Status: Single
City: Lodi209 ----------- Murda Valley, Killa Cali
Country: US
Signup Date: 2/10/2007
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Monday, February 12, 2007
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Current mood:  determined
A tribute to one of hip hops most influencial artists, Mr. Nasir Jones. Nas was not only a main influence, but he was also one of the greatest musicians to walk this earth. His lyricalism and delivery can be matched by none. Thank you for your contribution, Nas. You have motivated me to ascend beyone what was expected of me.
His words...
I Gave You Power(1996)
Damn! Look how muh-fuckers use a nigga
Just use me for whatever the fuck they want
I don't get to say shit
Just grab me, just do what the fuck they want
Sell me, throw me away
Niggaz just don't give a fuck about a nigga like me right?
Like I'm a f... I'm a gun, shit
It's like I'm a motherfuckin gun
I can't believe this shit....
Word up.. (word up..)
I seen some cold nights and bloody days
They grab and me bullets spray
They use me wrong so I sing this song 'til this day
My body is cold steel for real
I was made to kill, that's why they keep me concealed
Under car seats they sneak me in clubs
Been in the hands of mad thugs
They feed me when they load me with mad slugs
Seventeen precisely, one in my head
They call me Desert Eagle, semi-auto with lead
I'm seven inches four pounds, been through so many towns
Ohio to Little Rock to Canarsie, livin harshly
Beat up and battered, they pull me out
I watch as niggaz scattered, makin me kill
But what I feel it never mattered
When I'm empty I'm quiet, findin myself fiendin to be fired
A broken safety, niggaz place me in shelves
under beds, so I beg for my next owner to be a thoroughbred
Keep me full up with hollow heads
Chorus: Nas (repeat 2X)
How you like me now? I go blaow
It's that shit that moves crowds makin every ghetto foul
I might have took your first child
Scarred your life, crippled your style
I gave you power
I made you buck wild
[Nas]
Always I'm in some shit, my abdomen is the clip
The barrel is my dick, uncircumcised
Pull my skin back and cock me, I bust off when they unlock me
Results of what happens to niggaz shock me
I see niggaz bleedin runnin from me in fear, stunningly tears
fall down the eyes of these so-called tough guys, for years
I've been used in robberies, givin niggaz heart to follow me
Placin peoples in graves, funerals made cause I was sprayed
I was laid in a shelf, with a grenade
Met a wrecked-up tech with numbers on his chest that say
Five-two-oh-nine-three-eight-five and zero
Had a serial defaced, hopin one day, police would place
where he came from, a name or some sort of person to claim him
Tired of murderin, made him wanna be a plain gun
But yo I had some other plans, like the next time the beef is on
I make myself jam right in my owner's hand
Chorus
[Nas]
Yo, weeks went by and I'm surprised
Still stuck in the shelf with all the things that an outlaw hides
Besides me it's bullets, two vests and then a nine
There's a grenade in a box, and that tech that kept cryin
Cause he ain't been cleaned in a year, he's rusty as clear
He's bout to fall to pieces, cause of his murder career
Yo, I can hear somebody comin in, open the shelf
His eyes bubblin, he said, "It was on"
I felt his palm troubled him shakin
Somebody stomped him out, his dome was achin
He placed me on his waist, the moment I've been waitin
My creation was for blacks to kill blacks
It's gats like me that accidentally, go off, makin niggaz memories
But this time, it's done intentionally
He walked me outside, saw this cat
Cocked me back, said, "Remember me?"
He pulled the trigger but I held on, it felt wrong
Knowing niggaz is waiting in hell for 'im
He squeezed harder, I didn't budge, sick of the blood
Sick of the thugs, sick of wrath of the, next man's grudge
What the other kid did was pull out, no doubt
A newer me in better shape, before he lit out, he lead the chase
My owner fell to the floor, his wig split so fast
I didn't know he was hit, it's over with
Heard mad niggaz screamin, niggaz runnin, cops is comin
Now I'm happy, until I felt somebody else grab me
Damn!
Shoot 'em Up(1999)
One 44, two 45's
3 loaded clips, 4 niggas roll, one nigga drives
500 Benz, 6 reasons why
This kid should die
We shootin every motherfucker outside
Pulled on his block, jumped out the car, guns in our hand
At the same time everybody ran
There that nigga go, hiding in the crowd
Let the trigger blow, 7 shots now he lying on the ground
Blood on the floor
Then we shot some more
Niggas he was with
2 niggas hit, one nigga fell
One tryed to run, go get him son
Make sure he's done before we bail, i aint trying to goto jail
Must handle beef, code of the street
Load up the heat, if these nigga think they could fuck around
Real niggas do real things
By all means, niggas knowin how we get down.. It goes......
Chorus (4X)
Shoot 'em up, just shoot 'em up, what..
(whispering)
Kill kill kill, murder murder murder
[Nas]
Driving through the roads, Suburban Chevrolet
6 tinted windows, and I'm on my way
To get up with my hoes, I pull up to they house
Not a freak to be heard, nobody came out
Ringin the bell, where in the hell
Could they be at, I'm about to leave
Steppin' slow, where my truck was at
Who the fuck is that?
Could it be a jack?
Now pull my strap, it's my man
And we have the same plan
There them bitches go
Civic '94, looking funny though
Open up the car door, funny smile
Fuck 2 already, 3rd ass was heavy
"Nas this is Sherri, Sherri this is Nas, and his man. Ready?"
Walked in the house, snatched off they clothes
Ran through them hoes
Plenty ice, that they all seemed to like
Can't find my man, heard a blam blam
Now I'm wonderin, "In this scam, do I even stand a chance?"
He killed the hoes, took all they doe
Fire in his eyes, higher than the sky
Comin down the stairs
Now he wantin mine, reachin for my nine
Aiming with our guns at each others face, at the same time
my nine on his lips, his fifth on my chin, I start whispering
"Put your gun down, we can skip town"
Rocked him to sleep, pushed back his meat
Lift off his chain
Took his shit, emptied out close range...
Chorus (4X)
(3rd time there is no whispering of:
"kill kill kill, murder murder muder.)
One Mic(2001)
One time.. yeah.. yeah..
Yo, all I need is one mic, one beat, one stage
One nigga front, my face on the front page
Only if I had one gun, one girl and one crib
One God to show me how to do things his son did
Pure, like a cup of virgin blood; mixed with
151, one sip'll make a nigga flip
Writin names on my hollow tips, plottin shit
Mad violence who I'm gon' body, this hood politics
Ackowledge it, leave bodies chopped up in garbages
Seeds watch us, grow up and try to follow us
Police watch us {*siren*} roll up and try knockin us
One knee I ducked, could it be my time is up
But my luck, I got up, the cop shot again
Bus stop glass bursts, a fiend drops his Heineken
Richochetin between the spots that I'm hidin in
Blackin out as I shoot back, fuck gettin hit! [more sirens]
This is my hood I'ma rep, to the death of it
'til everybody come home, little niggaz is grown
Hoodrats, don't abortion your womb, we need more warriors soon
Sip from the star sun and the moon
In this life of police chases street sweepers and coppers
Stick-up kids with no conscience, leavin victims with doctors
IF YOU REALLY THINK YOU READY TO DIE, WITH NINES OUT
THIS IS WHAT NAS IS BOUT, NIGGA THE TIME IS NOW!
[whispering again]
Yo, all I need is one mic..
All I need is one mic.. that's all I need
All I need is one mic.. all I need niggaz
All I need is one mic.. yeah
[gradually getting louder]
All I need is one blunt, one page, and one pen
One prayer - tell God forgive me for one sin
Matter fact maybe more than one, look back
at all the hatred against me, fuck alla them
Jesus died at age 33, there's thirty-three shots
from twin glocks there's sixteen apiece, that's thirty-two
Which means, one of my guns was holdin 17
Twenty-seven hit your crew, six went into you
Everybody gotta die sometime; hope your funeral
never gets shot up, bullets tear through the innocent
Nothin is fair, niggaz roll up, shootin from wheelchairs
My heart is racin, tastin revenge in the air
I let the shit slide for too many years, too many times
Now I'm strapped with a couple of macs, too many nines
If y'all niggaz really wit me get busy load up the semis
Do more than just hold it explode the clip until you empty
There's nothin in our way - they bust, we bust, they rust, we rust
Lead flyin, feel it? I feel it in my gut
THAT WE TAKE THESE BITCHES TO WAR, LIE 'EM DOWN
CAUSE WE STRONGER NOW MY NIGGA THE TIME IS NOW!!
[whispering again]
All I need is one mic.. that's all I need, that's all I need
All I need is one mic.. there's nuttin else in the world
All I need is one mic.. that's all a nigga need to do his thing y'know
All I need is one mic..
[starting loud this time, getting quieter]
ALL I NEED IS ONE LIFE, ONE TRY, ONE BREATH I'M ONE MAN
WHAT I STAND FOR SPEAKS FOR ITSELF, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND
Or wanna see me on top, too egotistical
Talkin all that slick shit, the same way these bitches do
Wonder what my secrets is, niggaz'll move on you
only if they know, what your weakness is I have none
Too late to grab guns I'm blastin cause I'm a cool nigga
Thought I wouldn't have that ass done? Fooled you niggaz
What you call a infinite brawl, eternal souls clashin
War gets deep, some beef is everlastin
Complete with thick scars, brothers knifin each other
up in prison yards, drama, where does it start?
You know the block was ill as a youngster
Every night it was like a, cop would get killed body found in the dumpster
For real a hustler, purchased my Range, niggaz throwin dirt on my name
Jealous cause fiends got they work and complain
Bitches left me cause they thought I was finished
Shoulda knew she wasn't true she came to me when her man caught a sentence
Diamonds are blindin, I never make the same mistakes
Movin with a change of pace, lighter load, see now the king is straight
Swellin my melon cause none of these niggaz real
Heard he was, tellin police, how can a kingpin squeal?
This is crazy, I'm on the right track I'm finally found
You need some soul searchin, the time is now
All I need is one mic.. yeah, yeah yeah yeah
All I need is one mic.. that's all I ever needed in this world, fuck cash
All I need is one mic.. fuck the cars, the jewelry
All I need is one mic.. to spread my voice to the whole world
Ether(2001)
("Fuck Jay-Z") <---This is Tupac from an old song and slowed down.
What's up niggas, ay yo, I know you ain't talkin 'bout me dog
You, what?
("Fuck Jay-Z")
You been on my dick nigga, you love my style, nigga
("Fuck Jay-Z")
[Chorus]
(I) Fuck with your soul like ether
(Will) Teach you the king you know you
(Not) "God's son" across the belly
(Lose) I prove you lost already
Brace yourself for the main event
Y'all impatiently waitin
It's like an AIDS test, what's the results?
Not positive, who's the best? Pac, Nas and Big
Ain't no best, East, West, North, South, flossed out, greedy
I embrace y'all with napalm
Blows up, no guts, left chest, face gone
How could Nas be garbage?
Semi-autos at your cartilege
Burner at the side of your dome, come outta my throne
I got this, locked since '9-1
I am the truest, name a rapper that I ain't influenced
Gave y'all chapters but now I keep my eyes on the Judas
With Hawaiin Sophie fame, kept my name in his music
Check it
[Chorus]
[talking]
Ay yo, pass me the weed, pour my ashes out on these niggas man (no doubt)
Ay, y'all faggots, y'all kneel and kiss the fuckin ring
[Chorus]
I've been fucked over, left for dead, dissed and fogotten
Luck ran out, they hoped that I'd be gone, stiff and rotten
Y'all just piss on me, shit on me, spit on my grave (uh)
Talk about me, laugh behind my back but in my face
Y'all some "well wishers," friendly actin, envy hidin snakes
With your hands out for my money, man, how much can I take?
When these streets keep callin, heard it when I was sleep
That this Gay-Z and Cockafella Records wanted beef
Started cockin up my weapon, slowly loadin up this ammo
To explode it on a camel, and his soldiers, I can handle
This for dolo and it's manuscript, just sound stupid
When KRS already made an album called Blueprint
First, Biggie's ya man, then you got the nerve to say that you better than Big
Dick suckin lips, whyn't you let the late, great veteran live
[talking]
(I...will...not...lose)
"God's son" across the belly, I prove you lost already
The king is back, where my crown at?
(Ill...will) Ill Will rest in peace, let's do it niggas
[Chorus]
Y'all niggas deal with emotions like bitches
What's sad is I love you 'cause you're my brother
You traded your soul for riches
My child, I've watched you grow up to be famous
And now I smile like a proud dad, watchin his only son that made it
You seem to be only concerned with dissin women
Were you abused as a child, scared to smile, they called you ugly?
Well life is harsh, hug me, don't reject me
Or make records to disrespect me, blatent or indirectly
In '88 you was gettin chased through your buildin
Callin my crib and I ain't even give you my numbers
All I did was give you a style for you to run with
Smilin in my face, glad to break bread with the god
Wearin Jaz chains, no tecs, no cash, no cars
No jail bars Jigga, no pies, no case
Just Hawaiian shirts, hangin with little Chase
You a fan, a phony, a fake, a pussy, a Stan
I still whip your ass, you thirty-six in a karate class
You Tae-bo hoe, tryna' work it out, you tryna' get brolic?
Ask me if I'm tryna' kick knowledge
Nah, I'm tryna' kick the shit you need to learn though
That ether, that shit that make your soul burn slow (burn slow)
Is he Dame Diddy, Dame Daddy or Dame Dummy?
Oh, I get it, you Biggie and he's Puffy
Rockerfeller died of AIDS, that was the end of his chapter
And that's the guy y'all chose to name your company after?
Put it together, I rock hoes, y'all rock fellas
And now y'all try to take my spot, fellas?
Philly's hot rock fellas, put you in a dry spot, fellas
In a pine box with nine shots from my glock, fellas
Foxy got you hot 'cause you kept your face in her puss
What you think, you gettin girls now 'cause of your looks?
Ne-gro please
You no my stash havin', with whiskers like a rat
Compared to Beans you wack
And your man stabbed Un and made you take the blame
You ass, went from Jaz to hangin with Kane, to Irv, to Big
And, Eminem murdered you on your own shit
You a dick-ridin faggot, you love the attention
Queens niggas run you niggas, ask Russell Simmons
Ha, R-O-C get gunned up and clapped quick
J.J. Evans get gunned up and clapped quick
Your whole damn record label gunned up and clapped quick
Sean Carter to Jay-Z, damn you on Jaz dick
So little shorty's gettin gunned up and clapped quick
How much of Biggie's rhymes is gon' come out your fat lips?
Wanted to be on every last one of my classics
You pop shit, apologize, nigga, just ask, Kiss.
Last Real Nigga Alive(2002)
Uh, uh, uh, uh
[Chorus 2X]
Lord have mercy, Jesus Christ
He's just nice, he just slice like a ginsu
Look at the life that I been through
I'm the last real nigga alive, that's official
[Nas]
Y'all don't know about my Biggie wars
Who you thought 'Kick In The Door' was for?
But that's my heart, y'all still trippin of this Jigga shit
Real niggas listen up and I'mma tell you how the whole thing start
Off top I brung Queens up from hard times
Rockin at the Fever, streets was all mine
It was my version of the blues, droppin our schools
The crack epidemic had rap representin new rules
So I, got in em shoes, tried em wore them
Wasn't a perfect fit, so I couldn't sport em
Young murderers ride, I knew all them
Jungle got shot, Will died, we was warring
I wrote it in my album
I was 18 when Lake seen the Island
And Lord held me down and
My surroundings started changing
I had a baby, I was making my rounds with AZ
Niggas started noticing my flow and was open when
The Golden Child closed em in with more style than them older men
Puff tried to start a label, Prince Rakeem had formed Wu-Tang
Snoop and Dre had a new thang
So Puff drove his new Range through Queensbridge Projects
He let me drive it, before Ready to Die hit
BIG and I hit blunts performing at the Arc
Next thing you knew, BIG blew and all the balling starts
He had Kim and his crew, I found Fox, only niggas in New York with number
one charts
BIG was ahead of his time, him and Raekwon my niggas
But dig it, they couldn't get along
That's when Ghostface said it on the Purple tape
Bad Boy biting Nas album come awake
BIG told me Rae was stealing my slang
And Rae told me out in Shaolin BIG would do the same thing
But I borrowed from both them niggas
Jigga started to flow like us, but hit with 'Ain't No Niggas'
Had much Versace swagger
BIG admired the Brooklyn knight and it took him in as Iceberg the rapper
Today don't know nothing, about this bullshit
There's more shit than wanting to be this King of New York shit
[Chorus 2x]
[Nas]
Rap became a version of Malcom and Martin
Rest In Peace Will, Queensbridge live on
There's some ghetto secrets I can't rhyme in this song
There's some missing pieces I had to leave out
I had lot trust for Steve Stoute
At some point till I got to know him
We old friends, but what's loyal?
Puff soaked Interscope offices
With champagne bottles on Steve, and Steve thought the drama is on me
Cause previously it would have been, against whoever
Friends forever
However, I learn, with some niggas it's all business
But I'm a street dude with morals
To diss niggas with Jigga too much, he used to say Jay wanted my spot
I laughed, stayed home, never hung a lot
A quiet man who used to be alone planning
Baby moms thought I was too quiet, couldn't stand it
She hit the streets, later on she hittin the sheets
With a rapper who wanted me on his songs, thinking he strong
I taught her how to watch for cars that might follow
Taught her street shit that I know
Her weakness was shine yo
But that's her, I ain't mad baby, it made me stronger
Now I get my paper longer
Illmatic I was boss
It Was Written I flossed
One of the most creative LPs ever to hit stores
In the Firm I learned I Am Nastradamus
QB's Finest, Oochie Wally, faced more problems
I gave it all up so I can chill at home with mama
She was getting old and sick so I stayed beside her
We had the best times, she asked would I make more songs
I told her not till I see her health get more strong
In the middle of that, Jay tried to sneak attack
Assasinate my character, degrade my hood
Cause in order for him to be the Don, Nas had to go
The Gam-B-I-N-O rules I understood
What you want, see, I already had
The Gift and The Curse? Fuck that shit, the first shall be last
I'm the man's man, a rapper's rapper
G-O-D S-O-N, they'll be none after
I was Scarface, Jay was Manolo
It hurt me when I had to kill him and his whole squad for dolo (for dolo
echoes)
[Outro]
Uh, Uh, Uh
[Chorus 2X]
I can(2002)
I know i can,
be what i wanna be,
if i work hard at it,
i'll be where i wanna be
i know i can, i know i can
be what i wanna be, be what i wanna be
if i work hard at it, if i work hard at it
i'll be where i wanna be, i'll be where i wanna be
b, b boys and girls listen up, you can be anything in the world
in god we trust, an architect, doctor, maybe an actress
but nothin' comes easy it takes much practice,
like i met a woman who was becoming a star,
she was very beautiful leaving people in awe
singin' songs later on , but the younger version,
hung wit' the wrong person, got her stunger than irwin,
cocaine sniffi'n up drugs all in her nose,
could've died so young, now looks ugly and old,
no fun cuz now when she reaches for hugs
people hold thier breath cuz she smells of corrosion and death,
watch the company you keep, and the crowd you bring,
cuz they came to do drugs and you came to sing,
so if you gonna be the best im'a tell you how,
put your hands in the air and take the vow
(chorusx2)
i know i can, i know i can
be what i wanna be, be what i wanna be
if i work hard at it, if i work hard at it
i'll be where i wanna be, i'll be where i wanna be
b, b boys and girls listen again
this is for grown looking girls who's only ten,
the ones who watch videos and do as they see
as cute as can be, up in the clubs with fake i.ds,
careful 'fo you meet a man with h.i.v.
you can host a tv like oprah winfrey
whatever you decide, be careful, some men be rapists
so act your age, don't pretend to be older than you are,
give yourself time to grow, you're thinking he can give you wealth
but so young boy, you could use alot of help you know
ya thinkin' life's all about smokin' weed and ice,
you don't weanna be my age and can't read and write
beggin' different women for a place to sleep at night,
smart boys turn to men and do whatver they wish
if you believe you can achieve, then say it like this
(chorusx2)
i know i can, i know i can
be what i wanna be, be what i wanna be
if i work hard at it, if i work hard at it
i'll be where i wanna be, i'll be where i wanna be
b before we came to this country,
we were kings and queens-never porch monkeys
there was empires in africa called kush,
timbuktu, where every race came to get books to learn from black teachers
who taught greeks and romans, asians arabs, and gave them gold
when gold was converted to money it all changed
money then became empowerment for europeans,
the persian military invaded
they heard about the gold, the teachings and everything sacred
africa was almost robbed naked,
slavery was money, so they began making slaveships
egypt was the place that alexander the great went
he was in shock that in the mountains were black faces
shot off thier nose to impose what basically
still goes on today you see
if the truth is told the youth can grow,
they'll learn to survive, until they gain control
nobody says you have to be gangsters, hoes
read more, learn more, change the globe
ghetto children do your thing
hold your head up little man you're a king
young princess when you get your wedding ring
your man's saying she's my queeeen
(chorusx2)
i know i can, i know i can
be what i wanna be, be what i wanna be
if i work hard at it, if i work hard at it
i'll be where i wanna be, i'll be where i wanna be....be be be
A message to the Feds, Sincerly we the people(2004)
I walk the block like whatever god, my message to y'all feds
Who desperate to arrest us young, benevolent hardheads
Abrochrombie & Finch rockin', wrist glistenin' marksman
Hitchcock of Hip-Hop since Big Pop departed
The project logic is still salute the dead, glocks spit
Pour some juice out for those in Manchester, Viewmount
Otisville, Newasberg, Fort Dicks, Fort Worth, Oakdale
Every fed jail where all my dawgs lurk
War hurts much to gain 'til the day we all say
May your pain be champagne then we all blaze away
At our enemies, may they die easily
Long as they perish forever's what freedom means to me
Blowin' greenery, growing eager to see evil things
Thrown away, zonin' grey, GT, Diesel jeans
Airs and Chucks, solitaires, stones with the rarest cuts
On some Pretty Tone shit, haircut looks airbrushed
And they're aware of us though
And we don't give a flyin' 7-47 fuck though
Stayin' on my hus-tle
[beat change]
[Verse 2: Nas]
A message to those who trapped us up, from federal guys who backed them up
We never will die, we black and tough, lead in your eye, we strapped to bust
Half of us been locked up inside the beast, look at the time we see
Brooklyn to Compton streets, Queens, even the Congo needs dreams
Our bullets and triggers our enemies pullin' on innocent women and children
It wasn't no ghetto killers who mixed up the coke and put guns in our buildings
But I'm not gon' cry, and I'm not gon' stand just watch you die
I'ma pass you a .9, I'ma grab your hand -- come on let's ride
A message to those who killed the king, who murdered the Christ
The same regime, what God has built you never can break
What God has loved you never can hate, man makes rules and laws
You just a ruthless dog, your kennel is waiting
You devils will run back into the caves you came from
Whenever that day comes, forty-acres, plantations, see every race won
Sincerely yours, Street's Disciple, revelations
Just a Moment(2004)
[Verse 1: Quan]
Can we please have a moment of silence?
That's for my niggaz doin' years in confinement
And for my soldiers who passed over, no longer living
That couldn't run whenever the reaper came to get 'em
Can we please pour out some liquor?
Symobolizin', let's take in time to consider that
Though our thugs ain't here, the love is here
And we gon' rep 'til slugs kill us here
This for my dawgs stuck in the struggle tryin' to gain
Smokin' trauma, sniffin' Ra while sellin' cocaine
Trapped in the game, not knowin' how to stop and get by
To live it alive, so instead they live it to die
Can we please have a moment of peace?
For every G that fell for his flag in the streets
Bloodin' and thuggin', folkin' and lokin'
Crypin' and creepin', Latin and kingin'
Or just for poor righteous teachin'
[Chorus: Quan sings]
As day comes and night falls
For the rest of our life we'll miss y'all
And even though life must go on, we'll still mourn
While wishin' y'all were home
[Verse 2: Nas]
Yeah, and can we have another moment of silence?
For brothers who died from black-on-black violence
From here to the Dark Continent were rebels sell diamonds
To clients all over the world, got little Black girls dyin'
And can we please pour some more liquors?
For Will, Bokeem, Bar, Pappy -- my niggaz
Here's another Warrior Song from Nasty and Quan
It's to him I pass the baton to carry this on
Street's Disciple, salute to those who's gone with bullets
And I promise through rhymin' Quan gon' rep his life to the fullest
And can we please have a moment of truth?
For soldiers and troops away with helmets and boots
And families back home who pray they make it home safe
Hopin' that they don't get hit with a stray or missiles
This is just a moment to let you all know that we miss you
Mommy I'm still here, wishin' I was there with you
Let's take 'em home
[Chorus]
[Verse 3: Quan]
And can we please have a moment to mourn?
For Pac, Biggie and Pun 'cause through us they live on
Jam Master Jay, Freaky Ty and Aaliyah
Big L and Left Eye, when we die we hope to see ya
Can we please have a moment for children?
Who got raped or murdered, or trapped in the system
Who never knew their father, never learned to dream
But was guided by drug dealers, killers and crack fiends
For single mothers that's forced to play mom and dad
Bustin' her ass to give her kids shit she never had
For my niggaz in the pen hopin' rhymes'll get 'em signed
So when released, they can say bye to a life of crime
For every mother that held a son in the street bleedin'
Cryin' a song of sorow to dark and deep for speakin'
Just a moment outside the day to day struggle
To let the ones we really care about know that we love 'em
[Chorus]
Me & You (Dedicated to Destiney)[2004]
I'd like to dedicate this one here to my star,
To the one I cherish,
She loves me unconditionally - no matter what,
I love her; always be here for you baby
Yeah
So for God, who gave me this gift, you;
So i give you this...
(if i had it all...)
Bap bap bap bap bap, daa dee aaa deee ahhh
Bap bap bap bap bap, daa dee aaa deee ahhh, woooahhh
(if i had it all...)
Yeeaah
Just me and my little one
Just me and my little one
Woooah
Even though we don't live in the same home,
And I may have missed yo graduation,
And no matter how many miles I'm away from you,
You know that I love you,
Daddy on every station,
Thinkin, I'm lovin my occupation,
I know I got you home waiting,
Des-y, I do it all for you
Bap bap bap bap bap, daa dee aaa deee ahhh, (Daddy's little girl)
Bap bap bap bap bap, daa dee aaa deee ahhh woooahhh (I would give you the world)
Little girl, give you the world
Yeeaah
Just me and my little one
Just me and my little one
I give you the world
Woooah
Even though you'll be grown soon,
You gotta stand on your own two,
Please listen what daddy told you,
I know you think that I'm old school,
You'll see that I was right soon,
One day you will meet the right groom,
And then,
You will see your life bloom,
And then you'll know what's right for you,
Bap bap bap bap bap, daa dee aaa deee ahhh, (Daddy's little girl)
Bap bap bap bap bap, daa dee aaa deee ahhh woooahhh (Daddy's little girl, I would give you the world)
Little girl I give you the world
Yeeaah
Just me and my little one
Just me and my little one
I give you the world
Woooah
Respect ya mom, no one will replace her,
She's the one that went thru the labour,
But you don't owe her no favours,
But her respect is due,
See daddy just wanna show you,
All the heartache I go thru,
For you,
(This world of mine I give it all to you)
Bap bap bap bap bap, daa dee aaa deee ahhh, (Daddy's little girl)
Bap bap bap bap bap, daa dee aaa deee ahhh woooahhh (I would give you the world)
Little girl I give you the world
Yeeaah
Just me and my little one
Just me and my little one
I give you the world
Woooah
Dance(2002)
One more time, one more time
Uh, one more time, uh
One more time
I dream of the day I can go back to when I was born
Laying in your arms, wishing you was here today mom
Wish you'd appear
Just for a second from heaven my tears would be gone
I wouldn't be rapping this song
I'd be happy driving up to your 8 bed room mansion
Up late, laughing bout the hard time we faced
The galaxy is so enchantin beyond, Galileo's understanding
Past the milky way and all the planets
There's something out there greater
But only god knows, scientist claim we came from apes
But they lies though, that was part of our conversation
I spark one up and start blazin
Thinking of how amazing she was
A angel gave me love
I'm thankful, to ever know a women so real
I pray when I marry my wife I have one of your skillz
But mom you could never be replaced
I'd give my life up
Just to see you one more day
To have...
[Chorus]
One more dance with you mama
If I could only have
One more dance with you mama
Praying, wishin I could have
One more dance with you mama
If I could only have
One more dance with you mama
[Nas]
I wish you were here,
I miss you more each second I breathe
You resting in peace forever I accepted you free
A blessing to me, I see you dressed in all white
Smiling at me, happy knowing everything's all right
If only I can hear your voice and your laughter
Just one more time, my chest would be filled up with sunshine
April 7/02
That's when the gates of heaven opened up for you to stroll through
Beautiful Anne Jones
Job is done, raising ghetto kids in the hood
You was my strength to carry on and now I'm good
Job well done, you lived threw you sons and your grandchildren
Jesus finally got his bride, mommy dance with him
And you've been my guide through all the trouble I faced
They playing our song the lifebeat my hand on your waist
I grab your other hand and try not to step on your toes
Spin you around with my eyes closed
Dreaming I could have
[Chorus]
I love you forever mom
You will always live through me ... always
Uh, uh uh, yeah
Bridging the Gap(2004)
(featuring Olu Dara)
*Nas talking*
"The light is there."
[Intro: Olu Dara singing]
See I come from Mississippi
I was young and runnin' wild
Ended up in New York City, where I had my first child
I named the boy Nasir, all the boys call him Nas
I told him as a youngster, he'll be the greatest man alive
[Verse 1: Nas]
Let's go!... Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey --
Tribrary of these rap skits, styles I mastered
Many brothers snatched it up and tried to match it
But I'm still number one, everyday real
Speak what I want, I don't care what y'all feel
'Cause I'm my own master, my Pop told me be your own boss
Keep integrity at every cost, and his home was Natchez Mississippi
Did it like Miles and Dizzy, now we gettin' busy
Bridging The Gap from the blues, to jazz, to rap
The history of music on this track
Born in the game, discovered my father's music
Like Prince searchin' through boxes of Purple Rain
But my Minneapolis was The Bridge, home of the Superkids
Some are well-known, some doin' bids
I mighta ended up on the wrong side of the tracks
If Pops wouldn't've pulled me back an said yo
[Olu Dara singing]
Greatest man alive (Nas: Yeah, turn it up!)
Gre-Gre-Gre-Gre-Greatest man alive!
[Verse 2: Nas]
The blues came from gospel, gospel from blues
Slaves are harmonizin' them ah's and ooh's
Old school, new school, know school rules
All these years I been voicin' my blues
I'm a artist from the start, Hip-Hop guided my heart
Graffiti on the wall, coulda ended in Spoffard, juvenile delinquent
But Pops gave me the right type'a tools to think with
Books to read, like X and stuff
'Cause the schools said the kids had dyslexia
In art class I was a compulsive sketcher of
Teachers in my homeroom, I drew pix to mess them up
'Cause none'a them would like my style
Read more books than the curriculum profile
Said, "Mr. Jones please come get your child
'Cause he's writin' mad poems and his verses are wild"
[Olu Dara singing]
Greatest man – The great-greatest man alive
[Verse 3: Nas]
Hey-Hey-Hey -- My Poppa was not a Rollin' Stone
He been around the world blowin' his horn, still he came home
Then he got grown, changed his name to Olu
Come on, tell 'em 'bout the places you gone to
[Olu Dara singing]
I been to Saudi Arabia, Mozambique
Madagascar, Paris, Greece
The Middle Africa is where we lived
Better known as Queenbridge
[Nas]
Nas, Nas you don't stop
Olu Dara in the house, you don't stop
Muddy Waters' Howling Wolf you don't stop
From the Blues to Street Hop you don't stop
Tell 'em Pop
[Outro: Olu Dara singing / Nas adlibbing]
See I come from Mississippi (Let 'em know)
I was young and runnin' wild (Runnin' wild)
Ended up in New York City (Yeah!)
Where I had my first child (That's me)
I named the boy Nasir (Yeah, Daddy!)
All the boys call him Nas (Luh ya, boy)
I told him as a youngster
He'll be the greatest man alive (You the greatest, Pop)
Greatest man alive (You the greatest, Pop)Gre-Gre-Gre-Gre-Greatest man alive!
Rest In Peace Ray Charles
Live Now(2004)
Live now niggas,
There's no promise of a second time around,
Put it down wud ya's,
(Live)
Live now there's no reason why shouldn't everything is up to you,
All you gotta do is just,
(Live)
Live now we spinnin',
Not under the ground yet,
We enjoyin' every second, yo
Live now don't forget to bro, yea
'Cuz I promise you'll regret it bro,
[Verse]
Picture my last days would be so grim,
My daughter at my bedside respirator in me,
Eyes dilated looking skinny trying to smile,
Try to say something the whole room would quite down,
Just to hear my last words tears balled down my facial,
Why fear anything it's now too late to,
I'm dreamin of a time I was silked out,
At the peak of my career but I always chirped out,
Leavin mad money on the table had crazy amounts,
I would hit the scene for a second and bounce,
Admit I did live a little bit,
Sweet pickled dick,
Freaks licked on it,
Lips I dripped on it,
Sex I Shot pearl necklaces,
On necks and tits,
Traveled half the world,
Wish I traveled the rest of it,
From QB to Mecca kid,
So if you knew me,
You'd be proud to say I left you with enough memories to resurrect me with,
So live now nigga,
[Chorus]
Live now niggas,
There's no promise of a second time around,
Put it down wit' ya's,
(Live)
Live now there's no reason why shouldn't everything is up to you,
All you gotta do is just,
(Live)
Live now we spinnin',
Not under the ground yet,
We enjoyin' every second, yo
Live now don't forget to bro, yea
'Cuz I promise you'll regret it bro,
(Footsteps)
(Intercom:)
…Dial 11
Doctor Kravitz, you have a visitor in the main lobby
Doctor Kravitz, a visitor in the main lobby
Nas- Hey, hey, hey, how you doin' now?
(Beeps)
[Verse]
It's been a long time since you came threw to see your sis,
You know I love you I've been a fan since genesis,
Gotta respect you 'cuz you never tried to smash,
Since we met a while back,
And your style was mack,
Now I see you're a man after all you been through,
A stand up dude,
Held me down after ce que,
Need more brothers like you in the hood,
Would have wifed you if I could,
But the white cells in my blood were no good,
Said I had it ten years but I was just a carrier,
Thought me a victim could never be my character,
As Ill say passed away the way he didn't know how to tell him,
Just happy it didn't get in our kid,
But all the things I did was the flyist,
Experience's was priceless,
Remember days of diamond cuts,
Nugget rings,
Clubs and queens,
Jetted cars,
Use to love them things,
Barbados and Belize,
I stayed over seas,
Shoppin' sprees,
Credit cards,
Pockets of G's,
Left the hood,
Phattest cribs,
To platinum from silver,
Came back,
Bitches callin' me the black Liz Taylor,
Imagine that,
Rob me,
My nigga would kill ya',
They knew the rules,
All the planes I flew,
Niggas I ran through,
Lotta unprotected sex,
Don't know where it came from,
Grimy niggas,
Rich niggas,
Damn it ain't a game son,
From the Cayman Islands from the Virgin Islands,
Gucci suitcases,
(Cough)
A chick did it after screw faces,
Critics and fans,
They need to get a life,
You doin' the right thing
Settle down get a wife, Now
I grew with you so you make me proud,
And most of all you gotta live now,
(heh) (cough)
Live now niggas,
There's no promise of a second time around,
Put it down wit' ya's,
(Live)
Live now there's no reason why shouldn't everything is up to you,
All you gotta do is just,
(Live)
Live now keep spinnin',
Not under the ground yet,
Keep enjoyin' every minute, yo
Gotta live it up to the limit, yo
'Cuz I promise you'll regret it bro,
(coughs)
[Spoken:]
Son, come close
(Beeps)
Let me talk to you,
(Beeps)
I got music,
(Beeps)
Put it out to the world,
(Beeps)
Let 'em hear it,
(Beeps)
An' look out for lil' me,
(Beeps)
One.
(Flatlines)
Gettin Married(2004)
Say hello to the man, goodbye to the gigolo
It was difficult for me to find a chick I want
[Nas]
This ain't no sucka for love shit
This ain't no Huxtable kisses and hug shit, first night we fuck shit
And don't call the next day, this a thug's wedding day
In love? will we make it? Let us pray...
In a limo, my niggas, my father, my brothers
Everybody in tuxes gettin' blunted
Hard Bottasmov costumes, this ain't no act, though
Factual, the pimp shall scoop no more
Yes, I'm absolutely sure
I know that she love me, I know that she faithful
We spoke on a prenuptial agreement cuz Will and Jada ain't need it
Spoke on eloping but then I deaded the thought
Cuz she deserves Cinderella's Ball and the whole shit
But know this, you fuckin' wit a slit ya throat quick
Vehicular explosions, cigar smokin'
Dark-minded, chart climbin, well-spoken
Safer world of broke men to rich ones
Throw them phone numbers away cuz this is it, hun
Headed to the Chapel, my niggas laughin
And it's bafflin cuz just a year ago
It's weird, though, I knew I'd get married
To who? I knew not, thought of snatchin Halle up from the dreadlock
Pumpin' Sade, my head knot
Finally, I met the perfect bitch, pardon my french, rephrase that
Someone who made my heart stop, couldn't wait to blaze that
Tired of hoppin' from honey to honey
HIV spreadin', everybody bump the same bunnies
The game'll put niggas in they graves right before they part ways with the street
I want a son to greet every mornin'
Daughters and more sons tickle my feet
Wife smilin', tellin' me it's time to eat
I'm gettin' married
[Chorus x3]<br>
[Nas]
It was my dream for my queen to put the ring on the ride
Even Martin Luther King had a fling on the side
That's what the negative ones say
Knew my wedding would be one day but quickly is this day
I know the hoes gonna miss me
Lookin' at old photos, sayin, "Damn, he used to twist me"
Start chokin' up since I woke up
Bachelor Party was crazy, tryin' hard just to sober up
Father saw me in a daze, knudged me with his left arm
Told me how him and moms went to City Hall, dressed norm'
Said she would love me Oswald Boateng
Customized in London by guys who suit up kings
Gov', you got the ring, Jung', you behave
Maxwell, he gon' sing, invited Lauryn Hill and the gang
Baltimore, North Cacky', Mississippi
Family packed in, my nigga, L is crazy tipsy
Spilled Pepsi on the cufflinks, ginger ale got it out
Walked in the church, just all big to thug it out
My girl walked in glistenin', different stones
'Bout to go from my fiance to Mrs. Jones
That's a union that nobody can touch
I gotta be cool wit' ya crazy aunts and uncles
Cuz I love you much...cuz you put up wit my shit
Court cases, baby mommas
I make a honest woman outta you yet
Everybody starin' at you, I'm at the alter, standin'
Heart poundin' out my chest like a cannon
I'm happy, one of my Groom's men
Under the music says, "Don't do it"
But they just joke, some crew shit
They playin, I'm gleeful, I'm stayin'
I'm stayin' vows that are all true
"Will you take music as your wedded wife?"
"I do."
Sike, this ain't about music, y'all know who I'm talkin' to
Gettin' married
[Chorus x3]
Hip Hop is Dead
*DJ samples*]
"Hip hop" "hip hop" "is dead"
"Hip--hip hop" "hip hop" "is dead"
"Hip--hip hop" "hip--hip hop" "is dead"
"Hip--hip hop" "hip hop" "hip hop"
[Hook - 2X]
If hip hop should die before I wake
I'll put an extended clip inside of my AK
Roll to every station, wreck the DJ
Roll to every station, wreck the DJ
[sample]
Hip hop just died this mornin'
And she's dead, she's dead
[Verse 1]
Yeah, niggaz smoke,chill, party, and die in the same corner
Get cash, live fast, body their man's mama
Rich ass niggaz is ridin' with three llamas
Revenge in their eyes, Hennesy and the ganja
Word to the wise with villain state of minds
Grindin', hittin' Brazilian dimes from behind
Grindin', hittin' Brazilian dimes from behind
(Grindin', hittin' Brazilian dimes from behind)
Whenever, if ever, I roll up, it's sown up
Any ghetto will tell ya Nas helped grow us up
My face once graced promotional Sony trucks
Hundred million in billin', I helped build 'em up
Gave my nigga my right, I could have gave left
So like my girl Foxy, the kid went Def
So nigga, who's your top ten?
Is it MC Shan? Is it MC Ren?
[Hook - 2X]
[sample]
Hip hop just died this mornin'
And she's dead, she's dead
[Verse 2]
The bigger the cap, the bigger the peelin'
Come through, something ill, missin' the ceilin'
What influenced my raps? Stick ups and killings
Kidnappings, project buildings, drug dealings
Criticize that, why is that?
Cuz Nas rap is compared to legitimized crap
Cuz we love to talk on ass we gettin'
Most intellectuals will only half listen
So you can't blame jazz musicians
Or David Stern with his NBA fashion issues
Oh I they like me--in my white tee
You can't ice me, we here for life B
On my second marriage, hip hop's my first wifey
And for that we not takin' it lightly
If hip hop should die we die together
Bodies in the morgue lie together
All together now
[Hook - 2X]
[sample]
Hip hop just died this mornin'
Hip hop just died this mornin'
Hip hop just died this mornin'
And she's dead, she's dead
{*crowd chanting "Hip hop!" becomes beat*}
[Verse 3]
Everybody sound the same, commercialize the game
Reminiscin' when it wasn't all business
If it got where it started
So we all gather here for the dearly departed
Hip hopper since a toddler
One homeboy became a man then a mobster
If the guys let me get my last swig of Vodka
R.I.P., we'll donate your lungs to a rasta
Went from turntables to mp3s
From "Beat Street" to commercials on Mickey D's
From gold cables to Jacobs
From plain facials to Botox and face lifts
I'm lookin' over my shoulder
It's about eighty niggaz from my hood that showed up
And they came to show love
Sold out concert and the doors are closed shut
Album Timeline
album: "Illmatic" (1994)
The Genesis
N.Y. State Of Mind*
Life's A Bitch
The World Is Yours
Halftime
Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park)
One Love
One Time 4 For Your Mind
Represent
It Ain't Hard To Tell
album: "It Was Written" (1996)
Album Intro
The Message
Street Dreams*
I Gave You Power
Watch Dem Niggas
Take It In Blood
Nas Is Coming
Affirmative Action
The Set Up
Black Girl Lost
Suspect
Shootouts
Live Nigga Rap
If I Ruled The World
Silent Murder
album: "I Am" (1999)
N.Y. State Of Mind Pt. II
Hate Me Now
Small World
Favor For A Favor
We Will Survive
Ghetto Prisoners
You Won't See Me Tonight
I Want to Talk To You
Dr. Knockboot
Life Is What You Make It
Big Things
Nas Is Like
K-I-SS-I-N-G
Money Is My Bitch
Undying Love
Nature Shines
album: "Nastradamus" (1999)
The Prediction
Life We Chose
Nastradamus
Some Of Us Have Angels
Project Window
Come Get Me
Shoot 'Em Up
Last Words
Family
God Love Us
Quiet Niggas
Big Girl
New World
You Owe Me
The Outcome
album: "Stillmatic" (2001)
Stillmatic (The Intro)
Ether
Got Yourself A Gun
Smokin'
You're The Man
Rewind
One Mic
2nd Childhood
Destroy & Rebuild
The Flyest
Braveheart Party
Rule
My Country
What Goes Around
Every Ghetto
album: "The Lost Tapes" (2002)
Doo Rags
My Way
U Gotta Love It
Nothing Lasts Forever
No Idea's Original
Blaze A 50
Everybody's Crazy
Purple
Drunk By Myself
Black Zombie
Poppa Was A Playa
Fetus
album: "God's Son" (2002)
Get Down
The Cross
Made You Look
Last Real Nigga Alive
Zone Out
Hey Nas
I Can
Book Of Rhymes
Thugz Mansion (Nas Acoustic)
Mastermind
Warrior Song
Revolutionary Warfare
Dance
Heaven
Thugz Mirror Freestyle
Pussy Killz
The G.O.D.
album: "Street's Disciple" (2004)
Intro
A Message To The Feds, Sincerely, We The People
Nazareth Savage
American Way
These Are Our Heroes
Disciple
Sekou Story
Live Now
Rest Of My Life
Just A Moment
Reason
You Know My Style
Suicide Bounce
Virgo
Remember The Times
The Makings Of A Perfect Bitch
Getting Married
No One Else In The Room
Bridging The Gap
War
Me & You (Dedicated To Destiny)
Thief's Theme
album: "Hip Hop Is Dead" (2006)
(reviews)
Money Over Bullshit
You Can't Kill Me
Carry On Tradition
Where Are They Now
Hip Hop Is Dead
Who Killed It?
Black Republican
Not Going Back
Still Dreaming
Hold Down The Block
Blunt Ashes
Let There Be Light
Play On Playa
Can't Forget About You
Hustlers
Hope
Where Y'all At? [Bonus Track]
His Story..
Despite his flair for dramatic overreaching, or perhaps because of it, Nas became New York's favorite rapper in the mid-'90s
and remained near the top for over a decade. Rivals and time challenged his stay at the top of the New York rap scene — one
of the more notable challenges being his bout with Jay-Z in the early 2000s — yet Nas soldiered on, continually changing his
style and stepping up his game. Over the years, Nas went from being a young street hustler (Nasty Nas) to a boastful gangsta
(Nas Escobar) to a self-proclaimed poet/prophet (Nastradamus) to a re-born encapsulation of himself (the "Stillmatic" Nas).
In addition, he worked with countless legendary producers — DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Dr. Dre, Trackmasters,
Timbaland — and put Queensbridge back on the map. Keep in mind, however, that Nas attracted a sizable share of critics as
well, many of whom called him out for bluffing. After all, Nas often showcased a flair for dramatic overreaching, his ego
knowing no limits. For better or worse, Nas was more his own rhetorical construction than a reality, precisely the reason why
he was as criticized by his rivals as he was celebrated by his following. Born Nasir Jones, son of jazz musician Olu Dara,
Nas dropped out of school in the eighth grade, trading classrooms for the streets of the rough Queensbridge projects, where
he learned "street mathematics" and began emulating rappers like Big Daddy Kane, , and Kool G Rap. When he wasn't hustling to
survive, he was reading books on African culture, Western civilization, lessons from the Five Percent Nation, scriptures from
the Qu'ran, and chapters from the Bible. He eventually hooked up with Main Source in 1991 and laid down a verse on the
group's song "Live at the Barbeque." The song became a New York favorite thanks to Nas' blazing rhymes and soon everyone
began wondering who he was. A year later, MC Serch of 3rd Bass approached him about contributing a track to the Zebrahead
soundtrack. Serch was the soundtrack's executive producer and, like much of New York, had been impressed by "Live at the
Barbeque." Nas submitted "Halftime" and the song proved so stunning that Serch made it the soundtrack's lead-off track.
Suddenly, everyone began talking about Nas.
Columbia signed him to a major-label contract and all of New York's finest producers wanted to work with him. For the next
two years, everyone waited as rumors began to swell. When word hit the street that he was working with DJ Premier, Large
Professor, and Pete Rock— New York's top producers in the early '90s — anticipation grew exponentially. Finally, Illmatic hit
the streets in April 1994 and didn't disappoint. With only ten tracks, the album wasn't overly long and had virtually no
lackluster moments — a flawless album. Nas handled nearly every rhyme and never seemed short on lyrics. Years later, Illmatic
is still seen as featuring some of the best lyrics hip-hop ever produced. To call Nas a street poet wasn't an overstatement,
but rather a matter of fact. Even if the album didn't storm up the Billboard charts, it garnered the respect of every hip-hop
devotee in New York and that was quite an accomplishment, particularly for someone just having reached his twenties.
Following up Illmatic wouldn't be an easy task and rather than try and top that album, Nas expanded his approach for It Was
Written. Released two years later in 1996, it no doubt had become one of the most anticipated hip-hop albums ever. Here, Nas
once again delivered an album illed to the brim with street knowledge, but this time opted to go with different producers —
Havoc, Trackmasters, Dr. Dre, L.E.S.— and some radio-friendly pop hooks. The calculated moments worked: "If I Ruled the
World" and "Street Dreams" became national hits and expanded Nas' reach outside of New York. With It Was Written, he retained
the hip-hop devotees who had championed Illmatic and had won a mass audience at the same time, a rare feat that he would
struggle to duplicate in the future. The first sign of Nas' critical downfall came when he joined forces with Dr. Dre to
create the Firm , an ambitious supergroup that looked invincible on paper; behind the production boards were Dre and the
Trackmasters with Nas, Foxy Brown, Nature, and AZ on the mic.
Surprisingly, the much-heralded album flopped. Listening to the album, it's fairly apparent why. Not only is it an incredibly
conceited and brash album, it's also horribly calculated. Following the first setback of his career, Nas took some
much-needed time off before returning in 1999 with two albums released only months apart: I Am...The Autobiography and
Nastradamus . With these two similar albums, Nas moved further away from the heartfelt and lyrically driven approach of
Illmatic in favor of the pop hooks that had made "If I Ruled the World" and "Street Dreams" crossover hits. The second
single, "Hate Me Now," bitterly addressed his growing legion of critics. More troubling though, the song featured Puff Daddy,
symbolic of the pop-rap style Nas had aligned himself with.
Neither I Am nor Nastradamus proved successful for Nas. Both albums sold
well and produced some impressive hit singles, but these singles — "Hate Me Now," "You Owe Me," "Nas Is Like," and
"Nastradamus" — were blatantly targeted at the mass market with their pop-rap tendencies and further alienated Nas' more
loyal fan base. Suddenly, Nas was no longer viewed as the prodigy he had been five years earlier and was now seen as a rather
generic New York MC. This became perhaps most apparent when he resurfaced in 2001 with the QB Finest album, which sold few
copies and generated only one substantial hit, the X-rated club track "Oochie Wally." Even so, Nas had begun to take his
career in a new direction with QB Finest, establishing both his own label, Ill Will, and his new posse, Bravehearts.
Moreover, he was no longer collaborating with the likes of Timbaland and Puff Daddy; he had returned to the streets to
Queensbridge, where he began. One event accelerated Nas' new direction: a cutting dis by Jay-Z on the song "Takeover," which
became the most talked about song in New York seemingly overnight. Jay-Z called out Nas for not having put out a "hot" album
since Illmatic and also made comments about having sex with Nas' woman. And it didn't help that Jay-Z had indeed claimed the
title of New York's favorite MC at the time, giving him ample justification to call out Nas, who had admittedly been slacking
since the mid-'90s. Several months after the dis, in December 2001, Nas released the album Stillmatic, the title a reference
to his one undeniable masterpiece, Illmatic, which had been released nearly a decade earlier. Stillmatic opened with the song
"Ether," a very direct shot at Jay-Z (featuring the chants "f*** Jay-Z "and "I will not lose"), followed by
Nas' most aggressive single ever, "Get Ur Self A..." (produced by ewcomer
Megahertz,one of New York's hottest producers at the time). Both "Ether" and "Get Ur Self A...." re-established Nas' pride
among the stickle hip-hop crowd and drove Stillmatic up the Billboard album chart to number five, where it hovered for weeks.
In addition, Nas furthered his highly publicized return with dramatic videos for "Get Ur Self A...." and "One Mic" — both of
which juxtaposed with "cash, money, hoes" videos of the time, featuring a church rather than a club, for instance — and
toured the States, first a headlining tour and then an opening tour for pop-rapper Usher. During summer 2002, Nas infiltrated
the pop market, dueting with Brandy and Jennifer Lopez. Ironically, while Nas reclaimed his popularity in 2002, Jay-Z s
popularity waned in the wake of the much-discussed bout (though partly because Jay-Z flooded the market with low-quality
product). To only further fuel the much-publicized bout between the two rivals, unreleased comebacks circulated as MP3s via
file-sharing networks such as Audio Galaxy during 2002: a Nas track called "H to the Omo," which had him questioning Jay-Z s
sexuality; and a Jay-Z track called "Super Ugly," which had Jay-Z rapping over the track to "Get Ur Self A..." for the first
verse, Dr. Dre's "Bad Intentions" for the second, and also had Jay-Z singing the hook "I got myself a gun."
God's Son, rated a 4 mic album by "The Source", has established that Nas is on the streets for good! Critics went as far
enough to say that it picked up where Illmatic left off. God's Son shows the painful side of Nas through song's like, "Dance"
and "Heaven", dedicated to his deceased mother, Ann Jones. He takes it further to the streets with "Made You Look" the
album's lead single, produced by Salaam Remi. Agressive and new yet with an old school vibe it makes the perfect lead single.
He also has something for the kids! Instead of having a gangsta or playa cliche type song for the second single, the much
inspiring, I Can, teaches kids, adolcents, and adults lessons on how to live a succesful life. Nas also declares his
relationship with, Pop/R&B artist, Kelis in songs like "Hey Nas" and "Mastermind". All around God's Son is a commercial
classic! Though it lacks the street grime of Illmatic it is an exqusite follow up album to Stillmatic! - Leo Batista
Mulattieri
Nas's Beefs
Nas Vs Tupac Shakur
Not much to say really as you probably know all about this if you listen to 2pac's later music, as most of Nas diss songs
were released after 2pac's demise in 1996, or shortly before. Unlike some other artists, Nas didnt disrespect 2pac after his
death by releasing a diss track back to him, which you have to respect him for, unlike Mobb Deep, and LL Cool J. Instead he
says that Tupac is his favourite rapper, and refers to him as a legend in many of his songs.
The beef started because, due to faults of his own, Nas, got caught up in the Tupac (west) Vs Biggie (east) beef. Which of
course Tupac wouldnt of liked as it initially had nothing to do with Nas. Tupac and Nas met each other at the House of Blues,
where Tupac and Nas talked about this whole beef situation. Tupac told Nas that he was in no way involved and that he should
not get caught up in it because he and Death Row had nothing but love for him. But then, Tupac listened to Nas' songs and he
remarked that there was a song, "The Message", in which Nas was talking about fake thugs and it sounded as if Nas was talking
about Tupac. Nas also liked to talk a lot about 'Thug Life' after Pac introduced it to the world, which got Tupac pissed
because he was the man to represent it. Tupac accused Nas of biting his style and stealing his life for his songs. Nas even
has a tattoo in the same place of Tupac's, and wore no shirt, like pac did, and wore his bandana in a similar way to pac in
the video for 'Hate Me Now'. Also in the video to this song, Nas and Puffy are totally disrespecting Pac by being Crucified
at the beginning just like the cover of Tupac's 'Makaveli: The 7 Day Theory' album, they also dress like 2Pac did and pour
out the liquor like Pac and Dre did on the California Love Remix.
Tupac dissed Nas on songs like "Against all Odds" (see lyrics below) and in interviews, such as the interview about 'Death
Row East'. The biggest publicity this beef got was most definately a long time after Tupac's murder, just before the official
release of pac's posthumus album 'Better Dayz'. The reason for this was that as the tracklists were publicised by Tupac's
label, Amaru Records, his fans were outraged that featuring on the track, 'Thugz Mansion Acooustic', was none other than Nas.
Nas has always claimed that him and pac squashed thier beefs and were cool with each other. However SnoopDogg, a close friend
of Tupac, commented on this claim by Nas saying on an MTV Documentary that what he hates most is rappers coming out and doing
rhymes with Tupac knowing that when he was alive he hated them.
Nas first said that this beef was squashed before Tupac's death in October 2001. Nas was on Hot 97. He said, "Man, Pac was
my peoples. I had nothing but love for this cat. First time I seen him we cracked a Henny and he turned it to the head. It
made me cry, I mean, I was drunk when I heard him talking about me on Makaveli. We met, it almost got ugly, but we made
peace." However Snoop Dogg, and many Tupac fans still believe otherwise.
TALE OF THE SLAYS: An oral history of Nas and Tupac's lyrical feud
2pac on Nas, "Against All Odds": "This little nigga named Nas thinks he live like me / Talkin bout he left the hospital took
five like me / You living fantasies, nigga I reject your deposit / We shook Dre punk ass, now we out of the closet."
2pac on Nas, "Against All Odds": "God don't like ugly, It Was Written / Hey Nas, your whole damn style is bitten / You heard
my melody, read about my life in the papers / All my run-ins with authorities, felonious capers / Now you wanna live my life,
so what's the answer Nas? / Niggas that don't rhyme right, you've seen too many movies / Load em up against the wall, close
his eyes / Since you lie, you die, GOODBYE / Let the real live niggas hear the truth from me / What would you do if you was
me!"
Jay Z Vs Nas
There may have been celebrated beefs involving Kool Mo Dee, Ice-T, Ll Cool J, and, of course, the infamous Tupac verses
Biggie, but this was the one that set the battlefield on fire in recent years, as both of these cats are at the top of their
game when they started spitting fire at each other. And they couldn't be more respected in the hip hop community, especially
in NYC. The Jay-Z and Nas beef started, when Jay-Z started his rap career, with his album 'Reasonalbe Doubt'. Nas first
dissed Jay-Z around the time of the release of this album and also said that Jay Z was jealous that his album, 'It Was
Written', sold more than Jay Z's album, 'Reasonable Doubt'.
After Nas said what he said about Jay Z, Jigga did nothing. On Memphis Bleek's CD, 'Coming of Age', Jay Z said,"I'ma ball
till I fall, what you think of that?" Nas took that as a diss to him and started the eef by getting on a track on his album,
'Nastradamus'. Nas and Jigga was continuing diss'n each other. On Jigga's Blueprint album, Jay Z made a song called,"The
Takeover," which he dissed Nas and Mobb Deep. This was the highlight of the beef. This was a direct lyrical denounchment of
Nas, and got Jay-Z much attention for the right reasons. On "Takeover," the much-discussed leadoff song from his universally
acclaimed Blueprint album (2001). Jay-Z called out Nas for not having put out a "hot" album since Illmatic, among other
reasons, and also made demeaning comments about Nas' woman, and mother of his child 'Destiny'. He also said that nas was a
failing MC, and that his only hot album was 'Illmatic', (see lyrics below). And it didn't help that Jay-Z had indeed rose
atop the New York rap scene, giving him ample justification to call out Nas, who had fallen from favor and receded from the
public eye while he dealt with his personal issues, such as the recent death of his mother.
After Jay-Z in the "Takeover" attacked Nas, Nas didn't come up with a reply diss immediately, he fired back months later
when he was recording his album. No rush though. When Nas finally released the album, and the diss track to Jay-Z, the hype
around the release was unreal, and this hype was met to great effect with the diss track, entitled "Ether", a killer diss to
Jay Z. Nas completely rips apart his old rival Jay on the track. Nas comes off with some lyrically "controlled rage" and he
comes off with some real sly condescending snaps calling Jigga, J.J. (from Good Times), we all know that J.J. Evans aka
Jimmie walker was not a handsome brotha. Nas scolds Jay as a father would a son on 2 tracks. Nas assaults Jigga on many
fronts. His personality as a misogynist, physical appearance, known history and speculative reputation. Nas was also
continuing the assault on radio highlighting all of Jigga's flaws like his narcissism and his re-naming himself 'Jay Hovah'
read 'Jehovah'. Nas is tighter lyrically than Jay-Z who is now essentially a pop rapper. This battle episode may cause Jigga
to rethink his pop rap career. Nas can't hate on that, cause he was trying his hand at pop rap also remember that Oochie wali
song/video or his prior Album. But because of this beef he returned to his "Illmatic" roots and captured that authentic rap
spirit before he was written off. (see below for Ether lyrics).
Jay-Z was so embarrassed by this diss track that he hit back, the very day that Nas' 'Ether' was released, with a 2 minute
freestyle diss of his own! He claims the track was a freestyle, which is clearly untrue, as Jay-Z is no freestyler, and those
rhymes are definately re-worked! By this time the beef had definately escualted, and people were hoping this wouldnt end like
the Tupac vs Biggie beef as there was a danger that overzealous fans of each artist could escalate tensions. This may have
been exacerbated by the fact that Jay-Z opens up his "Super Ugly" song with a call for Brooklyn to STAND UP. A sly attempt to
regionalize the beef as Queens vs Brooklyn. Luckily nobody was buying into that nonsense. Most fans recognized the ignorant
damage once done by East Coast vs West Coast separationIn the track, Jay-Z disses Nas' women, Carmen, by saying:
"me and a i got more in carmen (meant as in common) then just ballin n rhymen, get it? more in carmen" and
"i came in ur bentli bakseat, skeeted in ur jeep, left condoms on ur babyseat, hey nigga the gluvs is off, the love is
done" People voted to see which song was better and Nas' "Ether" came out on top. Altough Jay-Z did reply again on mixtapes,
such as "Got Myself A Gun", a rip-off of Nas's "Got Yourself A..." which is a very brave reply to such a diss track as
"Ether" is, and always will be, Jay-Z just couldnt retaliate in such a way that could take the shine of "Ether". As of today
Jigga is embarrassed by his reply song to Nas called "Super Ugly". Even Jay-Z's biggest groupie, Funkmaster Flex shied away
from him as of press time. This said a lot because most of the time that mic flex holds to his mouth can be mistaken for
something else. It can be said that Jay-Z was on "da low" for a long time after his humiliation. In fact his mother insisted
that he apologize about dissing Nas's baby mother. His mother was quoted as saying "it was in poor taste".
Jay-Z was mature about it and did follow his mom's advice. He appeared on HOT97 radio station and publicly apologized to
Nas's baby mother (Carmen) the next day.
Jigga tried to end the beef and Nas called him soft. They still say things about each other, but just indirectly. I
personally think that Nas won the beef battle, early on it seemed as if Jay-Z might have won this with a few spirited barbs,
but Nas' "Ether" of his massive album "Stillmatic" has become a heralded classic. And also with Nas's rapid succession of
incredible albums -- two a year for the last two years, one better than the other, a double album on the way – have made him
the clear winner.
TALE OF THE MIXTAPES: An oral history of Jay-Z and Nas' lyrical feud
Nas "Ether": "Is he Dame Diddy, Dame Daddy or Dame Dummy? / Oh, I get it, you Biggie and he's Puffy / Rockafeller died of
AIDS, that was the end of his chapter / And that's the guy y'all chose to name your company after? / Put it together, I rock
hoes, y'all rock fellas!"
Nas "Ether": "Foxy got you hot 'cause you kept your face in her puss / What you think, you gettin girls now 'cause of your
looks?"
Nas "Ether": I COULD PICK SOME MORE LYRICS FROM ETHER BUT THE WHOLE SONG IS A STRAIGHT DISS AT JAY-Z SO JUST READ THE SONG
LYRICS BY CLICKING HERE>>>>
Jay Z "Got Myself A Gun": "You got a lot of nerve to play me / Another gay rapper / Bustin' caps at Jay-Z / (buck, buck,
buck, buck, buck, buck) /And still avoid capture!"
Jay Z on Nas "Takeover": "Youse the fag model for Karl Kani/Esco ads / Went from, Nasty Nas to Esco's trash / Had a spark
when you started but now you're just garbage / Fell from top ten to not mentioned at all / to your bodyguard's "Oochie Wally"
verse better than yours / Matter fact you had the worst flow on the whole fuckin song / but I know - the sun don't shine,
then son don't shine / That's why your - LAAAAAAAME! - career come to a end / There's only so long fake thugs can pretend /
Nigga; you ain't live it you / witnessed it from your folks pad / You scribbled in your notepad and created your life!"
50 Cent Vs Nas
This is the most recent Beef that involves Nas. This started in Feb 2005, when 50 Cent released his 2nd album on Aftermath
records, 'The Massacre'. A track from the album, entitled 'Piggy Bank', 50 Cent seems to pick beef with a few artists for no
aparant reasons, as he seems to do more often these days. On the track he disses Fat Joe, and also ruff ryder artist,
Jadakiss, who featured on 2pac's posthumus eminem produced release 'Loyal To The Game', as did 50 Cent. Fifty addresses nas
in the third verse of the song, and disses nas for tattooing a picture of his wife, Kelis, on his arm! (for lyrics see
below). Nas has since addressed the beef in interviews but seems not to bothered about it, saying:
"I need a good opponent to go after, then it's all good," Nas said with a smile on Friday in New York (see "Fat Joe On 50
Cent's 'Piggy Bank': 'Them Steroids Is Getting To Him' "). "The game is looking terrible. It's a lot of guys out here, 'CB4'
gangstas, making the rap game look bad. Fourteen-year-olds might be believing in these guys, and a lot of these guys that are
here are walking train wrecks and they're miserable. I pray for the upliftment of hip-hop, so I'm working on this next album,
NASDAQ Dow Jones, coming to y'all real soon.".
TALE OF THE MIXTAPES: An oral history of 50 Cent and Nas' lyrical feud
50 Cent on Nas, "Piggy Bank": "Kelis say her milkshake bring all the boys to the yard / then Nas went and tattooed the bitch
on his arm / Im way out in Cali, niggas know you cuz / First thing they say about u, you's a sucka for love / This is chess,
not checkers, these are warning shots / After ya next move, I'll give ya what I got. (YEEAH)"
Nas on 50 Cent, "Dont Body Yaself": "I'm a bury them / Niggaz don't want beef they vegetarian / Scared of pussy you climbed
out a caesarian / I push ya grown ass back in your mothers womb / You need nine more months / Your crews nine more punks /
You rhyme on stuff and claim I didn't sign y'all up"
Nas on 50 Cent, "Dont Body Yaself": "They say Jada defeated him / Joe to street for him / What's next? I guess it's for Nas
to ether him / Ya'll awaiting an MC burial"
Nas on 50 Cent, "Dont Body Yaself": "Man that is riteous, faithful and keeps law / Will surely live to cleanse the soverend
Lord / And you are none of the above / So you a sucka for death if I'm a sucka for love / And ya wanna know why I dont got an
answer niggaz / Cause I truely understand these niggaz / Scared of me so they talk about family members / Like I cant point
out your grandma to niggaz"
Benzino Vs Nas
This beef was very low key, and was kind of forgotten about as the focus of Benzino's disses fell on how Aftermath artists
reacted! In 'The Source' magazine owner's Benzino's diss track. He disses Aftermath, exspecially 50Cent, the Shady Records
Crew Eminem, Obie Trice and D-12, Jay-Z, Nas and more. Aftermath were the first to react, with Eminem launching back lyrical
attacks on Benzino and his magazine, this beef is a high profile beef, which also envloved other Aftermath artists like 50
cent. Because of these artists high profile, and quick-fire response, Nas' thoughts on the diss were not really cared for.
Eminem reacted so quickly because also, the intro is Benzino on the phone with Paul Rosenberg.
More Info Available at: http://www.rapcentral.co.uk/nasTimeline.html
3:42 AM
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