Nas

Lyrics

[Produced by DJ Premier]

[Intro]
Yeah, yeah
Ayo, Black—it's time, word (Word, it's time, man)
It's time, man (Aight, man, begin)
Yeah—straight out the fuckin' dungeons of rap
Where fake niggas don't make it back
I don't know how to start this shit, yo—now;
[Verse 1]
Rappers; I monkey flip 'em with the funky rhythm, I be kickin'
Musician, inflictin' composition of pain
I'm like Scarface sniffin' cocaine
Holdin' an M16, see, with the pen I'm extreme
Now, bullet holes left in my peepholes
I'm suited up with street clothes, hand me a 9 and I'll defeat foes
Y'all know my steelo, with or without the airplay
I keep some E&J, sittin' bent up in the stairway
Or either on the corner bettin' Grants with the cee-lo champs
Laughin' at base-heads, tryna sell some broken amps
G-packs get off quick, forever niggas talk shit
Reminiscin' about the last time the task force flipped
Niggas be runnin' through the block shootin'
Time to start the revolution, catch a body, head for Houston
Once they caught us off-guard, the MAC-10 was in the grass, and
I ran like a cheetah, with thoughts of an assassin
Picked the MAC up, told brothers "Back up!" — the MAC spit
Lead was hittin' niggas, one ran, I made him back-flip
Heard a few chicks scream, my arm shook, couldn't look
Gave another squeeze, heard it click, "Yo, my shit is stuck!"
Tried to cock it, it wouldn't shoot, now I'm in danger
Finally pulled it back and saw three bullets caught up in the chamber
So, now I'm jettin' to the buildin' lobby
And it was full of children, prob'ly couldn't see as high as I be
(So, what you sayin'?) It's like the game ain't the same
Got younger niggas pullin' the triggers, bringin' fame to their name
And claim some corners, crews without guns are goners
In broad daylight, stick-up kids, they run up on us
.45’s and gauges, MAC's in fact
Same niggas will catch you back-to-back, snatchin' your cracks
In black, there was a snitch on the block gettin' niggas knocked
So hold your stash 'til the coke price drop
I know this crackhead who said she gotta smoke nice rock
And if it's good, she'll bring you customers and measuring pots
But yo, you gotta slide on a vacation
Inside information keeps large niggas erasin' and their wives basin'
It drops deep as it does in my breath
I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death
Beyond the walls of intelligence, life is defined
I think of crime when I'm in a New York State of Mind
[Chorus]
New York state of mind
New York state of mind
New York state of mind
New York state of mind

[Verse 2]
Be havin' dreams that I'm a gangsta, drinkin' Moëts, holdin' TEC's
Makin' sure the cash came correct, then I stepped
Investments in stocks, sewin' up the blocks to sell rocks
Winnin' gunfights with mega-cops
But just a nigga walkin' with his finger on the trigger
Make enough figures until my pockets get bigger
I ain't the type of brother made for you to start testin'
Give me a Smith & Wesson, I'll have niggas undressin'
Thinkin' of cash flow, Buddha and shelter
Whenever frustrated, I'ma hijack Delta
In the PJ's, my blend tape plays, bullets are strays
Young bitches is grazed, each block is like a maze
Full of black rats trapped, plus the Island is packed
From what I hear in all the stories when my peoples come back
Black, I'm livin' where the nights is jet-black
The fiends fight to get crack, I just max, I dream I can sit back
And lamp like Capone, with drug scripts sewn
Or the legal luxury life, rings flooded with stones, homes
I got so many rhymes, I don't think I'm too sane
Life is parallel to Hell, but I must maintain
And be prosperous, though we live dangerous
Cops could just arrest me, blamin' us; we're held like hostages
It's only right that I was born to use mics
And the stuff that I write is even tougher than dykes
I'm takin' rappers to a new plateau, through rap slow
My rhymin' is a vitamin held without a capsule
The smooth criminal on beat breaks
Never put me in your box if your shit eats tapes
The city never sleeps, full of villains and creeps
That's where I learned to do my hustle, had to scuffle with freaks
I'm a addict for sneakers, 20's of Buddha and bitches with beepers
In the streets I can greet ya, about blunts I teach ya
Inhale deep like the words of my breath
I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death
I lay puzzled as I backtrack to earlier times
Nothing's equivalent to the New York state of mind
[Chorus]
New York state of mind
New York state of mind
New York state of mind
New York state of mind

[Outro: Sample]
"Nasty Nas—"

If you're looking for a gritty, unapologetic snapshot of urban life in New York City, look no further than "N.Y. State of Mind" by Nas. Released in 1994 as part of his debut album, Illmatic, this track quickly captured the attention of hip-hop fans and critics alike. With complex lyrics and an unmistakable beat, it's no surprise that "N.Y. State of Mind" remains a classic to this day.

About N.Y. State of Mind

What makes "N.Y. State of Mind" such a stand-out track? For starters, Nas's lyrics are nothing short of stunning. Throughout the song, he paints a vivid picture of his surroundings, rapping about the violence, poverty, and desperation that he sees every day on the streets of New York. But despite the bleak subject matter, Nas manages to infuse his verses with an unmistakable sense of pride and resilience--he's not just documenting the city, he's celebrating it.

Another key element of "N.Y. State of Mind" is the beat. Produced by DJ Premier of Gang Starr, the track is built around a sample from a Joe Chambers song called "Mind Rain." Premier's use of this sample is a perfect match for Nas's grimy, unfiltered lyrics--it's spare, haunting, and instantly iconic. The chorus, which samples a line from Rakim's "Mahogany," adds another layer of depth to the track.

It's worth noting that "N.Y. State of Mind" wasn't just a critical success--it was also an important moment in Nas's own career. As a newcomer to the rap scene, he had a lot to prove, and "N.Y. State of Mind" helped establish him as a force to be reckoned with. His raw talent and biting lyrics made it clear that he was a rapper to watch, and helped lay the groundwork for a long and successful career in the industry.

Over the years, "N.Y. State of Mind" has become a touchstone for hip-hop fans and artists alike. Alicia Keys famously used the beat for her song "Streets of New York," which features verses from Nas and Rakim. And even Nas himself revisited the track in 1999, with a sequel called "N.Y. State of Mind Pt. II."

Of course, it's impossible to talk about "N.Y. State of Mind" without acknowledging its impact on the larger hip-hop scene. Along with tracks like "The World Is Yours" and "One Love," it helped solidify the sound of mid-'90s New York rap. The honesty and raw emotion of Nas's lyrics set a new standard for the genre, inspiring countless other artists to follow in his footsteps.

In an interview with XXL, DJ Premier gave some insight into the process of creating "N.Y. State of Mind." He revealed that the beat was actually the second one he produced for Illmatic, with the first being "Represent." When Nas and his team heard the sample that Premier had used in "N.Y. State of Mind," they were immediately hooked. Nas's verses, meanwhile, came together quickly--he did the entire first verse in one take, leaving Premier and the rest of the crew in awe.

Another interesting tidbit about "N.Y. State of Mind" is the way that Nas adapted to the New York sound. In an interview, Premier noted that Nas was a perfect match for the sound that he and other New York producers were creating. Rather than trying to forge his own path, Nas blended in seamlessly, capturing the essence of the city in his music.

All in all, "N.Y. State of Mind" is a track that deserves its place in the pantheon of classic hip-hop songs. With its unflinching look at urban life and its unforgettable beat, it continues to be an inspiration to fans and artists alike. Whether you're a die-hard rap fan or just appreciate great music, "N.Y. State of Mind" is a track that's well worth your attention.

• Release Date: April 19, 1994
• Artist: Nas