Let There Be Light
Nas feat. Tre Williams Lyrics

Check, let there be light
Starting the song with hope and positivity, wishing for a peaceful night in New York without any violence.

No gang banging in New York tonight
Expressing the desire for a peaceful night in New York, without any gang violence.

Just murals of Biggie Smalls, bigger than life
Seeing larger-than-life murals of the legendary rapper Biggie Smalls around the city.

Turn up the kid mic 'cause ya'll ain't listening right
Demanding attention and respect from the audience, because they aren't fully understanding or appreciating his message.

What's all this talk that Nas got bought?
Questioning rumors and accusations that Nas has sold out or compromised his principles.

I'd rather outline my body in white chalk
Rather than compromise himself and his values, he'd rather face the consequences, even if it means getting killed or arrested.

Ain't nobody been where I been, they're at a standstill
Asserting his unique experiences and perspectives, and criticizing those who are stagnant and unchanging in their ways.

This is all overseen by my man Will
Acknowledging the support and guidance of his friend and collaborator Will.

As I walk through the shadow of death
Using the metaphor of walking through death's shadow to represent the struggles and hardships he faces in life.

I know that I ain't got much time left
Feeling the pressure and urgency to make the most of his limited time and opportunities in life.

And they don't really wanna see the good in me
Feeling misunderstood or judged unfairly by others who only see him in a negative light.

Ain't satisfied until they see the fool in me
Believing that some people are only happy seeing him fail or make mistakes, and that they are not truly satisfied until he's made a fool of himself.

I know my business, so my sins great
Recognizing his own flaws and mistakes, but reminding himself that he knows what he's doing in his own life.

I thank the hood for all the love they gave
Showing appreciation and gratitude for the support and love he's received from his community.

Forgive 'em all, they did they best to hate
Choosing to let go of grudges and resentments, and forgiving those who have tried to bring him down or hurt him.

This ain't the glorified, just painting the street picture
Acknowledging the harsh realities of life and the struggles of the streets, and rejecting any romanticized or exaggerated portrayal of it.

There's no God in sir Bibles, just blunt and switches
Suggesting that some people turn to drugs and violence rather than religion for comfort and guidance.

Gillettes cut pain in kitchen
Describing the use of razors and knives as weapons in violent confrontations.

Now every rapper wanna claim he hang with Kenneth 'Supreme' Griffith
Poking fun at the trend of rappers name-dropping and trying to associate themselves with notorious gangsters or criminals for street cred.

It's like the same difference, except when niggas get arraigned
Pointing out the hypocrisy and inequality within the legal system, where some people get harsher sentences or are more likely to snitch than others based on factors like race or social status.

If I could reverse the monsters and turn forward the razas
Expressing the wish to undo past mistakes and conflicts and move towards greater unity and cooperation among different groups of people.

And bring back the niggas who was livest
Recollecting and honoring those who were lost or imprisoned because of the violence and chaos of the streets.

Old hustlers, reminiscing on better days
Reflecting on the nostalgia and yearning for a more innocent or prosperous time in the past among former street hustlers or criminals.

They home, doing nothing, might as well be in a cage
Suggesting that some people who are no longer involved in illegal activities are still stuck or trapped, and not really living fully or freely.

Hating on young brothers, one foot in the grave
Noticing a generational divide and tension between older and younger men in the community, and seeing both groups as vulnerable or at risk in different ways.

They used to love us till we found our own way through the maze
Feeling a sense of betrayal or abandonment from those who were once supportive or influential, but who now dislike or resent him for his success and independence.

New York, set tripping and flagging
Commenting on the territorial and violent nature of gangs and cliques in New York.

Got the West Coast laughing, now Esco's asking, what happened?
Noting the stark contrast in gang culture and violence between New York and the West Coast, and questioning how it got so bad in his own city.

My homegirl from upper Manhattan, she remembers the quarters that's Latin, a lot of rat-a-tat-tatting
Recalling the gun violence and street warfare that used to be prevalent in upper Manhattan, especially among Latin American gangs or groups.

The son of the audio cassette era, tech wearer
Referring to his roots in the golden age of hip-hop and his embrace of new technology and music production techniques.

Bullets and begets, Binzbo's speaker terror
Describing the power and impact of his music and lyrics, which can both inspire and intimidate listeners.

Till man I get mine till I'm dead, so I can drive sumpthin red
Expressing his drive and ambition to achieve success and wealth, so that he can afford luxury cars and other expensive items.

Like that horse standing on it's hind legs
Making a metaphorical comparison between himself and a majestic horse or other animal, standing tall and proud.

Since Arnold and Willis in they bunk beds
Referencing the popular TV show Diff'rent Strokes and showcasing his pop culture knowledge and nostalgia.

I wanted bread like Wonder, not manned-a-wanno like the parent of Lionel
Comparing his desire for money and success to the Wonder Bread brand, rather than being content with a lower-class lifestyle like Lionel's father on The Jeffersons.

Nas is the Ghetto American Idol
Asserting himself as a symbol of hope and inspiration to people from impoverished or disadvantaged backgrounds, similar to the popular TV show American Idol.

No matter what you do you're never getting my title
Boasting his skills and success in the rap game, and asserting that no one can surpass or replace him.

I can't sound smart 'cause ya'll'll run away
Acknowledging that some people may not appreciate his complex or intellectual lyrics, and that he needs to strike a balance between being authentic and relatable.

They say I ain't hungry no more and I don't talk about 'ye
Responding to criticisms or rumors that he's lost his edge or isn't as fierce or driven as he used to be.

Like there's no other way for a ex-hustler
Reflecting on the stereotypes and prejudices against former street hustlers or criminals, and feeling that they are often unfairly pigeonholed or dismissed.

Cake ya, the x-ray splitter to touch ya, I beg to differ
Using violent metaphors and wordplay to assert himself as a skilled and formidable rapper, who is able to overcome adversity and criticism.

When you're four years into the game, we can have a conversation
Implying that he only wants to associate or collaborate with other artists who have proven themselves and been in the rap game for a significant amount of time.

Eight years in the game, I invite ya on vacation
Expressing his desire to make real connections and friendships with other artists after they've proven themselves and earned his respect.

Ten years in the game, after I've enjoyed my fame
Suggesting that he plans to retire or take a break from the rap game after achieving a certain level of success and recognition.

Only then I let ya pick my brain, niggaz
Making it clear that he only wants to share his wisdom and insights with people he trusts and respects, after he's achieved his own success and goals.

Focus on good things man, good times
Encouraging listeners to focus on positive experiences and memories, rather than dwelling on negativity or violence.