Lyrics
One time, yeah, yeah
Expressing emphasis on a singular moment or opportunity
Yo, all I need is one mic, one beat, one stage
Expressing a desire for simplicity: one microphone, one rhythm, one platform
One nigga front, my face on the front page
Confrontation leading to public exposure or notoriety
Only if I had one gun, one girl and one crib
Wishing for simplicity in possessions
One God to show me how to do things his son did
Desiring guidance from a higher power
Pure, like a cup of virgin blood, mixed with
Symbolic purity juxtaposed with potentially destructive elements
151, one sip'll make a nigga flip
Alcohol-induced behavior causing a shift in character
Writin' names on my hollow tips, plottin' shit
Planning violence and taking revenge
Mad violence who I'm gon' body, this hood politics
Dealing with the politics and violence of the neighborhood
Acknowledge it, leave bodies chopped in garbage's
Accepting the aftermath of violence and its consequences
Seeds watch us, grow up and try to follow us
Influence on younger generations and the impact of actions
Police watch us, roll up and try knockin' us
Constant surveillance and threat from authorities
One knee I ducked, could it be my time is up
Avoiding danger or a potentially fatal situation
But my luck, I got up, the cop shot again
Surviving despite facing danger from law enforcement
Bus stop glass bursts, a fiend drops his Heineken
Violent incident causing chaos
Richochetin' between the spots that I'm hidin' in
Seeking shelter in different places
Blackin' out as I shoot back, fuck gettin' hit
Resisting being hit or injured
This is my hood, I'ma rep to the death of it
Commitment to representing and defending the neighborhood
'Til everybody come home, little niggas is grown
Waiting for everyone to return and contribute
Hoodrats, don't abortion your womb, we need more warriors soon
Encouraging growth and resistance in the community
Sent from the star, sun and the moon
Reference to a higher origin and purpose
In this life of police chases, street sweepers and coppers
Life characterized by conflict, law enforcement, and crime
Stick-up kids with no conscience, leavin' victims with doctors
Various forms of crime causing injuries
If you really think you ready to die with 9s out
Being prepared to face death in a violent environment
This is what Nas is 'bout, nigga, the time is now
Nas' commitment to addressing these issues
Yo, all I need is one mic
Reiteration of the desire for simplicity in expression
All I need is one mic (that's all I need)
-All I need is one mic (all I need, niggas)
-All I need is one mic (yeah)
-All I need is one blunt, one page, and one pen
Seeking forgiveness for past sins while reflecting on violence
One prayer, tell God forgive me for one sin
-Matter of fact, maybe more than one, look back
-At all the hatred against me, fuck all of them
-Jesus died at age 33, there's thirty-three shots
-From twin Glocks there's sixteen apiece, that's thirty-two
-Which means, one of my guns was holdin' 17
-Twenty-seven hit your crew, six went into you
-Everybody gotta die sometime, hope your funeral
-Never gets shot up, bullets tear through the innocent
Expressing unfairness and indiscriminate violence
Nothin' is fair, niggas roll up, shootin' from wheelchairs
Revengeful thoughts after years of enduring mistreatment
My heart is racin', tastin' revenge in the air
-I let the shit slide for too many years, too many times
-Now I'm strapped with a couple of MACs, too many 9s
-If y'all niggas really with me, get busy, load up the semis
Calling for collective action and resistance
Do more than just hold it, explode the clip until you empty
-There's nothin' in our way, they bust, we bust, they rush, we rush
Preparation for confrontation and a call to fight back
Lead flyin', feel it? I feel it in my gut
-That we take these bitches to war, lie 'em down
-'Cause we stronger now, my nigga, the time is now
-All I need is one mic (that's all I need, nigga, that's all I need)
Continued emphasis on the simplicity of needs
All I need is one mic (there's nothin' else in the world)
-All I need is one mic (that's all a nigga need to do his thing you know?)
-All I need is one mic (this is all I need)
-All I need is one life, one try, one breath, I'm one man
Desire for personal success despite opposition and criticism
What I stand for speaks for itself, they don't understand
-Or wanna see me on top, too egotistical
-Talkin' all that slick shit the same way these bitches do
-Wonder what my secrets is, niggas'll move on you
Awareness of potential threats and preparedness to defend
Only if they know what your weakness is, I have none
-Too late to grab guns, I'm blastin' 'cause I'm a cool nigga
-Thought I wouldn't have that ass done? Fooled you niggas
-What you call a infinite brawl, eternal souls clashin'
Reflection on ongoing conflicts and the origins of violence
War gets deep, some beef is everlastin'
-Complete with thick scars, brothers knifin' each other
-Up in prison yards, drama, where does it start?
-You know the block was ill as a youngster
Recalling a tumultuous past involving crime and relationships
Every night it was like a cop would get killed, body found in the dumpster
-For real a hustler, purchased my Range, niggas throwin' dirt on my name
-Jealous 'cause fiends got they work and complain
-Bitches left me 'cause they thought I was finished
-Shoulda knew she wasn't true, she came to me when her man caught a sentence
-Diamonds are blindin', I never make the same mistakes
Learning from past mistakes and growing wiser
Movin' with a change of pace, lighter load, see now the king is straight
-Swellin' my melon 'cause none of these niggas real
-Heard he was tellin' police, how can a kingpin squeal?
-This is crazy, I'm on the right track, I'm finally found
Encouraging introspection and personal growth
You need some soul searchin', the time is now
-All I need is one mic (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Reaffirming the simplicity of needs and spreading a message
All I need is one mic (that's all I ever needed in this world, fuck cash)
-All I need is one mic (fuck the cars, the jewelry, uh-huh)
-All I need is one mic (spread my voice to the whole world, whole world, baby)
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