Welcome To The Underground Nas Cover
Verified Lyrics Light-Years

WELCOME TO THE UNDERGROUND

Lyrics

[Intro]

Okay, we gotta go deep-deep-deep, to the underground

Take every breath out of my body if I don't stay real

For life, yeah, turn it up, turn it up, yeah

[Verse 1]

Welcome to the underground, that basement life

Way underneath the earth, dig up dirt, termites

And baby mice scatterin’

Below the surface, we deep in the soil, we jackhammerin'

To the core of it all, avoidin' the laws

Outside the corner stores with the raw

Take mе back again before ice surround mе

On stage performin’ while they fightin' around me

Later somebody gun pop, the good old days, we from the streets

Makin' plays, either you grind or you incomplete

Open the year, '86 Lafite

For the time that the team was confined to four walls, and now we meet

How 'bout it for the real, now I could fly to Saudi doin' deals

Comin' back, whole fam showered in souvenirs

If my kids are nepo babies

It was destined and they blessed, let 'em go crazy

Healin’ is important, live it if you talk it

Children get the short end of the stick, let’s make better choices

And everything costs, there's a price just to breathe

Everything gets taxed, nothing in life’s free

So ain't nobody stealin' my peace, I'm still a beast

If I gotta put a piece in somebody grill and release

Figurative speech, picture me a civilian packin’ heat

Back in the days, waves, immature naivete

By the tender age of twelve, around some men who made

Made it through situations that was inhumane

Eatin' twelve course dinners, look how the menu changed

But the men ain't changed, yeah, welcome to the underground

[Chorus]

"Comin' straight from the underground"

"Comin' straight from the underground"

[Verse 2]

A twenty-four karat gold award addict, manic, way beyond boss status

I need a room with the walls padded, about mine

Cops used to pat us down, old straps we got passed down

From old legends, let us hold they weapons

They saw in us the coldest, that was in they essence

Hear the street confessions, if you kill a legend, now you a legend

The one who take out a legend, he next to be a legend

Allegedly (Yeah), enamored

Feel it, I channel through the annals of the life of Ali, my spirit animal

Feel his ice grill your camera crew

Epitomize, personify an open letter to multiple golden eras

That ended, I go forever

Official tissue, life changin' masterpiece theater

Fuck your candy-ass Grammy grabs

I open fire like Panthers behind sand bags, with my comrades, onslaught

Turn you corny niggas to cornstarch

I lead and you just go with it

The one who clash with the whole system, since I entered the scene, I just roll different

Now they code switching, they soul missing

A Catholic priest appears in your mirror

Y'all awaited Preem and Nas like it's Detox

Forget the drum machine when Preem could just do the beatbox

Or bang on the top of a table, let his house key knock

And I can freestyle, they can't see Nas

Welcome to the underground

[Outro]

"Comin' straight from the underground"

"Comin' straight from the underground"

About & Meaning

"Welcome To The Underground" is a powerful declaration of authenticity and legacy from the iconic duo, Nas and DJ Premier. Featured on their album Light-Years, the track explores the metaphor of the "underground" not just as a musical subgenre, but as the foundational soil of Hip-Hop culture.

The Basement Life

Nas contrasts his current success ("fly to Saudi doin' deals") with his gritty origins ("outside the corner stores with the raw"). He emphasizes that despite the wealth and the changed menu ("eating twelve course dinners"), the men haven't changed. The song serves as a critique of the "candy-ass Grammy grabs" and superficiality in the industry, reaffirming his status as a "beast" who remains connected to the core of the streets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of 'Welcome To The Underground' by Nas?

The song is a manifesto on staying true to Hip-Hop's roots ('the soil'). Nas contrasts the superficiality of modern fame with the gritty, authentic nature of the 'underground,' emphasizing longevity, integrity, and the deep connection between the artist and the streets.

Who produced 'Welcome To The Underground'?

The track is produced by the legendary DJ Premier, featuring his signature boom-bap style and scratches, reuniting with Nas for the album Light-Years.

Which album features Welcome To The Underground?

It is featured on the collaborative album 'Light-Years' by Nas and DJ Premier.

Does Nas mention other artists in the lyrics?

Yes, Nas references 'the life of Ali' (likely Muhammad Ali) as his spirit animal and mentions the dynamic between himself and Preem (DJ Premier) being awaited like 'Detox'.

What is the significance of the 'basement life' lyric?

The 'basement life' refers to the foundations of Hip-Hop culture—creation happening below the surface, away from the commercial laws, representing the rawest form of the art.

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