Life's a Bitch (song)
{{short description|1994 single by Nas}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Life's a Bitch
| cover = Lifesabnas1994.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| album = Illmatic
| released = April 19, 1994
| recorded = 1993
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = * East Coast hip hop
| length = 3:29
| label = Columbia
| writer = * Nasir Jones
- Anthony Cruz
- Olu Dara
- Ronnie Wilson
- Oliver Scott
| producer = L.E.S.
| chronology = Nas
| prev_title = It Ain't Hard to Tell
| prev_year = 1994
| next_title = The World Is Yours
| next_year = 1994
| misc =
}}
"Life's a Bitch" is a song by American rapper Nas, released by Columbia Records on April 19, 1994 as the third single from his debut studio album, Illmatic (1994). Issued as a 12" single, it features guest vocals from AZ and a cornet performance from Nas' father Olu Dara.
The song's producer, L.E.S., sampled the songs "Yearning for Your Love" by the Gap Band and "Black Frost" by Grover Washington, Jr. for its instrumental. AZ's verse was the first of his to be recorded in his career. "Life's a Bitch" has been sampled in other hip hop songs on several occasions, including the singles "YSIV" by Logic (2018),{{Citation |title=Logic – YSIV |url=https://genius.com/Logic-ysiv-lyrics |access-date=2024-02-10}} "Keep It Real" by Miilkbone (1995), and "Carry On" by Statik Selektah featuring Joey Bada$$ (2014).
Music
Olu Dara's cornet work was the first on-wax collaboration with his son. "Jungle Jay" and "Dance" eventually followed, as did the 2004 single "Bridging the Gap". According to Nas:
{{blockquote|"I asked my dad to play on the end of it — I told him to play whatever comes to mind when he thinks of me as a kid. I think he's really proud to see me coming up and really taking my life serious and doing what I want."[https://web.archive.org/web/20071109080526/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17216041/nas_greatest_hits_a_trackbytrack_journey_with_the_pride_of_queens/2 Nas' "Greatest Hits": A Track-By-Track Journey With the Pride of Queens : Rolling Stone]}}
Lyricism
Nas's verse discusses how he is happy to be alive at 20 years old, his rough childhood, consisting of "robbing foreigners" of their green cards, and selling crack. However, the tone of his words suggest that he is reflecting rather than glorifying his deeds, and now has a more positive outlook on life.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
Thematic continuation
The song's title and concept was later mentioned in Nas' verse on the collaboration track "Affirmative Action" off his 1996 album It Was Written in which Nas raps "Life's a bitch but god-forbid the bitch divorce me". This track also featured AZ along with fellow Queensbridge rapper Cormega, Park Slope and Brooklyn rapper Foxy Brown.{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/2018/12/13/20825203/tale-of-the-tape-nas-affirmative-action-ft-foxy-brown-az-cormega|title=Tale of the Tape - Nas' "Affirmative Action" ft. Foxy Brown, AZ, Cormega|last=Brown|first=Peezy|date=December 13, 2018|accessdate=November 5, 2019|work=Revolt TV}}
In popular culture
In the 2009 film Fish Tank by Andrea Arnold, the song is played in one of the final scenes, bringing thematic closure to the narrative. It is also played as the closing credits roll.{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/138376-fish-tank-2496065060.html|title=Andrea Arnold's 'Fish Tank' Is Rich with Stark Beauty|last=Meaney|first=Jake|quote=[...]Nas's stone cold classic "Life’s a Bitch", which runs under the final scene[...]|work=PopMatters|date=March 24, 2011|accessdate=November 5, 2019}}
Track listing
=A-side=
- "Life's a Bitch (Radio Edit)" (3:37)
- "Life's a Bitch (Main Mix)" (3:29)
- "Life's a Bitch (Instrumental)" (3:29)
=B-side=
- "Life's a Bitch (Arsenal Radio Edit)" (3:31)
- "Life's a Bitch (Arsenal Mix)" (3:31)
- "Life's a Bitch (Arsenal Instrumental)" (3:35)
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Nas singles}}{{AZ (rapper)}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Song recordings produced by L.E.S. (record producer)