Hate Me
Nas feat. P. Diddy Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Escobar Season has returned
It's been a long time, been a long time comin'
Looks like the death of me now
But you know, there's no turning back now
This is what makes me; this is what I am

You can hate me now,(Q.B.) but I won't stop now (real niggas)
Cause I can't stop now, (Bravehearts) you can hate me now (c'mon)
But I won't stop now, cause I can't stop now
You can hate me now, you can hate me now

Don't hate me, hate the money I see, clothes that I buy
Ice that I wear, clothes that I try, close your eyes
Picture me rollin', sixes, money foldin'
Bitches, honeys that swollen to riches, Nas get in ya
Most critically acclaimed Pulitzer Prize winner
Best storyteller, thug narrator, my style's greater
Model dater, big threat to a lot of you haters
Commentators ringside try watchin' my paper
Almost a decade, quite impressive
Most of the best is in the essence
For this rap shit that I stand for
Expandin' more to the big screen, Bill Gates dreams
But it seems you'd rather see me in jail with state greens
Want me off the scene fast, but good things last
Like your favorite MC still makin' some mean cash
First rapper to bring a platinum plaque back to the projects
But you still wanna hate, be my guest, I suggest

You can hate me now,(Q.B.) but I won't stop now (real niggas)
Cause I can't stop now, (Bravehearts) you can hate me now (c'mon)
But I won't stop now, cause I can't stop now
You can hate me now, you can hate me now

You wanna hate me then hate me; what can I do
But keep gettin' money, funny I was just like you
I had to hustle hard, never give up, until I made it
Now y'all sayin' "that's a clever nigga, nothin' to play with"
Hate on me, I blew but I'm the same O.G
People warn me, when you're on top, there's envy
Took my niggas out the hood, but you doubt on us
Sayin' we left the hood but can't get it out of us
My bad, should I step out my shoes, give 'em to you?
Here's my cars and my house, you can live in that too
Criticize when I flow for the streets, hate my dress code
Gucci this, Fendi that, what you expect, ho?
Nickname Esco, took this game to its threshold
Best flow, I bet the whole U.S. know
Try to make it like you the realest, but who the illest?
Think we all know the answer to that, cause niggas feel this right

You can hate me now,(Q.B.) but I won't stop now (real niggas)
Cause I can't stop now, (Bravehearts) you can hate me now (c'mon)
But I won't stop now, cause I can't stop now
You can hate me now, you can hate me now

It's a thin line between paper and hate
Friends and snakes, nine millis and thirty-eights
Hell or the pearly gates; I was destined to come
Predicted, blame God, he blew breath in my lungs
Second to none, wicked turn wives to widows
Shoot through satin pillows, the desolate one
Took a little time to claim my spot
Chairman of the board until this game stop, and I side with the Lord
Ride for the cause while drivin' niggas shot at my doors
Plottin' I'm sure to catch me with they Glocks to my jaws
Tried stickin' me up but I flipped on these ducks
Instead of me, ambulances were picking them up
Niggas fear what they don't understand, hate what they can't conquer
Guess it's just the theory of man
Became a monster, on top of the world, never fallin'
I'm as real as they come from day one, forever ballin'
C'mon

You can hate me now,(Q.B.) but I won't stop now (real niggas)
Cause I can't stop now, (Bravehearts) you can hate me now (c'mon)




But I won't stop now, cause I can't stop now
You can hate me now, you can hate me now

Overall Meaning

The song "Hate Me Now" is a collaboration between Nas and Puff Daddy, released in 1999. It starts with a catchy and confident ad-lib "Escobar Season has returned," a reference to Nas' alter ego "Nas Escobar." The song carries the theme of the two rappers asserting their success in the face of adversity and hate from their peers. The chorus "You can hate me now, but I won't stop now" is a powerful statement of their determination to keep succeeding despite the negative reactions from people who can't accept their success.


The opening verse of Nas talks about how he's always been himself and haters can't change who he is. In the second verse, he shifts focus to the people who hate him for his material success. He argues that he worked hard for everything he has accomplished, and people should focus on their own aspirations instead of criticizing him. Puff Daddy takes over in the third verse describing himself as a monster and how naysayers and enemies have only made him stronger. He compares his ascent to sitting atop the world, never to fall, forever ballin'.


Overall, the song is an anthem for anyone facing criticism and hate for their success, urging them to stay true to themselves and keep pushing forward.


Line by Line Meaning

Escobar Season has returned
Nas is back with another album, continuing his legacy as a great rapper.


It's been a long time, been a long time comin'
It's been a while since Nas last released an album, but all good things come with time.


Looks like the death of me now
People may dislike Nas for his success, but he won't let that stop him from achieving greatness.


But you know, there's no turning back now
Nas has come too far in his career to give up now, despite the hate he receives.


This is what makes me; this is what I am
Nas' success and popularity is a part of his identity and he won't let anyone take that away.


Don't hate me, hate the money I see, clothes that I buy
People who dislike Nas shouldn't direct their hate towards him, but towards his wealth and material possessions.


Ice that I wear, clothes that I try, close your eyes
Nas flaunts his expensive jewelry and fashion sense, but it's not something people should focus on when judging him.


Picture me rollin', sixes, money foldin'
Nas paints a picture of his luxurious lifestyle, but reminds listeners that it's not what defines him as an artist.


Bitches, honeys that swollen to riches, Nas get in ya
Nas' success attracts many women, but he values his artistry more than temporary pleasure.


Most critically acclaimed Pulitzer Prize winner
Nas boasts about his many accolades, including his Pulitzer Prize win and critical acclaim.


Best storyteller, thug narrator, my style's greater
Nas' unique storytelling abilities and authentic portrayal of life on the streets sets him apart as a rapper.


Model dater, big threat to a lot of you haters
Nas' success in both music and his personal life threatens those who envy him.


Commentators ringside try watchin' my paper
People are always trying to keep tabs on Nas' finances and success.


Almost a decade, quite impressive
Nas' longevity in the rap game is a testament to his talent and hard work.


Most of the best is in the essence
Nas believes that his authenticity and true self is what makes him one of the best rappers in the game.


For this rap shit that I stand for
Nas' dedication to his craft is unwavering, despite any criticism or hate he may face.


Expandin' more to the big screen, Bill Gates dreams
Nas has aspirations to expand his career into acting and becoming a successful entrepreneur.


But it seems you'd rather see me in jail with state greens
Many people would rather see Nas fail and end up in prison than succeed.


Want me off the scene fast, but good things last
People may wish for Nas to disappear from the music scene, but he won't let that bring him down.


Like your favorite MC still makin' some mean cash
Despite the hate he receives, Nas is still one of the most successful and wealthy rappers in the game.


First rapper to bring a platinum plaque back to the projects
Nas broke barriers as a rapper from the projects, achieving success and paving the way for future artists.


But you still wanna hate, be my guest, I suggest
Nas doesn't care if people dislike him, but reminds them that their hatred won't bring him down.


You wanna hate me then hate me; what can I do
Nas won't waste his time trying to please those who hate him.


But keep gettin' money, funny I was just like you
Nas remembers his struggles to make money and rise to the top, despite facing similar hate and adversity.


I had to hustle hard, never give up, until I made it
Nas' success is a result of his hard work and determination to never give up.


Now y'all sayin' "that's a clever nigga, nothin' to play with"
Nas' success now earns him respect and admiration, despite the hate he received in the past.


Hate on me, I blew but I'm the same O.G
Despite his success, Nas has remained true to himself and his roots.


People warn me, when you're on top, there's envy
Nas is aware that his success invites jealousy and envy from others.


Took my niggas out the hood, but you doubt on us
Nas helped his friends achieve success and leave the hood, but some people still doubt their success.


Sayin' we left the hood but can't get it out of us
Despite leaving the hood, Nas and his friends will always carry their experiences and roots with them.


My bad, should I step out my shoes, give 'em to you?
Nas sarcastically offers to switch places with his haters, but knows they couldn't handle his lifestyle and success.


Here's my cars and my house, you can live in that too
Nas flaunts his wealth and offers it to those who hate him, knowing that they could never attain it themselves.


Criticize when I flow for the streets, hate my dress code
Nas' critics dislike his music and fashion sense, but he won't change who he is for anyone.


Gucci this, Fendi that, what you expect, ho?
Nas is proud of his expensive clothing and accessories, and doesn't care if people judge him for it.


Nickname Esco, took this game to its threshold
Nas is a pioneer of the rap game, pushing it to new heights and setting himself apart as a legend.


Best flow, I bet the whole U.S. know
Nas' lyrical abilities are known throughout the country and he stands as one of the most talented rappers of all time.


Try to make it like you the realest, but who the illest?
Nas challenges those who claim to be the best, reminding them that he is still the greatest.


Think we all know the answer to that, cause niggas feel this right
Nas knows that his fans recognize his talent and authenticity, regardless of what his haters may say.


It's a thin line between paper and hate
Nas acknowledges that his wealth and success invite hatred and criticism from others.


Friends and snakes, nine millis and thirty-eights
Nas reflects on the danger of his lifestyle and the importance of knowing who to trust.


Hell or the pearly gates; I was destined to come
Nas believes that his success was always meant to be, whether in life or death.


Predicted, blame God, he blew breath in my lungs
Nas attributes his success to a higher power and believes that it was part of his fate.


Second to none, wicked turn wives to widows
Nas' talent and success is unrivaled, but also a reminder of the danger of his lifestyle.


Shoot through satin pillows, the desolate one
Nas doesn't shy away from his violent past and the dangerous situations that come with his lifestyle.


Took a little time to claim my spot
Nas' journey to success wasn't easy, but it was worth it to achieve his spot as one of the greatest rappers of all time.


Chairman of the board until this game stop, and I side with the Lord
Nas is a leader in the rap game and will continue to be until he decides it's time to stop. He also believes in a higher power.


Ride for the cause while drivin' niggas shot at my doors
Nas remains dedicated to his music and his lifestyle, despite the risks that come with it.


Plottin' I'm sure to catch me with they Glocks to my jaws
Nas acknowledges the danger that comes with his success and knows that people may try to harm him to take it away.


Tried stickin' me up but I flipped on these ducks
Nas outwitted those who tried to steal from him or harm him, proving that he is still in control of his own life.


Instead of me, ambulances were picking them up
Nas' enemies failed to harm him, but ended up getting hurt themselves.


Niggas fear what they don't understand, hate what they can't conquer
Nas' haters dislike him because they fear his success and can't understand or replicate it.


Guess it's just the theory of man
Nas recognizes that this is a common theme among people - to dislike and fear what they can't attain.


Became a monster, on top of the world, never fallin'
Nas' success and popularity have made him a legend and he won't let himself come down from that pedestal.


I'm as real as they come from day one, forever ballin'
Nas has always stayed true to himself and his roots, and will continue to do so even as he achieves more success.




Lyrics © DistroKid, JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY MOODY, NASIR JONES, GAVIN MARCHAND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@user-bn9es1vo6e

22 years later, if you're watching this, you're a legend.

@chrisbee9643

nah.. .you just got taste. ;) Its not if we get new material on this level of these era. :)

@prophetofhope8828

I'm a legend!!!

@samanthamcsherry6776

I'm just 16

@stevedail5948

Legend

@draganblazevski7271

Yeah and see you after 22 more sure I hope so, best regards from Macedonia

438 More Replies...

@maniversus

'People fear what they don't understand.. hate what they can't conquer, guess it's just a theory of man' - Nas. The best ever touched mic.

@ramadanslim3500

Inferior man, not theory of man.

@maniversus

@@ramadanslim3500 maybe you should listen again

@duncankomu8088

@@maniversus he's right,check the lyrics he says inferior man

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