Just a Moment
Nas feat. Quan Lyrics

Can we please have a moment of silence?
Let us observe a moment of silence.

That's for my niggas doin' years in confinement
To honor my friends who are imprisoned.

And for my soldiers who passed over, no longer living
To remember my fallen comrades who are no longer with us.

That couldn't run whenever the reaper came to get 'em
Those who had no chance of escaping death.

Can we please pour out some liquor?
To pour a drink as a symbolic gesture.

Symobolizin', let's take in time to consider that
To think about the symbolism behind the act of pouring a drink.

Though our thugs ain't here, the love is here
Even though our violent friends are gone, the love remains.

And we gon' rep 'til slugs kill us here
We will continue to represent our group until we die.

This for my dawgs stuck in the struggle tryin' to gain
This is for my friends who are trying to succeed despite facing obstacles.

Smokin' trauma, sniffin' Ra while sellin' cocaine
Using marijuana and cocaine as a coping mechanism for their struggles.

Trapped in the game, not knowin' how to stop and get by
They feel stuck and don't know how to escape their current situation.

To live it alive, so instead they live it to die
They don't know how to live a fulfilling life, so they end up living recklessly and risking their lives.

Can we please have a moment of peace?
Let us have a moment of peace and quiet.

For every G that fell for his flag in the streets
For members of gangs who died for their group symbol.

Bloodin' and thuggin', folkin' and lokin'
For gang members who engage in violent activities and represent their gang signs.

Crypin' and creepin', Latin and kingin'
For members of specific gangs like Crips, Latin Kings who assert their dominance through violence.

Or just for poor righteous teachin'
For those who try to teach and bring change to their communities.

As days comes and nights falls
As time passes.

For the rest of our life we'll miss y'all
We will always miss those who are no longer with us.

And even though life must go on, we'll still mourn
We will continue to grieve despite the passage of time.

While wishin' y'all were home
We wish our loved ones were still with us.

And can we have another moment of silence?
Let us observe another moment of silence.

For brothers who died from black-on-black violence
To honor those who died due to violence within their own community.

From here to the Dark Continent were rebels sell diamonds
Referencing the conflict diamond industry that led to violence in African countries.

To clients allover the world, got little Black girls dyin'
Due to the demand for conflict diamonds, innocent people are being harmed.

And can we please pour some more liquors?
Let us pour another drink to honor those who have passed away.

For Will, Bokeem, Bar, Pappy, my niggas
To specifically honor and remember these individuals who have died.

Here's another Warrior Song from Nasty and Quan
A new song from the artists to honor those who have passed away.

It's to him I pass the baton to carry this on
We will continue to honor and remember those who have died through our actions.

Street's Disciple, salute to those who's gone with bullets
We pay our respects to those who have died due to violence.

And I promise through rhymin' Quan gon' rep his life to the fullest
Quan will honor the life of the person who passed away through his music.

And can we please have a moment of truth?
Let us have a moment of honesty and clarity.

For soldiers and troops away with helmets and boots
To honor military personnel who are currently fighting and serving their country.

And families back home who pray they make it home safe
To show support for families who worry about their loved ones who are serving.

Hopin' that they don't get hit with a stray or missiles
Hoping they don't get caught in crossfire or missile attacks.

This is just a moment to let you all know that we miss you
To express that we are thinking of and miss those in the military.

Mommy I'm still here, wishin' I was there with you
A message from a military personnel to their loved ones back home.

Let's take 'em home
Let us bring our military personnel home safely.

And can we please have a moment to mourn?
Let us have a moment to grieve.

For Pac, Biggie and Pun 'cause through us they live on
To honor and remember musicians who have died, but whose music still lives on.

Jam Master Jay, Freaky Ty and Aliyah
To remember other musicians who have passed away.

Big L and Left Eye, when we die we wish to see ya
To express a desire to be reunited with loved ones who have passed away.

Can we please have a moment for children?
Let us take a moment to remember children who have suffered or died.

Who got raped or murdered, or trapped in the system
To remember children who have been victims of violence or trapped in negative situations.

Who never knew their father, never learned to dream
To remember children who have grown up without parental figures or positive role models.

But was guided by drug dealers, killers and crack fiends
To acknowledge the negative influences that some children are exposed to.

For single mothers that's forced to play mom and dad
To recognize the hard work of single mothers who have to serve both parental roles.

Bustin' her ass to give her kids shit she never had
To recognize the sacrifices and hard work that single mothers put in for their children.

For my niggas in the pen hopin' rhymes'll get 'em signed
To support and encourage incarcerated individuals who use music as a way to express themselves.

So when released, they can say bye to a life of crime
To provide hope for a better future after serving their time in prison.

For every mother that held a son in the street bleedin'
To remember families who have lost loved ones due to violence.

Cryin' a song of sorrow to dark and deep for speakin'
To recognize the intense emotions and grief that comes with losing a loved one to violence.

Just a moment outside the day to day struggle
A break from the daily hardships and difficulties.

To let the ones we really care about know that we love 'em
To express our love and care for those who matter most to us.