We Will Survive - Nas: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts

We Will Survive

19,899

On Tour

Hip-Hop/Rap

We Will Survive was released on April 6, 1999 by Columbia as a part of the album I Am...

Song Details

Release DateApril 6, 1999

LabelColumbia

LanguageEnglish

Melodicness

Acousticness

Valence

Danceability

Energy

BPM97

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS

Nas

Vocals

Kenny Loggins

Sampled Artist

COMPOSITION & LYRICS

Nasir Jones

Songwriter

Jamel Edgerton

Songwriter

Samuel Barnes

Songwriter

Jean Claude Olivier

Jean Claude Olivier

Songwriter

PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING

Nas

Recording Engineer

Jamel Edgerton

Producer

Rich Travali

Mixing Engineer

Jon Shriver

Recording Engineer

Kenny Loggins

Recording Engineer

Poke & Tone

Producer

Lyrics

[Intro]

Still, somehow, I believe, we always survive

To my dawgs, wherever you are

But why?

[Verse 1]

What up, Big? You know shit is rough after you slid

You in God's hands now, keep a place for me, kid

Ain't nothin' changed, still party and bullshit

We used to fuck R&B bitches and see who rhyme sickest

For every hit you made, more rappers afraid to come out

Machine Gun Funk, from Queens I came through to smoke blunts

You came to my hood, we was broke

I wonder if we stayed that way, would there have been gun smoke?

Still on the block around fiends numb from coke, I guess so

'Cause now with paper, shit is still ghetto

But fuck it, black, you livin' your life through your loved ones

Peace to your daughter and your newborn son

It used to be fun makin' records to see your response

But now competition is none, now that you're gone

And these **** is wrong, using your name in vain

And they claim to be New York's king? It ain't about that

It's more serious, I plan to toast it up with you

Joke with you, happy we on top, the most official

Ain't too many real ones out there

I feel some but doubt they're capable to take it where you took it to

I missed your wake not 'cause I'm fake

'Cause I hate to see somebody so great in that way

I woulda stayed so long with so much to say

I had to put it in writin' to keep me and Brooklyn from fightin'

Tellin' me to pay my respects and move to the side

But I probably wouldn't have got off my knees to let people by

You can't kill nothin' that's ready to die

You was like God to us in the form of Allah

[PreChorus]

Still somehow I believe, we always survive

But why?

[Chorus]

Still, we will survive

No matter what, my people just stay alive

Still, we will survive

No matter what, my people just stay alive (Thug Life'll never die)

[Verse 2]

Dear 'Pac, every thug sheds a tear drop

And use teeth to bite off beer tops and pour out a lil' liquor

You was more than just the wildest ****

2Pacalypse, I understand your style, ****

It's goin' on the third year since you've been gone

On the East and West Coast, the same shit is goin' on

The industry be talkin', offendin' me often

They don't believe you dead, wanna see you in your coffin

I can relate, shootouts and court dates

All eyes on you, **** in your face, invadin' your space

You asked if I could trade in your place, how would I hold up?

How long would I ride before I fold up?

How did you know through your rhymes it was your time to go?

You predicted it in every line, all in your flow

There could never be peace, I have to quote

Can't believe I heard my name on the realest shit you ever wrote

We had words 'cause the best supposed to clash at the top

But kept it brotherly, when we seen each other and stopped

In NYC, at MTV, people watched

We was both deep, after you left, I got no sleep

Think about how us real **** would be

If we united, a nation of thugs, who could fight it?

You was caught in a wild homicide, or were you crucified

Like the son of God, when Lucifer lied

And make the world think young Blacks should be extinct?

But Thug Life'll never die, we stay high and just link

Will there ever be another MC as nice?

Will you return to us like the resurrection of Christ?

[PreChorus]

Still somehow I believe, we always survive

But why?

[Chorus]

Still, we will survive

No matter what, my people just stay alive

Still, we will survive

No matter what, my people just stay alive

[Verse 3]

I wonder what the Commodores went through on tour?

Did Smokey Robinson have to shoot his way out a war?

What has Al Green seen that made him religious?

Was it the drugs, put an end to the music business?

If so, should I put out the indo right now and write down

A plan and pursue my dream, turn my life around

'Cause I'm bound for the movie screen, cuties that scream

I'll need a extra Uzi ridin' through my own hood in Queens

It be the ones you always knew, that want it on

Tellin' everybody it was him, that you fronted on

Thought we walked a million miles, it was just twenty

Not used to walkin' in the path of legit money

I thought I made it but we only took baby steps

Up the success ladder, where they pay me checks

Told my cliques when I got it, I said "Baby, bless"

That was the '80s, but now look at this crazy mess

We in the '90s and finally it's lookin' good

Hip-hop took it to billions, I knew we would

A lot of ups and downs in the game

Could lose or gain a couple pounds tryna maintain

One day you here, the next you not, when you around ****, check 'em out

Some is 'bout it, most individuals plots

And run the spots, some choose to stay to they selves

While others have no cares and stay in jail

More than 50% of us endin' up with holes through the chest

Through the head, through the gut, it shows

The future for us young shooters and old killers

Who become rich as dope dealers

Nothin' left for us but hoop dreams and hood tournaments

Thug coaches with subs sittin' on the bench, either that or rap

We want the fast way out of this trap

Whether it be 9 to 5 or slangin' crack

To my deceased gods, wishin' I could bring you back

But life is a dream and y'all taught me that

[PreChorus]

Always survive, but why?

Always survive, always

[Chorus]

Still, we will survive

No matter what, my people just stay alive

Still, we will survive

No matter what, my people just stay alive

Still, we will survive (No matter what)

Still, we will survive (No matter what)

Still, we will survive

No matter what, my **** just stay alive

Written by: J. Olivier, Jamel Edgerton, Nasir Jones, Samuel Barnes

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Chrome Web Store

Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2026 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility

Loading...