Freedom or jail, clip's inserted, a baby's being born

Same time a man is murdered, the beginning and end

As far as rap go, it's only natural I explain

My plateau, and also, what defines my name

First it was Nasty, but times have changed

Ask me now, I'm the artist, but hardcore, my science for pain

I spent time in the game, kept my mind on fame

Saw fiends shoot up and do lines of cocaine

Saw my close friends shot, flatline am I sane?

That depends, carry Mac-10's to practice my aim

On rooftops, tape CD covers to trees

Line the barrel up with your weak picture then squeeze

Street scriptures for lost souls, in the crossroads

To the corner thugs hustling for cars that cost dough

To the big dogs living large, taking in light

Pushing big toys, getting nice, enjoying your life

Is what you make it, suicide, few try to take it

Belt tied around their neck in jail cells naked

Heaven and hell, rap legend, presence is felt

And of course N-A-S are the letters that spell

NAS, NAS "Nas is like" Earth, Wind & Fire, rims and tires

Bulletproof glass, inside is the realest driver

Planets in orbit, line 'em up with the stars

Tarot cards, you can see the pharaoh Nas

"Nas is like" Iron Mike, messiah type

Before the Christ, after the death

The last one left, let my cash invest in stock

Came a along way from blasting, tecs on blocks

Went from Seiko to Rolex, owning acres

From the projects with no chips, to large cake dough

Dimes, giving fellatio, siete zeros

Bet my nine spit for the pesos

But what's it all worth, can't take it with you under this Earth

Rich men died and tried, but none of it worked

They just rob your grave, I'd rather be alive and paid

Before my number's called, history's made

Some'll fall, but I rise, thug or die

Making choices, that determine my future under the sky

To rob steal or kill, I'm wondering why

It's a dirty game, is any man worthy of fame?

Much success to you, even if you wish me the opposite

Sooner or later we'll all see who the prophet is "Nas is like" *** to a nympho, but nothing sweet

I'm like beef, bustin heat through your windows

I'm like a street sweeper, green leaf breather

Like Greeks in Egypt, learning somethin deep from they teachers

I'm like crime, like your nine, your man you would die for

Always got you, I'm like Pac dude you would cry for

I'm like a whole lot of loot, I'm like crisp money

Corporate accounts from a rich company

I'm like ecstasy for ladies, I'm like all races

Combined in one man; like the '99 summer jam

Bulletproof Hummer man

I'm like being locked down around new faces, and none of 'em fam

I'm the feeling of a millionaire spending a hundred grand

I'm a poor man's dream, a thug poet

Live it and I write down and I watch it blow up

Y'all know what I'm like, y'all play it your system every night

Now