[Verse 1: Nas]
The system will defeat itself
Nothing stays in a steady state, it overheats and melts
It only feeds itself, the system
Yo, I think it exists just because, like a pit eats its pups
Eats its own litter up
The system's fucked, it's corrupt
It's for its own survival, it's genocidal
No place or origin, no beginning cycle
Let's occupy all streets
It's crazy to think in the '80s
I wanted minks, and a Benz to listen to Michael
And Grand Puba Maxwell and get cash while
I'm sippin' on drinks
In Nike sweatsuits and Gucci links
I'm like a Russian mob figure, I'm mad low
In the shadows, big up to Shadow
DJ Shadow arose to throw blows
Can't see me but Nas moving the fastest
I'm a 3D movie, no need of glasses
I'm a 3D movie, no need of glasses

[Chorus: Nas]
Hold your breath for fifteen seconds
Close your eyes, cover your ears, do not listen
Try to feel what I'm saying
To make you feel is my new expression
Hold your breath for fifteen seconds
Close your eyes, cover your ears, do not listen
Try to feel what I'm saying
To make you feel is my new expression
[Post-Chorus: Nas]
Systematic
Systematic

[Verse 2: Nas]
I wish I was an arms dealer to sell legal arms in the 'hood
No backup check, put cash in my palms and we good
Lack of respect get you to fall where you stood
Mathematics is God’s language, it’s in my blood
Art, music, letters and numbers
I'm a vessel, I'm humble
Meeting startups, I invest if I want to
Transforming global markets with all of my partners
Methodical corporate culture, straight out the projects
What's the ingredients to the realest?
Place two cups of cranberry in the skillet
A half a cup of water, add some Henny
Let it cook for eight minutes, but you ain't finished
Let it simmer 'til the cranberry pop a little—keep stirring, sip it
It's art like Keith Haring
It gets in your blood, you start to feel what I'm feeling
Don't listen, just try to feel what I'm feeling

[Chorus: Nas]
Hold your breath for fifteen seconds
Close your eyes, cover your ears, do not listen
Try to feel what I'm saying
To make you feel is my new expression
Hold your breath for fifteen seconds
Close your eyes, cover your ears, do not listen
Try to feel what I'm saying
To make you feel is my new expression
[Post-Chorus: Nas]
Systematic, uh
Systematic

[Outro]
World first
Remember the past
Cherish the present and work for tomorrow
The time is now
*scratching* Time is now