Read the lyrics to “Surprise” from the “Doe Or Die III” project by AZ, Nas, Mike & Keys and sing along.
The verses within Surprise provide a look into a narrative of legacy, street wisdom, and the internal peace found after decades of success. Supporters use these words for singalongs and knowledge to engage with the intricate multi-syllabic rhyme schemes that both AZ and Nas bring to the record. Writing with a focus on maturity, the artists describe a shift from the hunger of their debut era to a state of absolute authority over their respective crafts. The songwriting moves from the rhythmic build of the verses to a firm and resonant chorus that anchors the three-minute track. This approach reflects a history of selecting text that prioritizes lyrical depth, a quality that has anchored their massive global fanbases since the mid-nineties.
mike & keys doe or die
The narrative context of Surprise highlights a shift from early survival stories to a sophisticated look at long-term victory. The performers speak about the shift from the chaos of the streets to a state of absolute presence in the music business, utilizing the soulful arrangement to underscore the assertive and smooth energy of the delivery. The text avoids complex metaphors, choosing instead to focus on the immediate imagery of growth and the bond of a thirty-year brotherhood. Having the words available serves as a functional tool for fans to follow the cadence of the rhythmic delivery and the technical precision of the bars during personal listening. By sharing these words, AZ and Nas provide a guide for their community to master the creative storytelling and raw narrative behind this polished production.
Produced by Mike & Keys, Omar Grand
2026-05-08 • 3 minutes
(C) 2026 Mass Appeal, under exclusive license from Quiet Money Music
— LYRICS —
[Intro: AZ]
(Ooh) Let’s get to it
You know what it is (Ooh-ooh)
[Verse 1: AZ]
The journalist, the jewel dropper
New Sinatra’s, it’s metaphysics, I move like Mustafa
From coke copper to rope rocker, I post proper
At la casa, flicking it in the fox fur
Will not slur, Wraith coup or drop spur
My eyeballs on billions, the block’s blur
Baller, set shit off, I’m no staller
Don’t need jewels on my neck to reflect aura
Best author, from Brooklyn, expect torture
It’s five still alive, I could vibe and rep off of
Flow silly, dum’s out, what’s the dilly?
It’s either a hung jury or ride till they come kill me
Shot caller, never a slum watch sporter
Feeling like Run when he first rocked the Fedora
Chest broader, fruits and veggie, fresh waters
It’s power, I knock your cell tower out of order
[Chorus: Nas, AZ]
Uh, surprise clowns, we caught ya
All off guard, witness the slaughter
Uh, young Pablo at the border
Just left Cabo with a quarter, heh
Diablo, this a scorcher
F**k it, Esco, up the offer
[Interlude: Nas]
(Lord, have mercy)
Yeah (Listen to this!)
[Verse 2: Nas]
The fly nigga haters accumulating, lately, I’m movie making
Shorty, your Uber here, what I’m calling a rude awakening
We spend every moment trying to get all the bros rich
When rap money was slow compared to what the blow did
When hustlers had more cars than stars
It’s hard to picture that now, we rocking Richard’s right now
Back then the most expensive wristwatch was like thirty thou’
Thank God for hip-hop ’cause they might’ve murdered me, wow
They on you when you too low, they can’t copy your style, they foul
That’s the part about them they conveniently leaving out
I just mind my business, some wine and eat halal
And we don’t gotta say we real, just what some G’s about, no doubt
Who not them street dudes? I wish it was true
Wish the raw never got in our pores, our fingertips too
Wish that I could erase what I seen in my view
The errors, vendettas, sealed secrets locked up the crew
Don’t let the smooth smile have y’all fooled
I’ll show you what y’all thought y’all knew, y’all talk, I do
My bracket, Valentino, burgundy croc jacket
Stocks massive, I knock this whole planet off its axis, yeah
[Chorus: Nas, AZ]
Surprise clowns, we caught ya
All off guard, witness the slaughter
Uh, young Pablo at the border
Just left Cabo with a quarter, heh
Diablo, this a scorcher
F**k it, Esco, up the offer
Creative Executioner! I take ideas from the subliminal to execution in the physical.
