This is a forum post by the user Kill the Budda
: I'm feelin the album. Listened to it sequentially like 3 times today which is rare for me. Typically I skip tracks.
Thoughts?
Old school Nas. He definitely took it back to his roots with this one. It has that Illmatic mixed with a little Stillmatic flair to it. Loving Cherry Wine, Nasty, & Accident Murderers. Being from down South, a lot of people mistake all of us for beats first lyrics later. Not the case for myself. Always been a lyrical lover. Nas definitely came with it on this album. This is a CLASSIC album...Ur right not many albums I can listen to from *** to end, this is one of them. Stillmatic was the last one from Nas that could also ride from start to finish...then repeat.
Yeh I'm feelin accident murders and cherry wine also. Plus loco motive and bye baby especially the third verse. Definitely a classic. Production on point, lyrics on point and typical NAS flow on point. Like you said dude definitely paid homage to the old school while still keeping it relevant.
Alotta these young cats in the industry should pay attention
Albums like this one give me a little glimmer of hope that Hip-Hop still lives. Even if its only by a nail. We just don't have anyone left. It sucks aging with all of the greatness that u grew up on. I'm 32, *** back in school we used to wonder who was gonna be the next great lyricist. Sad to say, noone new has filled that void. Its all about a beat, *** a wack-azz hook nowadays...sad. I commend Nas for another GREAT album.
Definitely feelin you on that. Don't get me wrong. I don't consider myself a Hip Hop purist. I bump the occasional catchy joint like most people but of late man it seems like I have to keep lookin back for music. Most of the music out now I'm not really feelin at all. Fortunately for me I've slept on some older music and discover pretty decent albums every now and then. Like Blu and Exile's "Below the Heavens."
I had never heard of these dudes and I was listening to Kendrick Lamar's station like a month ago on pandora and one of their tracks came on. Album is kinda nice. But on topic, its good to see people representing the artform on this level. Its cool to to see the evolution of dudes thought process in their lyrics too.
Now if Jay Electronica would go ahead and drop his already........
True. That's all I listen to now is Pandora. A lot of the music they play is older music from artist I've never heard of. Believe it or not, I never heard of those cat Big Brother before pandora. They were strictly underground *** not a lot of people were feelin' their vibe except me. I occasionally heard other oldie but goodies like the Jungle Brothers. I do listen to some newer stuff as well. Not feeling much of it @ all. I never thought the day would come when I would rather listen to stuff I used to hear riding around in the car with moms. Sade, Anita Baker, Levert, just to name a few. Anyway, I'm looking forward to Electronica's album as well. Be easy homie. Cool to talk REAL music for a change... Imma check out that Blu & Exile...new to me as well.
Yeh check it out. Blu is the MC and exile is the producer. Big Brother? Doesn't ring a bell. I'mma research.
I know little brother, phonte, 9th and big pooh. If u haven't heard phonte's charity starts at home, u should check it out. Especially the second song on the album called the good fight. Video on YouTube
Exactly. The first time I heard it, I was like who are these cats. Loved the vibe of the old *** new school they had in their music. A few days ago, a friend of mine who has the same taste in music got me back on Rakim. Dude, it seems like cats like him were ahead of his time. That 'Paid in Full' still bangs...hard...
Man I will probably be 85 in a wheel chair still reciting paid in full word for word when it comes on. Rakim is that dude. Gotta say though the last album I heard from him was poorly produced imho. The one that had that track with the no doubt "dont speak" sample.
It's crazy cause I'm sure there are amateur producers all over the world that would have given an arm and a leg to work with Rakim that would make waaaay better beats than he had on that album.
So true...but you know what, still being able to put it down like he did speaks volumes for him as a lyricist. Most cats had what they call 'wack' beats to some of the Southern Cats that didn't care to listen to what the artist had to say. A great beat just add another dimension, but is it always necessary...not IMO. I just like to hear what these dudes get across. De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, even Hova had some wack beats, but their message was always loud *** clear to a youngin. Man its good to talk hip-hop...lol...gotta get back after work...later.
Hey what up homie, I checked out that Below the Heavens...NICE!! Real nice. Loved the lyrics *** the beat. I like stuff that I can ride to *** that record there, is just that. Appreciate the recommend. Imma do some more research into those cats. Definitely feelin' it. *** nah I missed Nas on Colbert, been hella buzy working. Appreciate the link, bout to check that out now while I have a minute. I'll get back...
Oh before I forget, I had always have heated debates over the best artist from the South is. Being that I'm a Southerner, people always assume that Wayne is hands-down the man. False. I respect every opinion tho. I always thought Bun-B was one of THE most underrated. Andre 3000 back in the SouthernPlayalistic days as well. Those cats can spit @ will. Who do u think is one of the premier artist from the South? Or group even...holla back...