Just a Moment
Encyclopedia
"Just a Moment" is the third and last single from Nas
' Street's Disciple
. It features his protégé Quan
and is produced by L.E.S.
. Its lyrics ask for moments of silence for many people worldwide who are going through different life struggles, from victims of violence in the ghetto to soldiers in Iraq.
It contains a sample from “Will You Cry (When You Hear this Song)?” by Chic
that was used similarly in "Hear the Song" by Freeway
.
singers through empty rooms, wind, and liquor
being poured out in a gesture of respect and remembrance.
Nas mentions both Islam
and Christianity
as ways for one to have or regain faith, as Nas considers himself a spiritual and faithful person, yet doesn't make it clear which religion he associates himself with. Nas also mentions his own mother, saying, "Mommy, I'm still here, wishing I was there with you..." Quan mentions his fallen friends and his promise of taking care of his sister's child, while she is in Iraq
.
The video version of the song also interprets a change in the fact that the third verse (originally Quan) was changed to having Nas put in an additional rhyme replacing the end of the third verse:
This is contrary to the album version of the song, where Quan rhymes the whole third verse.
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
' Street's Disciple
Street's Disciple
Street's Disciple is the seventh studio album by American rapper Nas, released November 30, 2004 on Columbia Records in the United States. It is a double album entitled after one of his rhymes from "Live at the Barbeque" by Main Source, which was the song marking his musical debut...
. It features his protégé Quan
Quan (rapper)
Clifford Peacock, better known by his stage name Quan or Don Ferquan, is an American rapper, affiliated with Nas and Ill Will Records...
and is produced by L.E.S.
L.E.S. (producer)
Leshan David Lewis, better known as L.E.S., is a hip hop producer commonly associated with Nas. His first production credit was for Nas' popular song "Life's a Bitch" from the Illmatic album in 1994. He soon produced a single, "Sugar Hill", for AZ's album Doe Or Die...
. Its lyrics ask for moments of silence for many people worldwide who are going through different life struggles, from victims of violence in the ghetto to soldiers in Iraq.
It contains a sample from “Will You Cry (When You Hear this Song)?” by Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
that was used similarly in "Hear the Song" by Freeway
Freeway (rapper)
Leslie Edward Pridgen , better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery and for the long beard he keeps due to his Muslim faith...
.
Music video
The video features an urban surrounding and many reminders of deceased emcees and contemporary R&BContemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singers through empty rooms, wind, and liquor
Distilled beverage
A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
being poured out in a gesture of respect and remembrance.
Nas mentions both Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
as ways for one to have or regain faith, as Nas considers himself a spiritual and faithful person, yet doesn't make it clear which religion he associates himself with. Nas also mentions his own mother, saying, "Mommy, I'm still here, wishing I was there with you..." Quan mentions his fallen friends and his promise of taking care of his sister's child, while she is in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
The video version of the song also interprets a change in the fact that the third verse (originally Quan) was changed to having Nas put in an additional rhyme replacing the end of the third verse:
- Photographs of lost memories
- On the blocks with blunts and Hennessey
- Picture some niggaz in mock neck shirts
- Ballantine Ale in brown bags
- Brothers like to brag ’bout their cousins
- That locked in the system
- We all fall victims, we all call Christian
- or Islamic faith, to restore all our faith
- Barbed wire and tall brick wall
- But we all can escape
This is contrary to the album version of the song, where Quan rhymes the whole third verse.