If rap's a hustle and only the strong survive, then Cormega must be an ironman. Better known for what he hasn't appeared on, 'Mega's name first came to light when Nasty Nas mentioned during "One Love" that he'd been inc... more »arcerated. Then came his much-publicized non-tenure with Nas's supergroup, The Firm. After years of dealing with street-music biz madness, Cormega has taken his time to craft The Realness. Similar in theme to his friend Prodigy's H.N.I.C., The Realness mainly deals with day-to-day life in the ghetto, while throwing a sideways nod to industry drama and the art of rhyming. On first listen, this might seem to be little more than that ol' bittersweet thug reflection people love to indulge in, but the quiet beats and somber lyrics will grow on you. The real gem here is "American Beauty," a succinct, multidimensional breakdown of the development of hip-hop at the hand of her creators. Are you listening, Nas? --Rebecca Levine« less
If rap's a hustle and only the strong survive, then Cormega must be an ironman. Better known for what he hasn't appeared on, 'Mega's name first came to light when Nasty Nas mentioned during "One Love" that he'd been incarcerated. Then came his much-publicized non-tenure with Nas's supergroup, The Firm. After years of dealing with street-music biz madness, Cormega has taken his time to craft The Realness. Similar in theme to his friend Prodigy's H.N.I.C., The Realness mainly deals with day-to-day life in the ghetto, while throwing a sideways nod to industry drama and the art of rhyming. On first listen, this might seem to be little more than that ol' bittersweet thug reflection people love to indulge in, but the quiet beats and somber lyrics will grow on you. The real gem here is "American Beauty," a succinct, multidimensional breakdown of the development of hip-hop at the hand of her creators. Are you listening, Nas? --Rebecca Levine
CD Reviews
Album of the year.
J. Storm | The Abyss | 08/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After years of turmoil, Cormega's album finally officially drops, and it does not disappoint in any aspect.
Almost every track is perfect. The production is smooth throughout. Mega's flow is always on-point, and his lyrics are as well, staying true to the streets and real life instead of going for the mainstream crowd with the typical "ice, women, money" raps.
The true gems on the album are "American Beauty," a 2 minute track on which he spits a vivid metaphorical rhyme about hip-hop, "The Saga," on which he describes street life masterfully over a great beat, and "They Forced My Hand," where Tragedy and Mega trade true to life rhymes over another smooth beat.
Other album highlights include "Thun & Kicko (featuring Prodigy)," "Unforgiven," and "Fallen Soldiers."
There's not a single mediocre track on the album. From beginning to end (including the hot bonus track), "The Realness" lives up to its title.
Quite simply put, Cormega has dropped the realest East coast album since "Illmatic.""
The Realness...
? | United Kingdom! | 05/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you've never heard of Cormega, he is the second most poetic, respected & creative Mc's ever to come out of Queens, behind Nas. Similarly he is undoubteduly in the top 10 NY artists of all time. Yes, I know that is a bold statement but for me & alot of other true fans, its the truth. Cormega is very down to earth, and his style is one of the most distinctive in hiphop. The Realness is the best example of how Great of an MC cormega is, for all those who don't know, and it needs to be checked out if you consider yourself to be an NY hiphop fan. Even though its 2001, the realness is reminiscent of the sound that was so prominent in the best time for hiphop (The Early - Mid 90's). Most of the production on the realness is handled by Queen's legend;Havoc,J-Love,Ayatollah,Alchemist & others who all bring nothing less than impeccable for Cormega to lay down his inspiring material. The highlights of the album are definitely the tracks "American Beauty", were Cormega makes subtle comparisons of hiphop with a human being, talking about its journey throughout the years and how its progressed. Likewise "They Forced My hand" featurng tragedy khadafi is nothing short off a QB classic, with a beat that should send shivers down your spine. Cormega even performs his brief trademark poems, with no beat, on the track "5 for 40" showing passion & creativity that only an understanding hiphop fan can appreciate. By all means necessary get this album if you claim to be a fan of that "real" hiphop, as Cormega is the epitome of "real". CLASSIC. Peace!
Lyrics - 10/10
Beats - 10/10
Originality - 9/10
Replay Value - 10/10
Also check out: "True meaning" & "the testament" by corey, because they also need to be heard.
If you found this helpful, check my other reviews"
The Best In Hip-Hop
Khaleed15@aol.com | Boca Raton, FL United States | 07/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With "commercialized rap" in full force, Cormega brings rap back to the art form it is. In his long awaited album, Cormega definitely proved to be the best in hip-hop. I know to consider Cormega the best is a argumentive statement, but there is nobody who can touch him lyrically. A handful of rappers come extremely close, such as Prodigy, Ghostface, Tragedy, Nas, Capone, but Cormega gets the title. I've listened to Cormega for a while now, heard numerous freestyles, and downloaded every song I could find. This album is a definate 5-mic album and Cormega has paved the way for non commercialized rap. With songs like "Dramatic Entrance" and "The Saga", who can deny his greatness. His melodies and beats are amazing, but most importantly, his lyrics and the message he is portraying in this album can not be matched. LIstening to his song "R U My Nigga" made me stop and think about my fam. I hope more rappers will realize the damage they are doing to the music and go back to the essence of hip-hop. If you are a tru fan of Cormega such as myself, cop two of his albums, I'm sure Mega Montana could use the extra cake. One Love."
Classic (Sort of) Debut From Cormega
Drew | New York | 05/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After "The Testament" was shelved by Def Jam, Cormega released "The Realness" in 2001 as his official debut and it was an immediate classic. While it might not be a classic on the level of "Ready To Die", "Illmatic" or "Reasonable Doubt", in 2001, this is still a classic album. He has the ability to tell vivid stories of the street as well as other songs which contain amazing lyrical content. His rhymes are amazing and the way he can lay out such articulate lyrics is something to admire. If one thing is evident through this album, it's that Cormega actually has a love for what he's doing and every rhyme is letting you know how much he loves hip hop. Not many people can match Mega's deep lyricism.
1. Dramatic Entrance - A great introduction for Cormega. A song with a good beat that just allows Mega to introduce his skills as a lyricist. He just introduces himself to the game. "I'm gifted, my only fear is death or prison. What other lyricist conveys such sincereness?" 10/10
2. American Beauty - An amazing song in which Mega describes his love for hip hop as if it were a woman. He explains "her" journey until where rap is today. He details everyone who has passed "her" path and whether or not they "treated her well." "My pens begging me to write rhymes. Stories of felonies despite time. I embrace the urge, on the tip of my tongue I taste the words, a story is born." 10/10
3. Thun and Kicko - Features Prodigy of Mobb Deep. A nice song produced by Havoc with a pretty good menacing beat and some great lyrics from Mega and Prodigy who are pretty much dissing Nas and Jay-Z, respectfully. "It's clever when you write it. Spoken well for a dude who never been indicted." 8/10
4. The Saga - An extremely powerful and deep track about how life really is. A gripping tale of how tough life is and Mega displays his impressive narrative skills on this track. Every rhyme is great and the lyrics are terrific. "My sleep is interrupted by food on the stove. Not gun shots, we're immune to those." 10/10
5. R U My ***** - A good song with Cormega detailing his paranoia about his friends and whether or not they're real. It seems to be indirectly aimed at Nas but his rhymes simply are about whether or not people are really friends. "Ask yourself, am I your man? Would I die for you or by your hand?" 9/10
6. Unforgiven - The beat is kind of weird with some noises in the background that sound like they're from a Western movie but the lyrics are excellent. Mega rips up this short track with excellent rhymes. "I'm contemplatin'. My soul is in a custody fight with God and Satan." 8/10
7. Fallen Soldiers - One of the best songs on this album. Cormega lays out some very deep rhymes about missing his friends who have died. Mega really displays his emotions well on here with some great lyrics and a very nice, sad beat also. "Never think I forgot you, you my heart and even death can't keep the two of us apart." 10/10
8. Glory Days - A very nice, laid-back song in which Mega rhymes about how life was. Cormega rhymes over this real nice, slow beat and vividly describes his life before rap. "Yo, the mind of an analyst is mine so handle it. The way I write rhymes, considered a gift." 10/10
9. Rap's A Hustle - This is probably my least favorite track but it's still good. The content with Mega like a pimp is kind of weak compared to the lyrics of the rest of the songs but he still lays out some nice rhymes. The beat is alright but gets a little old. "My rhyme's a felony, yours never seen a trial date. You need a legal aid, my pen got the DA's paid." 7/10
10. Get Out My Way - One of the best songs. The beat is outstanding and really gets you going. The horns are great in the background and Mega completely tears the song up with his unmatchable lyrics. "That Jay-Z and Nas beef doesn't involve me, I'm sorry. Legal Hustle, Infamous affiliated. Last rapper to test me, I humiliated." 10/10
11. You Don't Want It - Really nice piano on the track and the beat is nice. Mega's lyrics are also good as usual and he talking about how real he is and how nobody should want to test him because he's the best. "You ain't real, ill, or prepared to kill. Man you better chill, you could get it for real." 9/10
12. 5 For 40 - A short 47 second freestyle that's acapella and pretty tight. "I'm condemned yet exulted for words spoken cautious. Seen some of the biggest drug dealers blow fortunes."
13. They Forced My Hand - Features Tragedy Khadafi. This is another amazing song. The beat is outstanding and really gets the song going. Mega's lyrics are great as usual as are Tragedy's and they are sort of explaining to God that what they've done, they had to do. "Yo, Trag, we been down for years. From rapping in the hood to promising careers." 10/10
14. Fallen Soldiers (Remix) - Pretty much just as good as the original. I like the beat on the original better (this one sounds like they're rolling dice in the background) but the lyrics are just as good (but different). "I need you to point me in the right direction. I'm still learnin life's lessons, your my inner essence." 9/10
Overall - A great album and a must-have."
CORMEGA is the nicest
GAÿL | FRANCE | 09/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a french hip hop fan and I'm sure of one thing: The Realness is the best Rap album ever made (I have 150 U.S rap album). I was waiting since 5 years cause I kwnow Cormega is the illest. I love too much his voice, his flow, his rhymes,. Plus the production is tight. Now I just want more stuff from this wonderful artist. I dream about a collaboration with Primo and Kool G Rap (the mastas).
Please stop buying Puff Daddy sh*t, just buy Cormega the new rap music legend cause the realness is what hip hop IS.
Do you know Akhenaton ? This is the best french raper."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1