Nas - Surviving The Times

Surviving The Times Lyrics [Intro - Sample] But that's the whole tragic point, my friends 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 a while Tell me what (what) what would I do If I could feel? {beat picks up} [Verse One] I was young, I was surviving the times Waiting for my moment, I was destined to shine Little Ray had an NXX, I was hoping I'm next Wanting bracelets, never had a rope on my neck Unless I was holding 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, moving on to Move your arm in your watch To another time on the block 'Cause this 40 Side Where they said Shorty rhyme Tragedy, he used to come through all the time I'm talking 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-buying Met Paul, he wore some big glasses Him and Melquan took me where G Rap lived I was happy, just getting some answers I ain't even know what a record advance was I'm seeing hoes sex in the studio bathroom With rap dudes, thinking 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 looking 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 [Surviving The Times lyrics on ] [Chorus - Sample - 4x] What would I do? [Verse 2] I'm with Akinyele in the street, trying 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 nigga fronted Reef and Matty C offered me a little money Shit a little funny, feel a little laughter Rebel of Hip-Hop coming 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 bugging because the label had just dropped Def Jam Could you picture Russell needing 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 [Chorus] [Verse 3] 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, laying back in the driver's seat Held myself down, just steering the wheel Here I am, completed my whole record deal [Chorus] [Outro] What would I do? If I could reach inside of me? And to know how it feels to say "I like what I see..."