The World Is Yours
Nas ft. Pete Rock Lyrics

Whose world is this?
Asking whose world this is and affirming that it belongs to everyone.

(The world is yours, the world is yours)
Stating that the world belongs to each and every individual.

It's mine, it's mine, it's mine
Expressing pride and ownership of the world.

It's yours
Reiterating that the world belongs to every person.

I sip the Dom P, watching "Gandhi" 'til I'm charged
Drinking Dom Pérignon while watching Gandhi to get inspired.

Then writing in my book of rhymes, all the words past the margin
Writing rhymes beyond the margins of the notebook to capture creativity.

To hold the mic I'm throbbin', mechanical movement
Feeling the excitement for holding the microphone and smoothly delivering a performance.

Understandable smooth shit that murderers move with
Describing the smooth beat that even dangerous people like murderers can move to.

The thief's theme: play me at night, they won't act right
Stating that playing this song at night can cause delinquent behavior.

The fiend of hip-hop has got me stuck like a crack pipe
Comparing the addictive nature of hip-hop music to a drug addiction.

The mind activation, react like I'm facin' time like
The mental stimulation of music and how it motivates like facing a long prison sentence.

"Pappy" Mason, with pens I'm embracin'
Comparing himself to a notorious criminal, but expressing his love for writing through using pens.

Wipe the sweat off my dome, spit the phlegm on the streets
Showing the gritty and raw nature of the rapper's lifestyle.

Suede Timb's on my feets makes my cipher complete
Showing off his style with suede Timberland boots, completing his rap circle or ‘cipher’.

Whether crusing in a Sikh's cab, or Montero Jeep
Describing different modes of transportation he uses to pursue his dreams.

I can't call it, the beats make me falling asleep
Being so in tune with music that it feels soothing enough to put him to sleep.

I keep falling, but never falling six feet deep
Struggling but striving to succeed regardless of failures.

I'm out for presidents to represent me (say what?)
Willing to do whatever it takes to become influential and empower himself.

To my man Ill Will, God bless your life (it's yours!)
Giving a shoutout to a friend named Ill Will and wishing him a blessed life.

To my peoples throughout Queens, God bless your life
Showing love to his hometown and all its residents by wishing them a blessed life.

I trip, we box up crazy bitches
Dealing with and avoiding troublesome women in life.

Aiming guns at all my baby pictures
Metaphorically protecting and defending loved ones by going to any lengths necessary, even destroying precious personal possessions.

Beef with housing police, release scriptures that's maybe Hitler's
Feuding with police and expressing controversial views similar to Hitler.

Yet I'm the mild, money-getting style, rolling foul
Despite the controversy, he maintains a mellow personality and focus on wealth.

The versatile, honey-sticking wild golden child
A reference to his reputation as a versatile rapper and charismatic personality.

Dwelling in the Rotten Apple, you get tackled
Living in the tough neighborhoods of New York City is challenging and dangerous.

Or caught by the devil's lasso, shit is a hassle
Falling into perilous situations is inevitable and difficult to escape.

There's no days, for broke days we sell it: smoke pays
Working hard every day to make ends meet or resorting to selling drugs when necessary.

While all the old folks pray to Jesus, soaking their sins in trays
Highlighting religious differences and how the older generation seeks guidance from faith as he observes it.

Of holy water. Odds against Nas are slaughter
Fighting insurmountable odds to survive in a tough environment.

Thinking a word best describing my life to name my daughter
Reflecting on his challenging life and trying to choose a fitting name for his child.

My strength, my son, the star, will be my resurrection
His son represents hope and rejuvenation, feeding his motivation to succeed.

Born in correction. All the wrong shit I did, he'll lead a right direction
His son will lead a better life than he did, reflecting on his past mistakes.

"How you living?" Large, a broker charge - cards are mediocre
Detailing his lavish lifestyle that requires a lot of money while criticizing mediocre rewards for people who actually work.

You flipping coke or playing spit spades and strip poker?
Mocking those who resort to illegal activities or gambling to gain wealth and status.

I'm the young city bandit, hold myself down single-handed
Introducing himself as a young riser with no one to rely on but himself.

For murder raps, I kick my thoughts alone, get remanded
Writing rhymes about crime can lead to legal issues, but he does it on his own.

Born alone, die alone, no crew to keep my crown or throne
Expressing that life is a solo journey with no one to carry one’s legacy.

I'm deep by sound alone, caved inside, 1,000 miles from home
Feeling trapped inside his mind and isolated from his birthplace in New York.

I need a new nigga for this black cloud to follow
Wishing for a better role model who leads to a less gloomy life.

Cause while it's over me it's too dark to see tomorrow
Feeling stuck in the moment without hope for the future while in his present state.

Trying to maintain, I flip, fill the clip to the tip
Attempting to manage stress and adversity, finding solace in gun-wielding tactics.

Picturing my peeps, now the income make my heartbeat skip
Thinking of his friends and loved ones as his success causes excitement.

And I'm amped up, they locked the champ up, even my brain's in handcuffs
Despite his impressive success, he still feels locked up mentally and emotionally.

Headed for Indiana, stabbing women like the Phantom
Expressing anger and frustration over his current situation by invoking violent acts.

The crew is lamping, Big Willie-style
His crew is hanging out, living the high life like Will Smith.

Check the chip-toothed smile, plus I profile wild
Proud of his crooked smile and wild demeanor.

Stash through the flock wools, burning dollars to light my stove
Burning money in order to heat his apartment in a colorful manner.

Walk the blocks with a bop, checking dames, plus the games
Flaunting his moves and checking out women and the ‘game’ or lifestyle associated with the hip-hop community.

People play, bust the problems of the world today
This line suggests both that people are playing and ignoring important issues and that hip-hop is an outlet for those problems.