What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
A theme Nas has touched on “Hate Me Now”, and later on “Black Republican” and “Reach Out”.
Nas is explaining the nature of people in the black community from a sociological perspective, specifically the idea that citizens are a “product of their environment.”
Essentially, this excerpt describes the notion that putting people in a different setting or scenario will have little to no effect on their basic instincts and behavior. It leaves open the possibility that once you grow up in an environment, you may never be able to shed the influence of that environment. In that sense, people from the hood are products of their environment (or at least the environment of their developmental years).
He has stated that he doesn´t feel at home with the rich fancy people and feels more at home when he is visiting his old hood. That’s why he doesn´t want to visit too often, who can blame him? You can get shot and it´s not a good place for kids to grow up. He is stuck in a lonely situation.
See this interview where he explains that in depth among other things.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
'Cause I can see what's goin' on, I respect your scam AZ – Royal Salute
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Even though 50 cent had some buzz before he got shot nine times, it impacted him hugely. He became a street legend which helped his sales and he was backed up by big names like Eminem and Dr. Dre, which also made magic beats for him. If you take all that away how would his career unfolded? Who knows.
His second album, The Massacre, was heavily marketed with the fact that he was going to “kill” rappers careers, name-drop, and start a lot of beefs. Therefore, his scam was that he was so marketable and if you take away the beats and everything and he´s only left with a mic? He has only released two albums since then, one going platinum. Have people seen through his “scam”? AZ respect his scam since everyone has to make a living, but don´t go against him since he will expose the scam.
Matter of fact you ain't done, enjoy this year AZ – Royal Salute
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
He sees 50 Cent as only a fad while AZ is timeless and doesn´t rely his greatness on sale numbers —– in hindsight you can´t deny it. Jackson had two smash hit albums, but since then he has been lukewarm. So this is AZ predicting his demise. This was released in 2007, the year Curtis was released and 50 cent latest album going platinum. In these six years that have passed he has released one album that has gone gold. Now of course music sales in general have decreased, but top tier artists (like Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and Jay Z) still manage to achieve platinum status.
Saddam statue will still stand on top of the sand AZ – Royal Salute
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Many rappers brag that they are so good rappers since they make so much money, but that correlation isn’t necessarily the case. Is Saddam a great leader because he makes so much money? No.
This was directed at 50 cent since he dissed AZ on his song “What if”
I wouldn’t stand a chance of tryin to sell like Shady
If I put out bullshit joints like AZ
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Word play…
A disabled person needs a kane
Big Daddy Kane is afraid of Ab-soul, he is scary good!
- “They will not dis-ABEL, even CAIN afraid of me” as in the legend of Cain, who killed his brother Abel out of anger and jealousy. Since he could kill his own brother he can´t have much emotions and isn´t easily scared.
With a dream of stepping in a couple connections in heroin and Glocks XV – American Dream
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Note the difference in setting between the verses. The first one being fresh of the boat, while the second one starts fresh of the block. Hinting a message of even though all these years have passed since the big immigrant waves it’s still the same situation, the difference being heroin instead of coke.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
He looked into the mirror, couldn't tell who he is XV – American Dream
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Because of his lifestyle, being involved in crime, he lost his old friends including himself. He doesn´t like what he sees and wish he never entered this life, he can´t even recognize himself anymore.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
At the time Nas was 33 years old so “about 30 years” could represent (pun intended) that he feels or wants to feel younger, could it be the infamous 30 years crisis? Nonetheless, the life expectancy is low for black males, especially in the hood where so many have died (disappeared) and he could be thinking “am I next”?
As his buddy AZ said famousely on Nas´s joint Life´s a Bitch:
He’s on the jail phone hollering at his folks, he was given a 30 year jail sentence
People calling home on phone time with a 30 year sentence. More and more people ending up in prison