Rap Genius: The top 5 rap lyrics of the week — revisiting Nas’ masterpiece

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It’s been 20 years since Nas’ iconic Illmatic album dropped, and he blessed music listeners around the world with a new “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” remix.

We also highlight two artists from Chicago, Dally Auston and Julian Malone, who provide some fresh music for your playlist shuffle. Check out this edition of lines of the week:

5) “If I’d grew up with my dad or the cold ass street, I’d probably be mad, lock down, or deceased, But thank you, God, that she took care of me” — Julian Malone, ‘Clouds’

Chiraq is a way to describe Chicago because of the cold, violent streets. Rapper Julian Malone gives a warm shout out to his mother as well as the many single mothers who work hard to raise boys without a male role model.

4) “Give a n**** my rap ties, metaphor, reservoir dog got cat lives” — Lupe Fiasco, ‘Thot 97’

Lupe is referencing “Reservoir Dogs”, one of Tarantino’s classic movies. But in the end of that film, most of the characters die… so unlike a cat, they don’t have 9 lives.

3) “Still know the n**** no llama, Peace to the land I walk on” — Dally Auston, ‘Blood’

SaveMoney’s own Dally Auston just dropped his new album called WestsidEP. As he told RG, “Dally, no llama, thas me”. He comes in peace, but don’t confuse him with the Dalai!

2) “As I money launder laundromats on every corner, Coin operated like them boys out in Vegas” — Rick Ross, ‘Oyster Perpetual freestyle’

Operating loads of laundromats is a clean way for Rozay to conceal his dirty money. And while he’s getting paid, he bears resemblance to the machines inside, similar to the Vegas slots.

1) “I drink Moet with Medusa, give her shotguns in hell, From the spliff that I lift and inhale, it ain’t hard to tell” — Nas, ‘It Ain’t Hard to Tell (Stink remix)’

As Nas told RG, “I live on the wild side without fear. So much that I would get up close enough to Medusa that I could give her weed shotguns thru the nose.”