Nas

He is the undisputed King of N.Y.  If you don’t agree, then you haven’t been listening closely.  Nas does not lose; not when it counts.  He’s like Kobe in that way (yea, I said it).  To those of you who are outraged and yelling at me through the computer, hear me out.  I respect Jay-Z’s hustle and flow; I think 50 Cent had a great 1^st album and is a genius; nobody does hip-hop entrepreneurship better than Diddy; and, God rest his soul, I love and respect everything the Notorious B.I.G. blessed us with musically.  But Nasir Jones holds the key to the city as far as the culture is concerned.  Nas is the people’s champion, a true global ambassador for hip-hop.  Oh, and did I mention he is a lyrical monster?  If you ain’t know, keep readin’…

“Analyze This” (3^rd verse)

Nas and Jay-Z had their war, (which Nas clearly won) but in a time long before that the two were once friendly acquaintances.  The first time Nas spanked Jigga’s a$$ is actually on this record, they were just on better terms.  I discovered this song a while back, but I believe it’s out of print because I have never found it on an album or any type of purchasable release; I think it was pressed on vinyl only.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHEcd80ZxvM

“You’re da Man” from Stillmatic

Many people say Stillmatic was the rebirth of Nas as a dangerous MC.  If there is another track besides “Ether” that definitively illustrates that fact, it’s this one.  This song is basically a career biopic, as Nas outlines his constant pushback from haters, imitators, and even his own oft-troubled soul.  “Wish I could flap wings and fly away, to where black kings in Ghana stay/ so I can get on, my flesh rot away, but that’ll be the day/ When there’s peace, when my gat don’t need to spray, when these streets are safe to play…” A king’s job never ceases.

“Verbal Intercourse” (1^st verse) from Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

 Raekwon and Nas have always had a mutual respect and admiration for each other, and have adopted parts of each other’s styles over the years.  This track on the Chef’s classic solo debut has the two plus Ghostface Killah going at it.  For me it’s hard to say there was clearly a best verse, but I do feel like this beat matches Nas’ voice so his flow is butter on the track.  If he could’ve gotten more beats like this throughout his career, y’all naysayers might respect my dude more.

 “I Gave You Power” from It Was Written

This entire song is a metaphorical painting of Nas comparing himself to a gun… but in what sense?  It’s always intriguing and powerful when art can be interpreted in multiple ways (I don’t know if Nas has ever commented on it or not), because it keeps people talking and thinking.  That is a rare feat in rap, which is why this song is so unique.  I think it’s a metaphor for the conundrum of being an artist signed to a major label, dealing with the politics and what not…what do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXAtUR80IOQ

“Take It In Blood” from It Was Written

This is the most underrated Nas song in my opinion; no one ever talks about it but the flow is crazy nice.  Granted, the song sounds like a freestyle in the traditional sense (not off the dome, but literally free of style and all over the place content-wise), but there are SO many dope quotables and deep metaphors.  This is one of my all-time favorites jams to just ride out to. 

“It Ain’t Hard To Tell” from Illmatic

This is the closing song to the arguably the greatest album in hip-hop history.  It’s hard enough not to put all of Illmatic on this list, but for me this song defines how raw and fresh the entire album is. 

 “Live at the Barbeque” (1^st verse) from Main Source’s Breaking Atoms

This song from Main Source contains Nas’ inaugural verse, his first appearance on the rap scene.  It was immediately labeled a classic cut, and for Nas it’s been on ever since.  Imagine this being your first verse you ever spit on wax, and then you follow up with an album like Illmatic, and you’ve got to try to continue to live up to that type of hype – that’s pressure.  But Nas has continued to excel and remain true to himself and hip-hop.

Nas & Damian Marley-Distant Relatives

Don’t let it be “distant” from your CD player…

Distant Relatives is the best new album of 2010 I’ve heard so far.  Damian Marley and Nas are a great collabo - thanks to “Jr. Gong”, Nas finally has some consistently great music to go with his always-impressive lyrics and flow.  Nas fans have anticipated for years that he might do an entire project with DJ Premier or Dr. Dre, as the general opinion is that his only pitfall has been in lacking the right beats.  But I don’t know if even Primo or Dre could establish more chemistry with Nas than what he and Damian uncovered while making Distant Relatives.  After the acclaim for Damian’s debut, Welcome to Jamrock, Bob Marley’s youngest son has now produced two classic albums…and counting.

Distant Relatives is not composed of flashy club jams or pop anthems.  I mean, yea, you could party to a couple joints, but these songs were crafted to engage your social consciousness and your self-awareness.  (I think it’s good ride-to music – Jr. Gong’s reggae-sampled beats bang in the car!)  On “Leaders” featuring Damian’s brother Stephen Marley on the chorus, I can’t help but get that feeling that Damian is channeling his father’s spirit, or at least thinking of him, as he and Nas tell stories about how male role models affect the paths of young people.  “Land of Promise” is reminiscent of Nas’ “If I Ruled the World”, as he again paints his vision of what the promised land could be for the people over a hard reggae beat that samples the old Dennis Brown song.  Y’all remember that song “We are the World 25” made for Haiti earlier this year?  Yea, I didn’t think you would.  “Strong Will Continue” is what that song should’ve been – powerful and uplifting without coming off as corny or overdone. Nas lost his focus a little on his second verse by getting too personal and critical, but this does little to take away from the overall strength of the song.  “My Generation” should be the next single in my opinion (“As We Enter” is the first); it’s “radio-friendly” with features from Joss Stone and Lil’ Wayne, and the message is one of inspiration for the youth to take responsibility for their lives and charging them with the task to change the world for the better.

This album is incredible, top to bottom, no skips.  The genre fusion is seamless, which is what makes the album easy to listen to (don’t think Jay-Z/Linkin Park – it’s FAR from being that forced).  As you listen, you won’t feel like it’s a hip-hop or a reggae album, and don’t worry if you’re interested but aren’t a longtime fan of either of these artists – you won’t have to be in order to enjoy the vibe of the music.  Distant Relatives is bangin’ music that will have you nodding your head and singing along, I promise.