I Can by Nas Lyrics Meaning – Empowerment Anthem Unpacked
Lyrics
눈물 없이는 삼키지 못해
억지로 먹고 먹어도 속이 늘 허전해
노래를 들어도 흥얼대지도 못해
영화를 봐도 내가 뭘 본 건지 기억 못해
밥도 잘 먹지 못해 네가 생각날까 봐
네 생각에 체할까 봐 네가 떠난 후로
오늘도 눈물로 하루를 먹고 살아
버스도 타지 못해 누가 날 욕할까 봐
우는 날 놀려댈까 봐 아무것도 못 해
너 없인 나 혼자 살지 못해
이제는 술을 마셔도
눈물 없이는 마시질 못해
아무리 병을 비워도 너만 더 생각해
살아서 뭐 해 넌 내 곁에 없는데
혼자 뭘 어째 아무것도 할 수 없는 난데
밥도 잘 먹지 못해 네가 생각날까 봐
네 생각에 체할까 봐 네가 떠난 후로
오늘도 눈물로 하루를 먹고 살아
버스도 타지 못해 누가 날 욕할까 봐
우는 날 놀려댈까 봐 아무것도 못 해
너 없인 나 혼자 살지 못해
너 없이 웃는 것도 난 못해
너 없이 걷는 것도 난 못해
아무것도 아무것도 못 해
내겐 네 사랑이 필요해
혼자 살아서 뭐 해
네가 더 잘 알잖아
너 없인 나 안 되잖아
너밖에 몰라서 너 없인
밥조차 먹지 못하는 나인데
차마 죽지도 못해
네가 돌아올까 봐 아무것도 못 해
오늘도 내일도 너만 원해
Nas’s ‘I Can’, a powerful concoction of beats and wisdom, stands as an urban anthem that transcends the boundaries of hip-hop. Released as part of his 2002 album ‘God’s Son’, the song carries a potent message of self-empowerment, historical consciousness, and the limitless potential that lies within every young individual.
With a backdrop laced with Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’, the track juxtaposes classical gravitas with contemporary struggles and triumphs. Decoding this masterpiece reveals layers of teaching, truth-telling, and, most importantly, a roadmap for the future that Nas envisions for the youth who hang on to his every word.
A Symphony of Empowerment: ‘I Can’ Versus the World
At its core, ‘I Can’ is a narrative of upliftment. Unlike his typical oeuvre that often scrutinizes the darker crevices of urban life, Nas turns the mirror to reflect a brighter, more aspirational vision. It’s a clarion call for self-belief amidst adversity, where the repeated mantra ‘I know I can, be what I wanna be, if I work hard at it, I’ll be where I wanna be’ is a hook that doesn’t just catch ears, but also ignites minds.
This endearing message immediately positions the track as an outlier within the genre, deliberately designed to inspire rather than provoke. By fusing the classical with the modern, Nas infuses a sense of timelessness into his counsel, suggesting that the values of hard work and persistence are as enduring as the melodies of Beethoven.
The refrain that Reclaims Histories
A surprising yet potent ingredient in ‘I Can’ is its deep dive into black history and African roots. Nas does not shy away from painting an honest picture, highlighting crucial African figures and civil rights leaders. This is no throwaway verse; it’s a carefully curated history lesson, embedded within a beat to ensure it reverberates in the corridors where formal education might have failed to leave its mark.
The song serves as a bolt that fastens the past to the present, urging listeners not to forget where they come from, while also using that knowledge to fuel their journey forward. It propounds the idea that understanding one’s heritage is integral to forging one’s destiny.
Deciphering Nas’s Vision of a Brighter Tomorrow
In ‘I Can’, Nas isn’t just rapping for rapping’s sake. Each line drips with intention and purpose. He dreams aloud of a generation of lawyers, doctors, and scholars coming from the very streets that have been typecast as dead ends. Here, he’s a modern-day soothsayer, prophesying a future where those who are marginalized take their rightful place at society’s zenith.
This vision for the future is juxtaposed with today’s struggles, but Nas maintains an unyielding optimism, his lyricism painting pictures of a time when the cycle of poverty and ignorance is broken by the power of belief and education.
The Quintessential Verses That Resonate
Lyrics like ‘The world is yours and everything in it, it’s out there—get on your grind and get it’ stand out as a testament to the song’s relentless pursuit of instilling a winner’s mentality. These are words that stick, words that have the power to pull someone from the brink and put them back on track.
It’s a song that doesn’t just demand to be heard, but rather demands to be lived. The captivating storytelling intertwined with moral imperatives challenges listeners to rise above circumstance and grab the reins of their destiny.
Unraveling the Song’s Deeper Message
Beyond the surface-level inspiration, ‘I Can’ operates on a deeper, almost spiritual level. It’s not simply about the actions one takes, but also about the transformative belief in one’s potential. Nas implores his audience to embrace a greater sense of agency, insisting that true change begins within.
Moreover, it’s a heartening reminder that art has the power to move people, to educate, and to shape the future. ‘I Can’ manages to encapsulate the essence of hope and the tangible sense of agency that often feels absent in the rocky landscape that many face.
