The Message
Nas Lyrics

Fake thug, no love, you get the slug, CB4 Gusto
If you portray yourself as a tough guy but lack authenticity and compassion, you will face consequences, just like the fictional character CB4 Gusto.

Your luck low, I didn't know 'til I was drunk though
I only realized how unfortunate your situation was when I was intoxicated.

You freak niggas played out, get fucked and ate out
You promiscuous individuals are no longer relevant; you are used and discarded.

Prostitute turned bitch, I got the gauge out
A former sex worker who has become hostile confronts me, but I am ready to defend myself.

96 ways I made out, Montana way
In 1996, I found numerous successful paths to follow, reminiscent of Tony Montana's ambition and success.

The Good-F-E-L-L-A, verbal AK spray
I, Nas, am similar to a Goodfella (a member of organized crime) and use my words as a weapon, delivering impactful messages.

Dipped attache, jumped out the Range, empty out the ashtray
I swiftly exited my Range Rover, leaving behind any remnants of my past actions.

A glass of 'Ze make a man Cassius Clay
One glass of Hennessy can make a person feel as powerful as the legendary boxer Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali).

Red dot plots, murder schemes, thirty-two shotguns
I carefully plan and scheme acts of murder with precision, using thirty-two shotguns to carry out my intentions.

Regulate with my dunn's, 17 rocks gleam from one ring
I control situations alongside my trusted partners, and my jewelry shines with seventeen diamonds on a single ring.

They let me let y'all niggas know one thing
I have been given the opportunity to inform all of you about something important.

There's one life, one love, so there can only be one King
In this world, we only have one life and one true love, making it clear that there can only be one ruler or leader.

The highlights of living, Vegas style roll dice in linen
Enjoying the best aspects of life, I gamble in luxurious Las Vegas, rolling dice on expensive linen.

Antera spinning on millenniums, twenty G bets I'm winning them
Driving a spinning Antera car on the cusp of the new millennium, I confidently win twenty thousand dollar bets.

Threats I'm sending them, Lex with TV sets the minimum
I am issuing threats towards my enemies, and my minimum standard for luxury vehicles is a Lexus with TVs in the back.

Ill sex adrenaline
Engaging in intense, exhilarating sexual encounters.

Party with villains, a case of Demi-Sec to chase the Henny
I party with dangerous individuals, using a case of sweet, sparkling wine (Demi-Sec) to complement my Hennessy.

Wet any clique, with the semi TEC who want it?
I am skilled and capable of attacking any group of people with my semi-automatic weapon, challenging anyone who dares to oppose me.

Diamonds I flaunt it, chicken-heads flock I lace 'em
I proudly display my diamonds, attracting promiscuous women who willingly accept gifts from me.

Fried broiled with basil, taste 'em, crack the legs
I cook chicken in various ways, including frying and broiling with basil seasoning. To consume these dishes, it is necessary to crack the chicken legs.

Way out of formation, it's horizontal how I have 'em
I engage in sexual activities in unconventional positions, making it clear that I have full control over the situation.

Fucking me in the Benz wagon
Engaging in sexual activities inside my Mercedes-Benz station wagon.

Can it be Vanity from Last Dragon?
Could it possibly be Vanity, the actress from the movie 'The Last Dragon'?

Grab your gun, it's on though
Prepare yourself for a conflict, as the situation has escalated.

Shit is grimy, real niggas buck in broad daylight
The reality of the streets is dirty and violent, as genuine individuals are not afraid to engage in confrontations even during the day.

With the broke MAC it won't spray right
If the MAC-10 (a type of firearm) is damaged or not functioning properly, it will not shoot accurately.

Don't give a fuck who they hit, as long as the drama's lit
I do not care who gets harmed, as long as the intensity and excitement of the situation are maintained.

Yo, overnight thugs, bug 'cause they ain't promised shit
Individuals who suddenly become tough overnight are worrisome because they have no guaranteed future.

Hungry-ass hooligans stay on that piranha shit
Desperate delinquents continuously engage in predatory behavior, resembling hungry piranhas.

(I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death)
I don't rest or take breaks because sleep is closely related to death, and I am always alert and prepared.

(I ain't the type of brother made for you to start testing)
I am not the kind of person you should provoke or challenge.

I peeped you frontin', I was in the Jeep
I noticed how you were pretending, and I saw all of this while being inside my Jeep.

Sunk in the seat, tinted with heat, beats bumpin'
I was comfortably positioned in the car seat, the windows were darkly tinted, and the music was playing loudly.

Across the street you was wildin'
I observed as you were causing a scene or acting recklessly on the other side of the street.

Talkin' 'bout how you ran the Island in '89
You were boasting about dominating or having influence over a particular area in 1989.

Layin' up, playin' the yard with crazy shine
You were relaxing or lounging while enjoying your wealth and status in a prominent location.

I cocked a baby 9 that nigga grave be mine, clanked him
I armed myself with a small-caliber gun, and I will be responsible for that person's demise; I have dealt a strong blow.

What was he thinking on my corner when it's pay me time?
Why did that person believe they could be present on my territory when it was time for them to pay me what they owe?

Dug 'em, you owe me cousin, something told me plug him
I attacked and injured that person, as they owe me money, and my intuition guided me to target them.

So dumb, felt my leg burn, then it got numb
That person was foolish, and as a consequence, they experienced the pain of being shot in the leg, causing it to become numb.

Spun around and shot one, heard shots and dropped son
That person turned around and shot at me, but luckily, their aim was off, and they missed. In response, I fired back, causing them to fall.

Caught a hot one, somebody take this biscuit 'fore the cops come
That person was shot and injured, and now someone should remove the weapon (biscuit) from the scene before law enforcement arrives.

Then they came asking me my name, what the fuck
Afterward, the authorities arrived and inquired about my identity, which I found frustrating and unnecessary.

I got stitched up and went through
I received medical treatment for my wounds and continued with my activities.

Left the hospital that same night, what
I chose to leave the hospital on the same evening, demonstrating my resilience and determination.

Got my gat back, time to backtrack
I recovered my firearm and prepared to retrace my steps or revisit the situation.

I had the drop, so how the fuck I get clapped?
I had the advantage in the situation, so how did I end up being shot?

Black was in the Jeep watching all these scenes speed by
My companion named Black was in the Jeep, witnessing all these events unfold rapidly.

It was a brown Datsun, and yo nobody in my hood got one
The vehicle involved was a brown Datsun, a type of car that no one in my neighborhood owns or drives.

That clown nigga's through, blazin' at his crew daily
That foolish individual's reputation has been ruined, as I relentlessly attack and confront his associates on a regular basis.

The 'Bridge touched me up severely, hear me?
The Queensbridge neighborhood inflicted significant harm upon me, causing me to suffer greatly. Do you understand?

So when I rhyme it's sincerely yours
Therefore, when I express myself through my lyrics, it is a genuine and personal message for the audience.

Be lightin' L's sippin' Coors, on all floors of project halls
I enjoy smoking marijuana cigarettes (L's) and drinking Coors beer, doing so on every level of the housing projects.

Contemplatin' war niggas I was cool with before
I am considering engaging in conflict with people I used to have a friendly relationship with.

We used to score together, Uptown copping the raw
In the past, we used to acquire drugs together, purchasing uncut narcotics in the Uptown area.

But uh, a thug changes, and love changes
However, a person involved in criminal activities can undergo transformations, and even feelings of love can change.

And best friends become strangers, word up
This can cause even the closest of friends to become distant and unfamiliar to each other.

(Y'all know my steelo)
You all are aware of my distinctive style and approach.

(There ain't an army that could strike back)
There is no group or force capable of retaliating against me effectively.

(Y'all know my steelo)
You all are aware of my distinctive style and approach.

(There ain't an army that could strike back)
There is no group or force capable of retaliating against me effectively.

Thug niggas, yo, to them thug niggas
To those individuals involved in criminal activities and violence.

Gettin' it on in the world, you know?
Engaging in criminal behavior and surviving in a harsh environment, you understand?

To them niggas that's locked down
To those individuals who are incarcerated or imprisoned.

Doin' they thing, survivin', ya know'm sayin'?
Continuing to engage in their own activities and finding ways to survive, do you understand what I am trying to convey?

To my thorough niggas, New York and worldwide
To my loyal and authentic individuals, both in New York and around the globe.

Yo, to the Queensbridge Militia, yo
Shoutout to the Queensbridge Militia, a group of individuals from my neighborhood who are loyal and protect our community.

'96 shit, The Firm clique
Representing the year 1996, The Firm clique, a group with whom I am associated.

Illmatic, nigga, It Was Written though
Referring to my debut album 'Illmatic' and its successor 'It Was Written.'

It's been a long time comin'
It has taken a significant amount of time for this moment or success to materialize.

Y'all fake niggas, tryna copy
You phony individuals are attempting to imitate or replicate our authentic style.

Better come with the real though
You should present your genuine self and not attempt to deceive or pretend.

Fake-ass niggas, yo
Calling out those individuals who are not authentic, pretending to be something they are not.

(They throw us slugs, we throwin' them back, what)
When others attack us with bullets, we retaliate by returning fire, showing great resilience.

Bring the shit, man, live, man
Engage in the battle, bring forth the conflict, and face it head-on.

(Fuck that son, word up) '96 shit
Defiantly expressing dissatisfaction or disagreement, acknowledging the reality of the year 1996.