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Cormega
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Key Information
Corey McKay,[1] better known by his stage name Cormega, is an American rapper.
Early life
[edit]Cormega was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens. He was childhood friends with Nas, Havoc and Capone, who all went on to become successful rappers.[2][3] A frequent theme of his music is the countless number of his friends and family that have been killed by violence.
Career
[edit]1990s
[edit]He was featured on Hot Day's "Going Straight Up" from his album It's My Turn. He was also featured on Blaq Poet and DJ Hot Day's track "Set It Off" from their album Without Warning in 1991. During a period of incarceration, Cormega gained some attention following a shout-out from Nas on his song "One Love", from the Illmatic album released in 1994.[4] Following his release from jail in 1995, Cormega became determined to pursue rapping. Nas included him on a song entitled "Affirmative Action" on his album It Was Written released on July 2, 1996. The song also featured AZ and Foxy Brown, and became The Firm's first appearance.[5] He was signed to Def Jam and recorded an album called The Testament. Nas, his manager Steve Stoute and producers Dr. Dre and The Trackmasters joined to form The Firm. However, Cormega was replaced with another Queensbridge artist, Nature, because Nas and/or Stoute favored Nature.[5] That ended Cormega's friendship with Nas. After he fell out with his manager Chris Lighty and his label Violator Records his debut album The Testament was indefinitely shelved. During the recording for The Testament Cormega responded to Nas' "One Love" in the form of a letter also entitled "One Love".[4][6]
2000s
[edit]In 2000, he was released from his contract and he started his own record company, Legal Hustle Records.[4] Cormega vented his disappointment with Nas and The Firm in a mixtape song titled "Never Personal". This song was never directly pointed to Nas, but the media made it look like that.[5] In 2001, he released his debut album, The Realness.[4] Many of the songs share a theme of betrayal.[6] Nas responded to Cormega on his song "Destroy and Rebuild" from his album Stillmatic. Cormega retaliated with more mixtape tracks, "A Slick Response" and "Realmatic".
Cormega's follow-up album, The True Meaning won the Source Magazine 's Underground Album of the Year award.[citation needed] In 2004, he followed up with Legal Hustle, a compilation album showcasing his label's artists. In 2005, he released The Testament on his own label.[4]
On December 22, 2006, at the Nokia Theatre Times Square, Cormega appeared on stage at a Nas concert and went on to perform with Nas (and Foxy Brown as well), further evidence that their feud is over.[4][7]
An album collaboration with Lakey the Kid entitled My Brother's Keeper was released independently on August 22, 2006. On November 20, 2007, Cormega finally released his DVD in-the-making Who Am I?. The DVD took over four years of filming of Cormega in all aspects of his life and what others thought of Cormega, unedited. The DVD was released as a soundtrack plus DVD. Cormega intended to release an album which was to be entitled Urban Legend before T.I.'s album of the same name was released (Cormega mentions this on the Who Am I DVD, dated circa 2003); the new title was Born and Raised. The album was released October 20, 2009. The first single is called "Journey."[7]
2010s
[edit]Cormega's latest album, Mega Philosophy, was entirely produced by frequent collaborator Large Professor.[8]
On December 26, 2018, he released his first EP MEGA.[9]
2020s
[edit]Cormega appeared on Nas' King's Disease in 2020, reuniting with members of the defunct The Firm supergroup.[10]
In November 2022, Cormega released his long-awaited album, The Realness II, to rave reviews. It served as a sequel to his 2001 debut album The Realness.
Discography
[edit]- The Realness (2001)
- The True Meaning (2002)
- The Testament (2005)
- Born and Raised (2009)
- Mega Philosophy (2014)
- The Realness II (2022)[11]
Film
[edit]- Who Am I? (2007)[12]
References
[edit]- ^ CORMEGA [@iamcormega] (April 26, 2018). "@TheSource Thank you God bless but today is NOT my birthday" (Tweet). Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "CORMEGA BIOGRAPHY". Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "Cormega – Article". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f Birchmeier, Jason. "Cormega biography". AllMusic.
- ^ a b c Birchmeier, Jason. "The Firm > Biography". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Berliner, Brett (September 1, 2003). "Cormega – The True Meaning – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on December 25, 2008.
- ^ a b "Nas Plays New York, Reunites With Cormega & Foxy Brown". Archived from the original on January 7, 2007.
- ^ "Cormega, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano & Saigon; Hip-Hop's Next Supergroup??? - Beats, Boxing and Mayhem". Beatsboxingmayhem.com. March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "Cormega Drops Off His New EP "Mega"". Hotnewhiphop.com. December 27, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Allah, Sha Be (August 19, 2020). "Nas Confirms The Firm Reunion on 'King's Disease' Tracklist". The Source. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
- ^ "Cormega - The Realness II". Apple Music. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ Steve 'Flash' Juon (December 4, 2007). "Cormega: Who Am I?". RapReviews.com. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
External links
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| Artists | |
Cormega
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Early life
Upbringing in Queensbridge
Cormega, born Cory McKay on April 26, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, spent his early childhood navigating the challenges of urban life in Brooklyn, Co-op City in the Bronx, and Far Rockaway before relocating to the Queensbridge Houses in [Long Island City](/page/Long Island City), Queens, during his formative years.[1][16] The Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing development in the United States at the time, became the backdrop for his youth, where he was immersed in a tight-knit community that profoundly influenced his perspective. The environment of Queensbridge in the 1970s and 1980s was marked by significant socio-economic hardships, including widespread poverty and a predominantly African-American and Latino population residing in the sprawling complex. This period coincided with the escalating crack cocaine epidemic, which ravaged the neighborhood through rampant drug trafficking, increased violent crime, and social decay, shaping the daily realities for residents like McKay. These conditions fostered a sense of resilience and street wisdom among the youth, as McKay later reflected on the normalized presence of drug-related activities from his initial experiences in Brooklyn to his life in Queensbridge.[16] During his adolescence in Queensbridge, McKay formed enduring friendships with other young talents who would become prominent figures in hip-hop, including Nasir Jones (Nas), Anthony Cruz (AZ), and members of Mobb Deep such as Albert Johnson (Prodigy) and Kejuan Muchita (Havoc).[17] These relationships developed within the shared cultural milieu of the housing projects, where a collective hip-hop environment emerged amid the hardships, bonding the group through common experiences and creative aspirations.[16] The proximity and camaraderie in Queensbridge not only provided mutual support but also laid the groundwork for collaborative artistic endeavors in the years ahead.[7] McKay's initial exposure to music and hip-hop culture came through the vibrant street scenes of Queensbridge, including block parties featuring live DJs and MCs, as well as participation in graffiti and breakdancing.[16] These elements of the emerging hip-hop movement offered an outlet for expression in an otherwise turbulent setting, with friends like a local figure named Blue encouraging his early interest in rapping.[16] As adolescence progressed, these influences began to intersect with the escalating street challenges, setting the stage for later legal difficulties.[16]Legal troubles and incarceration
Growing up in the Queensbridge Houses, Cormega (born Cory McKay) became involved in drug dealing and street crime starting in his mid-teens, amid the harsh realities of poverty and limited opportunities in the neighborhood. Influenced by the crack epidemic ravaging New York City in the 1980s, he sold cocaine and engaged in related illicit activities as a means of survival, later describing how such experiences shaped his worldview and lyrical content.[16][18] In the early 1990s, Cormega was arrested and convicted of armed robbery, resulting in a sentence of up to 15 years.[4] He served approximately four years of that term, from 1991 to 1995, primarily at facilities including Marcy Correctional Facility in New York. During this period of incarceration, he began writing rhymes seriously for the first time, channeling his frustrations and observations into poetry as a creative escape from the confines of prison life.[19][20] Cormega has reflected on his imprisonment as a transformative phase of personal growth, where he earned his GED, enrolled in college courses, and read influential works like The Autobiography of Malcolm X while in solitary confinement. He views the experience not as a defeat but as a catalyst for recommitting to hip-hop as a constructive outlet, emphasizing self-improvement over the "sucker" path of repeated street involvement.[18][21] Released in 1995, Cormega immediately shifted his focus to music as a legitimate alternative to his previous street life, determined to build a career that would inspire others facing similar challenges. This pivot marked the beginning of his dedication to rap as a platform for storytelling and redemption.[22][18]Career
1990s: Emergence and industry conflicts
Following his release from prison in 1995, Cormega's incarceration served as a pivotal motivation to channel his experiences into hip-hop, leading to his professional breakthrough. He gained initial industry attention through his appearance on the posse cut "Affirmative Action" from Nas's 1996 album It Was Written, which also featured AZ and Foxy Brown and marked the first public showcase of the supergroup The Firm.[23] This exposure prompted Cormega to sign with Def Jam Recordings in 1996, where he began recording his debut album, The Testament.[21] In 1997, Cormega was officially included in The Firm alongside Nas, AZ, and Foxy Brown, a supergroup assembled under Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and managed by Steve Stoute, with production from Trackmasters. The group was positioned for a high-profile debut album, capitalizing on the members' rising stardom in East Coast hip-hop. However, Cormega's tenure was short-lived; he was removed from the lineup before the October 1997 release of The Album, replaced by Queensbridge rapper Nature. The ousting stemmed from label politics, as Stoute sought to bind Cormega to a restrictive deal under Trackmasters, which he refused, leading to tensions with Nas and the group's management.[13][24] The fallout exacerbated personal conflicts, particularly with Nas, fueled by rumors that Cormega had ghostwritten portions of Nas's verses, including on "Affirmative Action," amid broader disputes over loyalty and creative control in The Firm. Despite the setback, Cormega maintained a brief association with projects involving Queens contemporaries like the Lost Boyz through shared regional scenes and informal collaborations, while building underground momentum via early mixtape appearances that highlighted his raw lyricism. In 1998, he released the lead single "Dead Man Walking" from The Testament, a gritty track reflecting street survival, but ongoing label disputes resulted in the album being shelved, forcing him to sustain his career through independent underground tapes and freestyles.[25][26]2000s: Independent breakthrough
Following his release from Def Jam in early 2000, after the shelving of his planned debut album due to lingering fallout from The Firm's internal conflicts, Cormega founded his independent label, Legal Hustle Records, to regain creative control. This shift allowed him to bypass major-label politics and focus on authentic street narratives, marking a pivotal turn toward underground autonomy.[9][21] Cormega's debut album, The Realness, arrived on July 24, 2001, via Legal Hustle and Landspeed Records, earning acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of Queensbridge life, including tracks like "One Love" that detailed personal hardships and survival. Critics highlighted its raw lyricism and boom-bap production from beatsmiths such as Ayatollah and DR Period, positioning it as a cornerstone of East Coast hip-hop authenticity. The album's success, peaking at number 111 on the Billboard 200 and number 24 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, solidified Cormega's reputation among purists despite limited commercial promotion.[27][7][28][29] In 2002, Cormega released The True Meaning on Legal Hustle, a deeply personal project serving as a tribute to friends lost to street violence, with introspective cuts like the title track emphasizing grief and resilience. Produced primarily by DR Period, it featured contributions from Queensbridge peers such as Tragedy Khadafi and Prodigy, deepening its emotional resonance and earning praise for elevating Cormega's storytelling beyond mere grit. The 2004 compilation Legal Hustle expanded his roster, showcasing label artists alongside high-profile guests like Ghostface Killah on "Tony Montana" and AZ on "The Bond," while Large Professor handled production on select beats, fostering collaborations that bridged his solo work with broader networks.[30][11][31] By 2005, Cormega reissued his shelved 1990s recordings as The Testament on Legal Hustle, featuring production from Large Professor on tracks like the introspective "Testament," which captured his early raw energy and collaborations with AZ in spirit through the era's QB connections. In 2009, he released Born and Raised on Aura Records, continuing his focus on introspective themes and Queensbridge narratives with production from contributors like Statik Selektah.[32][12][33][34] These releases, coupled with relentless touring across North America and Europe alongside acts like Mobb Deep, cultivated a devoted underground following, as fans appreciated his consistency amid the decade's commercial rap dominance. Resolutions to select 1990s rivalries, including toned-down tensions with former Firm associates, further allowed Cormega to focus on artistic growth and community ties.2010s: Artistic evolution
In the 2010s, Cormega refined his artistry amid a shifting hip-hop landscape, emphasizing introspective storytelling, strategic collaborations, and entrepreneurial independence while honoring his Queensbridge roots through tributes and performances. Building on his 2000s foundation of self-reliance, he launched Slim Style Records in 2014 to maintain full creative and business control over his output, marking a pivotal evolution from earlier label dependencies. This period saw him diversify beyond solo albums into curated projects that highlighted his lyrical depth and connections within the genre. A cornerstone of this evolution was the 2014 release of Mega Philosophy, Cormega's fifth studio album, produced entirely by Large Professor and distributed via Slim Style Records. The 11-track project blends personal introspection on themes like resilience and legacy with classic boom bap instrumentation, featuring high-profile guests including Redman, Raekwon, AZ, and Styles P on tracks such as "MARS (Dream Team)."[14][35] Critically praised for its cohesive sound and emotional maturity, the album underscored Cormega's growth as a mature voice in conscious hip-hop. In 2017, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of his breakthrough The Realness, he issued a limited-edition digipak re-release of 300 copies, incorporating career-spanning retrospectives and evoking unreleased-era vibes through bonus packaging and reflections on his journey.[36] Cormega's collaborative footprint expanded notably during the decade, with increased guest appearances on projects by peers and rising talents, including the 2012 M.A.R.S. collective track featuring Action Bronson, Roc Marciano, and Saigon, as well as contributions to Skyzoo & Apollo Brown's A Dream Deferred (2012) and Masta Ace & Marco Polo's A Breukelen Story (2012). These efforts often paid homage to Queensbridge's legacy, aligning with tributes like his involvement in QB-centric events and remixes that celebrated the neighborhood's influential MCs. His refined output resonated in a broader context, positioning him as a mentor figure bridging golden-era grit with contemporary lyricism. This artistic maturation coincided with heightened international visibility, as Cormega embarked on European tours alongside Large Professor to promote joint works and performed at festivals worldwide, culminating in the 2016 "The Realness" 15th Anniversary World Tour across Australia and New Zealand. These endeavors solidified his global recognition, drawing crowds eager for authentic East Coast narratives amid hip-hop's diversification.[37][38]2020s: Reunions and recent releases
In 2020, Cormega reunited with former Firm members Nas, AZ, and Foxy Brown on the track "Full Circle" from Nas' album King's Disease, marking a pivotal reconciliation that symbolized the end of longstanding industry conflicts dating back to the group's 1997 formation.[39] This collaboration highlighted Cormega's enduring ties to Queensbridge hip-hop royalty and underscored themes of maturity and closure in their shared history.[40] Building on his independent trajectory established through his label in the 2010s, Cormega released The Realness II in 2022, a sequel to his acclaimed 2001 debut The Realness that revisited career-spanning narratives with refreshed production from contributors like Alchemist and Domingo.[41][42] The project featured Nas on the track "Glorious," reinforcing their creative synergy while exploring themes of legacy and resilience.[43] In October 2025, following the expiration of his contract with Viper Records, Cormega re-acquired the rights to The Realness II via his imprint Cormega LLC.[44] Throughout 2024 and 2025, he maintained a robust schedule of live performances and in-depth interviews, where he addressed and debunked persistent myths portraying his success as overly reliant on associations with Nas, instead emphasizing his self-sustained catalog and street-level authenticity.[45][16] Cormega actively engaged audiences via social media, offering insights into hip-hop's evolution from lyricism-driven eras to metrics-focused commercialization, often critiquing how streaming numbers have overshadowed technical skill.[46] Complementing this, he extended mentorship to emerging Queensbridge talents, drawing from his independent blueprint to guide them on navigating label pitfalls and prioritizing ownership in rap.[47] His advocacy for self-reliant artistry continued to influence the scene, promoting ethical deals and creative control as antidotes to industry exploitation.[48]Musical style and influences
Key influences
Cormega's approach to hip-hop was profoundly shaped by the lyrical innovators of the Golden Age, particularly Rakim, whose intricate rhyme schemes and internal rhyming techniques emphasized complexity and flow, serving as a cornerstone for Cormega's own technical proficiency.[49] He has cited Rakim as his favorite rapper of all time, highlighting how the Long Island pioneer's influence extended to his early development in Queensbridge.[50] Other foundational figures like Slick Rick, T La Rock, and MC Shan also played key roles, with MC Shan's Queensbridge-rooted storytelling providing a local blueprint for narrative depth in rap.[49] As a product of Queensbridge, Cormega drew direct inspiration from local peers and mentors, including Nas and Tragedy Khadafi, whose success and collaborative spirit reinforced the neighborhood's legacy of raw, introspective lyricism.[21] During his incarceration, the achievements of Nas and Mobb Deep motivated him to refine his craft, viewing their rise as emblematic of Queensbridge's enduring impact on hip-hop.[21] Tragedy Khadafi, a pivotal figure in the area's sound, influenced Cormega through shared projects and the gritty, politically infused narratives that defined early QB rap.[7] Personal hardships from street life and imprisonment deeply informed Cormega's commitment to authentic storytelling, transforming experiences of survival and injustice into vivid, unfiltered accounts that prioritize realism over exaggeration.[16] In prison, where music served as escapism, these trials honed his perspective, leading to reflective verses that capture the emotional weight of Queensbridge's challenges.[20] Cormega's appreciation for production rooted in soul and jazz samples stems from collaborations with beatmakers like DJ Premier, whose layered, sample-driven beats—drawing from classic R&B and jazz loops—aligned with his vision of hip-hop as an organic extension of Black musical traditions.[49] This respect for sampled instrumentation, evident in tracks produced by Premier, underscores his preference for timeless, boom-bap foundations over synthetic sounds.[51] True to the 1990s underground ethos, Cormega has consistently avoided commercial trends, rejecting tools like Auto-Tune and prioritizing street authenticity to maintain integrity for his audience and the culture.[49] He critiques industry pressures that favor profitability over artistic substance, opting instead for independent releases that echo the raw spirit of hip-hop's formative years.[21] This stance is reflected briefly in albums like The Realness, where influences manifest in uncompromised narratives.[16]Lyrical themes and production style
Cormega's lyrical content centers on street realism, depicting the harsh realities of urban life in Queensbridge with unflinching detail, alongside themes of personal redemption, the profound loss of friends to violence, and sharp critiques of industry exploitation that highlight the commodification of artists' experiences.[52] His approach prioritizes introspective, narrative-driven lyrics that weave personal reflection and storytelling, eschewing the braggadocio common in much of hip-hop for a more vulnerable and authentic voice. This style draws brief influence from pioneers like Rakim, whose intricate lyricism helped shape Cormega's emphasis on depth over flash.[35] In terms of production, Cormega favors the classic boom bap sound, characterized by hard-hitting drums and soulful samples often incorporating live instrumentation to evoke a raw, timeless quality rooted in East Coast hip-hop traditions.[52] He frequently collaborates with esteemed producers such as Large Professor, whose beats provide a foundation of gritty, sample-heavy grooves, and Ayatollah, known for crafting atmospheric yet punchy tracks that complement his flows.[53][54] Over the course of his career, Cormega's themes have evolved toward more philosophical content, blending the unrelenting grit of his early street narratives with mature reflections on family, legacy, and personal growth, resulting in a level-headed perspective that tempers raw emotion with wisdom.[52] Critics have lauded this authenticity, often dubbing him "The Realest" for his unwavering commitment to genuine storytelling that resonates as a counterpoint to commercialized rap, solidifying his reputation as a voice of uncompromised hip-hop integrity.[55]Discography
Studio albums
Cormega's debut studio album, The Realness, was released on July 24, 2001, through Legal Hustle Records and LandSpeed Records.[56] The project peaked at number 111 on the Billboard 200, number 24 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, number 4 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and number 1 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[7] It received underground acclaim for its raw lyricism and street narratives, with critics praising tracks like "Built for This" for their gritty authenticity; RapReviews awarded it 7 out of 10, noting its tight standalone tracks despite some filler.[27] His follow-up, The True Meaning, arrived on June 25, 2002, also via Legal Hustle and LandSpeed Records.[57] The album debuted at number 95 on the Billboard 200, number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and number 5 on the Top Independent Albums chart.[58] It earned widespread praise for its emotional depth and soulful production, becoming the first independent hip-hop album to win Independent Album of the Year at the 2003 Source Hip-Hop Music Awards.[59] Guest appearances from artists like Doo Wop and Lil' Mo added layers to its introspective themes, with AllMusic commending its deeper neighborhood portrayal.[30] The Testament, Cormega's third studio album, was released on February 22, 2005, on Legal Hustle Records.[60] Originally recorded in the mid-1990s as his intended debut for Def Jam, it peaked at number 76 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 46 on the Independent Albums chart. Featuring contributions from Mobb Deep and Hussein Fatal, the album was lauded for its consistent hunger and raw delivery, capturing Cormega at a pivotal early stage; RapReviews described it as a worthy purchase for its uncompromised edge.[61] Production from Havoc and Sha Money XL underscored its mid-90s boom-bap roots.[62] Born and Raised, Cormega's fourth studio album, was released on October 20, 2009, through Aura Records. It peaked at number 56 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Featuring artists like Havoc, KRS-One, and Big Daddy Kane, the album received positive reviews for its return to Queensbridge roots and strong lyricism, with AllMusic giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars.[63] In 2014, Cormega released Mega Philosophy on July 22 through Slimstyle Records, with all production handled by Large Professor.[14] The album emphasized conceptual unity through philosophical reflections on life and hip-hop, peaking at number 30 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and earning positive reviews for its cohesive sound; Album of the Year users rated it 78 out of 100, while RapReviews highlighted its respect within New York rap circles.[64] Its introspective tracks solidified Cormega's reputation for thoughtful lyricism. The Realness II, a sequel to his debut, came out on October 7, 2022, self-released under Cormega LLC in partnership with Viper Records.[65] It reflects on his legacy with modern updates to classic themes, featuring Nas and production echoes from the original; RapReviews rated it 7 out of 10, praising its introspective lyrics and superior production compared to the 2001 predecessor.[42] The album charted modestly on independent lists, underscoring its underground appeal.[66]| Album | Release Date | Label | Peak Billboard Positions | Critic Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Realness | July 24, 2001 | Legal Hustle / LandSpeed | #111 (200), #24 (R&B/Hip-Hop), #4 (Independent), #1 (Heatseekers) | RapReviews: 7/10 |
| The True Meaning | June 25, 2002 | Legal Hustle / LandSpeed | #95 (200), #25 (R&B/Hip-Hop), #5 (Independent) | Source Awards: Independent Album of the Year (2003) |
| The Testament | February 22, 2005 | Legal Hustle | #76 (R&B/Hip-Hop), #46 (Independent) | RapReviews: Positive review |
| Born and Raised | October 20, 2009 | Aura | #56 (R&B/Hip-Hop) | AllMusic: 3.5/5 |
| Mega Philosophy | July 22, 2014 | Slimstyle | #30 (R&B/Hip-Hop) | Album of the Year: 78/100; RapReviews: Positive review |
| The Realness II | October 7, 2022 | Cormega LLC / Viper | Independent charts | RapReviews: 7/10 |