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..
Wu for the Children
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't work this hard to be around people I don't like
Uh, yeah
Gotta be a special type nigga to deal with my life
Gotta be a special type nigga to feel what I write
Special like my classics
Special like my listeners who have attachmentsTo my old style, won't let me past it
I don't see the point with weak sayings like
"All them niggas on top be blockin'," or never help man, stop it
It's hard watching brothers who smart but think they not
I need them to realize what they got is a fresh start
That brother that you claim so powerful
The one you said he has a whole lot of pull
Probably already tried to pull his brothers up
And got betrayed, got snaked, got played
Meanwhile he balance his challenges, hard to keep himself paid
It's so hard for him, even though his talent is God given
Pardon him, stop putting your faults on him
What he did to you now?
The man in him is bringing the kid in you out
You kid him, he still playin' the victim, you weirdin' me out
That's what my perspective is, maybe 'cause I'm a specialist
Sippin' mixed liquor beverages
Six figure checks are big but eight figure checks and you rich
The Nas enthusiasts thinkin' they know what's best for me
More than I know what's best for me, no rest for me
Gotta be a special type nigga to deal with my life
Gotta be a special type nigga to feel what I write
Special like my classics
Special like my listeners who have attachments
Special
Yeah, it's a privilege
VSOP shit
Special
Very special
Hit, turn up the sample, we makin' magic
This thing is bigger than I could ever imagine
Duckin' the flashes from the cameras, leave out the back
Jump in the spacecraft, we can't tell where we at
Chauffeur drivin' like a high speed chase, trunk full of smack
Tallest building in Manhattan
Sippin' on Manhattans, listening to The Manhattans
Queens to Brooklyn, oh, what a feelin'
I should'a had Grammys when Ol' Dirty said, "Wu for the children"
Shoulda did that remix verse on "Gimme The Loot" for Biggie
Me, Jay and Frank White is like Cole, Drizzy, and Kenny
One girl for the rest of your life, is that realistic?
Some had told me they like when you call 'em all type of bitches
Ran through a few of them, some gangsta, some Christian
Some with a heart full of hate for me, even with a new nigga
They label me a sinner because I left with they soul
There's really no other feeling, having that type of control, nigga
Gotta be a special type woman to deal with my life
Gotta be a special type woman to feel what I write
Special like my classics
Special like my listeners who have attachments
To my old style, won't let me past it
Gotta be a special type nigga to deal with my life
Gotta be a special type nigga to feel what I write
Special like my classics
Special like my listeners who have attachments
To my old style, won't let me past it
Special
Yeah
It's a privilege
VSOP shit
Special
Very special
Rest in peace ODB, Tahim, Virgil
The Queen, Jacqueline Avant
Special people
In the opening lines of "Wu for the Children," Nas reflects on the importance of surrounding oneself with genuine connections and meaningful relationships. He emphasizes the need for a certain caliber of individuals who can understand and appreciate the intricacies of his life and artistry. This sets the tone for a lyrical journey that dives deep into themes of identity, loyalty, and resilience.
Nas delves into the notion of authenticity and the significance of staying true to one's roots. He acknowledges the special bond that exists between himself and his avid fans who have a deep emotional connection to his earlier works. Despite the urge to evolve creatively, Nas feels a sense of duty to honor his past and the impact it has had on his listeners. This loyalty to his artistic legacy is a testament to his dedication and respect for the craft of hip-hop music.
The song takes a critical stance on societal perceptions and challenges the narrative of success and power dynamics within the industry. Nas calls out the hypocrisy of individuals who undermine the achievements of others while failing to recognize their own blessings and potential for growth. He highlights the struggles of those who have faced betrayal and setbacks in their journey, urging them to embrace their resilience and view challenges as opportunities for personal growth.
As the track progresses, Nas pays homage to fallen legends and special individuals who have left an indelible mark on his life. The references to figures like Ol' Dirty Bastard and Jacqueline Avant serve as a reminder of the profound impact that these special people have had on him personally and artistically. Through his introspective lyrics and evocative storytelling, Nas invites listeners to reflect on their own relationships, aspirations, and the transformative power of genuine connections in a world filled with complexities and contradictions.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Acknowledgment and agreement with what is about to be said
I don't work this hard to be around people I don't like
I put in effort to surround myself with people who I genuinely enjoy being around
Uh, yeah
Expressing affirmation and agreement
Gotta be a special type nigga to deal with my life
It takes a unique individual to handle the challenges and complexities of my life
Gotta be a special type nigga to feel what I write
Only someone special can truly understand and resonate with the emotions and messages in my lyrics
Special like my classics
My music is timeless and holds a special place in the hearts of listeners
Special like my listeners who have attachments
Those who have a deep connection to my music are special in their own right
To my old style, won't let me past it
Fans who are stuck on my old music won't allow me to move forward creatively
I don't see the point with weak sayings like
I don't find value in empty phrases like
"All them niggas on top be blockin'," or never help man, stop it
Statements suggesting successful individuals obstruct others or don't offer assistance are unfounded and should be dismissed
It's hard watching brothers who smart but think they not
Observing intelligent individuals doubt their abilities is disheartening
I need them to realize what they got is a fresh start
I want them to recognize the opportunity for a new beginning they have
That brother that you claim so powerful
The individual you believe holds significant influence
The one you said he has a whole lot of pull
The person you think can exert control over situations
Probably already tried to pull his brothers up
Likely has attempted to uplift and support others
And got betrayed, got snaked, got played
But has experienced betrayal, deceit, and manipulation in return
Meanwhile he balance his challenges, hard to keep himself paid
While juggling obstacles and difficulties, struggling to maintain financial stability
It's so hard for him, even though his talent is God given
Despite being naturally gifted, he faces significant challenges
Pardon him, stop putting your faults on him
Forgive him and refrain from blaming him for your own shortcomings
What he did to you now?
What actions has he taken that have affected you?
The man in him is bringing the kid in you out
His maturity is revealing the child-like aspects of your personality
You kid him, he still playin' the victim, you weirdin' me out
You mock him, yet he continues to feel like the victim, which is perplexing
That's what my perspective is, maybe 'cause I'm a specialist
This is my viewpoint, possibly due to my expertise in the matter
Sippin' mixed liquor beverages
Enjoying a combination of alcoholic drinks
Six figure checks are big but eight figure checks and you rich
Earning substantial amounts of money is significant, but true wealth comes with higher figures
The Nas enthusiasts thinkin' they know what's best for me
Fans of Nas who believe they understand what is most beneficial for him
More than I know what's best for me, no rest for me
Claiming they have better insight into his well-being than he does himself, leading to a lack of rest for Nas
Yeah, it's a privilege
Acknowledging the honor and benefit of certain experiences
VSOP shit
Referring to a type of cognac, indicating luxury and high quality
Hit, turn up the sample, we makin' magic
Emphasizing the musical process of sampling and how it creates something extraordinary
This thing is bigger than I could ever imagine
The scale of this endeavor exceeds my wildest expectations
Duckin' the flashes from the cameras, leave out the back
Avoiding the attention of photographers by making a discreet exit
Jump in the spacecraft, we can't tell where we at
Embracing a futuristic, otherworldly experience where the surroundings are unfamiliar
Chauffeur drivin' like a high speed chase, trunk full of smack
Traveling at high speeds with a driver, potentially carrying illegal substances in the trunk
Tallest building in Manhattan
Referencing a prominent skyscraper in New York City
Sippin' on Manhattans, listening to The Manhattans
Enjoying a classic cocktail while listening to music by The Manhattans
Queens to Brooklyn, oh, what a feelin'
Appreciating the journey and connection between different boroughs of New York City
I should'a had Grammys when Ol' Dirty said, "Wu for the children"
Expressing a missed opportunity for recognition during a significant musical moment
Shoulda did that remix verse on "Gimme The Loot" for Biggie
Reflecting on a decision to participate in a remix with a legendary artist
Me, Jay and Frank White is like Cole, Drizzy, and Kenny
Comparing oneself and two other artists to a current popular trio
One girl for the rest of your life, is that realistic?
Questioning the feasibility of committing to one person for a lifetime
Some had told me they like when you call 'em all type of bitches
Certain individuals appreciate being addressed in a derogatory manner
Ran through a few of them, some gangsta, some Christian
Have had relationships with women from different backgrounds and with varying beliefs
Some with a heart full of hate for me, even with a new nigga
Encountered individuals who harbor resentment towards me, despite pursuing relationships with others
They label me a sinner because I left with they soul
Judging me as sinful for having a profound impact on their lives
There's really no other feeling, having that type of control, nigga
Experiencing the power and influence that comes with shaping someone's emotions and actions
Rest in peace ODB, Tahim, Virgil
Paying homage to deceased individuals named
The Queen, Jacqueline Avant
Honoring a notable and respected figure, Jacqueline Avant
Special people
Recognizing and celebrating the unique qualities of those remembered
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Nasir Jones, Chauncey Hollis Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelelliott2194
When Nas raps on these types of beats he's untouchable.
@extrm161
https://youtu.be/PTc1YRqs160
If 2021 was a video ⬆️⬆️
@deandrecrosby1157
He untouchable period
@michaelmichel3679
💯
@marcustinker4903
@@deandrecrosby1157 facts
@dominiquejones3805
Facts!!!!
@encdee
Yo Nas just called me special.. 🙏🙏🙏
@GoodxJ
Long Live ODB! Wu-Tang is for the children. 👐
@Revrunworld
https://youtu.be/rGh9bcXPq4A🔥
@extrm161
https://youtu.be/PTc1YRqs160
If 2021 was a video ⬆️⬆️