"Nas is . . ." -Nas) 7x



[Nas]

Freedom or jail, clips inserted, a baby's bein born

Same time my man is murderedm the beginning and end

As far as rap go, it's only natural, I explain

My plateau, and also, what defines my name

First it was Nasty, but times have changed

Ask me now, I'm the artist, but hardcore, my science for pain

I spent time in the game, kept my mind on fame

Saw fiends shoot up, and do lines of cocaine

Saw my close friends shot, flatline am I sane?

That depends, carry Mac-10's to practice my aim

On rooftops, tape cd covers to trees

Line the barrel up with your weak picture then squeeze

Street scriptures for lost souls, in the crossroads

To the corner thugs hustlin for cars that cost dough

To the big dogs livin large, takin it light

Pushin big toys, gettin nice, enjoyin your life

is what you make it, suicide, few try to take it

Belt tied around they neck in jail cells naked

Heaven and hell, rap legend, presence is felt

And of course N - A - S are the letters that spell . . .

NAS, NAS



Chorus: scratching by DJ Premier (2X)



"Nas is like life or death.. my rep.."

"My poetry's deep, I never fell.."

"Nas is like.. half man half amazing.."

"No doubt.."



[Nas]

"Nas is like.." Earth Wind & Fire, rims and tires

Bulletproof glass, inside is the realest driver

Planets in orbit, line em up with the stars

Tarot cards, you can see the pharaoh Nas

"Nas is like.." Iron Mike, messiah type

Before the Christ, after the death

The last one left, let my cash invest in stock

Came a along way from blastin, techs on blocks

Went from Seiko to Rolex, ownin acres

From the projects with no chips, to large cake dough

Dimes, givin fellatio, siete zeros

Bet my nine spit for the pesos

But what's it all worth, can't take it when you under this Earth

Rich men died and tried, but none of it worked

They just rob your grave, I'd rather be alive and paid

Before my number's called, history's made

Some'll fall, but I rise, thug or die

Makin choices, that determine my future under the sky

To rob steal or kill, I'm wondering why

It's a dirty game, is any man worthy of fame?

Much to success to ya, even if you wish me the opposite

Sooner or later we'll all see who the prophet is



Chorus



[Nas]

"Nas is like.." Sex to a nympho, but nothin sweet

I'm like beef, bustin heat through your windows

I'm like a street sweeper, greenleaf reaper

Like Greeks in Egypt, learnin somethin deep from they teachers

I'm like crime, like your nine, your man you would die for

Always got you, I'm like Pop Duke you would cry for

I'm like a whole lot of loot, I'm like crisp money

Corporate accounts from a rich company

I'm like ecstasy for ladies, I'm like all races

combined in one man; like the '99 summer jam

Bulletproof Hummer man

I'm like being locked down around new faces, and none of em fam'

I'm the feelin of a millionaire spendin a hundred grand

I'm a poor man's dream, a thug poet

Live it, and I write down and I watch it blow up

Y'all know what I'm like, y'all play it your system every night

Now..



Chorus