Death Row East Lyrics – Nas
Death Row East Lyrics
[Intro: Nas]
Yeah, yeah, hold up
KD2 sh!t (Hit-Boy)
Ayy hold up, come on, whoa
Right back at this
Right back, right back
Hold up, whoa
[Chorus: Nas]
High on life, drunk off dark liquor
Sh!t getting eerie like I threw on Thriller
B!tch, I'm a hard hitter, Rolex clocks and killers
Holding the order, I'm praying God delivers
I had run-ins with Suge, n!ggas would've been shook
At the height of the beef, they started Death Row East
Damn, I even saw they tees on some of my Gs
Notorious label, the story was made in the streets
[Interlude: Nas]
Now it's real life movies
Rest in peace, Ill Will
[Verse 1: Nas]
Let's talk about it
We the smartest, not thе loudest
Came up out the projеct houses
Where they resort to violence
Hennessy bottles on the curb, lil' n!ggas tryna serve
Let's talk about it
Back when Jungle told Pac
"It's on" soon as we walk up out this
Picket signs, Outlawz outside the music hall
Bunch of ghetto superstars really down to lose it all
Both sides was thugging
But when you in my city, you know how we coming
Animals in the field and most of 'em clutching
When you living this rugged
That come with repercussions, look
[Chorus: Nas]
High on life, drunk off dark liquor
Sh!t getting eerie like I threw on Thriller
B!tch, I'm a hard hitter, Rolex clocks and killers
Holding the order, I'm praying God delivers
I had run-ins with Suge, n!ggas would've been shook
At the height of the beef, they started Death Row East
Damn, I even saw they tees on some of my Gs
Notorious label, the story was made in the streets
[Interlude: Nas]
History lessons, keep it on record
[Verse 2: Nas]
Let's talk about it
'Cause when you got a story real as mine
You can't leave nothing out it
Let’s take you back to '96
Diamonds and MAC-10s, looking through a fresh lens
Everything I know now, wish I knew back then
Like it was only so much time left
Before Makaveli the Don left
Booked a flight, flying out West
We was tryna squash the whole sh!t in Vegas
No media to eat it up and leak it in the papers
Eric B, Big D, and 'Preme was affiliated
Peace to E.D.I., Napoleon and all the innovators
We had respect before we was ever some entertainers
See Suge, he was a dangerous threat
M.O.B almost turned half of New York red
Brothers I grew up with threw up they sets
Some even had them Death Row chains hang off their necks
There's a rumor that spread I'd like to address
Pac was never set up by Stretch (Let it rest)
I stepped to him at Bryant Park so we could speak direct
He didn’t disrespect, we planned to reconnect
[Interlude: Nas]
I flew to Vegas to shoot the "Street Dreams" video and link with 2Pac. Tried to squash the East Coast/West Coast beef. We didn’t talk, but he was still alive in the hospital. And it rained that day in Vegas. Rest In Power
[Outro: Ed Lover]
Chill out, chill out, yo, hold on. This is my n!gga Nas and we both got one thing in common. We both, we both represent Queens to the fullest, aight? This brother was good enough to stop his show. And I want everybody in here, everybody stand up on their feet. First and foremost, please. At 7:03 PM New York time; 4:03 PM Las Vegas time, 2Pac Shakur passed away, y'all. Give me a moment of silence
Death Row East Lyrics Meaning
The lyrics of "Death Row East" by Nas reflect on the turbulent era of East Coast/West Coast hip-hop rivalry during the 1990s, particularly focusing on Nas's personal experiences and interactions with key figures like Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and Death Row Records' CEO Suge Knight. The song delves into Nas's reflections on his own life, the environment he grew up in, and the intricate dynamics of the rap industry during that time.
[Chorus]
The chorus sets the tone for the song, with Nas expressing a sense of being intoxicated by life itself while also acknowledging the dark realities he faces. References to "Thriller" evoke a sense of eeriness and tension, likening his experiences to a suspenseful movie. Nas mentions his affluent lifestyle with Rolex watches juxtaposed against the backdrop of violence and danger, emphasizing a dichotomy between success and the harsh realities of street life.
[Interlude]
Nas pays homage to his late friend and collaborator, Ill Will, and alludes to the transition of real-life experiences into cinematic narratives, suggesting that his own life resembles a movie.
[Verse 1]
In this verse, Nas reflects on the resilience and intelligence required to navigate the challenges of growing up in the projects. He references historical events such as confrontations between Tupac and his crew and Nas's own associates, highlighting the tension and violence prevalent at the time. Despite the chaos, Nas emphasizes the importance of intelligence over brute force in surviving such environments.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats, reinforcing the themes of duality in Nas's life: the allure of success and the grim realities of violence and danger. Mentions of encounters with Suge Knight and Death Row Records allude to the broader conflicts within the rap industry during the East Coast/West Coast feud.
[Interlude]
Nas underscores the importance of remembering and documenting history, particularly within the context of rap music and its cultural significance.
[Verse 2]
Nas continues to delve into his personal experiences during the East Coast/West Coast feud, recounting encounters with Tupac and efforts to reconcile their differences. He dispels rumors and addresses misconceptions, emphasizing his attempts to bridge the gap between the two coasts. Nas reflects on the friendships and alliances formed amidst the chaos, acknowledging the mutual respect between artists before they became embroiled in public rivalries.
[Interlude]
Nas offers a personal anecdote about his attempt to reconcile with Tupac before his untimely death, expressing regret over the missed opportunity for closure.
[Outro]
The outro pays tribute to Nas's Queens roots and his connection to Tupac, commemorating the rapper's passing with a moment of silence. It reinforces the bond between artists from different coasts and the impact of Tupac's legacy on the hip-hop community.
This is the end of "Death Row East Song Lyrics" by Nas. If you discover any mistake in the song text, please send the correct lyrics by using the Contact Us form.
Official Music Video
Cast & Crew
- Artist / Band
- Producer(s)
- Corbett & Hit-Boy
- Writter(s)
- GARREN, Joshua Strange, Nas, Corbett & Hit-Boy
- Released On
- August 6, 2021
King’s Disease II Songs
- 1.40 Side ft. Lil Baby
- 2.Brunch On Sundays ft. Blxst
- 3.Composure ft. Hit-Boy
- 4.Count Me In
- 5.Death Row East
- 6.EPMD 2 ft. Eminem, EPMD
- 7.Moments
- 8.My Bible
- 9.Nas Is Good
- 10.No Phony Love ft. Charlie Wilson
- 11.Nobody ft. Lauryn Hill
- 12.Rare
- 13.Store Run
- 14.The Pressure
- 15.YKTV ft. YG, A Boogie wit da Hoodie
Nas Albums
FAQs & Knowledge
Who is the singer of "Death Row East" song?
"Death Row East" song is sung by Nas.
Who is the lyrics writer of "Death Row East" song?
"Death Row East" song lyrics written by GARREN, Joshua Strange, Nas, Corbett & Hit-Boy.
Who is the music producer of "Death Row East" song?
"Death Row East" song music composed & produced by Corbett & Hit-Boy.
When was "Death Row East" song released?
"Death Row East" song was released on August 6, 2021.