[Intro]
Twenty-two year old rapper Nas
Was born and raised in the Queensbridge Houses
Just over the East River from Manhattan
With almost 7,000 residents
Queensbridge is New York City's largest housing project
Now while it may look nice enough
Its history of violent crime makes it anything but an easy place to grow up

[Verse 1: Nas]
PS-111, had free lunch
Embarrassed but managed to get a plate
We was kids hungry, mom's working, I was famished
She getting home late
So I decided now I'm in charge, either stay full or starve
Corner store like, "Mister, spare a quarter?"
Before Air Jordans, Kareem Abdul-Jabbars
Trying to cop quarters and trying to move that hard
Roll with a shooter squad
How could I not succumb? How could I not partake?
Fifteen, I got a gun, sixteen, I robbed a train
Licked off a shot for fun, what's got inside my brain?
A hustler's job ain't done 'til he becomes a king
But I'm a righteous son, despite I'm in the midst of
Dudes who switch up and change
They wanna carry me like I'm some kind of lame
I never let 'em, though, I just forgive 'em, though
Either that or the pistol blow
[Interlude: Ice-T]
This shows you how powerful rap music is
How it's changed the world
This isn't a game, this is the art of rap

[Verse 2: Nas]
I remember early mornings, syrup sandwiches
Sugar water, yeah
Walking up the dark stairwells, elevators was out of order
Yeah
Worth two hundred million now, bicentennial n***a
Flat screens and condominiums
Brazilian women on Xannies, they pulling off panties
I'm pushing forty, she only twenty-one
Don't applaud me, I'm exhausted, G
Me and my red cup, my blunt and my red cup
Y'all wouldn't know me without one, I keep a fresh cut
Remember talking to Biggie inside his Lex truck
Said, "Stay fly when you bummy, keep your pajamas Armani"
Hood forever, I just act like I'm civilized
Really what's in my mind is organizing a billion Black motherfuckers
To take over J.P. and Morgan, Goldman and Sachs
And teach the world facts and give Saudi they oil back