Verified archive entry

We Will Survive

By Nas · Targeting New York throne claimants

We Will Survive is a diss track by Nas targeting New York throne claimants. The song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants.

Released1999

Annotated7

ExplicitYes

Addressable transcript

Lyrics & breakdown

Demo lines only. Select a line number to copy a stable deep link.

01
[Intro: Kenny Loggins sample]
02
Still, somehow, I believe, we always survive
03
But why?
04
[Break]
05
To my dogs, wherever you are
06
[Verse 1]
07
What up, Big? You know shit is rough after you slid
08
You in God's hands now, keep a place for me, kid
09
Ain't nuttin' changed, still Party and Bullshit
10
We used to fuck R&B Bitches and see who rhyme sickest
11
For every hit you made, more rappers afraid to come out
Multi-line diss block
12
Machine Gun Funk, from Queens I came through to smoke blunts
13
You came to my hood, we was broke
14
I wonder if we stayed that way, would there have been gun smoke?
Block noteTurns money and possessions into leverage
TargetNew York throne claimants
MeaningWhat it means: In “You came to my hood, we was broke,” Nas contrasts financial power or possessions with New York throne claimants' alleged lack of money, access, or control. Why it was said: The song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants. The comparison converts status into material evidence and is meant to make New York throne claimants' success claims look hollow beside something listeners can picture and measure.
ContextThe song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants.
15
Still on the block around fiends numb from coke, I guess so
Multi-line diss block
16
'Cause now with paper, shit is still ghetto
17
But fuck it black, you livin' your life, through your loved ones
18
Peace to your daughter and your newborn son
Block noteMakes the feud personal through family
TargetNew York throne claimants
MeaningWhat it means: In “Peace to your daughter and your newborn son,” Nas brings a relative or family boundary into the exchange with New York throne claimants, moving the dispute beyond music and into private life. Why it was said: The song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants. Family references explain why the conflict feels personal: they raise the emotional cost for New York throne claimants and make the line more consequential than a routine comparison of rap skill.
ContextThe song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants.
19
It used to be fun, makin' records to see your response
Multi-line diss block
20
But, now competition is none, now that you're gone
21
And these niggas is wrong, using your name in vain
22
And they claim to be New York's king? It ain't about that
Block notePressures the target to answer
TargetNew York throne claimants
MeaningWhat it means: In “It used to be fun, makin' records to see your response,” Nas treats New York throne claimants' response, delay, or silence as part of the contest rather than a neutral choice. Why it was said: The song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants. By defining silence as concession, the line tries to control the timetable of the feud and force New York throne claimants into replying on the artist's terms.
ContextThe song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants.
23
It's more serious, I plan to toast it up with you
24
Joke with you, happy we on top, the most official
25
Ain't too many real ones out there, I feel some but doubt they're
26
Capable to take it where you took it to
27
I missed your wake not 'cause I'm fake
Multi-line diss block
28
'Cause I hate to see somebody so great in that way
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I woulda stayed so long with so much to say
30
I had to put it in writin' to keep me and Brooklyn from fightin'
Block noteTreats the target's persona as fabricated
TargetNew York throne claimants
MeaningWhat it means: In “I missed your wake not 'cause I'm fake,” Nas says New York throne claimants' public story or image is false rather than a reliable account of who the target is. Why it was said: The song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants. Once the persona is presented as invented, the boasts and accusations built on it become easier for listeners to dismiss.
ContextThe song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants.
31
Tellin' me to pay my respects and move to the side
Multi-line diss block
32
But I probably wouldn't have got off my knees to let people by
33
You can't kill nothin' that's Ready To Die
34
You was like God to us in the form of Allah
Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction
TargetNew York throne claimants
MeaningWhat it means: In “You can't kill nothin' that's Ready To Die,” Nas converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at New York throne claimants. Why it was said: The song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants. The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts New York throne claimants as unable to return for another round.
ContextThe song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants.
35
[Kenny Loggins sample]
36
Still somehow I believe, we always survive
37
But why?
38
[Chorus]
39
Still, we will survive
40
No matter what, my people just stay alive
41
Still, we will survive
42
No matter what, my people just stay alive
43
[Verse 2]
44
(Thug Life'll never die)
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Dear 'Pac, every thug sheds a tear drop
46
And use teeth to bite off beer tops and Pour Out A Lil' Liquor
47
You was more than just the wildest nigga
48
2Pacalypse, I understand your style, nigga
49
It's goin' on the third year, since you've been gone
50
On the East and West Coast, the same shit is goin' on
51
The industry be talkin', offendin' me often
52
They don't believe you dead, wanna see you in your coffin
Multi-line diss block
53
I can relate, shootouts and court dates
54
All eyez on you, niggas in your face, invadin' your space
55
You asked if I could trade in your place, how would I hold up?
Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction
TargetNew York throne claimants
MeaningWhat it means: In “They don't believe you dead, wanna see you in your coffin,” Nas converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at New York throne claimants. Why it was said: The song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants. The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts New York throne claimants as unable to return for another round.
ContextThe song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants.
56
How long would I ride before I fold up?
Multi-line diss block
57
How did you know through your rhymes it was your time to go?
58
You predicted it in every line, all in your flow
59
There could never be peace, I have to quote
Block noteAttacks the target's ability to rap
TargetNew York throne claimants
MeaningWhat it means: In “How did you know through your rhymes it was your time to go?,” Nas challenges New York throne claimants on writing, delivery, flow, or command of the microphone rather than relying only on a personal insult. Why it was said: The song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants. This goes to the qualification that gives New York throne claimants standing in a rap battle; if the craft is weak, the reply loses authority before its other claims are considered.
ContextThe song comes from a period of intense New York competition and uses direct or subliminal challenges toward rival claimants.
60
Can't believe I heard my name on "the realest shit you ever wrote"
61
We had words 'cause the best supposed to clash at the top
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But kept it brotherly, when we seen each other and stopped
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In NYC, at MTV, people watched
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We was both deep, after you left, I got no sleep
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Think about how us real niggas would be
66
If we united, a nation of thugs, who could fight it?
67
You was caught in a wild homicide, or were you crucified
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Like the son of God, when Lucifer lied
69
And make the world think, young blacks should be extinct?
70
But Thug Life'll never die, we stay high and just link
71
Will there ever be another MC as nice?
72
Will you return to us like the resurrection of Christ?
73
[Kenny Loggins sample]
74
Still somehow I believe, we always survive
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But why?
76
[Chorus]
77
Still, we will survive
78
No matter what, my people just stay alive
79
Still, we will survive
80
No matter what, my people just stay alive
81
[Verse 3]
82
I wonder what the Commodores went through on tour?
83
Did Smokey Robinson have to shoot his way out a war?
84
What has Al Green seen, that made him religious?
85
Was it the drugs, put an end to the music business?
86
If so, should I put out the indo right now and write down
87
A plan and pursue my dream, turn my life around
88
'Cause I'm bound for the movie screen, cuties that scream
89
I'll need a extra Uzi ridin' through my own hood in Queens
90
It be the ones you always knew, that want it on
91
Tellin' everybody it was him, that you fronted on
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Thought we walked a million miles, it was just twenty
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Not used to walkin' in the path of legit money
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I thought I made it but we only took baby steps
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Up the success ladder, where they pay me checks
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Told my cliques when I got it, I said "Baby, bless"
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That was the 80's, but now look at this crazy mess
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We in the 90's and finally it's lookin' good
99
Hip-Hop took it to billions, I knew we would
100
A lot of ups and downs in the game
101
Could lose or gain a couple pounds tryin' to maintain
102
One day you here, the next you not; when you around niggas, check 'em out
103
Some is 'bout it, most individuals plots
104
And run the spots, some choose to stay to they selves
105
While others have no cares and stay in jail
106
More than 50% of us endin' up with holes through the chest
107
Through the head, through the gut, it shows
108
The future for us young shooters and old killers
109
Who become rich as dope dealers
110
Nothin' left for us but hoop dreams and hood tournaments
111
Thug coaches with subs sittin' on the bench; either that or rap
112
We want the fast way out of this trap
113
Whether it be 9 to 5 or slangin' crack
114
To my deceased, God's wishin' I could bring you back
115
But life is a dream and y'all taught me that
116
[Kenny Loggins sample]
117
Always survive, but why?
118
[Outro]
119
Always survive, always
120
Still, we will survive
121
No matter what, my people just stay alive
122
Still, we will survive
123
No matter what, my people just stay alive
124
Still, we will survive (no matter what)
125
Still, we will survive (no matter what)
126
Still, we will survive
127
No matter what, my niggas just stay alive