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[Produced by DJ Premier] [Intro] (Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is like; Nas is like; Nas is like) Umm, Premo, Nas Yeah, yeah, yo (Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is; Nas is like) [Verse 1] Freedom or jail, clips inserted A baby's bein' born same time a man is murdered — the beginnin' 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 sign's 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 It's 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, Nas) [Chorus] Nas is like... life or death; I'm a rebel My poetry's deep, I never fell Nas is like... half-man, half-amazin' (Uh) No doubt! Nas is like... life or death; I'm a rebel (Uh, uh) My poetry's deep, I never fell Nas is like... half-man, half-amazin' (Uh) No doubt! (Uh) [Verse 2] (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 long way from blastin' TECs 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 with 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 wonderin' why It's a dirty game, is any man worthy of fame? Much success to you, even if you wish me the opposite Sooner or later, we'll all see who the prophet is [Chorus] Nas is like... life or death; I'm a rebel My poetry's deep, I never fell Nas is like... half-man, half-amazin' (C'mon) No doubt! Nas is like... life or death; I'm a rebel My poetry's deep, I never fell Nas is like... half-man, half-amazin' No doubt! (Uh) [Verse 3] (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, green leaf breather 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 Pac, dude 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 bein' 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 in your system every night, now [Chorus] Nas is like... life or death; I'm a rebel My poetry's deep, I never fell Nas is like... half-man, half-amazin' No doubt! Nas is like... life or death; I'm a rebel My poetry's deep, I never fell Nas is like... half-man, half-amazin' No doubt! (Uh) Nas is like
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Meaning of "Nas Is Like" by Nas
The track opens with a stark juxtaposition of life and death, a theme that immediately grounds the listener in the harsh realities Nas navigates. "Freedom or jail, clips inserted / A baby's bein' born same time a man is murdered" sets a tone of constant conflict and the cyclical nature of violence. This isn't just about personal experience; it's a commentary on the environment where birth and demise occur simultaneously, highlighting a world where survival is a daily battle. Nas positions himself as an artist who has witnessed and survived this duality, transitioning from "Nasty" to a more complex persona. He grapples with the game's allure and its dangers, seeing friends fall while he himself practices his aim, suggesting a constant state of readiness. The lyrics paint a picture of street scriptures for those lost in the struggle, from corner hustlers to those facing the ultimate despair of suicide in jail cells, underscoring the vast spectrum of life and death he observes. The core of the song lies in its relentless exploration of identity through a series of powerful "Nas is like" comparisons. He's "half-man, half-amazin'," a rebel whose poetry is deep, never falling despite the chaos. These declarations aren't mere boasts; they're affirmations of resilience and artistic integrity amidst a world that often demands compromise or destruction. The comparisons range from cosmic (planets in orbit) to historical (pharaoh Nas) and even spiritual (messiah type), all serving to elevate his status and the profound impact of his words. What makes "Nas Is Like" resonate so deeply is its unflinching honesty and the sheer density of its imagery. Nas doesn't shy away from the grim realities of his past or the complexities of his present success. He contrasts the "Seiko to Rolex" and "projects with no chips, to large cake dough" while simultaneously questioning the worth of material gain if it can't be taken with you. This intricate weaving of street wisdom, aspirational narratives, and existential reflection solidifies his claim as a "thug poet" who lives and writes his reality, making the listener feel they're getting an unfiltered glimpse into his world.
This AI-assisted editorial analysis was reviewed, improved, and approved by the LyricsWeb editorial team.
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Credits
- Writers
- Nas
- DJ Premier
- Large Professor
- Claydes Smith
- Cleveland Horne
- Dennis “D.T.” Thomas
- Gene Redd
- Gene Redd Jr.
- George Brown
- John Bettis
- Robert “Kool” Bell
- Robert Spike Mickens
- Khalis Bayyan
- Roy Handy
- Steve Porcaro