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..
Never Die
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We ain't gon' never die, I'm an icon in real time
Why did I wait this long to let y'all in my ill mind?
We ain't gon' never die
We ain't gon' never die, I'ma, yeah
We ain't gon'
We ain't gon' never die, icons in real time
I think the hate was strong, so I went to a chill vibe
Could never say goodbye, I let my skill cry
Let my soul bleed, inside a Rolls, wearing rosaries
Homie, I love the new NY, 'cause I'm the new NY
And the old NY at the same time (same time)
I always hit the last shot when it's game time (game time)
The Jordan, Kobe, 'Bron talk, take a long walk
You might start to understand what I'm puttin' on for (on for)
I left more flows in Pro Tools sessions
Than you ever thought of with old school methods (old school methods)
But what you're hearin' is the present day
Over breaks and samples of New York, NWA
The brand new Brand Nubians, N-A-S and Wayne
Don't threaten me with a good time, we're here to stay
Nasty, they don't make 'em like me
Mask up, all black like I'm Pooh Shiesty, swoop through
I'm like Detroit Red in the zoot suit, loose screws
Any great challenges, I find a loop through
Loopholes, why they treat me so bad, Club Nouveau, damn
The times we livin' in is crucial
This my Tom Cruise flow, top gun, they too slow
Computers ain't fast enough to keep up with Nasty 'cause
We ain't gon' never die
Hahaha
Ah
We ain't gon' never die, we ain't gon'
We ain't gon' never die
We ain't gon' never die, icons in real time
Icons in real time, we ain't gon' never die
Uh, icons, steppin' on pythons
Spittin' that cayenne, eat ya like Zion, peakin' at the skyline
Reachin' for the stars like I'm reachin' for the pylon
I seent ya on the sideline, you need to walk a fine line
You need to read the guidelines, instead of readin' the timelines
Where everybody like lyin', nobody flow like mine
I'm sonnin' these niggas, got me coachin' niggas like Prime
Tongue, I never bite mine, got dough like Taekwon'
To spend all this money, I'ma have to spend a lifetime
You broke, can't even buy time, should throw niggas a lifeline
You know money on my mind, and I be on your wife mind
I hit her with the pipe bomb, then pass it down the pipeline
But actually, we quite fine
Diamonds on me sparklin' and splashin' like some white wine
They love me in the night time, they hate me when the light shine
Shots, I got a hundred, and problems, I got ninety-nine
Bugatti Veyron, take off with no flight time
Bad bitch on the passenger side, she don't even like flyin'
Booty soft as nylon, you niggas small as micron
I got a black nina that get nasty as a white blonde
Low credit, high crime, open mind, tight rhymes
When they hear my lines, these rappers gotta catch up like Heinz
Weezy and my slime, Nas, ain't nobody like ours
Like bygones, gotta let icons be icons, hi, moms (hi, moms)
In the song "Never Die" by Nas, the lyrics convey a sense of immortality and resilience. Nas declares that he and his legacy will endure and never die. As an icon in real time, he questions why it took him so long to let his audience into his deep, troubled thoughts. Nas suggests that the hate he faced weighed on him, prompting him to adopt a more relaxed vibe. However, he proclaims that he could never say goodbye to his craft, allowing his skills to be heard and expressed through his music.
Nas reflects on his journey and the evolution of New York City, his hometown. He states that he represents both the new and old New York simultaneously, being a product of his environment and nurturing his talent through various musical eras. Drawing inspiration from legendary basketball players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, Nas likens his impact on hip-hop to their clutch performances during critical moments. He leaves an abundance of creative flows in his Pro Tools sessions, surpassing the imagination of others who stick to traditional methods.
The song is also intertwined with references to iconic figures and moments. Nas compares himself to Detroit Red, the former alias of Malcolm X, who was known for his flamboyant style. He acknowledges the challenges he faces being a great in his field but navigates through them with ease, finding loopholes and exposing the flaws in the system. Nas questions why he is treated unfairly, drawing a parallel to the R&B group Club Nouveau, who faced struggles in the industry. He implies that the current times demand his presence and that his unique flow, comparable to Tom Cruise's magnetism in the film Top Gun, sets him apart from others.
As the song progresses, Nas's collaborator Lil Wayne joins in, reinforcing the theme of immortality and icon status. Lil Wayne asserts his presence by referencing his success and power. He asserts his dominance over others, likening himself to a coach guiding his team. Wayne's wordplay shines through as he boasts about his wealth and influence, subtly flaunting his accomplishments while dismissing those who doubt him. The lyrics also touch on the dichotomy of being loved in the shadows but hated when in the spotlight. Wayne's confident and assertive delivery conveys his unwavering persona as a rap legend.
Overall, "Never Die" captures the essence of both Nas and Lil Wayne as iconic figures in the rap industry. The lyrics reflect their longevity, resilience, and unmatched skill, reaffirming their status as immortals in the music realm.
Line by Line Meaning
We ain't gon' never die, icons in real time
We will continue to thrive and have a lasting impact, remaining as influential figures in the present.
Why did I wait this long to let y'all in my ill mind?
I question why I hesitated to share my deepest thoughts and emotions with all of you for such a long time.
I think the hate was strong, so I went to a chill vibe
I believe that the intense negativity and criticism prompted me to adopt a more relaxed and laid-back approach.
Could never say goodbye, I let my skill cry
I can never abandon my talents and abilities. Instead, I express my emotions through my artistry.
Let my soul bleed, inside a Rolls, wearing rosaries
I allow my innermost self to be revealed, even in the luxurious and materialistic world, while also expressing my spiritual side.
Homie, I love the new NY, 'cause I'm the new NY
My friend, I embrace the evolving New York scene because I am at the forefront representing the city's new era.
And the old NY at the same time (same time)
Simultaneously, I pay homage to the old New York, respecting its roots and traditions.
I always hit the last shot when it's game time (game time)
In crucial moments, I have the ability to come through and succeed, just like hitting the final shot in a basketball game.
The Jordan, Kobe, 'Bron talk, take a long walk
Those who engage in debates about the greatness of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James should reconsider their stance.
You might start to understand what I'm puttin' on for (on for)
By doing so, they might begin to comprehend and appreciate the significance of my contributions.
I left more flows in Pro Tools sessions
I have created numerous unique rap styles and techniques during my recording studio sessions.
Than you ever thought of with old school methods (old school methods)
Surpassing your imagination, I have surpassed the creativity achieved by using traditional rap approaches.
But what you're hearin' is the present day
However, the music you are currently listening to represents the contemporary time and my current artistic expression.
Over breaks and samples of New York, NWA
My music incorporates elements from New York's music scene and draws inspiration from groups like N.W.A.
The brand new Brand Nubians, N-A-S and Wayne
I am part of the new generation of influential artists alongside Brand Nubians, Nas, and Lil Wayne.
Don't threaten me with a good time, we're here to stay
Do not try to discourage or challenge me because I am committed to thriving and leaving a lasting impact.
Nasty, they don't make 'em like me
I am unique and unparalleled in terms of my skill, style, and overall presence.
Mask up, all black like I'm Pooh Shiesty, swoop through
I adopt a mysterious and intimidating persona, akin to Pooh Shiesty, as I navigate through various situations.
I'm like Detroit Red in the zoot suit, loose screws
I possess the rebellious spirit and demeanor of Malcolm X during his Detroit Red days, and I may appear unpredictable or unconventional to some.
Any great challenges, I find a loop through
Whenever faced with significant obstacles, I manage to find a creative solution or workaround.
Loopholes, why they treat me so bad, Club Nouveau, damn
I discover ways to overcome unfair treatment or discrimination, similar to how Club Nouveau's hit song 'Why You Treat Me So Bad' resonates with me.
The times we livin' in is crucial
The current era and circumstances we exist in are of utmost importance and require significant attention.
This my Tom Cruise flow, top gun, they too slow
My rap flow is akin to Tom Cruise's character in the movie 'Top Gun,' as I effortlessly outshine and outperform others who struggle to keep up.
Computers ain't fast enough to keep up with Nasty 'cause
Even advanced technology cannot match the speed and prowess of my rap skills and overall abilities.
Uh, icons, steppin' on pythons
We, as icons, confidently overcome and conquer challenges, symbolized by stepping on pythons.
Spittin' that cayenne, eat ya like Zion, peakin' at the skyline
My rap delivery is fiery and intense, comparable to cayenne pepper, and I have the power to dominate my opposition like Zion Williamson on the basketball court, who soars high towards the skyline.
Reachin' for the stars like I'm reachin' for the pylon
I strive to achieve greatness and aim for the highest goals, similar to a football player reaching for the end zone pylon.
I seent ya on the sideline, you need to walk a fine line
I have observed others passively watching from the sidelines, and they should be careful and cautious in their actions and decisions.
You need to read the guidelines, instead of readin' the timelines
Rather than focusing solely on social media timelines, it is crucial to pay attention to rules and guidelines that provide proper guidance.
Where everybody like lyin', nobody flow like mine
In a world where falsehoods prevail, no one possesses a rap flow that matches mine.
I'm sonnin' these niggas, got me coachin' niggas like Prime
I assert my dominance over other rappers, assuming the role of a father figure, coaching them just like Deion Sanders, who was known as 'Prime Time' during his NFL career.
Tongue, I never bite mine, got dough like Taekwon'
I never hold back with my words, always speaking my mind boldly. Additionally, I possess substantial wealth similar to that of Taekwondo.
To spend all this money, I'ma have to spend a lifetime
Considering the immense amount of money I have, it would take an entire lifetime to spend it all.
You broke, can't even buy time, should throw niggas a lifeline
If you are financially impoverished and cannot afford basic necessities, it signifies that you cannot even afford time itself. It would be beneficial to extend assistance to those in need.
You know money on my mind, and I be on your wife mind
I consistently prioritize financial success, and to add further emphasis, I also occupy the thoughts of your significant other.
I hit her with the pipe bomb, then pass it down the pipeline
Metaphorically, I deliver explosive and memorable performances to your partner, and then it becomes widely circulated and discussed.
But actually, we quite fine
Contrary to any misconceptions or assumptions, we are actually in a favorable and satisfactory state.
Diamonds on me sparklin' and splashin' like some white wine
The diamonds I wear shine brilliantly and exude luxury, reminiscent of white wine when it is poured and splashes around.
They love me in the night time, they hate me when the light shine
Individuals tend to appreciate and admire me more during the nighttime or in private, but their feelings turn to disdain when I am in the spotlight.
Shots, I got a hundred, and problems, I got ninety-nine
I possess an overwhelming arsenal of ammunition, and although I face various challenges, there are far fewer problems compared to the number of shots I have figuratively.
Bugatti Veyron, take off with no flight time
Similar to a Bugatti Veyron, I can accelerate and achieve incredible speed without requiring much time or effort.
Bad bitch on the passenger side, she don't even like flyin'
I have an attractive, confident woman accompanying me in the car, but ironically, she is not a fan of flying or traveling by plane.
Booty soft as nylon, you niggas small as micron
Referring to a woman's posterior, it is incredibly smooth and supple like nylon. In contrast, you men possess physical stature comparable to the minute unit of measurement called a micron.
I got a black nina that get nasty as a white blonde
I possess a firearm, affectionately named 'nina,' that can become fierce and dangerous, just like a provocative white blonde woman.
Low credit, high crime, open mind, tight rhymes
Despite having poor credit and being associated with criminal activities, I maintain an open-minded perspective while delivering incredibly impactful and precise rhymes.
When they hear my lines, these rappers gotta catch up like Heinz
Upon hearing my lyrics, other rappers realize they are far behind me and must make an effort to catch up, similar to the popular ketchup brand 'Heinz.'
Weezy and my slime, Nas, ain't nobody like ours
The bond and friendship I share with Lil Wayne and our collective talent is simply unmatched. Nobody compares to us.
Like bygones, gotta let icons be icons, hi, moms (hi, moms)
Similar to resolving past conflicts and letting go of grudges, it is important to allow icons to be themselves without criticism or interference. Greetings to all the mothers!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Beatrice Verdi, Chauncey Hollis Jr., Deke Richards, Dwayne Carter, Nasir Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@straightoutthe80sbaby84
Nas first 6 albums:
1. Illmatic - 1994
2. It Was Written - 1996
3. I Am... - 1999
4. Nastradamus - 1999
5. Stillmatic - 2001
6. God's Son - 2002
Nas last 6 albums:
1. Magic 3 - 2023
2. Magic 2 - 2023
3. King's Disease 3 - 2022
4. Magic - 2021
5. King's Disease 2 - 2021
6. King's Disease - 2020
Long Live Nas 👑🎤🐐♟️🏁💯🔥
@obnoxioussubconscious6649
Nas is the best example of How a true OG should age like. He has been doing this since he was 18!! And now 32 years later still killing it even better. Truly the greatest!
@lytlyt0666
Wayne rapping since he was a child and still killing it influence the new generation of rappers bought life to hip-hop the time when your favorite rappers saying it was dead 😌, Y'all Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas fanboys needs to shut up y'all cringe af 😆😆😆
@obnoxioussubconscious6649
@@lytlyt0666 So you mean only Wayne inspired new gen rappers? Oh yes he did all the Lil's- the pumps , the Uzis the Durks who literally copied his looks and style and made trash af cringy songs
@dacameramanneverdies
That beat fire. I bet #johnnyx100 could do better I know it SOUNDS crazy until you have heard #johnnyx100
@JX100BloxkafellaRecords
Weezy 🔥 yoooo
I AM J X 100. My flow came from Mississippi.
@ConnectedNCali94
@@lytlyt0666You doing the exact same thing with Wayne, and lyrically dude ain’t even on Nas’s level.
@timothylunt2907
Wayne's verse should be placed in an art gallery for future generations to study
@muckman169
Facts
@theblackbolt5514
Stop it man that shit was mid
@CoffeeMasterPlus
That cadence is dope as hell