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.
1973β1992: 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.
1992β1995: 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 Serchβs solo album is released later in the year, Nasβ 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.
1996β1998: 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.
1998β2000: 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.
2000β2001: 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."
2002βPresent: 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 KoΠ―n'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, Nasβ 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..
Pretty Young Girl
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New Orleans
A catastrophe
America, how long we got?
'Cause I'm tryna find her
Is that you?
Ayo, anyway
With no longer delay
Long braids, brown eyes
Weigh 135, she like 5'5
I see them thighs on her
Make me want to multiply
She's a queen, her dad a G, I know he rocked to Nas
And I, uh
She was so fly
Like she come from Queens or maybe L.I.
I tried to find that woman
No later than tomorrow
Her body shaped like a Jean Gaultier perfume bottle
When I find her, I'ma roll through
Smooth in the Ghost coupe
Make shorty hop in, listen to BIG's vocals
See if I get a sign of intellectual
See if she rude, if she wild, if she sexual
If we caught a vibe, that'd be incredible
We probably break box springs, near hot springs like we on edibles
I would fit her in my schedule
If she is for real solid, nothing else is acceptable
Slide up to Malibu, paddleboats in Pacific Coast
Having her swim in Atlantic water, it's less cold
I make her listen to poetry, hit a jazz club
Asked her would she'd leave if I was down to my last dub
I gotta find that girl
What block she be on?
Heard she was last seen in Rome
Plane-hopping in Florence
I think she right for me and I don't even know her
I mean the one time I seen her she was naturally glowing
That's why I made this song, told the label promote it
So she can hear it
'Cause even if she don't like rap
This still gon' find her right where she's at
The one with
Long braids, brown eyes
Weigh 135, she like 5'5
I see them thighs on her
Make me want to multiply
She's a queen, her dad a G, I know he rocked to Nas
And if you're listening right now
You know what to do
Post this up right now
At me
The lyrics of Nas's song "Pretty Young Girl" tell the story of the artist's search for a special someone. He is captivated by a woman he has seen, described as having long braids, brown eyes, and a height of 5'5. He is drawn to her physical beauty, mentioning her thighs, but also recognizes her inner strength and regality, noting that her father is influential and a fan of Nas's music.
Nas expresses his desire to find this woman, as he sees her as a potential soulmate. He envisions himself stylishly driving through the streets, inviting her to join him in the car while they listen to the vocals of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. He wants to gauge her intellect and personality, hoping for a connection that transcends the physical.
The artist imagines romantic scenarios with the woman he seeks, from enjoying the beaches of Malibu to exploring the cultural richness of Rome and Florence. He strives to impress her with poetry and jazz, testing her loyalty and commitment by asking if she would stay by his side even when he has very little material wealth left.
Nas concludes the song by calling on his listeners to help him in his search, encouraging them to share the song and tag him on social media so that the woman he's looking for hears it, regardless of her musical preferences. The lyrics convey his longing for connection and his belief that fate will bring them together.
Line by Line Meaning
The levee busted
A reference to the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans, symbolizing the destruction and chaos that has affected America.
New Orleans
Specifically mentions the city that was heavily affected by the hurricane, representing a place of tragedy and loss.
A catastrophe
Referring to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, highlighting the immense scale of the disaster.
America, how long we got?
Expressing concern about the future of America and questioning how much time is left before facing more challenges and crises.
'Cause I'm tryna find her
The artist's desire to search for and find the woman he is intrigued by, using her as a metaphor representing hope and beauty amidst adversity.
Is that you?
Asking directly if the person he sees matches the ideal qualities he seeks in a companion.
Ayo, anyway
Transitioning to a different topic or thought in a casual manner.
With no longer delay
Indicating the need to take immediate action without further hesitation or delay.
That boy Nasir and Chauncey
Referring to himself (Nasir) and possibly a collaborator (Chauncey), signaling their presence and involvement in the process of searching for the woman.
Long braids, brown eyes
Describing the physical appearance of the woman, highlighting her features as distinctive and unique.
Weigh 135, she like 5'5
Providing specific details about her body measurements, emphasizing her slim physique and average height.
I see them thighs on her
Expressing admiration for the woman's attractive thighs, which create a desire for physical intimacy and connection.
Make me want to multiply
The sight of the woman evokes a strong desire and urge to procreate, emphasizing the artist's attraction and fascination.
She's a queen, her dad a G, I know he rocked to Nas
Portraying the woman as a woman of royal stature, with a father who is respected and admired (a 'G') and shares a common appreciation for Nas's music.
And I, uh
An interjection used to signify a pause or transition in thought before continuing.
She was so fly
Describing the woman as incredibly attractive and stylish, capturing the artist's admiration for her presence and appearance.
Like she come from Queens or maybe L.I.
Comparing the woman's persona and fashion sense to women from the artist's hometown in Queens or Long Island (L.I.), suggesting a connection or similarity to his familiar surroundings.
I tried to find that woman
Revealing the artist's efforts and determination to search for and locate the woman he is intrigued by.
No later than tomorrow
Asserting his urgency and commitment to finding the woman, promising to do so as soon as possible, with no delays extending beyond the following day.
Her body shaped like a Jean Gaultier perfume bottle
Comparing the woman's physique to the unique and attractive shape of a perfume bottle designed by Jean Gaultier, emphasizing her desirable figure.
When I find her, I'ma roll through
Expressing the artist's intention to smoothly approach the woman once he locates her, highlighting his confidence in his pursuit.
Smooth in the Ghost coupe
Referring to a luxurious and expensive car model called Ghost coupe, emphasizing the idea of arriving in style and capturing the woman's attention.
Make shorty hop in, listen to BIG's vocals
Proposing to the woman that they ride together in the car while listening to the music of the late rapper Biggie Smalls, suggesting a shared love for iconic rap music and creating a bonding experience.
See if I get a sign of intellectual
Indicating the artist's interest in assessing the woman's level of intelligence and depth, seeking a connection beyond physical attraction.
See if she rude, if she wild, if she sexual
Describing the artist's curiosity about the woman's personality traits and behavior, specifically focusing on whether she possesses rudeness, wildness, and a sexual aura.
If we caught a vibe, that'd be incredible
Expressing the artist's aspiration to establish a strong and positive connection with the woman, emphasizing the potential for an amazing and fulfilling relationship if they share a compatible energy ('vibe').
We probably break box springs, near hot springs like we on edibles
Imagining a passionate and intense physical relationship with the woman, suggesting that their connection could lead to intense lovemaking experiences ('break box springs') and enjoying hot springs while under the influence of drugs that enhance pleasure ('edibles').
I would fit her in my schedule
Conveying the artist's willingness to make time for the woman and prioritize their relationship, highlighting his commitment to nurturing their connection.
If she is for real solid, nothing else is acceptable
Stating that the artist values authenticity and integrity in a partner, implying that superficial qualities or characteristics won't be enough to sustain a meaningful relationship.
Slide up to Malibu, paddleboats in Pacific Coast
Imagining a romantic getaway with the woman to the affluent neighborhood of Malibu, engaging in leisure activities like paddling on boats along the Pacific Coast, symbolizing a serene and idyllic time spent together.
Having her swim in Atlantic water, it's less cold
Suggesting the artist's desire to provide a more comfortable and warmer experience for the woman compared to the cold waters of the Atlantic, demonstrating his intention to prioritize her comfort and well-being.
I make her listen to poetry, hit a jazz club
Describing the artist's preferred activities to share with the woman, including listening to poetry, potentially showcasing his own poetic skills, and visiting a jazz club, promoting a sophisticated and culturally rich experience.
Asked her would she'd leave if I was down to my last dub
Posing a hypothetical situation where the artist questions the woman if she would stay with him during difficult times, implying the importance of loyalty and commitment in a relationship.
I gotta find that girl
Reiterating the artist's determination and strong desire to find the woman he is captivated by.
What block she be on?
Expressing the artist's curiosity about the specific neighborhood or location where the woman resides, demonstrating his eagerness to connect with her directly.
Heard she was last seen in Rome
Mentioning a potential sighting of the woman in Rome, suggesting that she may be well-traveled or exploring new places, creating a sense of mystery and adventure surrounding her.
Plane-hopping in Florence
Indicating that the woman has been traveling from one city to another, specifically mentioning Florence, representing her free-spirited nature and love for exploring different cultures and destinations.
I think she right for me and I don't even know her
Expressing the artist's strong intuition and belief that the woman is a perfect match for him, despite not having a deep personal connection with her yet.
I mean the one time I seen her she was naturally glowing
Recalling a brief encounter with the woman where he noticed her radiant and natural glow, emphasizing her inner beauty and positive energy.
That's why I made this song, told the label promote it
Asserting the artist's motivation for creating the song, which is to express his admiration for the woman, and his request to his record label to actively promote the song to increase the chances of her hearing it.
So she can hear it
Highlighting the artist's desire for the woman to listen to the song and potentially recognize herself in the lyrics, appreciating the effort and sentiment behind it.
'Cause even if she don't like rap
Acknowledging the possibility that the woman may not be a fan of rap music, but emphasizing that the essence and intention of the song will still reach her regardless of her musical preferences.
This still gon' find her right where she's at
Assuring that the song will reach the woman no matter where she is, connecting with her on a deeper level and conveying the artist's emotions and intentions.
The one with
Creating anticipation and leaving the audience awaiting the continuation or introduction of a key characteristic or attribute of the woman.
If you're listening right now
Addressing the audience directly, specifically those who are currently tuned in and paying attention to the song.
You know what to do
Encouraging the audience to take a specific action, such as sharing the song or making it known to others in order to increase its reach and likelihood of reaching the woman.
Post this up right now
Instructing the audience to immediately share the song on social media or other platforms, ensuring its wide distribution and exposure.
At me
Directing the audience to mention or tag the artist on social media when sharing the song, allowing him to track its impact and potentially reach the woman indirectly through online engagement.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nasir Jones, Chauncey Hollis Jr., Andrew Noland, Norman Napier, Walter Morrison, Ralph Middlebrooks, Leroy Bonner, Gregory Webster, Marvin Pierce, Marshall Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dwaynejpeterkin
Nas doesnβt disappoint 6 peat π₯π₯π₯
@joncorn716
6 peat...Clever my guy π
@Westlyn80
I swear...
@osom_23rd
I pressed like before listening....No regrets NAS....At legendary greatness
@user-ky8nd2rz4f
Buy the album
@MJalil11
β@@user-ky8nd2rz4fwhere???
@cibida1
Iβm from Jersey but this is what New York City sound like π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
@carterdrake4232
Best track on the album. Nas paints a vivid picture and the beat by Hit-Boy is ridiculous. Amazing song.
@Aenigmakil
HitBoy is so weird. I don't know if I love or hate him. He's so hit and miss. Last track was bad. This track is the opposite.
@gunnyo50
β@@AenigmakilGo listen to Cardi B or Sexy Red, lil Yachty, Taylor Swift or some bullshit like that. This is real music, real hip-hop music and it might not be for you. kid.