Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Nas
Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Nasir Jones
Songwriter
M. Webber
Songwriter
Charles Emanuel Smalls
Songwriter
Mike Brinkley
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Chris Webber
Producer
Kevin Crause
Mixing Engineer
Don Goodrick
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Jessie Gladstone
Assistant Recording Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
But that's the whole tragic point, my friends
[Verse 2]
What would I do
If I could suddenly feel
And to know once again
That what I feel is real?
[Verse 3]
I could cry, I could smile
I might lay back for a while
Tell me, what would I do
If I could feel?
[Verse 4]
I was young, I was surviving the times
Waiting for my moment, I was destined to shine
Lil Ray had an NXS, I was hoping, I'm next
Wanting bracelets, never had a rope on my neck
[Verse 5]
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
[Verse 6]
Move your arm and 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
[Verse 7]
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
[Verse 8]
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
[Verse 9]
I'm seeing hoes sex in the studio bathroom
Where 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
[Verse 10]
Large jewelry and expensive Gucci
Next stop, Paid In Full posse recruits me
Knew they were some millionaires, they ropes were dookie
Eric B, man, looking like, touch it, he shoot me
[Verse 11]
You see, every time Ra didn't show
I get to record demos and attempts to blow
I wonder, could they tell, how did they know?
Sixteen years later, here I go
[Verse 12]
(What, what)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
[Verse 13]
I'm with Akinyele in the street, tryna 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
[Verse 14]
Russell said I sounded like G, the **** 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
[Verse 15]
My boy, MC Serch, nevertheless
Took me to Columbia, back then, CBS
Chris Schwartz, RuffHouse, he was the best, man
Now bugging 'cause the label had just dropped Def Jam
[Verse 16]
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
[Verse 17]
Before I sold records, no promotion
The rap world like, what's all this commotion?
Went plat, mad bottles I'm toastin'
20/20 hindsight, but how did they know then?
[Verse 18]
(What, what)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
[Verse 19]
Invincible, lyrical, miracle man, huh
But back to the matter at hand
'Cause ten years ago, we all strived to be 25
Some cats didn't make it alive
[Verse 20]
Dated some stars but respect they 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
[Verse 21]
(What, what)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
(Wh-what, what, what, what would I do?)
[Verse 22]
What would I do
If I could reach inside of me?
And to know how it feels to say
I like what I see
Written by: C. Small, M. Webber, Nasir Jones