This song is like a sequel to the album intro to It was Written were the slaves got hanged. they are reincarnated into the modern days as thugs searching for greater things in life.
“it’s hard to look straight” = Nas refers to the way street heads perceive Hip Hop artists i.e as studio ganstas, trying to rob their chains and stuff anytime they get a chance to.
This is the reason why he says it’s pretty fucked up to deal with his orthodox image, being laid back and not known for being involved in Drugs or shoutouts….
It obviously ties with the previous bar stating “I ain’t your Mark Homey!”
“my foot on the brake (…) shook of the jakes” = NaS fiery takes up stick up niggas’s challenge with a rugged determination. He literally knocks his bottle of alcohol on th floor chalenging em in return.
It would have been easier and safer to speed ahead but it’s the whole point of it, tough guys doesn’t dodge and hid.
indulging in anything life offers without any boundaries made others jealous looking to sniff him, then snuff him out to be in that position.
Ties into the previous line “Stick up niggas once ran up on me.”
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He drives under influence of alcohol, swerves and finally thinks he is a few steps away from being arrested.
He was definitely right cause highway patrol flash lights inn his rearview afterwards. For some reason they speed ahead as he wished em to arrest him cause then he would probably have been enforced to attend programs such as rehab and stuff.
