[Intro]. Freedom or jail clips inserted. A baby's bein' born same time a man is murdered. The beginning and end so far as rap goes. It's only natural I explain my plateau. And also what defines my name. [Hook]. Yeah long live the idols may they never be your rivals. Pac was like Jesus Nas wrote the Bible. Now what you're 'bout to hear's a tale of glory and sin. No I. D. my mentor now let the story begin. [Verse 1]. I used to print out Nas raps and tape 'em up on my wall. My niggas thought they was words but it was pictures I saw. And since I wanted to draw I used to read 'em in awe. Then he dropped Stillmatic rocked the cleanest velour. Fast forward who thought that I would meet him on tour?. I'm earnin' stripes now nigga got Adidas galore. Backstage I shook his hand let him know that he's the man. When he said he was a fan it was too hard to understand. No time to soak up the moment though cause I was in a jam. Hov askin' where's the record that the radio could play. And I was strikin' out for months 9th inning feeling fear. Jeter under pressure made the biggest hit of my career. But at first that wasn't clear niggas had no idea. Dion called me when it dropped sounded sad but sincere. Told me Nas heard your single and he hate that shit. Said you the one yo why you make that shit?. I can't believe I let Nas down. Damn my heart sunk to my stomach. I can't believe I let Nas down. I got defensive on the phone. resentment was in my tone fuck it. [Hook]. Yeah long live the idols may they never be your rivals. Pac was like Jesus Nas wrote the Bible. Now what you're 'bout to hear's a tale of glory and sin. No I. D. my mentor now let the story begin. [Verse 2]. I couldn't help but think that maybe I had made a mistake. I mean you made "You Owe Me" dog. I thought that you could relate. But while I shot up the charts you mean tellin' me. That I was not up to par when I followed my heart. Granted my heart was tainted by my mind I kept on sayin'. Where's the hits? You ain't got none. You know Jay would never put your album out without none. And dog you know how come. Labels are archaic formulaic with their outcomes. They don't know they just study the charts. Me I study the shows the fans study their hearts. I had a feelin' I was killin' and this music we were spillin' out. Would change lives forever fuck the label put it out. Friday Night Lights blew that was classic number 2. Now it seemed as if the Nas comparisons was comin' true. Still no release date from the label are they insane?. Gucc told me play the game to change the game. but on the way. I let Nas down I got no one to blame. I'm ashamed I let Nas down. But this is God's plan you could never understand fuck it. [Hook]. Yeah long live the idols may they never be your rivals. Pac was like Jesus Nas wrote the Bible. Now what you're 'bout to hear's a tale of glory and sin. No I. D. my mentor now let the story begin. [Verse 3]. I always believed in the bigger picture. If I could get them niggas to listen outside my core. then I can open a door. Reintroduce 'em to honesty show 'em that they need more. The difference between the pretenders. and the Kendrick Lamars. And so I took the fall like the son of the Lord. On the cross dyin' for that fake shit you niggas bought. For the past decade. if I should pass please let this be my last essay. Therefore I write from the heart. Apologies to OG's for sacrificin' my art. But I'm here for a greater purpose. I knew right from the start. I'm just a man of the people not above but equal. And for the greater good I walk amongst the evil. Don't cry mama this the life I choose myself. Just pray along the way that I don't lose myself. This is for the nigga that said that hip-hop was dead. I went to Hell to resurrect it how could you fail to respect it?. Lettin' Nas down I got the phone call quietly I mourned dog. I let Nas down. Yeah and on this flight may I never lose sight fuck it. [Hook]. Yeah long live the idols may they never be your rivals. Pac was like Jesus Nas wrote the Bible. Now what you're 'bout to hear's a tale of glory and sin. No I. D. my mentor now let the story begin