Bouquet (To The Ladies) Lyrics – Nas, DJ Premier

Bouquet (To The Ladies) Lyrics Meaning

[Chorus: Parrish Smith, LL COOL J & DJ Premier]
This part feels like an energetic shout-out to all the women in the crowd. It’s like the artists are calling for the ladies to step forward, have fun, and show their presence with confidence. They want the women to feel seen and appreciated, not just as part of the audience but as the heart of the vibe. The repeated question about where the ladies are serves as a playful way of hyping up the moment and inviting women to take the spotlight.

[Verse 1: Nas]
Here, Nas is basically shining a huge light on how important women are in every part of life. He talks about how women, from grandmothers to community builders, shape families and society by teaching, guiding, loving, and supporting everyone. He shows sincere appreciation by saying the world wouldn’t function the same without them. Then he shifts to hip-hop and reminds listeners that women helped build the culture from the very beginning. He gives credit to early pioneers like Sha-Rock and names a long list of powerful female artists who pushed the genre forward. He mentions legends like Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Roxanne Shante, showing how deeply he respects their work. Nas keeps emphasizing that women have always been strong forces in music, not just background figures. He also gives love to newer artists like Doechii, Latto, and GloRilla, showing that women continue to lead the wave. He even shares something personal by mentioning that he was signed by a woman, Faith Newman, and that she changed his career path. By the end, he’s sending love to all women who contribute to hip-hop and culture as a whole, calling them a “Woman Nation,” almost like a global community of powerful queens who deserve admiration and recognition.

[Chorus: Parrish Smith, LL COOL, DJ Premier & Nas]
This section repeats the warm, celebratory tone, but now it includes Nas and DJ Premier sending love directly. It’s another call for women to step forward with pride and energy. The artists are basically saying this track is dedicated to the ladies and they want them to feel seen, appreciated, and included. It keeps the party vibe going while also keeping the message centered on respect and admiration for women everywhere.

[Verse 2: Nas]
Here, Nas speaks directly to women in a more personal and emotional way. He describes them as deeply special, powerful, and almost magical in the way they carry themselves. He tries to explain that when he looks closely at the presence women bring into his life, he sees something rare and uplifting, which inspires him to express his feelings almost like writing a heartfelt letter. He calls women queens and stars, showing pure respect and gratitude. Then he asks a real question: why doesn’t the world fully appreciate everything women do? It bothers him that their hard work often goes unnoticed. He compares their strength to figures like Aphrodite, saying their influence on his life—emotionally, mentally, and physically—has been huge. He acknowledges women who motivated him through different stages of his life. He also shouts out female DJs who help shape the music scene, reinforcing that women contribute to hip-hop in many ways. He hypes women up by saying they’re the flyest and deserve admiration. He encourages everyone to raise a glass in their honor, making it feel like a toast to all women. Just like in the earlier section, he dedicates this to “Woman Nation,” a phrase he uses to show unity, respect, and celebration of all women.

[Chorus: Parrish Smith, LL COOL, DJ Premier & Nas]
Once again, this part calls out to the ladies with the same lively, inviting energy. It’s a mix of celebration and acknowledgment, reminding the women listening that this song is crafted with love for them. Nas and DJ Premier join in to make it even more personal, encouraging women to stand proud and be visible. It keeps the positive vibe flowing and connects the whole track with a repeated theme of appreciation.

[Outro: Nas & Dj Primier]
In this final part, Nas goes all out by mentioning a huge list of women from different eras of hip-hop. He’s giving flowers to everyone—both legendary figures and newer artists—making sure no one feels left out. Each name he mentions represents a woman who shaped, influenced, or strengthened the culture in her own way. He starts with artists who have been around for decades and moves through generations, showing how wide and rich the contribution of women has been. He includes pioneers, underground talents, chart-toppers, and even those who’ve passed away, giving them respectful recognition. The long list shows how committed he is to honoring women across the entire spectrum of rap, not just a select few. He acknowledges groups, solo artists, innovators, and even people some listeners might not know, proving how deep his appreciation runs. He also mentions that even if he didn’t say someone’s name, the love is still there, which makes the tribute feel genuine and heartfelt. By ending with love from him and DJ Premier, he wraps up the song like a sincere thank-you note to every woman who contributed to the culture and helped make hip-hop what it is today.