This goes out to all the Unkut readers with multiple ex-wives…
My five cents on the latest Nas fuckery…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Did Nas Really Lose?
It’s tough to complain about a track that mentions burning the roof of your mouth on a pizza, but why should I let that stop me? I really hate it when songs claim to ‘feature’ another MC and then they don’t actually rap.
No I.D. on production. Obviously this and ‘Nasty’ are the two token great cuts from Life Is Good for everyone ‘stuck in the 90′s’ who still don’t enjoy people singing hooks.
Disagree? Let’s break it down…
1. The lyrics are a ‘Good Combination’ of declarations of poetic superiority, explanations of his daily operations, product name checks, witty punchlines, casual blasphemy and a healthy dose of Eff The Police sentiment. What more could a rap fan ask for?
2. The beat is a masterpiece in understated SP-12 simplicity…and it has sleigh bells!
3. It isn’t overly eager to impress nor does it outstay it’s welcome.
4. He shouts out the TV show ‘C.H.I.P.S.’. Word to Erik Estrada.
5. Nas mentions that he’s a ‘Nike head’ in the era of 40 Below Timbos and at least a decade before the Beast got Hype.
6. It’s mostly the voice. (c) GURU.
There have been some talented gene pools in hip-hop, where two brothers from the same mother have both shown and proved on skill and talent alone. And then there’s these guys…who needed a weed carrier when you’re own flesh and blood could carry your stash?
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This is the album Nasty Nas would have made after Illmatic if I was his A&R in some kind of alternative universe where sample clearance didn’t exist. Alternative title: The Second Time Nas Didn’t Lose.
Track listing:
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“With the exception of G Rap, Nas has more dope songs then anyone from Queens and just as many as any other rapper in the world” – Johnny Hardcore
Following this challenge of sorts by a guy who seems to have taken his screen name from a male pr0n star, let’s take a look at Nas’ discography to see how many great tracks he’s released (not including his seemingly endless unreleased catalog):
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The anticipation of hearing that your favorite beat mechanic is in the studio with your current #1 MC can lead to impossibly high expectations. More often than not, you end being bitterly disappointed with the results, thinking of what ‘could have been’ or ‘why bother?’ Sure, there have been some great team-ups as well…but that’s for another post.
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via THIMK
‘Yo! You forgot Canibus on ‘Beast From The East’ = You Lose.
6. Cappadonna on ‘Winter Warz’
Despite being a local legend on Staten Island, Cappa had let his lyrical fitness slump on previous cameos, but with this show-stealing performance it was clear that he was back to burn.
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The dreaded sophomore jinx? It’s real. As ceedub suggested, who effed-up the worst when they followed up a top notch debut with hot garbage?
Loading ...Write-ups after the jump….
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Looks like Nas took this one out by a landslide, with over half the votes going to his timeless Illmatic opener. I have to admit I’m disappointed with Rakim‘s poor showing in this poll, but it was clearly a two-horse race and nothing is really fucking with the ‘NY State of Mind’ beat.
Good to see the little guy win something for once, since he’s not about to get any Best Album votes this year anyways.
Which Track Is The Ultimate NY Anthem?
Total Voters: 305
Loading ...Any suggestions for what you’d like the next poll to be about?
Illustration by Tony Bones
It ain’t no mystery that New York has been the subject of a wide variety of rap dedications, being the birthplace of hip-hop and whatnot. But which Rotten Apple dedication deserves to be top of the heap? After selecting thirteen tracks that reference NY in the title, the next step was to run my selections by three esteemed residents of Gotham to get their opinions on which cuts win and those that don’t make the grade. Finally, the final six finalists will then be put to vote.
Three Times Dope:
Tony Bones – Graphic Designer and MC, currently located in Harlem.
Dallas Penn – Evil Genius and Internets Celebrity, Planet Brooklyn.
eskay – The Greatest Blogger Alive, Yonkers.
Here’s a dusty demo that sounds like it was recorded in Hotday‘s bedroom, featuring Kelis‘ husband, Cormega and some guy called Syl Drama kicking it in a one-take wonder fashion over the break that you might recall from Ras Kass’ ‘Won’t Catch Me Runnin”.
Re-Up! Divshare blows….let’s get back to basics….
Nas, Cormega and Syl Drama - 40th Side of Thangs
Spotted at HipHopGiant.
In the tradition of his classic Redman remake ‘How To Kill A Cop’, Ill Bill flips Nas‘ concept.
Ill Bill - ‘Unauthorized Biography of Slayer’
Slayer – ‘Reign In Blood’ live video:
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Thought I might balance out all the shittin’ on Nas last week. Both versions of “Ain’t Hard To Tell” are incredible, and the demo version ain’t too shabby either. Plus I brought back the Nas / De La Soul interview from 1996 with Tim Westwood that I posted a couple of years back…a lot of comedy on here. Little Homey big up’s an early Jay-Z song, comments on the Biggie cover artwork bite and demonstrates why interviews and blunts aren’t always a “good combination”.
Nas - “Nas Will Prevail” (“Ain’t Hard To Tell” demo)
Nas & De La Soul on Tim Westwood’s Capitol Rap Show, 1996.
