game, is any man worthy of fame?
Much success to you, even if you wish me the opposite
Sooner or later we'll all see who the prophet is

"Nas is like" Sex to a nympho, but nothing sweet
I'm like beef, bustin' heat through your windows
I'm like a street sweeper, green leaf breather
Like Greeks in Egypt, learning somethin deep from they teachers
I'm like crime, like your nine, your man you would die for
Always got you, I'm like Pac dude you would cry for
I'm like a whole lot of loot, I'm like crisp money
Corporate accounts from a rich company
I'm like ecstasy for ladies, I'm like all races
Combined in one man, like the '99 summer jam
Bulletproof Hummer man
I'm like being locked down around new faces, and none of 'em fam
I'm the feeling of a millionaire spending a hundred grand
I'm a poor man's dream, a thug poet
Live it and I write down and I watch it blow up




Y'all know what I'm like, y'all play it your system every night
Now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nas's song Nas Is Like reflect his personal experiences and observations of life in the streets. The opening line speaks about the paradoxical nature of life, where a baby is born as a man is murdered, signifying the beginning and end of life. Nas' rap genius shines through as he goes on to explain his plateau and what defines his name. He talks about his past as a hardcore rapper, who was known as "Nasty," but now he's an artist who has matured over time. Nas has seen and been through a lot as he spent time in the game, saw close friends shot, and witnessed the pain of addiction to drugs, but he also saw people enjoying their lives in big cars.


Nas goes on to compare himself to different things, describing himself as "like beef bustin' heat through your windows," or "like crime, like your nine, your man you would die for." He also talks about his rise to success, mentioning how he went from owning nothing to now having large cake dough. He reflects on the fact that rich men died and tried but none of it worked, and that the game is dirty, forcing everyone to make choices that will determine their future under the sky. Nas wonders if any man is worthy of fame in this dirty game, but he affirms that he is a thug poet, living and writing down what he sees, and watching it blow up.


Overall, Nas's lyrics are insightful, painting a vivid picture of the realities of living in the streets, and his personal experiences as a rapper who has made it big. The song has a fast-paced, energetic flow that captures the listener's attention from beginning to end.


Line by Line Meaning

Freedom or jail, clip's inserted, a baby's being born
Life is a mix of joy and pain; freedom and imprisonment; creation and destruction.


Same time a man is murdered, the beginning and end
Life is cyclical and unpredictable, with death and birth happening at the same time.


As far as rap go, it's only natural I explain
As a rapper, it's my responsibility to explain my perspective on the world.


My plateau, and also, what defines my name
I will explain my journey in the rap game, and what makes me unique.


First it was Nasty, but times have changed
My rap name has evolved over time, as I've grown and changed as an artist.


Ask me now, I'm the artist, but hardcore, my science for pain
I am a skilled artist, but my music is raw and real, dealing with the pain of life.


I spent time in the game, kept my mind on fame
I've been in the rap game for a while, and have kept my focus on achieving success.


Saw fiends shoot up and do lines of cocaine
I've seen the ugly side of life, including addiction and drug abuse.


Saw my close friends shot, flatline am I sane?
I've experienced loss and trauma, and sometimes question my own sanity.


That depends, carry Mac-10's to practice my aim
However, I have found a way to cope and protect myself through carrying weapons.


On rooftops, tape CD covers to trees
I have taken risks to spread my music and message, even putting myself in dangerous situations.


Line the barrel up with your weak picture then squeeze
I am not afraid to call out my enemies or those I perceive as weak.


Street scriptures for lost souls, in the crossroads
My lyrics offer guidance and hope to those who are lost in life.


To the corner thugs hustling for cars that cost dough
My music speaks to those who are striving for a better life and financial stability, even if that involves illegal means.


To the big dogs living large, taking in light
My music also resonates with those who have already achieved wealth and success.


Pushing big toys, getting nice, enjoying your life
I support the idea of enjoying life, especially after working hard to achieve success.


Is what you make it, suicide, few try to take it
Life is what you make of it, but unfortunately some people give up and commit suicide.


Belt tied around their neck in jail cells naked
Suicide can happen even in the most dire and hopeless situations, such as being in jail.


Heaven and hell, rap legend, presence is felt
The concepts of heaven and hell are explored in my music, and I am a legendary figure in the rap world.


And of course N-A-S are the letters that spell
My name is Nas, and I am proud of my identity as a rapper.


Nas is like Earth, Wind & Fire, rims and tires
I am like the iconic band Earth, Wind & Fire, and also associated with material possessions like fancy cars.


Bulletproof glass, inside is the realest driver
But even with the material possessions, what really matters is the person behind the wheel.


Planets in orbit, line 'em up with the stars
I see myself as part of a greater cosmic order, and part of something much larger than myself.


Tarot cards, you can see the pharaoh Nas
Like a tarot card reader, my music offers insight into the mysteries of life, and I am seen as a wise leader like a pharaoh.


Iron Mike, messiah type
I am compared to the legendary boxer Mike Tyson, and also to a messiah figure.


Before the Christ, after the death
I am a significant figure who has emerged in the world after the death of Christ.


The last one left, let my cash invest in stock
I am one of the most important and influential rappers alive, and am investing my wealth wisely.


Came a along way from blasting, tecs on blocks
I have overcome my past, which included violence and crime in the streets, and have achieved success.


Went from Seiko to Rolex, owning acres
I have come a long way from poverty, now owning expensive watches and properties.


From the projects with no chips, to large cake dough
I have gone from being poor and disadvantaged, to achieving great wealth and success.


Dimes, giving fellatio, siete zeros
I am surrounded by beautiful women who are attracted to my wealth and status.


Bet my nine spit for the pesos
I am not afraid to use my weapon to protect my wealth and life.


But what's it all worth, can't take it with you under this Earth
However, I still question the value and meaning of wealth, especially since it cannot be taken with me after death.


Rich men died and tried, but none of it worked
Even the richest and most powerful people in the world cannot escape death and the limitations of life.


They just rob your grave, I'd rather be alive and paid
The pursuit of wealth can be empty and meaningless, and I would rather focus on enjoying life while it lasts.


Before my number's called, history's made
I am determined to make a lasting impact on the world before I die.


Some'll fall, but I rise, thug or die
Despite the difficulties of life, I will keep moving forward and fighting for success.


Making choices, that determine my future under the sky
The choices I make will determine my future, and I am constantly striving to make the right ones.


To rob steal or kill, I'm wondering why
I question the morality of resorting to crime or violence to achieve success.


It's a dirty game, is any man worthy of fame?
The world of rap and fame can be corrupt and negative, and I question whether anyone really deserves to achieve fame and success.


Much success to you, even if you wish me the opposite
Despite any negativity or opposition, I wish success upon others who are striving for their dreams.


Sooner or later we'll all see who the prophet is
Over time, the truth of who is truly inspiring and wise will become clear to everyone.


Nas is like sex to a nympho, but nothing sweet
My music is addictive and arousing, but also harsh and unflinching in its portrayal of life's struggles.


I'm like beef, bustin' heat through your windows
I am not afraid to confront my enemies and defend myself if necessary.


I'm like a street sweeper, green leaf breather
I am like someone who is cleaning up the streets and promoting a greener world.


Like Greeks in Egypt, learning somethin deep from they teachers
I am constantly learning and growing, and am inspired by ancient cultures and wisdom.


I'm like crime, like your nine, your man you would die for
I am associated with crime and violence, but also represent loyalty and protection for my fans.


Always got you, I'm like Pac dude you would cry for
Like the legendary rapper Tupac, I am a symbol of strength and inspiration, and someone fans would cry for if lost.


I'm like a whole lot of loot, I'm like crisp money
I am associated with wealth and luxury.


Corporate accounts from a rich company
I have become so successful that I am now connected to powerful corporations.


I'm like ecstasy for ladies, I'm like all races
I am attractive to women of all races and backgrounds, like a drug that offers intense pleasure.


Combined in one man, like the '99 summer jam
I represent a diverse and powerful force, like a popular music festival that brings people together.


Bulletproof Hummer man
I have achieved such wealth and status that I am even protected by bulletproof vehicles.


I'm like being locked down around new faces, and none of 'em fam
Despite my success, I still feel isolated and disconnected from others, always surrounded by strangers.


I'm the feeling of a millionaire spending a hundred grand
I represent the confidence and satisfaction of being able to spend large sums of money.


I'm a poor man's dream, a thug poet
I embody the aspiration and struggle of those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.


Live it and I write down and I watch it blow up
I am living out my dreams and success, and documenting it through my music.


Y'all know what I'm like, y'all play it your system every night
My fans are intimately familiar with my music and message, and listen to it regularly.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NASIR JONES, CHRISTOPHER E MARTIN, PAUL MITCHELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@FlossyCarter

let's ride!

@KingSobrAF

Nas is like.....nothing I ever heard before

@KingSobrAF

STILL matic

@russellbryant1771

Yo Floss, I needed that this morning Bro! NAS is like...

@jermainespigner5798

Yo Flossy Carter that kid said nothing he's ever heard Before another classic Banger my Boy Dropped 2 that year these young Boys don't know about I am and Nastradamus this set my Friday off Baby it's 4:35 am on the west But I'm so East coast

@KingSobrAF

Real recognized real

21 More Replies...

@ikechinedu6184

The flow.
The beat.
The rhymes.
Can't stop nodding your head.

@daveedwinnjawa3929

NAS is like 🔥

@user-po7du7pu1h

because primo did the beat he is the best

@Taku-oz6pj

I’m Japanese.
Nas is very cool because Nas have good flow.

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