ROSES
By
NAS
***************
Just like a rose
Everybody knows that you are so beautiful
But I feel a thorn in my hide
I should’ve known, we can’t repair what we broke
But I held you close
Too close
I should’ve left your roses at the door
They’re sharper than before
And I don’t want them no more
I should’ve left your roses at the door
They’re sharper than before
And I don’t need them no more
I have no time to give you guidance
Barely have any fuck time either
Hefner minded like, I think you’re fine, but
I seen the finest women that ever came out a beaver
Mind reader, can tell she vegan or not when I meet her
Or if she insecure, most are
If she’s mixed, a possible psycho alert goes off
Not a judge cause a judge don’t wear no draws, yet he allows
Everything to go to your spouse when you end your vows
My tax bracket not enough blacks have it
Who should I date? Project chick or Cuban actress?
A white chick, they might flip talking that blackness
Should only attract black shit, I’m an ass magnet
If you mad at that, you’ll be mad forever
Never played you, I prayed we would stay together
Wished it’d last forever, know what I mean
Heard you tear a rose from the roots, the rose screams
Just like a rose
Everybody knows that you are so beautiful
But I feel a thorn in my hide
I should’ve known, we can’t repair what we broke
But I held you close
Too close
Them Xanax can’t manage your maniac manic depressive expressions
They some silent killers, that stress shit
That put ulcers in a lot of niggas
I’m blowing medical, it helps chill a violent temper
I done went to hell and back, you always think you right
You know when you wrong, and still you want to fight
When people like my song, you want to kill ’em right?
You resent me every time I make a million right?
You want to experience life when you calling all the shots
Ordering bottles for all your girls up in the spot
Have your own cash, own your own Benz
Your own house, everything, me, I understand
Thought you would bask in the glory as Queen Bee
Put you on under Martin Scorsese: Mean Street
The first movie he made, thought that was fly
I thought you was flyer, you a fuckin’ liar
Just like a rose
Everybody knows that you are so beautiful
But I feel a thorn in my hide
I should’ve known, we can’t repair what we broke
But I held you close
Too close
I should’ve left your roses at the door
They’re sharper than before
And I don’t want them no more
I should’ve left your roses at the door
They’re sharper than before
And I don’t need them no more
TRUST
***************
It’s like a cold story repeated over and over
In the winters of my mind
This shit be real, man
Shit’s crazy out here
Yo yo, yo what up y’all?
That’s my niggas over there. Word
If you scared to take chances, you’ll never have the answers
I could tell the future of a dude how his stance is
Wonder will he shoot then you should study where his hands is
Is he gonna cock it and pop it? His waistband big
But he don’t have that thing in him, slangin’ just ain’t in him
Body language is off, he’s soft
But soft niggas all a sudden start dumpin’, frontin’
Cause you fell away; my niggas say the eyes is a giveaway
One look could tell me if you really came to kill me
Be the quiet nigga lookin’, layin’ with the milli
Who dat over there, creepin’? Who homie by the tree?
Better safe than sorry, look at p-noid me
Few machine guns close, we could squeeze all three
Be a cold day in hell ‘fore they creep on me
It’s a lesson every premonition
Lotta niggas killed ’cause they wasn’t payin’ attention.
Listen
I want a bitch I can trust
Some niggas I can trust
Accountants lookin’ over my figures I can trust
A lawyer that’s fightin’ for my decisions I can trust
Damn my nigga trust, I can never get enough
A Ruger I can trust, shooters I can trust
Goons that know how to spot out a Judas I can trust
And if I can’t trust you, the fuck is you here for?
Some of you niggas’ true colors becoming clear more
It’s been so long, can’t remember how we begun this war
This is a ever-lasting thunderstorm, ’cause guns went off
I see ya moms she still speak,
She don’t know I ain’t cool wit her son no more
It’s old shit, see forever we holdin’ this grudge
Takes real men to squash beef, end it with hugs
We buried our dead, been years
Why should I worry ’bout him
Constantly watchin’ my back
Plus niggas tellin’ I dread
Another day I put a family in black
Though I be calm and relaxed
Though I know somehow it will come back
Even if I’m in the right, ’cause still a life is a life
What was it worth to see you covered in dirt?
It’s quite redundant, whether you the hunter or the hunted
Mother’s cry, no statute of limitation on a homicide
Just tattoos of my niggas’ names. I wonder will it change?
Let’s ride
It’s rare I listen to niggas who never been in my position
A caterpillar can’t relate to what an eagle envisions
From the mind of a man who went at it with killers
Sit down little man, let me school you in hood business
Seen a lotta niggas blow, lotta dreams folded
Some wasn’t humble, ate too much, got bloated
Ain’t too much left to buy, bought it I’m loaded I guess
Lear jets – I ask myself do I need love or success?
They say the artist that truly suffer his stuff is the best
‘Cause his heart bleed on his sleeve, pain pistols and sex
Remember spraypaintin’ the word “Fresh” and then staring at it
Older folks angry, pointin’, swearin’ at it
Buildings I sprayed, nowadays drive the Maclaren past it
Same old man from years ago told me life is short
So from infant to geriatric, trust ya own judgment.
Live with it and love it
BACK WHEN
***************
The ill reminisce and think about the fly days
Nothing like them 80s summer N.Y. days
Hop on the NB5 days
Mopeds, Pro Keds, city split five ways
How it all started, fifth floor apartment
A jigsaw puzzle aerial view of the projects
A kid saw struggle, buried a few of his partners
Now chill in resorts, enjoying massages
Check out the oracle bred from city housing
Nas, I’ll rise the deads by thousands
I remember seeing Shan chilling near his Audi
Hollis Ave, Run and them but I proudly
Put a poster up of Shan and Marley, that was art kid
You love to hear the story how it started
The bubbly I’m pouring wasn’t popped yet
Before there was a audience to watch us
I assure you, there was a process
“You love to hear the story, how it all, how it all got started”
How it all got started, yeah
“You love to hear the story, how it all, how it all got started”
How it, how it all got started
“You love to hear the story how it all, how it all got started”
Hear the story, started off
Started off, started off
How it all got started
“Back when, back when, back when, back when
Back when, back when, back when, back when”
To call them fake today is hate, real niggas extinct
Pac left me inside a rap world with niggas that wink
At other rappers, undercover niggas spit every way
Won’t be surprised if all their rides have federal plates
Let alone their wardrobes and Studio 4 flow
It was real when I appeared, it would’ve been some jaws broke
Nas, my real name, stage name, same thing
How could you let these lames claim king? I’m so ashamed, man
I light a L for Vernon, for niggas who would burn in Hell
For Vernon; 10th Street, 12th Street, Nightmare on Elm Street
Pimps creep, delve deep inside the editorials
Of the ghetto queens, kings, stories true
Who possesses the testicular fortitude
To blow away myths that’s a hindrance to all of you
You blame your own shortcomings on sex and race
The mafia, homosexuals and all the Jews
It’s hogwash point of views, stereotypical
Anti-Semitic like the foul words Gibson spewed
And it’s pathetic, I don’t get the credit I deserve
That’s why I hate doing interviews
But I don’t sweat it, study long, study raw
My man Dion said “Nas over-think the songs he writing”
I’m not a wack performer standing near a corny hype man
I got the Donism in me, I’m here to enlighten
“You love to hear the story, how it all, how it all got started”
How it all got started, yeah
“You love to hear the story, how it all, how it all got started”
How it, how it all got started
“You love to hear the story how it all, how it all got started”
Hear the story, started off
Started off, started off
How it all got started
“Back when, back when, back when, back when
Back when, back when, back when, back when”
ACCIDENT MURDERER (FEAT. RICK ROSS)
***************
You cocked back, you thought you had it planned
You thought you had your man
He saw you comin’, he ran when you tried to blast that man
Missed him by inches, he sprinted
Some of his boys on the corner was who your bullets entered
Two of ’em pull through, but one didn’t, son’s finished
You took the life of him
The part about it that’s crazy, you was aight with him
Tight with him, why was he in the way?
Why was he standin’ next to the enemy that specific day?
His style never hollas loud, stays reclusive
Good dude, got that look like he always about to do shit
Side of his mouth toothpick, one eyebrow raised
Got into it with dude who still tried to live out his old wild out days
They never had no probs
Somehow they rubbed each other wrong like a bad massage
These two different personalities had to collide
Niggas could not aim and innocent niggas died
You ask why, cause of a…
Accident murderer
Act like you killed on purpose
Liars brag, you put work in
You ain’t mean to murk him, your gun’s a virgin
Streets are full of them, read the bulletin
Accident murderer
You just an accident murderer
We grew up doin’ graffiti
Now hollows heads gettin’ heated
Seated in foreign cars, constantly gettin’ weeded
Proceeded to count profits, I know they got on binoculars
But fuck ’em all, we ballin’ ’til they come lock us up
Twenty to life, I’m clubbin’ blowin’ twenty tonight
We the Marlboro, Marley Marlin’ all through the night
Addicted to wealth, never cold turkey to war
Snatch a tech off the shelf, live forever that’s Insha’Allah
Memoirs of a rich nigga
Sweat suits, gold chains, old drug dealers
New Benz, chrome rims off a show killer
You niggas accidental shoppers in back of the limo
Pay your ties, stay alive, can’t be dodgin’ my clique
Hundred check, I use your bitch for some bargainin’ chips
In a hole, sell your home, nigga go sell your soul
This forty-five in control, God forgives and I don’t
Accident murderer
Act like you killed on purpose
Liars brag, you put work in
You ain’t mean to murk him, your gun’s a virgin
Streets are full of them, read the bulletin
Accident murderer
You just an accident murderer
Accident murderer
Accident murderer
You just an accident murderer
Yo, for my nigga that got killed, got hit up
Vodka spills on the concrete, light a swisha
We miss ya
And for that girl who never made it home, shot in the dome
How they gon’ kill that beautiful sista?
Violent adolescents, homicidal with weapons
Not a lot of knowledge inside of they minds, that I’m guessin’
Tell me who you impressin’?
Shooters I knew them when they was babies, I used to test them
Make ’em throw up they hands, choke ’em out playin’ in wrestlin’
Watch ’em grow to a man, I see them now they reppin’
But they cold-blooded, homie, wonderin’ where the respect went
Can’t play with these little niggas, gangsta little niggas
Can’t hang with these little niggas, they killin’, they reckless
Wish I could build with him, but will he change really?
Some real killers, I think of Wayne Perry
Fake ’til my nigga draws, what you want a name? Tell me
You ain’t mean to kill him, it wasn’t necessary
WORLD’S AN ADDICTION
***************
Lies and the pain
Betrayal, life
In danger’s face
Look what you’re facing, gave your heart away
And all the remedies couldn’t ease the pain
All the hurt and betrayal; need to get away
In a world so cold
You gain your life just to lose your soul
Never thinking twice ’bout what the future holds
All the lies and the games not worth fighting for
The world is an addiction, serving up a fix
The world is an addiction, way too much for me
Snitches and rapists in the street, crime to the fullest
Asking niggas if they got any extra nine bullets
They deny me that, they know the bullets they loan me
Be the same ones that probably had them lying flat stretched out
Letter T
It’s better to dead a beef than let it breathe, then we don’t succeed
Cause then you gotta murder dummies
Waste your time, they allergic to money
I’m never squeamish to blood, we can thug, and get out of hand,
What’s the options?
Only conclusion is shooting, bullets poppin’,
Hoodlums dropping, fear any day that the feds will come knocking
Was young and nervous, asking myself what’s my purpose,
In the back of a patty wagon, bracelets, aching me
Pigs ignoring, I’m asking what precinct they taking me
These cops can’t relate to me, death to prison, empty vacancy
The world is an addiction, serving up a fix
The world is an addiction, way too much for me
Thou shall not be selfish, real nigga commandments,
Know a billionaire he has everything but a fam,
Guess how angry this man gets, had so many bad chicks in his bed,
Strange sex, same sex, has addictions that are sadistic
Chain of events, habits, he puts cocaine on his prick and acts sick
Self-esteem needs boosting alcohol consumption
Nicotine fusion, some athletes juicing
Pastors quote biblical chapters, Psalms
All along he’s into bestiality porn,
And it’s wrong, so I keep the Cali weed in the bong
And I’m strong, but the female anatomy got me sprung
And these women need shoes and bags, cars and condos
Fine clothes, and these fiends needs to get high, so they find dough
To mainline dope, and ya’ll know
The world is an addiction, serving up a fix
The world is an addiction, way too much for me
So many vices, habits, mine of course, bad chicks
My response to any advice on what is the essentials of life
I’m just rebellious, not selfish,
Guess we all share different definitions of what wealth is
I need the best things in life that’s women, that’s cars
Cigars in Venice, bottle on ice, that’s priceless
The other night, just in the emergency room
A patient said she needs to see a doctor soon
Doctor busy operating on a lady who’s sedated
He can barely concentrate, cause he’s newly separated
His estranged wife likes entertaining her acquaintance
In the house they were married in, mad people waiting
Some young, some old, heads and stomachs aching
Filling out an application, cause they all need medication
But the doctor need love or a quick vacation, calling up his travel agent
Same time, premeditating murdering his ex wife
Life, savage ain’t it
Some need Xanax, just to maintain it
We all need faith cause the world keep changing
Let go of the illusion, start some restraining
Just hold on (just hold on)
Just hold on (just hold on)
Just hold on (just hold on)
Just hold on (just hold on)
Just hold on (just hold on)
Just hold on (just hold on)
Just hold on (just hold on)
Just hold on
THE BLACK BOND
***************
I pull a string on a lamp and shit darkens
I’m living in an elegant Moroccan apartment
Proletarian chicks sparkin’
Convo weak, and I don’t really care for her jargon
Balcony is windy, looking at the stars and
I be on the Henny woozy in the head, wobblin’
Gucci pillow on the bed while she giving noggin
Listening and tripping off the Maxwell album
Thinking I should leave to a European island
Bristol or Spain, bring a book about Stalin
Dinner serenaded with a violin
But shorty not qualified to be took to that kind of outing
Gotta be a fly bitch to hang around that fly shit
Fine dining, Olive Garden
Nah bitch, Nas is in the real deal food spots on the constant
Pick the right wine, a Chianti to wash it
Lifestyle encompasses top notch watches
Rolexes, synonymous shit I’m coppin’
Ask her has she been around duffle bags
Full of that “fuck you cash”
Get off the jet with me in heels, I’ll cup your ass
Lookin’ in my eyes sayin’ “Nas, you one lucky bastard”
Grip your clutch, you get finger fucked in the passenger
I hit the Dutch, blow smoke out, music and laughter
See us in the coupe flying past ya
Esco, dress code, it changes
Harrods in England
Back to the star spangled labels in my closet hanging
Counting wonder in the tundra
Get humbled but disgruntled when I come through, confront ya
Let nothing slide, sly remarks
You must wanna die, but you frontin’ wild
When we all know you pumpkin pie
When we in the bus we fly better shit than Emirates
To Dubai, to the Chi, I’m a crucial conflict
Heaven sent, cause a storm, typhoon flood you out
You are what a thug about? I’m a fuckin’ juggernaut
Never sleep, never tire, keep a freak I tie up
Who don’t speak, she quiet
So I can think, conspire
On my feet’s , and sometimes sneakers
Wear ties at the Setai Miami time-pieces
Are from Zurich. It’s like I’m allergic
To non-oxidolic nine
Give it to you raw so you can feel it