Nas - Surviving the Times(2007)

[00:04.65] But that's the whole tragic point, my friends
[00:09.16] What would I do
[00:14.33] If I could suddenly feel?
[00:19.80] And to know, once again, that what I feel is real?
[00:29.74] I could cry
[00:31.75] I could smile
[00:33.95] I might lay back for a while
[00:39.28] Tell me what, (what) what would I do
[00:44.13] If I could feel?
[00:48.03] I was young, I was survivin' the times
[00:52.35] Waitin' for my moment, I was destined to shine
[00:55.20] Little Ray had an NXX, I was hopin' I'm next
[00:57.98] Wantin' bracelets, never had a rope on my neck
[01:00.88] Unless I was holdin' Taiyeh chain, Rest In Peace
[01:03.52] Even though that night you flipped on us, you warned us
[01:06.33] If you came back and we's still on the corners, we goners
[01:08.73] Movin' on to, move your arm in your watch
[01:11.61] To another time on the block
[01:13.19] 'Cause this 40 Side where they said Shorty rhyme
[01:15.82] Tragedy, he used to come through all the time
[01:18.03] I'm talkin' Juice Crew, not what the word define
[01:20.17] He had a sister named Erin, for sure was fine
[01:22.85] That was my first crush, I bought my first mic
[01:25.42] I wrote my first verse, I was about nine
[01:28.52] I was about mine, fantasize house-buying
[01:30.68] Met Paul, he wore some big glasses
[01:33.09] Him and Melquan took me where G Rap lived
[01:35.40] I was happy just gettin' some answers
[01:37.53] I ain't even know what a record advance was
[01:40.77] I'm seein' hoes sex in the studio bathroom
[01:43.37] With rap dudes, thinkin' wow she moved me
[01:45.59] Same girl then, right now's a groupie
[01:48.43] Back then, she was like the star in the movie
[01:50.48] Large jewelry and expensive Gucci
[01:52.89] Next stop, Paid In Full posse recruits me
[01:55.66] Knew they were some millionaires, their ropes were dookie
[01:58.24] Eric B man lookin' like touch-it-he-shoot-me
[02:00.34] You see, every time Ra didn't show
[02:02.84] I get to record demos at attempts to blow
[02:05.57] I wonder could they tell, how did they know
[02:07.85] Sixteen years later, here I go
[02:10.60] What– what would I do?
[02:14.59] What– what– what would I do?
[02:19.53] What– what– what would I do?
[02:24.37] What– what– what would I do?
[02:29.61] I'm with Akinyele in the street, trynna get us a deal
[02:32.87] G Rap tried to get us to sign to Cold Chill
[02:35.89] But Fly Ty didn't have the contract we wanted
[02:37.91] Clark Kent just signed Das, he didn't want us
[02:40.88] Russell said I sounded like G, the nigga fronted
[02:42.91] Reef and Matty C offered me a little money
[02:45.75] Shit a little funny, feel a little laughter
[02:47.94] Rebel of Hip-Hop comin' through a white rapper
[02:51.15] My boy MC Serch nevertheless
[02:53.38] Took me to Columbia, back then CBS
[02:55.57] Chris Schwartz, RuffHouse, he was the best man
[02:58.74] Now buggin' 'cause the label had just dropped Def Jam
[03:01.07] Could you picture Russell needin' a check, man?
[03:03.28] But he smart, he plotted a plan for Polygram
[03:06.58] Life is ill, again life's a movie
[03:08.63] Then, the roster's: Cypress Hill, Nas, and Fugees
[03:11.13] Before I sold records, no promotion
[03:13.49] The rap world like, "What's all this commotion?"
[03:15.97] Went plat', mad bottles I'm toastin'
[03:18.33] 20/20 hindsight, but how did they know then?
[03:21.28] What– what would I do?
[03:24.12] What– what– what would I do?
[03:29.26] What– what– what would I do?
[03:34.40] What– what– what would I do?
[03:39.28] Invincible, lyrical, miracle man, huh
[03:43.54] But back to the matter at hand
[03:45.26] 'Cause ten years ago we all strived to be twenty-five
[03:48.37] Some cats didn't make it alive
[03:50.92] Dated some stars but respect their privacy
[03:53.29] Copped mad cars, layin' back in the driver's seat
[03:56.24] Held myself down, just steerin' the wheel
[03:58.72] Here I am, completed my whole record deal
[04:01.07] What– what would I do?
[04:05.02] What– what– what would I do?
[04:09.13] What– what– what would I do?
[04:14.84] What– what– what would I do?
[04:20.24] What would I do?
[04:24.69] If I could reach inside of me?
[04:29.70] And to know how it feels to say
[04:36.20] "I like what I see..."
[04:40.07]