Surviving the Times歌詞

Surviving the Times - Nas
But that's the whole tragic point my friends
What what would I do if I could suddenly feel
And to know once again that what I feel is real
I could cry I could smile I might lay back for awhile
Tell me what what would I do if I could feel you
I was young I was survivin' the times
Waitin' for my moment I was destined to shine
Little Ray had an NSX I was hopin' I'm next
Wantin' bracelets never had a rope on my neck
Unless I was holdin' Taiyeh chain 'Rest In Peace'
Even though that night you flipped on us you warned us
If you came back and we still on the corners we goners movin' on to
Move your arm and your watch to another time on the block
'Cause this 40 Side where they say shorty rhyme
Tragedy he used to come through all the time
I'm talkin' Juice Crew not what the word define
He had a sister named Erin for sure was fine
That was my first crush I bought my first mic
I wrote my first verse I was about nine
I was about mine fantasize house-buyin'
Met Paul he wore some big glasses
Him and Melquan took me where G Rap lived
I was happy just gettin' some answers
I ain't even know what a record advance was
I'm seein' hoes sex in the studio bathroom
With rap dudes thinkin' wow she moved me
Same girl then right now's a groupie
Back then she was like the star in the movie
Large jewelry and expensive Gucci
Next stop Paid In Full posse recruits me
Knew they were some millionaires their ropes were dookie
Eric B man lookin' like touch it he shoot me
You see every time Ra didn't show
I get to record demos at attempts to blow
I wonder could they tell how did they know
Sixteen years later here I go
What what what would I do
What what what would I do
What what what would I do
What what what would I do
I'm with Akinyele in the street tryin' to get us a deal
G Rap tried to get us to sign to Cold Chill
But Fly Ty didn't have the contract we wanted
Clark Kent just signed Das he didn't want us
Russell said I sounded like G the ni**a fronted
Reef and Matty C offered me a little money
Sh*t a little funny feel a little laughter
Rebel of hip-hop comin' through a white rapper
My boy MC Serch nevertheless
Took me to Columbia back then CBS
Chris Schwartz RuffHouse he was the best man
Now buggin' 'cause the label had just dropped Def Jam
Could you picture Russell needin' a check man
But he smart he plotted a plan for Polygram
Life is ill again life's a movie
Then the roster's Cypress Hill Nas and Fugees
Before I sold records no promotion
The rap world like what's all this commotion
Went plat' mad bottles I'm toasting
20/20 hindsight but how did they know then
What what what would I do
What what what would I do
What what what would I do
What what what would I do
Invincible lyrical miracle man huh
But back to the matter at hand
'Cause ten years ago we all strived to be twenty-five
Some cats didn't make it alive
Dated some stars but respect their privacy
Copped mad cars layin' back in the driver's seat
Held myself down just steerin' the wheel
Here I am completed my whole record deal
What what what would I do
What what what would I do
What what what would I do
What what what would I do
What would I do if I could reach inside of me
And to know how it feels to say I like what I see