“Life is a interlude to death, son. You ever thought about that?” – Cormega
The New York City borough of Queens is home to a historical lineage of talented lyricists who have helped raise their hometown to prominence. LL Cool J, Run DMC, and Roxanne Shante are just a few figures that helped pioneer rap with contributions that gained Queens recognition with the rise of Hip Hop. Within the borough of Queens is a public housing complex known as Queensbridge Houses, that would transform into a breeding ground for numerous influential and iconic rappers who would eventually shape the genre. The realities of living in Queensbridge spurred the young writers to tackle themes of economic hardship and the ills that stemmed from it, such as crime, violence, and loss. Over aggressive production, these harrowing tales captured the ears of listeners globally that were able to experience what it was like to be a Queensbridge resident. Other listeners were able to relate as they experienced their very own Queensbridge. While Nas and Mobb Deep served as influential pillars for the neighborhood, one lyricist would emerge to leave an indelible mark on its rap scene with his debut album, The Realness.
Cormega was born Cory McKay on April 26, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York. From a very young age, Cormega experienced tragedy when he witnessed his mother’s murder with his own eyes. He eventually had to adapt to several changes within his family dynamic and home-life. Cormega was raised by his father and step-mother alongside his sister in various neighborhoods throughout New York City. He described his happiest time as a child in the Bronx’s Co-Op City, while he learned to toughen up when he moved to the rough Queens neighborhood of Far Rockaway. He was introduced to street life during his short time in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and eventually settled in Queensbridge Houses. In Queensbridge, Cormega became fully immersed in the street-life, which eventually landed him in incarceration in 1991 at Midstate Correctional Facility.
Cormega’s rap career began in the late 1980s with him getting noticed by several producers and DJs. With his name growing popular amongst New York City DJs, he received the opportunity to open up for Eric B & Rakim at the Apollo Theater. He was featured on DJ Hot Day’s album Its My Turn on the track “It’s Going Up.” Cormega featured on another song with Queensbridge rapper, Poet, and DJ Hot Day titled “Set It Off” for the Without Warning album in 1991. He was unfortunately sentenced that same year, which cost him the opportunity to sign a record deal facilitated by DJ Marley Marl to Pendulum Records. Cormega was released from Midstate Correctional Facility in 1995 and was determined to continue his rap career. He went straight to work as he began recording his would-be debut album The Testament for Violator/Def Jam Records. He worked with producers such as Havoc, Sha Money XL, DJ Hot Day, and included features from Mobb Deep and Hussein Fatal. Cormega released mixtapes to continue his street-buzz and eventually collaborated with his neighborhood friend, Nas.
Cormega was featured on “Affirmative Action” for Nas’ It Was Written album, alongside AZ and Foxy Brown. This song eventually launched The Firm, a rap supergroup composed of Nas, AZ, Cormega, and Foxy Brown. Cormega’s time in The Firm was short-lived as he was ousted from the group due to contract disputes with Nas’ manager, Steve Stoute, as well as artistic differences and personal tensions that grew between him and Nas. Cormega was replaced by friend and fellow Queensbridge rapper, Nature. The fall-out from The Firm led to Cormega’s feud with Nas and Nature. Cormega finished recording The Testament by 1998 and took a two-year hiatus from music. His relationship with his manager at Violator Records, Chris Lighty, grew sour and eventually led The Testament to be shelved. By 2000, Cormega was released from Def Jam Records and went on to found his own independent record company, Legal Hustle Records. Cormega lost a very close friend within the same year, Blue. Before Blue’s passing, he left Cormega with an inspirational message: “Mega, don’t forget you’re a rapper.” The loss of his friend inspired him to silence the doubters and begin work on his debut album The Realness.
The Realness was released on July 24, 2001 through Legal Hustle/Landspeed Records to critical acclaim. Cormega enlisted a variety of respected producers such as Havoc, J-Love, Jae Supreme, Alchemist and Sha Money XL to assist him. It features guest appearances from Prodigy of Mobb Deep and Tragedy Khadafi. The Realness reached number 4 on the US Billboard Independent Albums chart, number 24 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, number 111 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, and number 1 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. The success and critical reception of the album established Cormega as an independent artist and solidified his reputation as a skilled lyricist. The Realness was released during a time when East-Coast Hip Hop saw a resurgence, with the album identified as a pivotal contribution to this movement.
Cormega’s greatest strength is his introspective and gritty storytelling, which is put on full-display on The Realness. He delves into street-life, navigation of the music industry, grief and personal redemption informed by his lived-experience. His writing and delivery paired with complementary production, provides a raw, candid, and authentic experience for his listeners, hence the album title. The album begins with a powerful statement from Cormega on “Dramatic Entrance”: “A man is condemned or exalted by his words. Exalt me.” This statement is a direct reference to the Bible verse, Matthew 12:37. Cormega acknowledges the anticipation for the album and commands his listeners to hold his words in high regards, as he finally delivers. He vents about the setbacks of the music industry and those that pretend they’ve given him his spot. Cormega is not arrogant, but he has a chip on his shoulder. Cormega is a man that has always stood on his own two-feet and is in control of his own life story.
“American Beauty” is an ode to Cormega’s love for Hip Hop, inspired by Common’s “I Used To Love Her.” The track is produced by Cormega himself and is backed by a sample of “I Been Watchin’ You” by Southside Movement. He personifies Hip-Hop as a woman and speaks about its transformation over the years. He addresses the loss of substance within the music and New York’s lost spot as Hip Hop’s center.
She had class now she sellin’ it all for cash
When Marley had her, her face was more pure body fatter
Primo treated her good, made her the queen in my hood
She used to be out in Queens with DMC
And on the rooftop with Big, Fritz, and R.P
She was fly she kept her shit tight
Yo if he didn’t go to jail dun, she mighta been Slick Rick’s wife
Produced by Havoc, “Thun & Kicko” is a collaboration with rapper Prodigy. According to Prodigy, his verse was recorded way before Cormega purchased the beat from Havoc. Cormega recorded his verse elsewhere and the song was placed on The Realness. Cormega and Nas’ feud persisted after he was ousted from The Firm, which is apparent on “Thun & Kicko.” Cormega’s verse takes sharp aim at Nas with his supposed questionable street-credibility as the main theme of his verse:
Whose tale you tellin’? Are you frail or felon?
Were you makin’ sales or watchin’ niggas sellin’?
You exploit niggas lives in your rhymes and then avoid ’em
You never felt the moisture in the air of coke boilin’
You never felt the razor scrapin’ your plate
Your hands achin’ yet you keep choppin’ cause there’s paper to make
Prodigy’s verse on “Thun & Kicko,” has long been cited as a Nas diss, but he addressed the rumor during an interview with Complex:
In his verse, Mega is taking shots at Nas. When Nas listened to it, it may have seemed like anything I’m saying is talking about him too. But I didn’t know Mega was going to do that. He did that on his own. Nas took a offense to that and got mad at me. Through the grapevine I heard that was the reason why [Nas] made ‘Destroy & Rebuild’ about me.
Released as a single, “R U My Nigga” explores the themes of loyalty and betrayal. Over Jae Supreme’s production, Cormega reasonably questions whether his closest friends would betray him for their own self-interest. Cormega understands this is the reality associated with street-life. He expresses distrusts of others and the fear of being betrayed:
Can you accept the consequences of life, of livin trife
And take yours with honor, if a real nigga strike
Or would you fall weak and help a courtroom indict
And live with dishonor for the rest of your life
Only bitches deal with emotion
Yo son, how many snitches are still in the ocean
“Fallen Soldiers” is a poignant tribute to Cormega’s loved ones who have lost their lives, especially to the harsh realities of street life. He reminisces on times with his lost friends to help process his grief and promises to keep their memories alive through his writing. His close friend, Yammy, and his cousin, Bam, are memorialized, alongside several other friends.
To my cousin Bam
You my fuckin man, I find it hard to understand
You gone—your physical form is dormant
I’m lost like the Bulls without Jordan
Tell my man J.B. from Edgemere I said peace
Son, I live a thug life, I clutch mics
With the same intensity that I used to crush white
G-Fresh was at your funeral (Word), son I felt it
And if I start cryin when I rhyme I can’t help it
The album is equipped with other stellar songs, such as “Glory Days,” a track that documents the history of the hustlers Cormega rubbed shoulders with in New York City: “The feds estimated Fat Cat was gettin’ millions. Black Ratti was the richest nigga in my building.” The album’s lead single “Get Out My Way,” is a declaration of Cormega’s resilience to his struggles in the music industry and a message to doubters.
The Realness was well-received by audiences, which boosted Cormega’s momentum, as he went on to release several albums after, most recently its sequel, The Realness II, in 2022. Cormega continues to receive praise for his work as a successful independent artist, with many citing the album as a classic and speaking to his consistency. Cormega demanded and earned his respect, despite the setbacks that plagued his career in its early days. He displayed his talent for writing authentic, vivid narratives with intricate rhymes. The Realness not only showcased his immense talent, but became a testament to Cormega’s ability to overcome adversity; a true underdog story.
