🎵 Let Nas Down // by J. Cole

217 ContributorsTranslationsItalianoTürkçeFrançais Let Nas Down Lyrics The story goes that when Nas heard J.Cole’s radio single, “Work Out,” he was apparently disappointed in Cole for abandoning lyricism. Now, No I.D. was in the same room when Nas expressed his discontent, and… Read More  [Produced by J. Cole] [Intro: J. Cole & Nas] Freedom or jail, clips inserted A baby's bein' born, same time a man is murdered The beginning and end As far as rap go, it's only natural, I explain My plateau, and also what defines my name [Refrain: J. Cole] Yeah, long live the idols, may they never be your rivals Pac was like Jesus, Nas wrote the Bible Now what you're 'bout to hear's a tale of glory and sin No I.D. my mentor, now let the story begin [Verse 1: J. Cole] I used to print out Nas raps and tape 'em up on my wall My niggas thought they was words, but it was pictures I saw And since I wanted to draw, I used to read 'em in awe Then he dropped Stillmatic, rocked the cleanest velour Fast forward, who'da thought that I would meet him on tour I'm earnin' stripes now, a nigga got Adidas galore Backstage I shook his hand, let 'em know that he's the man When he said he was a fan it was too hard to understand No time to soak up the moment though ‘cause I was in a jam Hov askin' where's the record that the radio could play and I was strikin' out for months, 9th inning, feelin' fear Jeter under pressure, made the biggest hit of my career But at first, that wasn't clear, niggas had no idea Dion called me when it dropped, soundin' sad but sincere Told me Nas heard your single and he hate that shit Said, "You the one, yo, why you make that shit?" [Chorus: J. Cole] I can't believe I let Nas down Damn, my heart sunk to my stomach I can't believe I let Nas down I got defensive on the phone Resentment was in my tone, fuck it [Refrain: J. Cole] Long live the idols, may they never be your rivals Pac was like Jesus, Nas wrote the Bible Now what you're 'bout to hear is a tale of glory and sin No I.D. my mentor, now let the story begin [Verse 2: J. Cole] I couldn't help but think that maybe I had made a mistake I mean, you made "You Owe Me", dog, I thought that you could relate But while I shot up the charts You mean tellin' me that I was not up to par when I followed my heart? Granted, my heart was tainted by my mind that kept on sayin', "Where's the hits? You ain't got none You know Jay'll never put your album out without none," And, dog, you know how come Labels are archaic, formulaic with they outcomes, huh They don't know, they just study the charts Me, I studied the shows, the fans, studied they hearts I had a feelin' I was killin', and this music we were spillin' out Would change lives forever, fuck the label, put it out Friday Night Lights blew, that was classic number two Now it seemed as if the Nas comparisons was comin' true Still no release date from the label, are they insane? Gucc told me play the game to change the game [Chorus: J. Cole] But on the way I let Nas down Damn, I got no one to blame I'm ashamed, I let Nas down But this is God's plan, you could never understand, fuck it [Refrain: J. Cole] Long live the idols, may they never be your rivals Pac was like Jesus, Nas wrote the Bible Now what you're 'bout to hear is a tale of glory and sin No I.D. my mentor, now let the story begin [Verse 3: J. Cole] I always believed in the bigger picture If I could get them niggas to listen outside my core then I can open the door Reintroduce 'em to honesty, show 'em that they need more The difference between the pretenders and the Kendrick Lamars And so, I took the fall Like the son of the Lord on the cross dyin' for that fake shit you niggas bought For the past decade If I should pass, please let this be my last essay Therefore I write from the heart Apologies to OGs for sacrificin' my art But I'm here for a greater purpose, I knew right from the start I'm just a man of the people, not above but equal And for the greater good I walk amongst the evil Don't cry, Mama, this the life I choose myself Just pray along the way that I don't lose myself This is for the nigga that said that Hip-Hop was dead I went to Hell to resurrect it, how could you fail to respect it? [Chorus: J. Cole] Letting Nas down I got the phone call Quietly I mourned, dog, I let Nas down Yeah, and on this flight May I never lose sight, fuck it [Refrain: J. Cole] Long live the idols, may they never be your rivals Pac was like Jesus, Nas wrote the Bible Now what you just heard's a tale of glory and sin No I.D. my mentor, now let the story begin, begin Story begin