Where's The Love
Nas feat. Cocaine 80s Lyrics
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Lots of thinking happens in life, will I win or fail?
Mind of a shooter, CFO also
Ethiopian food flown in, it's unlawful
Money is attractive, honey dress strapless
Agent Provocateur underwear: she's classic
Stroll up in the party: titanium black car
Romanian ladies like Casablanca, Casbah
You know the real rap gods, typical trap star turned rap star
These old heads got stories, the days they was kings
I pray secret indictments don't take away their dreams
You 16, you could do 20, come home young
Catch 20 years when you 40? Homes, you're done
What have we become? Rap stars from trap stars
Black gods to Ansars to Sunnis back to goonies
A 360 in the streets real grizzly
Shooters is cold, kid, the old shit was learning
Student enrollment to focus, yet hooligans roll with
Toasters to pop your medullas off of your shoulders
This ain't the Truman Show, it's the human show
Ask the F.B.I. agent at his cubicle
Chewing on his pencil eraser with intents to erase you
It's U.S.A. against the gangsta, where's the love?
Love, I'll trade you love
I've traded fire with you long enough
Is that all you brung? It's not love
That's fucked up, but I saved your soul
Roll that up
Sometimes I sit on the bench just to watch the game
Feet on cement, there ain't a mobster living I could name
Who made it out rich, in his absence I do not proclaim
To not have a heart like wild animals not tamed
Maybe just a typical thug nigga was my rank
'Cept I had a vision above niggas, what I think
It's crazy how many brothers come where I come from
Some made it out big, some dead, some unsung
Shots for soldiers on 23 hours lock-up
Younger generation, they want to mimic and mock us
Laughing, separating themselves like they not us, like
"Cops'll look at you like they look at me? That's preposterous"
Ain't it gangsta how your man made it? I'm humble
One gun, one crazy ass nigga, that's jungle
Now we having babies, cause growing up it was just us
No uncles or cousins to fight with us, we was fucked up
But still it was beautiful, the love is mutual
Even though me and Jung ain't show up to your funeral
I hold your son hand, tell him he the man, we love you
Your pops was king, you have a whole lot to live up to
The G is in your genes, already you tuck
Inherit your dad's swag, it's George Jefferson's strut
Stay flyest, they gon' want to know what in your diet
Don't be surprised if they want to check your shit and your vomit
Tell them you let it marinate, they swear you made them a promise
No matter what they do, you just stay a man of honor
I'm a street corner nigga, New York Knicks loyalist
Corona sipper, pass it out, might blow it with you
It ain't the Truman show, it's the human show
Ask the F.B.I. agent at his cubicle
Chews on his pencil eraser with intents to erase you
Young brother go and get your paper, I got love
Love, I'll trade you love
I've traded fire with you long enough
Is that all you brung? It's not love
That's fucked up, but I saved your soul
Roll that up
The lyrics of Nas feat. Cocaine 80s's song Where's the Love express a contemplation on the nature of success, fame, and the gangster lifestyle. Nas reflects on the life he has lived and the choices he has made, while also acknowledging the dangers and costs of that lifestyle. He contrasts the material wealth and status he has achieved with the price he has paid in lost friends and the possibility of imprisonment or death. The lyrics also touch on the themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and love, recognizing the importance of those bonds in a world that can seem cold and dangerous.
The first verse describes a scene at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas, where Nas is staying. He contemplates his chances of success and failure, and notes the illegal extravagance of the Ethiopian food being flown in. He remarks on the attractiveness of money and the women who surround him, and contrasts his VIP status with the harsh reality of street life. The second verse reflects on Nas's roots in the streets and the divide between those who make it out and those who don't. He notes the influence the gangster lifestyle has on younger generations and the need to show them a better way. He also pays tribute to a fallen friend and his son, reminding him of his father's legacy and urging him to stay true to himself.
Overall, the lyrics of Where's the Love are a complex and nuanced meditation on the costs and rewards of the gangster lifestyle. They acknowledge the allure of wealth and status while also recognizing the dangers and sacrifices involved. The song is also a tribute to the importance of brotherhood, loyalty, and love in a world that can often seem heartless.
Line by Line Meaning
At times I window watch at the Wynn hotel
Sometimes I stand by the window and look at the Wynn hotel, lost in thought about whether I will succeed or fail in life.
Lots of thinking happens in life, will I win or fail?
I contemplate the many possibilities and uncertainties of life, wondering whether I will ultimately succeed or fail.
Mind of a shooter, CFO also
My mind is sharp and focused like a skilled marksman, but I'm also skilled in financial matters as a CFO.
Ethiopian food flown in, it's unlawful
I indulge in exotic Ethiopian cuisine, but it's technically illegal to have it flown in.
Money is attractive, honey dress strapless
I'm drawn to the allure of money, just as I'm attracted to a woman wearing a strapless honey-colored dress.
Agent Provocateur underwear: she's classic
The lingerie she's wearing is a classic and timeless piece from the luxury brand Agent Provocateur.
Stroll up in the party: titanium black car
I arrive at the party in style, driving a sleek and powerful titanium black car.
Romanian ladies like Casablanca, Casbah
Romanian women are mesmerized by the exotic allure of places like Casablanca and Casbah.
'Cept we in the VIP area, that's ours
Except that we are in the VIP area, which belongs solely to us.
You know the real rap gods, typical trap star turned rap star
You're familiar with the true legends of rap music, as well as with the more typical story of a trap star who has transitioned to a successful rap career.
These old heads got stories, the days they was kings
The older heads in the game have amazing stories to tell of their glory days, when they themselves were kings of the industry.
I pray secret indictments don't take away their dreams
I hope that these legendary figures don't get caught up in secret criminal investigations that would take away their hopes and dreams.
You 16, you could do 20, come home young
If you're only 16 years old and get sentenced to 20 years, you'll still be young when you get out of prison.
Catch 20 years when you 40? Homes, you're done
But if you're 40 when you receive that same 20-year sentence, you're going to have a lot less life left to live when you get out of prison.
What have we become? Rap stars from trap stars
As a culture, we've gone from idolizing trap stars to putting rap stars on a pedestal.
Black gods to Ansars to Sunnis back to goonies
We've gone from worshiping black gods, to becoming Ansars and Sunnis, and now we're back to being goonies and hooligans.
A 360 in the streets real grizzly
When things take a 360-degree turn in the streets, they can get pretty intense and dangerous.
Shooters is cold, kid, the old shit was learning
The shooters out there right now are ruthless and unforgiving, while the old school was more about learning and teaching.
Student enrollment to focus, yet hooligans roll with
There are opportunities to learn and become focused, but there are still many hooligans and troublemakers out there.
Toasters to pop your medullas off of your shoulders
There are people out there with weapons that can blow your brains out and cause permanent brain damage.
This ain't the Truman Show, it's the human show
Life isn't some sort of scripted reality TV show like The Truman Show; we're all just human beings living our own lives.
Ask the F.B.I. agent at his cubicle
If you don't believe me, just ask the FBI agent at his desk.
Chewing on his pencil eraser with intents to erase you
He's plotting and scheming against you, gnawing on his pencil eraser as he considers ways to take you down.
It's U.S.A. against the gangsta, where's the love?
The United States has put itself in opposition to the gangsta lifestyle, but where is the love and empathy for those caught up in it?
Love, I'll trade you love
Love is a sacred and valuable thing, and I'm willing to trade you the love I have for you in exchange for your own love.
I've traded fire with you long enough
We've had our battles and disagreements, but it's time to put that all behind us and move forward.
Is that all you brung? It's not love
If all you're bringing to the table is hostility and negativity, then that's not love and it's not going to work for us.
That's fucked up, but I saved your soul
Even though the situation is messed up, I still care about you and want to help you save your soul.
Roll that up
Let's smoke some weed and relax.
Sometimes I sit on the bench just to watch the game
Sometimes I like to take a step back and just observe what's going on around me without getting involved.
Feet on cement, there ain't a mobster living I could name
I'm firmly planted on the ground and grounded in reality, and I can't think of any mobsters or gangsters who've truly made it out alive and succeeded.
Who made it out rich, in his absence I do not proclaim
I'm not going to pretend that any gangster who's made it out alive has gone on to be truly wealthy and successful.
To not have a heart like wild animals not tamed
It's important to have a heart and soul that's not wild and untamed, like that of a domesticated animal.
Maybe just a typical thug nigga was my rank
Maybe I was just a stereotypical thug and gangster when I was younger.
'Cept I had a vision above niggas, what I think
But the difference between me and those other thugs is that I always had a larger vision and broader perspective on life.
It's crazy how many brothers come where I come from
It's amazing to see how many people from the same background as me have come so far.
Some made it out big, some dead, some unsung
Some have become wildly successful, some have passed away, and others have yet to make a name for themselves.
Shots for soldiers on 23 hours lock-up
Let's take a moment to honor and remember those soldiers who are locked up in confinement for 23 hours a day.
Younger generation, they want to mimic and mock us
The younger generation sees us and wants to emulate and imitate us, even if that means mocking us at times.
Laughing, separating themselves like they not us, like
They laugh at us and try to distance themselves from us, as if they're not like us at all.
"Cops'll look at you like they look at me? That's preposterous"
"Do you really think the police will treat you any differently than they treat me? That's ridiculous and naive."
Ain't it gangsta how your man made it? I'm humble
It's amazing to see how far some of our peers have come, and I remain humble in the face of that success.
One gun, one crazy ass nigga, that's jungle
All it takes is one gun and one crazy person to turn any situation into a chaotic jungle-like environment.
Now we having babies, cause growing up it was just us
Now that we're grown up, we're starting to have families of our own, but before that it was just us taking care of ourselves.
No uncles or cousins to fight with us, we was fucked up
Our families were so small and divided that we didn't even have extended family to fight alongside us; we were all on our own.
But still it was beautiful, the love is mutual
Despite everything, it was still a beautiful thing to see the love and respect we had for each other.
Even though me and Jung ain't show up to your funeral
We're sorry we couldn't make it to your funeral, but we still care deeply about you and your family.
I hold your son hand, tell him he the man, we love you
I hold your son's hand and tell him that he's the man of the family now and that we all still love and support him.
Your pops was king, you have a whole lot to live up to
Your father was a true king and an inspiration to us all, and now you have some big shoes to fill.
The G is in your genes, already you tuck
You're already a gangster at heart and in your blood, and you're ready to live that lifestyle.
Inherit your dad's swag, it's George Jefferson's strut
You've inherited your father's style and swagger, with a strut that's reminiscent of George Jefferson's famous walk.
Stay flyest, they gon' want to know what in your diet
Stay the flyest you can be, and people will wonder what secret ingredients are in your recipe for success.
Don't be surprised if they want to check your shit and your vomit
People will be so intrigued and curious about you that they may even want to check your urine and vomit for clues.
Tell them you let it marinate, they swear you made them a promise
Just tell them you let your talent and skills marinate and develop over time, and they'll think you've promised them some secret method to success.
No matter what they do, you just stay a man of honor
No matter what anyone else does or says, always remain a man of integrity and honor.
I'm a street corner nigga, New York Knicks loyalist
I'm just a regular guy from the streets, but I'm fiercely loyal to my beloved New York Knicks.
Corona sipper, pass it out, might blow it with you
I like to casually sip on Corona beer and share it with others, maybe even smoke some weed with you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NASIR JONES, JAMES EDWARD FAUNTLEROY II, MICHAEL BERRIN, PETER J. NASH, ERNEST DION WILSON, PAUL E. HUSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shawn Wooster
But still it was beautiful, the love is mutual
Even though me and Jung ain't show up to your funeral
I hold your son hand, tell him he the man, we love you
Your pops was king, you have a whole lot to live up to
The G is in your genes, already you tuck
Inherit your dad's swag, his George Jefferson's strut
Stay flyest, they gon' want to know what in your diet
Don't be surprised if they want to check your shit and your vomit
Tell them you let it marinate, they swear you made them a promise
No matter what they do, you just stay a man of honor
Guhsteh
This album is amazing and is so slept on, should have won a Grammy.
MD
You are very right
SonnyBoy
Fucking Drake won the grammy over this, smh.
tara ratney
he doesn't want one cause pac, jimmie, as well as other legends don't
Jovan Trpcheski
The production is kinda wack, that's why its so unpopular. Maybe if it had production like Illmatic or It was written...
Mike Illmatic
This song is way too slept on, one of the top tracks off this album.
jerome simz
Exactly it's in my top 5 Nas songs ever and I love a whole a lot
Tyrell Winston
My favorite song off the album
Vietnam VIG
Mike Illmatic I was just saying that damn
PTR Crispy
Its because its a bonus song off the deluxe