Freedom or jail, clip's inserted, a baby's born Same a man is murdered, the beginning and end As far as rap go, only natural I explain My plateau, and also, defines my name First it was Nasty, but times have Ask me now, I'm the artist, but hardcore, my science for I spent time in the game, kept my on fame Saw fiends shoot up and do of cocaine Saw my close friends shot, am I sane? That depends, carry Mac-10's to my aim On rooftops, CD covers to trees Line the barrel up with weak picture then squeeze Street for lost souls, in the crossroads To the corner thugs hustling for cars that dough To the big living large, taking in light Pushing big toys, getting nice, your life Is what you it, suicide, few try to take it Belt tied around neck in jail cells naked Heaven and hell, rap legend, presence is And of course N-A-S are the letters that NAS, NAS
"Nas is like" Earth, Wind & Fire, and tires glass, inside is the realest driver Planets in orbit, line 'em up the stars Tarot cards, you can see the Nas "Nas is like" Mike, messiah type the Christ, after the death The one left, let my cash invest in stock Came a along way blasting, tecs on blocks Went Seiko to Rolex, owning acres From the projects with no chips, to large dough Dimes, fellatio, siete zeros Bet my nine spit for the But what's it all worth, can't take it you under this Earth Rich men and tried, but none of it worked They just rob your grave, I'd rather be alive and Before my number's called, made fall, but I rise, thug or die Making choices, that determine my future the sky To rob or kill, I'm wondering why It's a game, is any man worthy of fame? Much success to you, even if you me the opposite Sooner or we'll all see who the prophet is
"Nas is like" Sex to a nympho, but nothing I'm like beef, heat through your windows I'm like a street sweeper, green leaf Like Greeks in Egypt, learning somethin from they teachers I'm like crime, like your nine, your man you die for got you, I'm like Pac dude you would cry for I'm like a whole lot of loot, I'm crisp money Corporate accounts from a rich I'm like ecstasy for ladies, I'm all races Combined in one like the '99 summer jam Hummer man I'm like being down around new faces, and none of 'em fam I'm the feeling of a millionaire spending a grand I'm a poor man's dream, a poet 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 Now