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.
1973โ1992: 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.
1992โ1995: 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 Serchโs solo album is released later in the year, Nasโ 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.
1996โ1998: 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.
1998โ2000: 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.
2000โ2001: 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."
2002โPresent: 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 Koะฏn'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, Nasโ 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..
Street Dreams instrumental
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Street dreams are made of these
Niggas push Bimmers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a ki
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees for niggas with big cheese
Everybody's looking for something
My man put me up for the share, one-fourth of a square
Headed for Delaware, with one change of gear
Nothing on my mind but the dime sack we blazed
With the glaze in my eye, that we find when we crave
Dollars and cents, a fugitive with two attempts
Jakes had no trace of the face, now they drew a print
Though I'm innocent 'til proven guilty
I'ma try to get filthy, purchase a club and start up realty
For real G, I'ma fulfill my dream
If I conceal my scheme, then precisely I'll build my cream
The first trip without the clique
Sent the bitch with the quarter brick, this is it
Fresh face, NY plates got a crooked eye for the Jakes
I want it all, ArmorAll Benz and endless papes
God sake, what nigga got to do to make a half million
Without the FBI catching feelings?
Street dreams are made of these
Niggas push Bimmers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a ki
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees for niggas with big cheese
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's looking for something
From Fat Cat to Pappy, niggas see the cat
Twenty-five to flat, push a thousand feet back
Holding gats wasn't making me fat, snitches on my back
Living with moms, getting it on, flushing crack down the toilet
Two sips from bein alcoholic
Nine-hundred-ninety nine thou' from being rich
But now, I'm all for it
My man saw it like Dionne Warwick
A wiser team for a wiser dream we could all score with
The cartel, Argentina coke with the nina
Up in the hotel, smoking on sessamina
Trina got the fishscale between her
The way the bitch shook her ass, yo, the dogs never seen her
She got me back living sweeter, fresh Caesar
Guess, David Robinson's, Walle' moccasins
Bitches blow me while hopping in the drop-top BM'
Word is bond, son, I had that bitch down on my shit like this
Street dreams are made of these
Niggas push Bimmers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a ki
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees for niggas with big cheese
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's looking for something
Growing up project-struck, looking for luck, dreaming
Scoping the large niggas beaming, check what I'm seeing
Cars, ghetto stars pushing ill Europeans
G'ing, heard about them old timers OD'ing
Young, early 80's, throwing rocks at the crazy lady
Worshipping every word them rope rocking niggas gave me
The street raised me up giving a fuck
I thought Jordan's and a gold chain was living it up
I knew the dopes, the pushers, the addicts, everybody
Cut out of class just to smoke blunts and drink noddy
Ain't that funny? Getting put on to crack money
With all the gunplay, painting the kettle black hungry
A case of beers in the staircase, I wasted years
Some niggas went for theirs, flipping coke as they career
But I'm a rebel stressing to pull out of the heat, no doubt
With Jeeps tinted out, spending, never holding out
Street dreams are made of these
Niggas push Bimmers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a ki
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees for niggas with big cheese
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Niggas push Bimmers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a ki
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees for niggas with big cheese
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's looking for something
Yeah, nigga, what?
Oh, shit
Queensbridge, boy, what? Yo, what?
Yo, they shot dunn, dawg
Yo, yo, lets get the hell outta here y'all, I don't give a fuck-
Look, he on his back right now
We gotta get up outta here, son
Yo, come on run, yo
Watch out, man, yo watch out, watch out, nigga
Yo, yo hol' up, hol' up, hol' up
Yo, I twisted that kid, right?
Hell yeah, dunn
Yo, why you-
Yo, yo, come on though
(Oh, shit)
Yo, we gotta got up outta here, yo
You think somebody peeped that?
Yo, hell yeah, I'm saying, yo, as long as we get rid o-
Get rid of the heat, yo
Fuck that
Get rid of the heat, yo
Come on, come on, I'm threw that shit, come on
We gotta bounce, yo
Let's bounce
"Street Dreams" by Nas is a song about the aspirations of people from the streets of New York City. The lyrics explore the dreams and desires of young people from impoverished backgrounds who are seeking to better their lives through drug trafficking, prostitution, and other illegal means. The song opens with the titular phrase "Street dreams are made of these," which sets the tone for the rest of the track. Nas narrates a story of a young drug dealer who is looking to break into the game and make a name for himself. He paints a vivid picture of what it's like to be an entrepreneur in the drug trade, describing the risks and rewards that come with that lifestyle.
The song is a powerful commentary on the social and economic conditions of urban America in the late 1990s. It highlights the inequality and injustice that pervades many inner-city neighborhoods, where opportunities for economic advancement are limited, and drugs and crime are rampant. Nas uses his lyrics to shed light on these issues and express empathy for those who have been forced into these lifestyles by circumstance.
Overall, "Street Dreams" is a compelling piece of social commentary that speaks to the experiences of many young people who grow up in economically disadvantaged areas of America. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of addressing systemic issues that lead to poverty and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
Street dreams are made of these
The things that people yearn for in life are often what makes up their dreams and aspirations.
Niggas push Beemers and 300 E's
Many people strive for status and financial success, displaying it through the cars they drive.
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a key
Some individuals see selling drugs as their only means to achieve financial wealth and they take this path despite the risks involved.
Everybody's looking for something
Every individual has a goal they are aiming to achieve in life, whether it's to attain wealth, status, or happiness.
Shorties on they knees, for niggas with big G's
Women are willing to do whatever it takes to maintain a relationship with wealthy and powerful men.
Who am I to disagree?
The singer acknowledges the reality of the situation and recognizes that people will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.
My man put me up for the share, one-fourth of a square
The singer's friend gave him a cut of the profits from selling drugs, specifically one-fourth of a kilogram.
Headed for Delaware, with one change of gear
The artist is on his way to Delaware, bringing nothing with him except for a change of clothes.
Nothing on my mind but the dime sack we blazed
The artist is only thinking about the marijuana he just smoked.
With the glaze in my eye, that we find when we crave
The artist's eyes are glazed over from the effects of marijuana, a feeling that he associates with craving the drug.
Dollars and cents, a fugitive with two attempts
The singer is a criminal who has already attempted to evade law enforcement twice before.
Jakes had no trace of the face, now they drew a print
The police had no leads on the criminal's identity, but now they have a copy of his fingerprints.
Though I'm innocent, til proven guilty
The singer maintains that he is innocent until proven guilty in court.
I'ma try to filthy, purchase a club and start up realty
The singer plans on getting rich, buying a nightclub and getting into real estate.
For real G, I'ma fulfill my dream
The singer is determined to achieve his goals.
If I conceal my scheme, then precisely I'll build my cream
The artist knows that he needs to keep his criminal activities hidden in order to become successful and wealthy.
The first trip without the clique
The artist is making a drug deal alone for the first time.
Sent the bitch with the quarter brick, this is it
The singer is sending a woman to deliver drugs.
Fresh face, NY plates got a Crooked I for the Jakes
The singer has a new car with New York license plates that he hopes will not attract the attention of the police.
I want it all, Armor All Benz and endless papes
The artist wants to be wealthy and successful, owning a nice car and having an endless supply of money.
God sake, what nigga got to do to make a half million
The artist is frustrated with the difficulty of achieving financial success through legal means.
Without the FBI catching feelings
The artist wants to be successful without drawing unwanted attention from law enforcement agencies.
From fat cat to papi, niggas see the cat
The singer has gone from being overweight to being successful and attractive, which has garnered him attention from others.
Twenty-five to flat, push a thousand feet back
The artist has a successful drug-selling operation that covers a large area.
Holding gats wasn't making me fat, snitches on my back
The singer carrying guns was not making him wealthy, and he is starting to attract the attention of informants.
Living with moms, getting it on, flushing crack down the toilet
The singer lives with his mother but is still involved in illegal activities, and he occasionally disposes of drugs by flushing them down the toilet.
Two sips from bein alcoholic
The singer is dangerously close to developing alcoholism.
Nine hundred ninety nine thou from being rich but now I'm all for it
The artist was close to being financially successful, but he is now fully committed to achieving his goals.
My man saw it like Dionne Warwick
The artist's friend had a premonition like that of the psychic Dionne Warwick.
A wiser team, for a wiser dream we could all score with
The singer and his friends are working together to achieve a smarter, more successful dream that they can all benefit from.
The cartel Argentina coke with the nina
The singer is dealing with a drug cartel and is selling cocaine imported from Argentina, using a semiautomatic handgun to protect himself.
Up in the hotel, smoking on sessamina
The artist is smoking a type of marijuana known as sessamina in a hotel room.
Trina got the fishscale between her
A woman named Trina is carrying a high-quality form of cocaine, known as fishscale.
The way the bitch shook her ass yo the dogs never seen her
Trina's dancing is so incredible that it surprises even the toughest guys the artist knows.
She got me back living sweeter, fresh Caesar
Trina's presence in the singer's life has improved his quality of life, allowing him to buy fresh and expensive food.
Guess, David Robinson's, Walle' moccasins
The artist is wearing the same shoes as NBA player David Robinson - expensive Walle moccasins.
Bitches blow me while hopping in the drop-top BM
Women want the singer so much that they are willing to give him oral sex while he is driving his BMW convertible.
Word is bond son, I had that bitch down on my shit like this
The singer is bragging about his sexual prowess, implying that he had sex with a woman in a very satisfying way.
Growing up project-struck, looking for luck dreaming
The singer grew up in a low-income housing project and is now dreaming of achieving more in life.
Scoping the large niggas beaming, check what I'm seeing
The artist is looking at successful individuals with admiration and envy.
Cars, ghetto stars pushing ill Europeans
The wealthy people in the artist's community are flaunting their success through their flashy European cars.
G'n, heard about them old timers OD'n
The singer is aware of people in his community who have died from drug overdoses.
Young, early 80's, throwing rocks at the crazy lady
The singer has a history of engaging in destructive activities as a young person.
Worshipping every word them rope rocking niggas gave me
The artist idolized rappers who glorified criminal activities and violence.
The street raised me up, giving a fuck
The artist's experiences in the streets shaped his personality and outlook on life.
I thought Jordan's and a gold chain was living it up
The artist once thought that owning a pair of Air Jordan sneakers and a gold chain would make him successful.
I knew the dopes, the pushers, the addicts everybody
The singer was familiar with every aspect of the drug trade, knowing the people who used, sold, and were addicted to drugs.
Cut out of class, just to smoke blunts and drink naughty
The artist skipped school to smoke marijuana and drink alcohol.
Ain't that funny? Getting put on to crack money
The singer finds it ironic that he got involved in selling drugs, specifically crack cocaine.
With all the gun play, painting the kettle black hungry
Despite the risks involved with carrying weapons, the singer is so desperate for money that he continues with his illegal activities.
A case of beers in the staircase I wasted years
The singer spent a lot of time hanging out in the hallway of his apartment building, drinking beer and wasting time.
Some niggas went for theirs, flipping coke as they career
Some people in the artist's community chose to sell drugs as a way of making a living.
But I'm a rebel stressing, to pull out of the heat no doubt
The artist wants to leave his criminal lifestyle behind but is finding it difficult to do so.
With Jeeps tinted out, spending never holding out
The singer plans to buy a Jeep with tinted windows and spend money without worrying about running out of funds.
Lyrics ยฉ JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Annie Lennox, David Allan Stewart, Ernest E. Dixon, James Pennington, Jean Claude Olivier, Johnny Lee Jackson, Nasir Jones, Roy Hamilton, Samuel J. Barnes, Tupac Amaru Shakur, Tyruss Gerald Himes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
EyeCandy
Woooo! Sing these bars mayneโฆ
โ I bet you got it twisted, you don't know who to trust
So many player-hatin' - tryna sound like us
Say they ready for the funk, but I don't think they knowin'
Straight to the depths of Hell is where them cowards goin'
Well, are you still down? Holla when you see me
And let these devils be sorry for the day they finally freed me
I got a caravan of - every time we ride
Hittin' - up when we pass by
Until I die, live the life of a boss player, 'cause even when I'm high
F- with me and get crossed later, the futures in my eyes
'Cause all I want is cash and thangs
A five-double-oh Benz, flauntin' flashy rings
Uhh, - pursue me like a dream
Been known to disappear before your eyes just like a dope fiend
It seems, my main thing was to be major paid
The game sharper than a - razor blade
Say money bring - bring lies
One - gettin' jealous and - die
Depend on me like the first and fifteenth
They might hold me for a second, but these punks won't get me
We got four niggas in low riders and ski masks
Screamin', "Thug Life" every time they pass, all eyes on meโ
Omriko
Niggas push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a key
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggas with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's looking for something
My man put me up for the share, one-fourth of a square
Headed for Delaware, with one change of gear
Nothing on my mind but the dime sack we blazed
With the glaze in my eye, that we find when we crave
Dollars and cents, a fugitive with two attempts
Jakes had no trace of the face, now they drew a print
Though I'm innocent, til proven guilty
I'ma try to filthy, purchase a club and start up realty
For real G, I'ma fulfill my dream
If I conceal my scheme, then precisely I'll build my cream
The first trip without the clique
Sent the bitch with the quarter brick, this is it
Fresh face, NY plates got a Crooked I for the Jakes
I want it all, Armor All Benz and endless papes
God sake, what nigga got to do to make a half million
Without the FBI catching feelings
Street dreams are made of these
Niggas push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a key
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggas with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's looking for something
From fat cat to papi, niggas see the cat
Twenty-five to flat, push a thousand feet back
Holding gats wasn't making me fat, snitches on my back
Living with moms, getting it on, flushing crack down the toilet
Two sips from bein alcoholic
Nine hundred ninety nine thou from being rich but now I'm all for it
My man saw it like Dionne Warwick
A wiser team, for a wiser dream we could all score with
The cartel Argentina coke with the nina
Up in the hotel, smoking on sessamina
Trina got the fishscale between her
The way the bitch shook her ass yo the dogs never seen her
She got me back living sweeter, fresh Caesar
Guess, David Robinson's, Walle' moccasins
Bitches blow me while hopping in the drop-top BM
Word is bond son, I had that bitch down on my shit like this
Street dreams are made of these
Niggas push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a key
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggas with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's looking for something
Growing up project-struck, looking for luck dreaming
Scoping the large niggas beaming, check what I'm seeing
Cars, ghetto stars pushing ill Europeans
G'n, heard about them old timers OD'n
Young, early 80's, throwing rocks at the crazy lady
Worshipping every word them rope rocking niggas gave me
The street raised me up, giving a fuck
I thought Jordan's and a gold chain was living it up
I knew the dopes, the pushers, the addicts everybody
Cut out of class, just to smoke blunts and drink naughty
Ain't that funny? Getting put on to crack money
With all the gun play, painting the kettle black hungry
A case of beers in the staircase I wasted years
Some niggas went for theirs, flipping coke as they career
But I'm a rebel stressing, to pull out of the heat no doubt
With Jeeps tinted out, spending never holding out
Street dreams are made of these
Niggas push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a key
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggas with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Niggas push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reaching a key
Everybody's looking for something
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggas with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's looking for something
๐Bloodline of King Paiimon ๐
Make the mic bleed rhyming justice league
Enemies grow fatigue flows breeze
Pass the auroras explorin' like dorah
Thr lyrical Torah none could ignore tha
Crowds I draw without a pen and pad
Expressed my crown without getting mad
Fuck my dad cuz most of my life I had
To scrapes for crumbs feelin' succumb
To the drugs that come lynched ya mentality
Verbally hung I penetrate from United States to Hong Kong
Sounds of the gong
Tryna make a living hustling embezzling
This life ain't really giving still missin'
The eternal blessing from stressing
So many enemies flashin' the smiff and wessons
Everydays a new sessions with no questions
Why is the beef growing folks claim they wise
But the wisdom is still unknowing
Its Kasey
Uhh, what, what, uhh..
Street dreams are made of these
Niggaz push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reachin a key
Everybody's lookin for somethin..
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggaz with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's lookin for somethin..
My man put me up for the share, one-fourth of a square
Headed for Delaware, with one change of gear
Nothin on my mind but the dime sack we blazed
With the glaze in my eye, that we find when we crave
Dollars and cents, a fugitive with two attempts
Jakes had no trace of the face, now they drew a print
Though I'm innocent, til proven guilty
I'ma try to filthy, purchase a club and start up realty
For real G, I'ma fullfill my dream
If I conceal my scheme, then precisely I'll build my cream
The first trip without the clique
Sent the bitch with the quarter brick, this is it
Fresh face, NY plates got a Crooked I for the Jakes
I want it all, ArmorAll Benz and endless papes
God sake, what nigga got to do to make a half million
Without the FBI catchin feelings
Street dreams are made of these
Niggaz push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reachin a key
Everybody's lookin for somethin..
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggaz with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's lookin for somethin..
From fat cat to papi, niggaz see the cat
Twenty-five to flat, push a thousand feet back
Holdin gats wasn't making me fat, snitches on my back
Livin with moms, gettin it on, flushin crack down the toilet
Two sips from bein alcoholic
Nine hundred ninety nine thou from bein rich but now I'm all for it
My man saw it like Dionne Warwick
A wiser team, for a wiser dream we could all score with
The cartel Argentina coke with the nina
Up in the hotel, smokin on sessamina
Trina got the fishscale between her
The way the bitch shook her ass yo the dogs never seen her
She got me back livin sweeter, fresh Caesar
Guess, David Robinson's, Walle' moccasins
Bitches blow me while hoppin in the drop-top BM
Word is bond son, I had that bitch down on my shit like this
Street dreams are made of these
Niggaz push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reachin a key
Everybody's lookin for somethin..
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggaz with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's lookin for somethin..
Growin' up project-struck, lookin for luck dreamin
Scopin' the large niggaz beamin, check what I'm seein
Cars, ghetto stars pushin ill Europeans
G'n, heard about them old timers OD'n
Young, early 80's, throwin rocks at the crazy lady
Worshippin' every word them rope rockin niggaz gave me
The street raised me up, givin a fuck
I thought Jordan's and a gold chain was livin it up
I knew the dopes, the pushers, the addicts everybody
Cut out of class, just to smoke blunts and drink naughty
Ain't that funny? Gettin put on to crack money
With all the gunplay, paintin the kettle black hungry
A case of beers in the staircase I wasted years
Some niggaz went for theirs, flippin coke as they career
But I'm a rebel stressin, to pull out of the heat no doubt
With Jeeps tinted out, spendin never holdin out
Street dreams are made of these
Niggaz push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reachin a key
Everybody's lookin for somethin..
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggaz with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's lookin for somethin..
Street dreams are made of these
Niggaz push Beemers and 300 E's
A drug dealer's destiny is reachin a key
Everybody's lookin for somethin..
Street dreams are made of these
Shorties on they knees, for niggaz with big G's
Who am I to disagree?
Everybody's lookin for somethin
craigpiercer79
"Come on bring it, come on, come on"
(Chorus)
Skrilla for Rilla, money ain't a thang
Cables, links, ropes and chains
Skrilla for Rilla, money ain't a thang
Suade, leather, gators and cains
Skrilla for Rilla, money ain't a thang
Superfly hoes wit' a nose for g's
Skrilla for Rilla, money ain't a thang
Black trucks rollin' on triple gold D's
(Violent J talking)
"Rydas...for life...bitch" (gunshot)
(Monoxide Child)
Skrilla's for Rilla, money's everything
Smack you and your bitch for a dollar and some change
Lookin' strange, mean-muggin' in 'da back of 'da club
I'm hangin' out, gettin' drunk wit' my nigga Tom Dub
Hoes showin' mad love, (yea yea!)'cuz the money be right
I'm outta sight wit' the diamonds shinin' bright foo
Slap a bitch and I'm in it for free
But believe 'dat all the money's commin' wit' me, what?
(Jamie Madrox)
I've been spendin' cheddar since it jingled in my pockets
Programmed my mind since birth, obtaining profit
Yea I got it, $1, $5's and $10's
No, high denominations won't fly by the fed's
Still I got the flow safe
Wit' more Benji's then the sugar in your cupcake ass so tell a friend Wait, You can tell'em, I stay green like Willie
Skrilla for Rilla, my nigga tell me can you feel me?
Chorusx1
(Myzery)
Motherfucka never contest, but I'm heavy into stress
Pack a Glock in the vest, and the skrilla's what I quest
In the passenger side of the Navi
Right behind the Black Caddy
Rollin' deep, all these bitches lookin' at me
Shinin', flossin' diamonds
Now that I'm in the mood to bump these sounds louder than the cop sirens
Move the keys from over-seas, who cosign me?
To the streets, to these killas, to make the skrilla
(Violent J)
I wanna bank the skrilly for rilly what the dilly?
It ain't silly, I'm tryin' to bank like 30 or 40 milly
And be the big willy, wit' the flake deal
Fuck mowin' lawns, and servin' up Happy Meals
I fold my $1's in a knot, and slap my $50 on top
And front the bitches like "oh look what I dropped"
Bitch took it and broke, I had to laugh
And aimed at the back of her head & blew it in half
Chorusx1
(Blaze)
I'm gettin' paid, cash money, cheddar cheese
Just picked up 8 pounds of weed
I'm gettin' skrilla, that's the deala, can you filla
True OG neighborhood cap peela?
Underground drug deala, with the 15 watts
And another Bentley parked outside
Fuck you bitch you'll still get jacked
Cuz' I always leave my mother fuckin' pistol packed
(Shaggy 2 Dope)
Skrilla for Rilla foo', ima killa
Go off in your grill and run your pockets for your bills yea
Stackin' my chains, bag, cheese green and thangs
Lettin' my nuts hang jettin' down the line of Soul Train
Don Cornelius and Clip, we got money plans
Me and my man, put our hands in no less than grands
Man! fuck this, I'm out to get paid
Clockin' $2 million for my peeps and to show, yea
Chorusx1
(Violent J talking)
"One for you, five for me, one for you, ten for me, one for you, twenty for me, Skrilla's for Rilla bitch, yea, yea...Rydas, insider's,Rydas, eatin' steak, what? home heatin' slida's
๐Bloodline of King Paiimon ๐
Foes beggin' foe one more chance I glance
Into the moonshine laughing master my crafting
As time passes away totes of the Mary J
To let my thoughts fly away and land
Into another dimension caught in the realms of detention
My spiritual commission laid by the goetias christening
Many not listening
Fake news interventions guns busting
That's just the energies struggling
Most folks die with nothing gluttons to unbutton
A lost mystery I a key to the misery like Jesus to Rome
Catch me slippin' only to brace a funeral home
And even then I still won't be gone
I'm half way stone
One eye creekin' out my coffin top none could drop
Im a keep mashin' til my third soul stops
Forever be settin' the plots investin' in glocks
Street dreams...
MannyDaFourthest
A Vendetta has spawned
But bloods all chemically drawn
And all my polished thoughts are embellished in songs
My relics are pawns
But I strike back and capture ya queen
And if I go I'm just caught in
a rapture it seems
My flows sickening but nobody's got the vaccine
Stay unseen on the scene breaking through your regime
come through with the means of a psycho
And murder your rhymes
The stones that I throw knock down 3 birds at a time
If the words aren't mine
Then you haven't heard the verbally gifted
And with my words all that falls becomes lifted
Id give it all for a chance to grow tall and persistent
In this game and let the real truth visit your ears for a change
What goes around comes around and now its all the same
The only thing different is their name
And their vision of the fame
But in the end we all try to take it
Our rhymes are hot and the spot at the top remains vacant.
youngbrandon654
Why are y'all arguing over who used the beat first? Nas and Pac are both great legends. ๏ปฟ
PsychoWithAComputer
Linda Clifford used it first, she's the original
9 8
Lshab 9437 ..
Lshab 9437
I watched an interview of pac when he was still in high school, I don't know if it's real, but he sure appeared to be homosexual.
TheMack1993
Trackmasters produced this
Miggy Hypocrypt
Don't matter who brought it out first, both Hip-Hop Legends murdered the beat and made it the hip-Hop classic that it is today.
larrence029
all yall say he sampled tupac...actually he sampled Linda Clifford- Never Gonna Stop
Ddl
And people have a history of stealing NaS/ primo/ whoever was producing at the time for himโs beats. Like when NaS and primo first weโre gonna use the juicy beat but they couldnโt find the record for sampling it, a month later juicy released. It was reported in like โ99โ
Brandon Norman
Thatโs true
AUGUSTIN MADOUMA MA LEWANDJA
Yes but Tupac put that sample extremely famous