Jay-Z
I feel like a Black Republican, money I got comin' in Can't turn my back on the hood, I got love for them Can't clean my act up for good, too much thug in 'em Probably end up back of the hood, I'm like "Fuck it then"
"Huddlin' over the oven, we was like brothers then Though you was nothin' other than the son of my mother's friend We had governin', who would have thought the love would end Like ice cold album, all good things Never thought we sing the same song that all hoods sing Thought it was all wood-grain, all good brain We wouldn't bicker like the other fools talk good game Never imagine all the disasters that one could rain Could bring, should bling, the game, and I could It's kill or be killed, how could I refrain? And forever be in debt, that's never a good thing To the pressure for success can put a good strain On a friend you call best, and yes it could bring Out the worst in every person, even the good and sane Though we rehearsed, it's just ain't the same When you put in the game at age sixteen Then you mix things, like cars, jewelry, and miss thing Jealousy, ego, and pride, and this brings It all to a head like coin, cha-ching The root of evil strikes again, this could sting Now the team got beef between the post and the point This puts the ring in jeopardy - indefinitely Nas
I feel like a black militant takin' over the government Can't turn my back on the hood, too much love for them Can't clean my act up for good, too much thug in 'em Probably end up back in the hood, I'm like, "fuck it then" I'm back in the hood, they like, "Hey Nas" Blowin' on purp', reflectin' on they lives Couple of Fat Cats, couple of A.I.'s Dreamin' of fly shit instead of them gray skies Gray 5's, hatas wishin' our reign dies Pitch, sling pies, and niggaz they sing, "why"? Guess they ain't strong enough to handle their jail time Weak minds, keep tryin', follow the street signs I'm standin' on the roof of my building I'm feelin' - the whirlwind of beef, I inhale it Just like an acrobat ready to hurl myself though the hoops of fire Sippin' 80 proof, bulletproof under my attire Could it be the forces of darkness, against hood angels of good That forms street politics - makes a sweet honest kid Turn illegal for commerce - to get his feet out of them Converse That's my word
Nas feat. Jay-Z "Black Republican"



