Life’s A Bitch by Nas Lyrics Meaning – The Anthemic Ode to Urban Existentialism
Lyrics
Let’s keep it real, son, count this money
You know what I’m sayin’? Yeah, yeah
Ayo, put the Grants over there in the safe
You know what I’m sayin’?
‘Cause we spendin’ these Jacksons
The Washington’s go to wifey, you know how that go
I’m sayin’ that’s what this is all about, right?
Clothes, bankrolls, and hoes
You know what I’m sayin’?
Yo, then what, man, what?
Visualizin’ the realism of life and actuality
Fuck who’s the baddest, a person’s status depends on salary
And my mentality is money-orientated
I’m destined to live the dream for all my peeps who never made it
‘Cause yeah, we were beginners in the hood as Five Percenters
But somethin’ must of got in us ’cause all of us turned to sinners
Now some restin’ in peace and some are sittin’ in San Quentin
Others, such as myself, are tryin’ to carry on tradition
Keepin’ this Schweppervescent street ghetto essence inside us
‘Cause it provides us with the proper insight to guide us
Even though we know, somehow we all gotta go
But as long as we leavin’ thievin’
We’ll be leavin’ with some kind of dough
So, until that day we expire and turn to vapors
Me and my capers will be somewhere stackin’ plenty papers
Keepin’ it real, packin’ steel, gettin’ high
‘Cause life’s a bitch and then you die
Life’s a bitch and then you die
That’s why we get high
‘Cause you never know when you’re gonna go
Life’s a bitch and then you die
That’s why we puff lye
‘Cause you never know when you’re gonna go
Life’s a bitch and then you die
That’s why we get high
‘Cause you never know when you’re gonna go
Life’s a bitch and then you die
That’s why we puff lye
I woke up early on my born day, I’m 20, it’s a blessing
The essence of adolescence leaves my body, now I’m fresh and
My physical frame is celebrated ’cause I made it
One quarter through life, some godly-like thing created
Got rhymes 365 days annual, plus some
Load up the mic and bust one, cuss while I pus from
My skull ’cause it’s pain in my brain vein, money maintain
Don’t go against the grain, simple and plain
When I was young at this I used to do my thing hard
Robbin’ foreigners, take they wallets, they jewels and rip they green cards
Dipped to the projects, flashin’ my quick cash
And got my first piece of ass, smokin’ blunts with hash
Now it’s all about cash in abundance
Niggas I used to run with is rich or doin’ years in the hundreds
I switched my motto, instead of sayin’, “Fuck tomorrow”
That buck that bought a bottle could’ve struck the lotto
Once I stood on the block, loose cracks produce stacks
I cooked up and cut small pieces to get my loot back
Time is illmatic, keep static like wool fabric
Pack a 4-matic that crack your whole cabbage
Life’s a bitch and then you die
That’s why we get high
‘Cause you never know when you’re gonna go
Life’s a bitch and then you die
That’s why we puff lye
‘Cause you never know when you’re gonna go
Life’s a bitch and then you die
That’s why we get high
‘Cause you never know when you’re gonna go
Life’s a bitch and then you die
That’s why we puff lye
‘Cause you never know when you’re gonna go
Life’s a bitch and then you die
Among the pantheon of hip-hop’s storytelling masterpieces, Nas’ ‘Life’s A Bitch’ occupies a throne of its own. The track, a brooding meditation on the harsh realities of growing up in the projects, encapsulates not just a feeling or a moment, but an entire philosophy. It’s a window into the soul of an artist wrestling with the trials of life against the backdrop of urban decay.
Dissecting Nas’s lyrics takes us on a journey through streets paved with hardship, and skies clouded with the smoke of existential musings. The track, from his seminal album ‘Illmatic’, remains a cornerstone of hip-hop—a poetic exploration of the human condition through the eyes of an inner-city poet.
The Hustler’s Anthem: Epitomizing the Street Spirit
Nas, with poignant candor, reveals the hardcore reality that envelopes his environment: clothes, bankrolls, and hoes are not merely the trappings of success but the very currency of survival. This gritty introduction throws us mercilessly into a world where the measure of a man is too often conflated with his financial prowess—an urban jungle where the hustle never sleeps.
The opening lines, a dialogue among compatriots, establish a tone of camaraderie that’s underscored by a shared ambition for wealth. It’s not a glorification of materialism but rather a stark acknowledgment of the socio-economic treadmill they are trapped on, where money is both the jailer and the key to freedom.
A Portrait of a Young Artist: Nas at 20
The wise beyond years, Nas, reflects on his 20th birthday, a symbolic transition from the ‘essence of adolescence’ to becoming ‘fresh’ with adult clarity. The representation of his 20 years on earth is laced with both triumph and nostalgia, celebrating his survival and lamentation for the innocence lost.
Yet, as he embraces adulthood, the lyricist neither revels in past glories nor dwells on the pain of the past. Instead, he stands poised, ready to unleash his lyrical prowess—365 days a year. Nas juxtaposes vivid recollections of his youth with his growth into a figure who harbors a keen awareness of life’s transient and treacherous nature.
The Cruel Irony of Time and Luck
Nas deftly flips the narrative of youthful invincibility with the somber realization that ‘time is illmatic,’ borrowing from the album’s title to describe the unpredictability and unforgiving progression of time. Herein lies the cruel irony of the urban experience: the fast life can yield quick riches or a rapid downfall—all dictated by the spinning wheel of fortune.
In what becomes a philosophical reflection, Nas suggests a moratorium on the ‘fuck tomorrow’ ethos, presenting a counter-narrative that values future potential over immediate gratification. The cruel turn of fate, where a bottle of liquor can be exchanged for a winning lottery ticket, speaks volumes of the gamble that is life in the margins.
The Resounding Echo of ‘Life’s A Bitch’
The anthemic hook, delivered by AZ, encapsulates a fundamental truth that resonates across the human experience—the inevitability of death. By acknowledging the temporality of life, ‘Life’s a bitch and then you die’ becomes a nihilistic yet freeing chorus that unites listeners under the banner of mortality.
The ethos of getting high, of seeking escape from the pressures and confines of an unforgiving reality, is presented not as a defeat but as a mode of resistance—a temporary liberation from life’s relentless grind. Its repetition in the hook serves as both a lament and a declaration of resilience.
Cracking Open the Vault: The Song’s Hidden Depths
Within ‘Life’s A Bitch’ lies a complex layer of symbolism and social commentary. The track is a rich tapestry woven with the threads of existentialism, nihilism, and a critique of the American Dream. Nas and his collaborators paint a vivid picture of a reality complicated by systemic oppression and fleeting chances at prosperity.
Digging deeper, one uncovers the underlying message of unity and perseverance. It’s about passing the torch, maintaining tradition, and the quest for leaving behind more than just physical wealth. ‘Life’s A Bitch’ isn’t just an expression of angst but a call to contemplation and purposeful living, a testament to finding meaning amidst the chaos of existence.
