A nice track from Nas. Very relaxing and definitely reminds you of morning and those lazy days. The vocals add the soul to it which just really helps gives you peace, the whole track is soft and Nas does an excellent job putting himself out on this track, giving his personal story of the many mornings he has spent in the city. Being in a rural area myself, definitely makes his vision more interesting and powerful, and I imagine could be just as effective if it were relatable to someone. I would like to focus on the production and go deep into the verses on this one.
The production makes it easy to listen to, easy on the ears if you know what I am saying. Makes it a perfect tune to come back to every now and then. When you are feeling down, trying to revive yourself from some wild night, or maybe putting you to sleep. Not to say the track is boring, not at all, Nas gives many descriptions of the city. The police spilling coffee, the garbageman, and the mother and her two kids. Here is where the rap really takes it interesting, Nas shines bright to careful listeners, but remains subtle to those who still want to relax to this track. He describes the mother's whole situation in just a couple of bars, with her kids, the crumbling house, and the crumbling relationship she has with her husband. As he goes on, he describes the rest of the city life, some "creep" he meets. All this he does with great talent, and a remarkable flow that goes easy with the track, without clashing with the soft music.
The break comes in with some light vocals with "good morning cause i'm still here, couldn't get a wake up call from out there, so imma head back to the street for a lesson, and only live by gods blessing.". I really love the words on that track. "couldn't get a wake up cal" is quite a deep line for me. The singer confesses that they need to learn something, and perhaps he needs some great sign, so as to come to a realization. However, he needs to leave his current situation. Which we would assume is his house, as he plans to head back to the streets. So perhaps he has been kept isolated and needs to breakout and learn something, returning to something that he once visited. All the while he remain moral, living by "gods blessing", whatever that may be. Very philosophical once you look at it. Those words demonstrate advancement in life, even if we need to head back and learn a thing or two. Amazing, progressive and very much a motivator.
Then the second verse comes in. Nas brings up another day, with more about his life and less detail about the current state of the city in which he awakes. He has learned, no longer living life "the foul way". He has made an advancement. His friends return from jail, and some criminal has been caught. Apparently street life was too boring, which really implies the criminal was foolish, as we were just given a vivid story of everyday in Nas' project. Just another way of looking at it. The environment is often changed as he remarks, "won't believe it's the same street". Then he gets breakfast, and the day begins from there...
The structure of the song is in fact remarkable! Nas is at first simply explaining what he sees in the city and goes on with his day after taking in his surroundings and sudden thoughts, such as the story of the mother that he quickly explained. However, applying the philosophical meaning from the chorus, Nas then awakes once again in the city. Now every second of his life is "pure healing". He is now following the light, or "gods blessing". His friends are out of jail. Yet he now has a different view of the city, literally, as he says most of the hood is still asleep. Also he may see it differently because he has returned and learned his lesson. Truly astounded what I discovered from this track.
Of course you can just look at this as a smooth ride, and a rare jem from Nas. Seems some of his best works are in fact those rare unreleased tracks. Which always make us wonder, why wasn't it released. Either way, glad to have it in my possession now.
And of those who simply want to listen/getahold of this track here you go!
Download a bunch of Nas' unreleased works! Some of course you will understand why they weren't released, but others will make you glad you discovered them!
However, please note. Several tracks are listed, but aren't actually added. Including this very song, so you may have to youtube-mp3 it. Best of luck and enjoy!
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