As We Are
Nas · Other Songs - Nas
As we enter come mek we tek you pon di biggest adventure,
Must be dementia, that you ever thought you could touch
our credentials, whats the initials,
You be jamrock the lyrical official,
send out the order, laws and the rituals,
Burn candles, say prayers, paint murals, it is truth we big
news, we hood heroes,
Bruk past di anchor (?), we come to conquer,
man a badman, we nah play willy wonka,
And I got the guns, I got the ganja
and we could blaze it up on ya block if you wanna, or,
haze it up stash box in a hummer, or,
you could run up and get done up
or, get somethin that you want none of,
unlimited amount you collect from us, direct from us,
street intellectuals, and im shrewd about decimals,
and my man can speak patois, and I can speak rap star,
yall feel me even if its in swahili,
habari gani, msuri sana, switch up the language and move to ghana,
salute and honor real revolution rhymeres
rhythm piranhas like true Obamas, unfold the drama.
Chorus:
word is out
hysteria ya heard about
Nas and Junior Gong came to turn it out
body the verses til they scream murder out
the kings is back time to return the crown
who want it
tuck your chain when dude comin
renegades that'll peel you back like new hundreds
bet your jewels on it
you don't want to lose on it
either move on or move on it
Verse 2:
Queens to Kingston
gunshots we use and govern the kingdom
rise of the Winston i can see the fear in your eyes
realize you could die any instant
and i can hear the sound of your voice when you must
lose your life like mice in the kitchen
snitching, i can see him pissing on himself and he
wetting up his thighs and he trying to resist it
switching i can smell him digging up shit like a fly
come around and keep persisting
that's how you end up in a hit list
in a badman business
no evidence
crime scene fingerprintless
flow effortless
casual like the weekends
no pressure with
we comfy and decent
set this off beasting
hunting season
and frankly speaking
Chorus x2:
word is out
hysteria ya heard about
Nas and Junior Gong came to turn it out
body the verses til they scream murder out
the kings is bacc time to return the crown
who want it
tuck your chain when dude comin
renegades that'll peel you back like new hundreds
bet your jewels on it
you dont want to lose on it
either move on or move on it
As We Are
Released by Nas, "As We Are" stands as a defining track from his 1994 masterpiece, *Illmatic*. The song exemplifies the East Coast hip-hop sound of the mid-90s, blending gritty storytelling with a haunting, minimalist beat that underscores themes of urban struggle and resilience. Nas's flow on the recording is characterized by its rhythmic precision and introspective delivery, capturing the raw atmosphere of the Bronx during a pivotal era for the genre. The track remains a cornerstone of his discography, frequently cited for its atmospheric production and lyrical depth. It reflects the broader cultural context of the time, offering a snapshot of life on the streets while maintaining a universal appeal that has ensured its enduring presence in hip-hop history.