Represent (song)
"Represent" is the ninth song on Nas' debut album Illmatic. It is produced by DJ Premier who samples Lee Irwin's "Thief of Baghdad" for the song's beat.[1][2]
| "Represent" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Nas | |
| from the album Illmatic | |
| Released | April 19, 1994 |
| Recorded | 1993 |
| Genre | East Coast hip hop, hardcore hip hop |
| Length | 4:13 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriter(s) | Nas, DJ Premier |
| Producer(s) | DJ Premier |
Nas dedicates the song to a long list of people including future hip hop artist Cormega. RapReviews describes "Represent" as a "certified banger."[3]
Composition
The song's minimalistic beat, sampled from Lee Irwin's "Thief of Baghdad", consists of an electric piano sample and bells. Nas raps three verses and performs a spoken dedication to his friends at the track's end, but does not contribute to the chorus. Nas' verses deal with his life in the streets and his criminal ties. One specific lyric was "pulling the Tec out the dresser" was criticized by Jay-Z on his diss song "Takeover."
Sampling
Lyrics from "Represent" are sampled in these songs:
- "Rap Game/Crack Game"[4] by Jay-Z
- "Criminal" by Scientifik
- "Organized Rhyme" by Shabazz the Disciple
References
- The-Sampled.com: Thief of Baghdad by Lee Irwin
- Ultragraphik.com: "Nas Represent" Search
- Juon, Steve. "Nas' Illmatic at RapReviews.com". RapReviewz. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
- Scratchfaq.com: "Rap Game/Crack Game" Search