Systematic

[Verse 1: Nas] The system will defeat itself Nothing stays in a steady state, it overheats and melts It only feeds itself, the system Yo, I think it exists just because, like a pit eats its pups Eats its own litter up The system's fucked, it's corrupt It's for its own survival, it's genocidal No place or origin, no beginning cycle Let's occupy all streets It's crazy to think in the '80s I wanted minks, and a Benz to listen to Michael And Grand Puba Maxwell and get cash while I'm sippin' on drinks In Nike sweatsuits and Gucci links I'm like a Russian mob figure, I'm mad low In the shadows, big up to Shadow DJ Shadow arose to throw blows Can't see me but Nas moving the fastest I'm a 3D movie, no need of glasses I'm a 3D movie, no need of glasses [Chorus: Nas] Hold your breath for fifteen seconds Close your eyes, cover your ears, do not listen Try to feel what I'm saying To make you feel is my new expression Hold your breath for fifteen seconds Close your eyes, cover your ears, do not listen Try to feel what I'm saying To make you feel is my new expression [Post-Chorus: Nas] Systematic Systematic [Verse 2: Nas] I wish I was an arms dealer to sell legal arms in the 'hood No backup check, put cash in my palms and we good Lack of respect get you to fall where you stood Mathematics is God’s language, it’s in my blood Art, music, letters and numbers I'm a vessel, I'm humble Meeting startups, I invest if I want to Transforming global markets with all of my partners Methodical corporate culture, straight out the projects What's the ingredients to the realest? Place two cups of cranberry in the skillet A half a cup of water, add some Henny Let it cook for eight minutes, but you ain't finished Let it simmer 'til the cranberry pop a little—keep stirring, sip it It's art like Keith Haring It gets in your blood, you start to feel what I'm feeling Don't listen, just try to feel what I'm feeling [Chorus: Nas] Hold your breath for fifteen seconds Close your eyes, cover your ears, do not listen Try to feel what I'm saying To make you feel is my new expression Hold your breath for fifteen seconds Close your eyes, cover your ears, do not listen Try to feel what I'm saying To make you feel is my new expression [Post-Chorus: Nas] Systematic, uh Systematic [Outro] World first Remember the past Cherish the present and work for tomorrow The time is now *scratching* Time is now