Reference to the 1995 film “Waiting to Exhale” starring Angela Basset, who plays a woman who leaves her dreams of having a catering business to raise her family. Her husband leaves her for a white woman. Going through a lot, a mother like this would need to maintain by letting it all out, or exhaling.

Old slang for gun. Originated from shortening “Gattling gun” and used in the Prohibition Era to refer to any gun. It’s become commonly used by East Coast rappers, though they did not come up with the word.

Sanford and Son was a legendary sitcom that was the precursor to many African American TV shows, including the Cosby Show. In 2007, Time magazine named it one of the 100 Best TV Shows of All Time.

QB has become a hotspot for the illegal drug trade. Investigations in 2009, when this album was released, led to 59 arrests.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensbridge,_Queens

Mega is from Queensbridge, Queens. The neighborhood’s known for some of it’s legendary residents. These would include emcees like Nas, Kool G, Craig G, Prodigy, Havoc, Marley Marl, and even ball players like Metta World Peace/Ron Artest.

You must be aware at all times on the steets, your senses must be at their peak, especially when slingin' rock like Cormega. You could get a bullet in your back at any moment. Nas said it best, “I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death.”

Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp were teammates on the Seattle Supersonics. Payton, at the point, would push the rock, or set up, Kemp at forward.

Payton (20) and Kemp (40)
Mega makes this connection in thinking about his old friends who either sell dope or are either dead or in jail.

God is able to save them from the furnace, but whether he does or doesn’t will not affect their decision. They are taking a firm stand for exclusive devotion to God.

The three Hebrews are very familiar with the commandment to not commit idolatry. As loyal Jews, they will not worship the golden statue.