Verified archive entry

Zone Out

By Nas · Targeting Jay-Z

Zone Out is a diss track by Nas targeting Jay-Z. The recording also credits Bravehearts. The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”

Released2002

Annotated3

ExplicitYes

Addressable transcript

Lyrics & breakdown

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

01
[Intro: Nas, (Wiz)]
02
Braveheart for life
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Zone out, zo-zo-zo zone out
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Uhh, Salaam Remi!
05
Yeah, zone out, zo-zo-zo zone out, what, yeah
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Zo-zo-zo zone out, zo-zo-zo zone out
07
(I want y'all to blast on these niggas, man)
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Zo-zo-zo zone out
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Zo-zo-zo zone out
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[Verse 1: Jungle]
Multi-line diss block
11
Tuck in your chain, put your watch in your pocket
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Here come the Bravehearts, straight out the projects
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We live the life where the blood spills
14
Same thing that get you cash, nigga, get you killed
Block noteUses a public loss to puncture the image
TargetJay-Z
MeaningWhat it means: In “Tuck in your chain, put your watch in your pocket,” Nas points to property being taken or another visible loss as evidence that Jay-Z's claimed security and power failed in practice. Why it was said: The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.” The anecdote gives the audience a concrete event against which to test Jay-Z's persona, turning an abstract toughness debate into a remembered humiliation.
ContextThe track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”
15
Warning – Jungle always keep a gun on him
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Pull out, brrrrrrrt, forehead yawning
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Sloppy, dropping you birds
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Close range so my bullets don't swerve, curve
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No bullshit, back in ya head, vomit, call Earl
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Death is the ways of the world
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Y'all made criminals tryin' to wild nowadays
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I sold crack, bust guns at Bow Wow's age
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Fightin' in jail, lookin' for Heaven, livin' in Hell
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Fuckin' 'em hoes, boilin' coke since I was 12
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Way too foul, walk around all the time
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With a gray MAC-10 and a pocket full o' dimes
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[Verse 2: Wiz, (Nas)]
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Braveheart to the graveyard, let's go
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Niggas is scared straight, but fuck them hoes
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Keep it–dead serious
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Believe or don't believe us
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Until you see me creepin', now you sleep with them fishes
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G W-I-Z, that's so delicious
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To all them ghetto and sober bitches in 'burban districts
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I'm movin' on past you chumps
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And very thorough, promoted by God's Son
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And this is the military, turn it up
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My Uzi weighs a ton, yo, son – let's thump, nah
39
Heat talk, feet walk, you run, uh
40
Rat-ta-tat – hear them shots come
Multi-line diss block
41
Drop, son, pull out
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You better send 'em back, son, or feel that casket
43
Your peeps be like, "One" (One)
Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction
TargetJay-Z
MeaningWhat it means: In “You better send 'em back, son, or feel that casket,” Nas converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at Jay-Z. Why it was said: The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.” The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts Jay-Z as unable to return for another round.
ContextThe track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”
44
I'm movin' on past you chumps (What)
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And very thorough, promoted by God's Son
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[Verse 3: Nas]
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G-O-D S-O-N
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I S-O-O-T-H-E a female's estrogen
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With my testosterone, male hormone
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Enough for a giant's body
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Science, S-C-I-E-N-C-E, don't tempt me
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EMS against you; me, I'm just–invincible, like Mike Jack said
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But me and Al Sharpton won't be broke in Harlem – that's dead
54
Who made this style, Solo or X?
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Or U.T.F.O.'s Doctor, or Moe Dee?
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Whoever – I freaked it, yes, so meet ya death
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I never wear Esco, I got a New Line comin' like Cinemas
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Remember the–original, y'all still tryin' to show niggas ya rich
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Townhouse niggas, I'm six cribs deep
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With six bank accounts in six countries
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Nah, I'm lyin' – who gives a fuck, that's so tired
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Well, picture us, Bravehearts just livin' it up
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A million of us, each nigga itchin' to bust
Multi-line diss block
64
You got a 'House in Virginia', the only way you sicker than us
65
Gettin' bagged with .22's? Now you's a ridiculous fuck
66
No need for the gun play, it's okay, 'cause you're dyin' anyway
Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction
TargetJay-Z
MeaningWhat it means: In “No need for the gun play, it's okay, 'cause you're dyin' anyway,” Nas converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at Jay-Z. Why it was said: The track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.” The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts Jay-Z as unable to return for another round.
ContextThe track is part of the Nas–Jay-Z feud, which moved from subliminal references to direct exchanges including “Takeover,” “Ether,” and “Super Ugly.”
67
[Verse 4: Jungle]
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Yo, this is for them high school drop-outs
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Niggas in court who copped out
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If you prefer shots over knockouts
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Sniffin' coke, smokin' weed, sellin' crack, sellin' smack
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You thuggin' and you ain't turnin' back
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Bravehearts gettin' money ruthless 'til the world end
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Gettin' high with my enemy's girlfriend
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I used to have the bike on a bitch
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Now I got the Jeep on the strip
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Coke in the pot, heat on my hip
78
[Verse 5: Wiz]
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Nigga, don't stop blazin' 'cause ya target's movin'
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Shoot 'til the gun's empty, stupid
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Queens niggas so ruthless
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Really, excuses is useless to these swift executioners
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And that's Queensbridge, nigga, all day
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Pump packs o' crack, smoke purple haze
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Runnin' from D's, quick to knock out rookies
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G Wiz – you know what I'm 'bout
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To all my real niggas
88
[Chorus]
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Zo-zo-zo zone out, zo-zo-zo zone out
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Zo-zo-zo zone out, zo-zo-zo zone out
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Zo-zo-zo zone out, zo-zo-zo zone out
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Zo-zo-zo zone out, zo-zo-zo zone out