Lyrics

[Intro] Twenty-two year old rapper Nas Was born and raised in the Queensbridge Houses Just over the East River from Manhattan With almost 7,000 residents Queensbridge is New York City's largest housing project Now while it may look nice enough Its history of violent crime makes it anything but an easy place to grow up [Verse 1: Nas] PS-111, had free lunch Embarrassed but managed to get a plate We was kids hungry, mom's working, I was famished She getting home late So I decided now I'm in charge, either stay full or starve Corner store like, "Mister, spare a quarter?" Before Air Jordans, Kareem Abdul-Jabbars Trying to cop quarters and trying to move that hard Roll with a shooter squad How could I not succumb? How could I not partake? Fifteen, I got a gun, sixteen, I robbed a train Licked off a shot for fun, what's got inside my brain? A hustler's job ain't done 'til he becomes a king But I'm a righteous son, despite I'm in the midst of Dudes who switch up and change They wanna carry me like I'm some kind of lame I never let 'em, though, I just forgive 'em, though Either that or the pistol blow [Interlude: Ice-T] This shows you how powerful rap music is How it's changed the world This isn't a game, this is the art of rap [Verse 2: Nas] I remember early mornings, syrup sandwiches Sugar water, yeah Walking up the dark stairwells, elevators was out of order Yeah Worth two hundred million now, bicentennial nigga Flat screens and condominiums Brazilian women on Xannies, they pulling off panties I'm pushing forty, she only twenty-one Don't applaud me, I'm exhausted, G Me and my red cup, my blunt and my red cup Y'all wouldn't know me without one, I keep a fresh cut Remember talking to Biggie inside his Lex truck Said, "Stay fly when you bummy, keep your pajamas Armani" Hood forever, I just act like I'm civilized Really what's in my mind is organizing a billion Black motherfuckers To take over J.P. and Morgan, Goldman and Sachs And teach the world facts and give Saudi they oil back