Nas - Surviving The Times lyrics

[Sample] The Wiz f/ Nipsey Russell - "What Would I Do If I Could Feel" "But that's the whole tragic point my friends What would I do if I could suddenly feel And to know once again that what I feel is real? I could cry, I could smile I might lay back for awhile Tell me what, what, what would I do if I could feel?" [Verse 1] I was young, I was surviving the times Waiting for my moment, I was destined to shine Little Ray had an NSX, I was hoping I'm next Wanting bracelets, never had a rope on my neck 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... move your arm in your watch To another time on the block ‘Cause this 40 Side where they say Shorty rhyme Tragedy, he used to come through all the time I'm talking Juice Crew, not what the word define 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 buyin' Met Paul, he wore some big gla**es 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 I'm seeing hoes s** in the studio bathroom With rap dudes, thinking, "Wow, she moved me" Same girl then right now's a groupie Back then she was like the star in a movie Large j**elry and expensive Gucci Next stop, Paid In Full posse recruits me Knew they were some millionaires, their ropes were dookie Eric B man looking like touch it, he shoot me You see, every time Ra didn't show I get to record demos at attempts to blow I wonder, could they tell? How did they know? Sixteen years later, here I go [Hook] [Nipsey Russell] "What-what, what-what, what would I do?" 4X [Verse 2] I'm with Akinyele in the street, trying to 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 Russell said I sounded like G, the n***a fronted Reef and Matty C offered me a little money sh** a little funny, feel a little laughter Rebel of Hip-Hop coming through a white rapper My boy MC Serch, nevertheless Took me to Columbia, back then CBS Chris Schwartz, RuffHouse, he was the best man Now bugging because the label had just dropped Def Jam 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 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? [Hook] [Nipsey Russell] "What-what, what-what, what would I do?" 4X [Verse 3] Invincible, lyrical, miracle man Uh, but back to the matter at hand ‘Cause 10 years ago we all strived to be 25 Some cats didn't make it alive Dated some stars but respect their 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 [Hook: Nipsey Russell] "What-what, what-what, what would I do?" 4X [Outro] "What would I do if I could reach inside of me And to know how it feels to say I like what I see?"