Cormega
Cormega | |
|---|---|
| Born | Corey McKay Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Hip-hop artist |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | American hip-hop artist, member of The Firm (formerly) |
Corey McKay, widely recognized by his stage name Cormega, is an American hip-hop artist.
Early life
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Cormega grew up alongside childhood friends such as Nas, Havoc, and Capone, all of whom later achieved prominence in the rap industry. His lyrics frequently explore themes related to the tragic loss of numerous friends and relatives due to violent circumstances.
1990s
In 1991, Cormega appeared on Hot Day's track "Going Straight Up" from the album It's My Turn, as well as on "Set It Off" by Blaq Poet and DJ Hot Day from Without Warning. While incarcerated, he received notable recognition through a mention by Nas on the song "One Love" from the 1994 album Illmatic.
Following his release in 1995, Cormega committed to pursuing rap professionally. He was featured on "Affirmative Action" from Nas’s 1996 album It Was Written, marking the debut of The Firm. Under a contract with Def Jam, he recorded an album titled The Testament. The Firm was formed by Nas, manager Steve Stoute, alongside producers Dr. Dre and The Trackmasters; however, Cormega was replaced by Queensbridge rapper Nature, reportedly due to preferences from Nas and/or Stoute, which led to the dissolution of his friendship with Nas.
Disagreements with manager Chris Lighty and Violator Records resulted in the indefinite shelving of The Testament. During its production, Cormega responded to Nas’s "One Love" with his own letter-style track also named "One Love".
2000s
Upon completion of his contract in 2000, Cormega established his own label, Legal Hustle Records. He voiced dissatisfaction regarding Nas and The Firm through the mixtape track "Never Personal," which was widely interpreted as a diss. His debut album, The Realness, released in 2001, delved into themes of betrayal. Nas responded with "Destroy and Rebuild" from his album Stillmatic, prompting Cormega to reply via mixtape tracks "A Slick Response" and "Realmatic."
Cormega’s sophomore effort, The True Meaning, was honored as Underground Album of the Year by Source Magazine. In 2004, he compiled Legal Hustle, featuring artists from his label. The independently released The Testament followed in 2005.
On December 22, 2006, Cormega joined Nas and Foxy Brown onstage during a concert at Nokia Theatre Times Square, symbolizing reconciliation between him and Nas. That same year, he independently issued a collaborative project with Lakey the Kid titled My Brother's Keeper. In 2007, he released the documentary-format DVD Who Am I?, providing an unvarnished portrayal of his life accompanied by a soundtrack.
Initially intending to title an upcoming album Urban Legend, Cormega changed it to Born and Raised after T.I. released an album with the same name. This project was launched on October 20, 2009, led by the single "Journey."
2010s
Cormega’s 2011 release, Mega Philosophy, was entirely produced by his longtime collaborator Large Professor. On December 26, 2018, he unveiled his first EP titled MEGA, further expanding his independent music catalog.
2020s
In 2020, Cormega appeared on Nas' album King's Disease, marking a reunion with former members of the supergroup The Firm.
November 2022 saw the release of his highly anticipated project The Realness II, serving as a follow-up to his 2001 debut The Realness and earning widespread critical praise.
Discography
- The Realness (2001)
- The True Meaning (2002)
- The Testament (2005)
- Born and Raised (2009)
- Mega Philosophy (2014)
- The Realness II (2022)
Film
- Who Am I? (2007)