Nas Is Like

[Produced by DJ Premier] [Verse 1] Freedom or jail, clip's inserted, a baby's being born Same time a man is murdered, 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 hustling for cars that cost dough To the big dogs living large, taking in light Pushing big toys, getting nice, enjoying your life Is what you make it, suicide, few try to take it Belt tied around their 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 [Scratched Hook] "Nas is like life or death.. I'm a rebel.. " "My poetry's deep, I never fell.." "Nas is like.. half man half amazing.." "No doubt.." [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 along way from blasting, tecs on blocks Went from Seiko to Rolex, owning acres From the projects with no chips, to large cake dough Dimes, giving 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 Making 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 success to you, even if you wish me the opposite Sooner or later we'll all see who the prophet is [Scratched Hook] [Verse 3] "Nas is like.." Sex to a nympho, but nothing sweet I'm like beef, bustin heat through your windows I'm like a street sweeper, green leaf breather Like Greeks in Egypt, learning 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 being locked down around new faces, and none of 'em fam I'm the feeling of a millionaire spending 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 [Scratched Hook]