Classic

Nas

About Classic

"Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)" is a collaboration song between Rakim, Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One and that is co-produced by Rick Rubin and DJ Premier. The song was released as a single on February 20, 2007 by Nike Records. It was performed live at the Nike Air Force Ones 25th anniversary party shown on MTV2. Its remix, "Better Than I've Ever Been DJ Premier Remix", is produced by DJ Premier, and it features Rakim along with the aforementioned rappers. It features DJ Premier's signature scratches from prior songs such as Nas' "One Love" and "It Ain't Hard to Tell". The song was nominated for Best Rap Collaboration at the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008. Proceeds from the song's sales go towards youth leadership programs through the Force4Change Fund. The song is often misinterpreted as a DJ Premier track featuring Rakim, Nas and KRS-ONE and excluding Kanye West. This is due to a popular upload of the music video on YouTube where DJ Premier is credited as the artist and Kanye West's opening verse is removed from the video. The music video itself was released for the DJ Premier Remix of the song. 


Year:
2007
74 
#3

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Is y?all ready for Twenty-0-7, it?s now another drought 
Everyone?s a killer, wow we buggin out 
Since 86 showin the crowd what I?m about 
And they still want to know when the album comin? out 
Ask the teenagers, O?Gs and Ask the kids 
What they definition of Classic is 
Timeless, cause age don?t count in the booth 
And your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth 
And no doubt the truth I?m off the meters 
Everybody co-signing even non-believers 
I came in the door, became one of y?alls leaders 
In the fresh pair of Air Force One sneakers 
Uptown we call ?em uppies when they on divas 
Prolly worn when KRS One teaches 
Nas, made you look, before the haters 
I bet you Kan had ?em on when he walked with Jesus 
This is classic 

classic, better than I'v ever been
Talent, 
If it?s classic it?s gonna last forever than I?m everywhere you never been and better than I ever been 
Classic
Better than I'v ever been

[Kanye West:]
Can?t buy this, superflyness, like a shyness, your highness 
It?s performin?, look how long the line is 
That?s what happens when you make shit that?s timeless 
That?s what happens these rappers is the pioneers 
What do it take to be a legend like Nas is? 
That?s so novice, I?m so polished, I got a right to be a little bit snobbish 
I did a little bit of college, semesters it took 2 like Rob Base 
To let me figure out this wasn?t my place, the beat slowed til? you listened to my pace 
'cause I be killin? shit, but that?s evident, and y?all feelin? it, but I expected it 
If it?s classic it?s gonna last forever than I?m everywhere you never been and better than I ever been 

classic, better than I'v ever been
Talent, 
If it?s classic it?s gonna last forever than I?m everywhere you never been and better than I ever been 
Classic
Better than I'v ever been

[Nas:] 
Perseverance, see the fake hustler rapper to them it hurts to hear this 
O you went platinum ? yeah that?s nice, now let me see you do the same thing twice 
New times, 4 times, then been a couple of more times, please your amateur night is show time 
It?s one life to live so live it the best you can, the world could use one less man 
Not enough air, not enough car factories to manufacture new vehicles sedans and vans 
When they do make the whip you like ya chips ain?t right, by the time you could afford it the car ain?t important 
In the streets silent, it?s just I and - cops keep firin? in my environment 
Leavin? your slum when they drive home far from the hood brothers they eager to jump on 
I like to be the wall that they post up on, I like to see them fall, guilty for doing wrong 
I?m classic like the Air Ones, the Hustler shoe, that?s what I?m accustomed to 

classic, better than I'v ever been
Talent, 
If it?s classic it?s gonna last forever than I?m everywhere you never been and better than I ever been 
Classic
Better than I'v ever been

[KRS One:] 
How many y?all got criminal minded you you you y?all don?t be blinded 
Me I got no jewels on my neck, why ? I don?t need ?em I got your respect 
KRS 1 20 years I rock I do it for JMJ and Scott LaRock ? this hip hop 
And we?s a nation, don?t you want to hear more KRS on your radio station? 
Instead of broadcasting how we smokin? trees, on the radio we need to hear more local MC?s 
Where you at? Come on where you at? This is the difference between MC?ing and rap 
Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal, MC?s spit rhymes to uplift they people 
Peace, love, unity, and Havin? fun, these are the lyrics of KRS One

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Nas

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones ( /nɑːˈsɪər/; born September 14, 1973), better known mononymously as Nas ( /ˈnɑːz/), is an American rapper and actor. He is also the son of jazz musician Olu Dara. Nas has released eight consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums since 1994, four of which topped the Billboard charts upon release and has sold over thirteen-million records in the United States alone. Nas was also part of the hip hop supergroup The Firm, which released one album under Dr. Dre's record label Aftermath. Aside from rapping, Nas is also an occasional actor and has appeared in feature films such as Hype Williams' directorial debut Belly, Ticker and In Too Deep and the television show Hawaii Five-0. more »

4 fans

Written by: EUGENE STEVEN SANCHEZ, FRANK NITTI, OSCAR RODRIGUEZ, WYATT AHMAD

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Information
"Classic" is a song by renowned American rapper and songwriter Nas.
Collaboration
This song is a collaboration between Nas, Kanye West, KRS-One and Rakim who are widely acknowledged as legends in the rap scene.
Dedicated Album
"Classic," originally released in 2007, is one of the tracks from the album "Better Than I've Ever Been."
Acclaimed Producer
The music track was produced by Rick Rubin, who is known as one of the most influential music producers in the industry.
Award Nomination
Due to its unique composition and impactful lyrics, "Classic" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2008.
High Quality Recording
Unlike some other songs released during the same period, "Classic" was captured in a high-quality sound recording.
Celebrity Endorsements
The song, due to its high profile collaborators, received widespread media coverage and endorsement from several celebrities within the music industry.
Lyrical Significance
The lyrics of "Classic" discuss a range of topics, from social justice to the challenges and rewards of being a hip-hop artist.
Chart Performance
Despite its complex lyrical structure and thought-provoking messages, "Classic" managed to attain a considerable ranking on various music charts at the time of its release.
Message
Most importantly, the song is considered a tribute to the legacy and significance of hip hop culture in America. Each of the collaborating artists reflects on their journey within the hip-hop scene, telling the story of their individual experiences and growth in the industry.

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