Gimme Your's - AZ

            Well I can say I finally went to a record store, and got about 25 records, as well as about 8 albums on CDs. It was quite the adventure getting there, but me and a couple of friends had a ball. Went to a couple stores, and the last one was right out of heaven. Before heading down there, I always imagined record stores with dollar bins with all sorts of old dusty vinyl. The cardboard stands that categorized everything, man we found a store with all that. The whole first experience was quite awesome. Anyhow, I found some AZ, and as a matter of fact Doe or Die. My first AZ album in fact. Usually I would already have all his stuff, but to me I always buy the physical album if their is one. Few stores around me, so I finally got it down in Noho. Got lucky with a couple other albums I don't have up in my area too. Anyhow, let's get to a track.

           When it comes to material lyrics, I am very picky. However, when you are one of the most underrated rappers and spit some of the greatest wordplay ever I can dig it. And that is what AZ holds under his belt, that and he has kept it real for well over a decade. His wordplay and style of rhyming is ridiculous. First time I heard him was off of Illmatic on, "Life's A Bitch" which you can read the post on how much that song changed me. However, this song is much darker than the latter, but no less lyrically golden.

           I'll post a couple bars I specifically dig, even though it is another case of great flow that seems to blend all his words together. Regardless I'll try and pick some stuff out.

I fucked with those beyond my age bracket

'cause they analyse and mack to get the papers and stack it

Leavin no trace to track it, keep on thinkin tappers is accurate

That mack shit, living the lifestyle, we filled with black wit

Kinda interesting. Shows us that AZ was clever enough to work with those older because they were smarter, which is a huge advantage in life. I notice myself, being the youngest in the family, I always had to shut up and listen, but man that has taught me to think before I speak, an underrated gift for certain.

Life's a performance so players play wit endurance

'cause from war sense, any villain's willing to get more intense

Another clever thought. Note that not only villains are willing to get more intense. In all aspects of life someone will always have more drive, you have to decide what is worth chasing, thus his mentioning of endurance. Man you can learn a lot with the words staring you down.

         And of course that beat is quite amazing, with Pete Rock on the track of course it is. Classic boom bip, where the drums carry the whole song. Little elements thrown into there to add some variety and that deep eery vibe. Something to bump late night in the city. And Nas singing on the hook, I love it. If you don't know I love when Nas sings, because when he sings off-key or whatever you wanna call it, everything is made easy. You can sing along so well, because anyone has that range ha ha. A nice sing-a-long. Woo, man what a great collaboration of efforts right here.

Nas Will Rock - Unreleased - Nas

Beat gives you that nostalgia, lace that with Nas' vocals and you
are taken right back into Queensbridge.

            Finding unreleased Nas material has got to be one of the best things ever, so much of it is pure gold. Whether considering it off a mixtape, such as the Illmatic demo; can someone say "classic!"; or anything that wasn't included on an official album. Well after continued work a few weeks ago I came across this. The beat is glorious, and the rap is simply amazing. Nas kills it to bring that old school vibe, as I am certain this was produced around the Illmatic era. With an impeccable flow and some of the dopest knowledge dropped, don't knock this, cause Nas rock well!
            From the very first bar you can tell Nas is going to kill this one. This is a very conscious track that brings a lot of life to perhaps otherwise dead ideas. With incredible imagery of the projects and his daily living laced right in with these philosophies, I found myself fascinated. I'll cover this verse by verse with so much to speak of. In the first verse he speaks of survival and he contemplates the purpose of life.
Also note I will be transcribing the lyrics for you! Couldn't find 'em anywhere else so I figured I might as well put them up.

Low profile, rap style slick as new now

give the crew pounds every time we cover new ground

still survivin' but there's a few down back in the essence

I'm askin' questions on the phone with jail adolescence 

Quiet confessions, the system is applying the pressure

My mind is guessin', is livin' and dyin' a lesson?

But not to be up large with the mirage of cars

Take me off track from what the gods focus on hard

Laid up smokin' cigars motionin' maids 

to bring me toast and eggs kosher 

ice chokers and words to smoke it

Always the culture lives in ultra madness

Devoted coach-bag bitch 

both the average nigga hopes to get mad rich

but what's the purpose? only the gods can watch the earth twist

I'm physically trapped down on the surface, where all the crack lurches

snakes and serpents, foul jakes that search us

clowns with 4 pounds this ain't a circus.

Man what a mouthful. Ha told you there would be some sick shit spit. Nas brings us many instances of imagery that immerse into his world, which is why he is such an amazing rapper, well one reasons. Well from those lines you see other reasons, such as his incredible wordplay. And perhaps my favorite? His thought provoking ideas that he spits with such ease, speaking of his situation here on Earth. He asks himself what is the purpose? Nas feels trapped physically, in need of transcending, to get away from such foolishness. Such as the mirage of cars, that doesn't phase him, but tricks others such as the addicts, and other clowns. 

           

Black clouds over the hood I'm on the corner with the thugs

Late night under the moon they assume i'm slingin' drugs

Cause I'm hooded up thought a G at night wasn't good enough

Pushed ones luck yo they had a brother put in cuffs

Luckily made it out of court comfortably 

Judge said I need a job ain't nothin' comin' free could've got a 1 in 3

I try to school these shorties under me but they can't see

from life to death so know we back to where we never left

The ghetto  it's a damn shame knowin' it's a man game

Shorty thinkin' it's time to make your plans change

All that run around tryin' to chase must've been a year

Been there, it's goin' nowhere Pops told me knuckle up no fair

I wished so many killings could be prevented

Whatever happens it was written meaning God made it

But during life you put your heart in it

Even though it seems we bein' targeted 

Let that brother R hit it

Nas brings up more points, more stories, and rich imagery to us on the 2nd verse. We are introduced to a dark opening, men under the moon in the streets of New York City. Then after some misinterpretation from the others, Nas gets in a mix up, and goes to court. Comin' out free, as the Judge suggests he gets a job, but Nas claims there is nothing out there for him. Then he speaks of the struggle many people face when in the Ghetto, time fly's by success hasn't been reached, so we try and reach new ideas to emancipate us, economically of course. Nas reflects on "shorty's" hopes of trying something new, but it never happened and Olu Dara; his father; told him to take life as it is. Of course, as a young person myself, this is very much a reality to me, just with different circumstances. As a teenager I wanna remain optimistic as I enter the real world, and leave my adolescence behind. And it sucks when you have to face the reality of a situation even if it goes against your positive mindset.  Next, Nas reflects on tragedies of death, but as I mentioned, he accepts it for what they are because he assumes God had it happen. And whatever the matter we should just strive through it and eventually prevail...

I'll be adding more to this post. Discussing the next verse, and the production of course. Enjoy the track for now! A download link should be included in the future.

Revolutionary Warfare - Nas - Cookin' Soul Remix

           
               This track really pumps you up. Cookin' Soul does an incredible job on this, bringing Nas' voice to a higher level, the music and his rap really come together on this little project. While the subject has a lot of war like imagery, but the theme isn't all about guns and beef you have with people. The song gives us insight and motivates us, elevating the level of awesome this song can attain. Quite sick indeed.
              Nas' rap? On point of course. Here we are again with this incredible lyrics, using an incredible flow to blend all those big words together, what is not to like for a hip-hop head? And then he drops some nice thought-provoking lines.

Look dumb, but massively notice the weakness, in all them

Gotta shoot only if necessary 

Homey vest is very real if enemies carrying heavy steal

Beware the thugs who ain't scared of blood or jail time

While people may present a violent image they may not be that strong at all, but then Nas' warns us, beware those who aren't afraid of consequences. Which can be relatable with more than just blood or jail time, crazy people you deal with everyday! That idea is certainly nice to consider as we can't all relate to thugs or guns.

The beauty of life, was when my mom said nigga you could be Christ

I wasn't old enough to hold my dick and pee right, "Jesus"!

What is he like? I picture him standing with diamonds on him

Little different from the way my mommy saw him

This is notably the most interesting line, in the remix version anyways. Many people consider Jesus something to look up to, and we all have those symbols in our lives, whatever those may be. But it shows how twisted things can be in the eyes of a man that can't hold his dick and pee right, which cleverly used by Nas, shows us that it is a young boy, someone who is easily manipulated and couldn't really decide what Jesus does look like! As we all should have our own image of him, and be free to choose that image, it should be some time before we can draw ourselves a proper picture. Also given the idea that other things are looked up to as positive, that means other things can be misinterpreted. Role models for instance, may be looked up to for the wrong reason, it is all what the child feels is good.

               The beat is simply awesome on this track! Like I said, Cookin' Soul brings Nas to a new level. The drums carry that 9th Wonder style, that BOOM. BIP. just the snares are so recognizable at this point, considering how much of the man I listen to. And I am pretty sure there is a nice blending of the main instrumentation on this song. A touch of flutes, then the element of strings, they flow back and forth and create a sound that is quite illmatic! Then that nice sample, with the, "wheeeee" or however you choose to pronounce it. The whole Lost Tapes 1.5 project was really quite awesome. When you put an old song Nas song to a different beat that you like, you appreciate Nas much more. 

As is now almost standard, here are some links!

The Lost Tapes 1.5 Download:

http://www.datpiff.com/Nas-The-Lost-Tapes-15-mixtape.181494.html

Get Started with Cookin' Soul:
http://www.cookinsoul.com/
That'll give you updates, and should get you all the sick remixes you want, even if you didn't know you were looking for them!

Good Morning - Nas - Unreleased

            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!

http://www.datpiff.com/Nas-UnreleasedRemixesCollaborations-mixtape.157294.html

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!

EML Update: Music Overload

           Recently I have been on a music overload, still am in fact. My library has doubled in 2 months, in the almost 2 years I have been getting it. Getting 11 full albums, and then 10 mixtapes. I made a list of it and it came out to be a day worth of music out of the 2.2 days I have. So not only have I been really busy with school and regular life, man music has been crazy. I was just happy to have time today to make the previous post and this little update.
            The reason I got so much is really because of the albums I bought. Usually I never get that many. I got all sorts of stuff, just on the 10th I got 5 more albums. Ha usually I never do that to myself, but I don't always have an opportunity to buy music when I want it, so there I go.
The 11 Albums:

• Nas's Street's Disciple
• Ben Kweller's Sha Sha
• Wu-Tang Clan's Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
• Common's Be
• The GZA's Liquid Swords
• A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders
• Daft Punk's Discovery
• Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star
• A 3 Disc Set of Nat King Cole: Unforgettable
• 2nd Disc: Hit that Jive
• 3rd Disc: Jivin' With Jarvis

I have had a good time with Street's Disciple, 36 Chambers, Be, and Midnight Marauders. All of those I have given close listens, Be and 36 Chambers probably feeling the most complete. Street's Disciple was actually a great attempt at a double-LP as it is hard to master those as just a solo rapper. Midnight Maruaders was awesome, and I gotta give that one another go sometime. Liquid Swords has been orphaned, and I hope to adopt it again once again! As I really haven't listened to it. 

The latter 5 albums I have acquired just on Monday. Discovery is amazing, have listened to it fully multiple times, but never in one go, as I have fallen asleep. D'oh! 

Nat's stuff still gettin' into it, and Black Star is still waiting!

The 10 Mixtapes.

• Mac Miller's The Juke Box 
• And the High Life
• Nas's Illmatic Demo Tape
• Biggie's Demo Tape
• A collection of Nas's Unreleased
• Nas's The Lost Tapes 1.5, all remixes produced by Cookin' Soul
• 9th Wonder's The 144 -144 Instrumentals from 9th Wonder that are simply amazing. 5.4 hours of content on that bad boy! That is what has kept me so busy.
• Aer's Water on the Moon
• Mac Miller's I Love Life, Thank You
• and another Nas collection, of remixes, unreleased, and collabs. Pretty sick.

Only really listened to The Juke Box, which was honestly terrible, except for the tracks I liked were quite amazing, Big's demo tape was short but decent, 9th Wonder's stuff is absolutely amazing, and The Illmatic Demo Tape is by far amazing, it is like discovering a 2nd Illmatic. Everything else still needs some attention.

So yeah quite the music kick. 

I hope to do some finishing tracks to People's if I have time, and then go on with random tracks for awhile. Perhaps do a cover of 9th's material and give an overview. Doesn't mean I am back for a post every other day, but I hope to do at least 10 a month ha ha. 

Illmatic Closing

           Perhaps the greatest hip-hop album of all time, that is most certainly debatable. However, it is no doubt an incredible work of art. Made by what I think the greatest rapper of all time. Everything about the album is so real and so well done. Including some of the realest depictions of QB street life, the rawest beats, and no doubt some of the best raps I have heard in my life. However I can't forget that it has that nostalgia feel at this point in time. Considering I haven't actually had it since it came out, I have had it for less than a year. And because it is so old it sort of takes you back and imagine all sorts of things. That is why Illmatic isn't just an amazing album, it is personally an untouchable project, because of that old-school mystique. The new stuff can't have that quality yet that would be impossible. Yet, in 30 years the years between his albums will come together, and all blend to make something you can't decipher. But for now that is why Illmatic is Nas' best album. The realest album of his. Although don't get me wrong, all his stuff is very real, that is what makes Nas my choice for best rapper. He has an amazing flow, rhymes, and has perhaps the longest consistency of any MC ever. About 20 years rapping and he hasn't sold out or changed his style(not that changing styles is bad, see Kanye West).

This album will be timeless. When you have Nas on the tracks, and production from Premo, Large Professor, L.E.S., Q-Tip, and Pete Rock it is supposed to be timeless.

Now we can only hope that Nas can release something like Illmatic again. However, like I said it has that older feel to it. And in fact almost with all his albums you can ask, "but is it as good as Illmatic?". Maybe that Illmatic was sort of a curse. Think about it, with a legendary debut it is hard to out do it, although it is common for the 1st album to be people's favorite. Yet we can always hope to see Nas come back, although he is still keeping it real, despite his success, making great music. Again time will tell!

Hopefully you enjoyed this review as much as I did, I hope you found a similarity of interests in the tracks covered.

It Ain't Hard to Tell- Nas

           A nice finisher to Illmatic. Nas drops some illmatic lyrics explaining his raps and the kind of quality they are, a typical message of rappers. Not that I like the boastful part of rapping, but if it is high-quality then of course I won't mind, because they are bragging the right way. Ha, if that sounds right. Anyways, a great rhythm with one of the catchiest drums I ever heard. Not only having that boom bip feel, I think that shall be a new hip-hop term! But the beat basically goes....
           CRAZY! Produced by Large Professor, the drums really run the show with the beautifully altered vocals being played at the same time. And that bassline is killer to! Also the "AH!" thrown in there you will probably here something very similar to it in a lot of hip-hop songs. Interesting whether just similar, or the sample is used I don't know, regardless that yelling can be found in a few Common sounds, as well as others I am sure. The drums just go like this!

ba-boom boom bip boom boom bip! I know, really complicated! But seriously, something about it just gets you jumping.

The LIST of samples:

• "Human Nature" by Michael Jackson 
• "N.T." by Kool & the Gang
• "Long Red" by Mountain
• "Why Can't People Be Colors Too?" by Whatnauts
• "Slow Dance" by Stanley Clarke
• "What Do You Want from Me Woman" by The Blue Jays
• "Sorcerer of Isis" by Power of Zeus

The beat is absolutely terrific. With the synths; sampled from "Human Nature" jamming in the background with Nas and the drums and bassline go on. During the chorus you get the vocals and that jazzy feel. "Long Red" is the sample that contains the "AH!" and the killer beat from the drums. Drums also from "Slow Dance" & "N.T.", with I believe the brass you here from "Why Can't People Be Colors Too?". A lot of samples going on and I am having quite the time to break them all down I will try my best. "Slow Dance" was used for some of the bassline from what I can tell. Last but not least, "Sorcerer of Isis" was used for more drums. I am guessing that leaves "Human Nature" with the vocals, I am not entirely sure. What Do You Want From Me Woman" is used for the brass you here. Man difficult to decipher. However, certainly a lot of sampling went into this piece really taking you everywhere in music. 

Definitely a great way to go out on this album. But I'll sum up my thoughts with the now-traditional closing. 

Represent- Nas

            A bouncy fun track to add to the already successful life of Illmatic. Has a lot of clever lyrics from Nas and an interesting theme. Basically Nas tells us how he represents himself and his friends, and how he is part of QB. Telling us a lot about the daily life. Whether:

...any day could be your last in the jungle
Get murdered on the humble, guns'll blast, niggaz tumble
The corners is the hot spot, full of mad criminals

As you can see there is some hostility where he lives. And it is better he sticks with his crew. He also introduces what he is about:

Yo, they call me Nas, I'm not your legal type of fella
Moet drinkin, marijuana smokin street dweller
who's always on the corner, rollin up blessed
When I dress, it's never nuttin less than Guess
Cold be walkin with a bop and my hat turned back
Love committin sins and my friends sell crack
This nigga raps with a razor, keep it under my tongue
The school drop-out, never liked the shit from day one

His comment about school has always intrigued me. Considering he has a ridiculous vocabulary, and has the incredible flow to match multi-syllable words that even I don't know the definition of. That always blow me away. While he introduces his life and his character, he not only represents himself, he represents all his friends. A quality that makes the song fun, all his friends singing the chorus! Adds a lot of life to the track. Also including a long list of people he worked with, or knew. Another way to REPRESENT!

          The production is tight. The xylophones are really something that add a light feel to the song. While the drums are simply from Premo. Produced by him, he sampled Lee Erwin's "Thief of Baghdad". Listening to the actual song is quite a treat, the songs quite feels like it contains 10 songs. A lot of interesting transitions in that beautiful competition. In fact, I am listening to it for the 1st time so I can tell you about it. OH! It just changed pace again. The piece sampled it towards the beginning of the track. So there you have it one great production and a genius sample, considering how obscure it is within "Thief of Baghdad".  He was for sure digging in the crates to find this one! Made in 1924! Can't believe it, bravo Premo!

One Time 4 Your Mind - Nas

            The beat just sounds evil from the start. Not a whole lot to say about this one, just some illmatic rhymes, and a fantastic flow. Nothing special, but still a killer track. A lot of the song is just about him chillin'. Really just what Nas does in his leisure. The beat is really something to chill to. Also some cool punchlines, and he really does well to throw out some lines to boast how he works hard, and succeeds in his rap. Large Professor and Nas have a nice call and response chorus. Large Professor also produced the track.
           The many lines he throws out are all genius. Whether he is chilling out:

I grab the buddha, get my crew to buy beers
And watch a flick, illin and root for the villian, huh
Plus every morning, I go out and love it sort of chilly
Then I send a shorty from my block to the store for Phillies
After being blessed by the herb's essence
I'm back to my rest, ten minutes some odd seconds
That's where I got the honey at, spends the night for sexing
Cheap lubrication, Lifestyle protection

Or maybe he is working hard as an MC, to chill for later:

Think I'll dim the lights then inhale, it stimulates
Floating like I'm on the North 95 Interstate
Never plan to stop, when I write my hand is hot
And expand alot from the Wiz to Camelot
The parlayer, I'll make ya heads bop Pah
I shine a light on perpetrators like a cop's car
From day to night, I play the mic and you'll thank God
I wreck shit so much, the microphone'll need a paint job

Here you see he likes to chill a lot, but when he starts rapping his hand is hot. Implying his lyrics are hot, or in this case Illmatic.

            Definitely a laid back tune. Produced by Large Professor, with a very deep bass line. A track to lay back and just start nodding your head to. Sampling Gary Burton's "Walter L". "One Time 4 Your Mind" samples the melody.  Really the chorus brings out the intensity and sinister feel from the song.

Definitely a killer, listen one time for your mind!

One Love - Nas

Classic Track from Nasty Nas.

Great story, and some of my favorite lines in Hip-Hop.

           And a story is told. It is very hard to say this is my favorite track from Illmatic, but that's the magic of Illmatic. I can put any song from it to another album, and that could be my favorite off that new album. However, that is not the case, and I value every track from this album. So what does this one bring to the table? Looking at our roster of tracks, this one brings ultimate story telling. As well as holding other qualities that make Illmatic such a compete project, including incredible lyricism, and some classic old-school quality production.
           The production gives it a dark feel to it. Which really complements Nas' violent and gritty lyrics, or either way they really come together. Produced by Q-Tip, it has that nice boom bip feel on the drums, really something to make the song more addicting. Catchy, but in no means a low quality. A lot of keys play giving it that mysterious quality, while the loud kick in the drums give you that sinister feel. The horns are a nice touch as well, subtle, but great. Really unique beat, not alot of different instruments, but really feels like there is a lot going on with each piece in the beat. The main portion sampled for "One Love" was "Smilin' Billy Suite Part 2" by The Heath Brothers. The drums are ripped from Clyde McPhatter's "Mixed Up Cup", and Parliament's "Come in out of the Rain". The chorus is sampled from Whodini's "One Love", however Q-Tip still sings the chorus in Nas' version. A lot of interesting samples again. 
            The beat really does compliment Nas' lyrics. There is a whole bunch of different information spilled over the track. I don't need to break down the story, but if you listen it is comprised of the gritty lyrics. That puts the song as pretty serious, with a lot of beef between his friends and other people he knew in his projects. And just like "The Genesis", the intro really puts you into the scene You have Nas' friends chillin' outside one day, and one man gets a letter from Nas. That transition is reallly effective, because Nas is able to put you right into the story. How? With that intro. Sure when listening to the rest of the song you can picture most of it. Yet, with all the conversation you are put right into the Projects, and then Nas takes you through the letter, rapping of course. Basically, the into helps set the stage for the verses. I'll put my favorite lines up:

But yo, guess who got shot in the dome-piece?
Jerome's niece, on her way home from Jones Beach

The crack-heads stalking, loud-mouths is talking
Hold, check out the story yesterday when I was walking
The nigga you shot last year tried to appear like he hurtin' something
Word to mother, I heard him fronting

And he be pumping on your block
Your man gave him your glock
And now they run together, what up son, whatever
Since I'm on the streets I'm gonna put it to a cease
But I heard you blew a nigga with a ox for the phone piece
Whylin on the Island, but now with Elmira
Better chill cause them niggas will put that ass on fire

So stay civilised, time flies
Though incarcerated your mind (dies)
I hate it when your mum cries
It kinda wants to make me murder, for real-a
I've even got a mask and gloves to bust slugs for one love

A two day stay, you may say I need the time alone
To relax my dome, no phone, left the 9 at home

So I comes back home, nobody's helping shorty doo-wop
Rollin two Phillies together in the Bridge we called 'em oowops
He said, "Nas, niggas could be bustin' off the roof
So I wear a bullet proof and pack a black tres-deuce"

I took an l when he passed it, this little bastard
Keeps me blasted he starts talking mad shit
I had to school him, told him don't let niggas fool him
'cos when the pistol blows the one that's murdered will be the cool one

Shorty's laugh was cold blooded as he spoke so foul
Only twelve trying to tell me that he liked my style
Then I rose, wiping the blunts ash from my clothes
Then froze only to blow the herb smoke through my nose
And told my little man that I'm a go cyprose
There's some jewels in the skull that he can sell if he chose

Now, that is a lot of lines. So certainly, a lot of personal favorites. I can't stress it enough, this is Nas on a track from Illmatic, so any lines I picked were just things I personally liked such as, "Word to mother heard him frontin'"! Love that line.

Definitely a longer track off the album, longest in fact. With some interesting production from Q-Tip, and as usual Nas destroyed it, while bringing a specific story and another experience of the QB projects to Illmatic.

Timeless

Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park) - Nas

Always a welcome track for reminiscing.

           Probably the happiest beat on the album. Certainly very uplifting much like "The World Is Yours", and it has quite a bit of heart in it. Really the meaning is in the title, Nas reflecting on some of his friends since past. Typical formula: Amazing rhmes + Amazing Production. Besides the sentimental value, it really is a fun song. Just from the start of vocals, then nas jumps right into the song! The song also holds another quality to "The World Is Yours", that is scratching! Happy beat, strong lyrics, hot scratching for both tracks! There you go, very similar songs, now let's see what makes them different.
           A lot of important lines, with some really strong lines that really stand out as they flow right past you, before you know it you are on to the next one. A lot of meaningful ones that hold the same value as the ones that flow incredible. Of course, this is Nas after all, are any of the rhymes wack? No, that would be silly. Nas reflects and recognizes his deceased friends, and some of his older friends since they are no longer with him, for whatever reason. He explains how he kicks back to remember the times and take his mind through memory lane, which is easily relatable as we always like to kick back and reminisce:

I drop the ancient manifested hip-hop, straight off the block
I reminisce on park jams, my man was shot for his sheep coat
Chocolate blunts make me see him drop in my weed smoke
It's real, grew up in trife life, did times or white lines
The hype vice, murderous nighttimes, and knife fights invite crimes
Chill on the block with Cognac, hold strap
with my peeps that's into drug money, market into rap

Really emphasizes the times he chilled back, but there was also a lot of violence to where he lived, adding two dimensions to the song, yet maintaining that jumpy, positive vibe. That quality is similar to the philosophy I spilled onto the "Life's A Bitch" post. 

Peace God -- now the shit is explained
I'm taking niggas on a trip straight through memory lane

Really special line. Simple to comprehend, so I think the message is spread abroad. Everyone always looks in their life for what exactly they can do. Some people, like Nas and myself, refer to God for some help. Nas doesn't need his help anymore thus, "Peace God", and has found his true place in the world. That gives a sense of satisfaction, and boosts that happy feel to the song, adding accomplishment to the platter of positive emotions on "Memory Lane (Sittin' in Da Park)". As does the beat of course.

          

The beat really runs the mood in music, and the lyrics map out specific instructions. These instructions are given to the listener to make their experience true to what the artist wanted to express. However, some thoughts tend to run wild, and stray off course. A natural attention deficit in music, which can lead to something really meaningful. 


          With that said, the beat of course runs the song to be positive and fun. The 2nd track off Illmatic that is produced by DJ Premier. I shall list the samples first, to help explain each piece of the beat.


"We're in Love" by Reuben Wilson
"Pickin' Boogers" by Biz Markie
"Droppin' Science" by Craig G
"Get out of My Life, Woman" by Lee Dorsey


The organ and the soft vocals are the basic structure of the song. Both sampled from "We're in Love".  And the chorus is sampled from Biz Marke's "Pickin' Boogers". And "Comin' out of Queensbridge" is sampled from Craig G's "Droppin' Science". The drums are sampled from "Get out of My Life, Woman". All these great works, which I have become quite fond of each of these tracks, has lead to even greater love for this track. A lot of interesting samples, some just to add touches and fun stuff to the chorus and such. Took Premo a lot of work to get these all to blend, or so I imagine. And of course, to top the track off Premo adds his own scratching to the chorus, giving a really fun jumpy vibe to the song. It is overall a great track, with some insightful words, unique samples, and a fun beat.






           Hope this post has taken you down memory lane. Or perhaps the song takes you down memory lane, every time you are sitting in the park.

Hafltime - Nas

           This song proved that Nas could destroy a track no matter how simple, and he could flow with any beat. Hafltime is the showcase of that to this day, except even thought the beat was simple, production was still tight. Some of my favorite lines actually came from this song. A lot of clever rhymes, and some of his famous ones are in this. With the classic opening, "Nasty Nas in your area, about to cause mass hysteria". Damn a clever line, that wasn't even part of the verse.
            He did start some mass hysteria with this track that is for sure. Every verse is just fluid, and sounds hot as hell. He also puts a little story in their, but for the most part he is just spitting rhymes that are Illmatic. Some of the best of those are:

King poetic, too much flavor, I'm major
Atlanta ain't Brave-r, I'll pull a number like a pager
Cause I'm am ace when I face the bass
40-side is the place that is giving me grace
Now wait, another dose and you might be dead
And I'm a Nike head, I wear chains that excite the feds
And ain't a damn thing gonna change
I'ma performer (?) show the mic warmer was born to gain

I'm max like cassettes, I flex like sex
in your stereo sets, Nas will catch wreck
I used to hustle, now all I do is relax and strive
When I was young, I was a fan of the Jackson 5
I drop jewels, wear jewels, hope to never run it
With more kicks than a baby in a mother's stomach

I got to have it, I miss Mr. Magic
Versatile, my style switches like a faggot
But not bisexual, I'm an intellectual

n my place wit the bass and format
Explore rap, and tell me Nas ain't all that
And next time I rhyme, I be foul
Whenever I freestyle I see trial niggaz say I'm wow

And in the darkness, I'm heartless like when the NARCs hit
Word to Marcus Garvey I hardly sparked it
Cause when I blast the herb, that's my word
I be slayin them fast, doing this that and the third
But chill, past to Andre, and let's slay
I bag bitches up at John Jay, and hit a matinee

I could've just quoted the whole song, but these were my favorite parts. Like my goodness he puts a lot of words into each rhymes and makes every rhymes clever. This is clearly a song focusing on the rhymes.

            That isn't to say the beat isn't great to. The drums are top, really cool bass line as well. A Large Professor beat, and the whole Illmatic production team really put it together. So Halftime doesn't feel out of place, has the old-school feel. No electronics, just a simple beat to bob your head with. 

Samples:

Dead End- by Japanese Hair Cast, really shows Large Professors talent in filtering the drums. Ridiculous.

Soul Travelin'- Gary Byrd- samples the horns that you will hear in the chorus of Halftime. 

School Boy Crush- Average White Band- sampled in a lot of other hip-hop songs too! The vocals near the end of the sample are in the chorus of Halftime!

Wasn't too much to say for this post, but there is a lot to appreciate in this song. Hey! Maybe I didn't analyze something that you noticed! The beauty of music right there, everyone gets their own experience from each song. 

The World Is Yours - Nas

Not a real jumpy track on Illmatic yet.

Let's see what Pete Rock and Nas can do about that.

           A more upbeat track for Illmatic. Not as philosophical as Life's A Bitch of course, but still clever lyrics and an absolutely killer performance by Nas. A lot of clever lines, but there is no direct message. Other than the world is yours, and with those simple words it becomes a motivational song. Looking at the entire song it really does bump you up, with the uplifting beat, and the fun and slick rhymes from Nas.
          I will just put some of my favorite lines down:

I sip the Dom P, watchin Gandhi til I'm charged
Then writin in my book of rhymes, all the words pass the margin
To hold the mic I'm throbbin, mechanical movement

Understandable smooth shit that murderers move wit

Wipe the sweat off my dome, spit the phlegm on the streets
Suede Timb's on my feets, makes my cypher, complete(quoted a lot)

 I trip we box up crazy bitches aimin guns in all my baby pictures

Beef with housin police, release scriptures that's maybe Hitler's

How ya livin large, a broker charge, cards are mediocre

You flippin coke or playin spit spades in strip poker

I can actually say I like the 3rd verse the most. Believe me I love them all, it is just I couldn't think of one rhyme up from that verse, therefore I didn't wanna just post the entire verse. Yet, you could really say any line is my favorite. They are all so well blended I even had trouble selecting the lines. I tried putting in one rhyme and thought, "Oh! That line is laced with that one right before it!". Ha, very good job Nasir, kickin' ass on the track. Oh yeah and so is Pete Rock.

           The beat is really cool. Has that old school feel to it, drums are hot. And that piano chord is absolutely catchy and really puts the happiness in this song. And my next favorite quality of this track is the scratching. Pete Rock does an incredible job cutting and scratching after the 2nd verse, when he says, "Break it down!". He is also the one that says the chorus along with Nas. Really fun track, and the scratches are just great. He breaks it up throughout the track. So you are really focusing on a lot. Which makes the track a terrific one, making you jump from one thing to a next. And all those things; verses, beat, and scratches; are all in top quality. There you have it another great track from Illmatic.

BTW: Samples:

Piano: Ahmad Jamal- I love music(love the song title)

&

T La Rock's "It's Yours" for the drums.

Life's A Bitch - Nas

Maybe my favorite song. Truly Powerful

A track that makes you look out at the world.

          This might just be my favorite song from Nas, and most definitely my favorite song from Illmatic. In terms of my whole library it is right up there with Late by Kanye West. Just to give you an idea of how much I love this song. The song is certainly famous, with a now classic feel to the song, incredible, and I mean incredible verses, all the features are just great. And the message is just deep, a real track to just think about life. I mean this song is just incredibly touching, something that you can reflect your whole life on. Ah man, it is ridiculous, words can't describe this song.
           The song is very quotable. AZ and Nas spit some of the best verses ever. I really haven't heard better, but thanks to the beat that also puts them above other verses with potential. Still, you just have to listen to AZ and Nas multiple times, as you can't possibly tell what they are saying the first time. That is when you know a rap is good, you just get lost in the words. All that is rapped is clearly hot and philosophical, so I will post stuff with the best message, in my own opinion of course:

(AZ):Others such as myself are tryin to carry on tradition
Keepin the schwepervesence street ghetto essence inside us
Cause it provides us with the proper insight to guide us

I really saw this as AZ saying stick to your roots. If you don't take experience with you; specifically the "street ghetto essence" in this case(which could otherwise be the struggles in your life, in which case you learn a lot of life); you won't learn and be able to make good choices later on in life. Take everything you have experienced throughout life. That line really gives you nostalgia, making your past flash bye as each words takes you somewhere else.

(Nas): I switched my motto -- instead of sayin fuck tomorrow

That buck that bought a bottle could've struck the lotto

Small choices can lead to the biggest possibilities. That is what that line means simple and plain, really another crazy philosophy, makes you think about everything you do. 

           Nas and AZ really do a great job rapping. Even if you are a shallow thinker when it comes to music, you would have appreciate there lyricism. On the other hand, they really build a lot of thought in my head. Taking you through their past, some important decisions, and their life now. Really they do equally well to give their own spin off. It doesn't feel repetitive either, considering how well the verses are constructed.

           The beat was produced by L.E.S. Although it was more sampled actually. If you listen to "Yearning For Your Love" by the Gap Band and the smaller portion of the sample is from "Black Frost" by Grover Washington, Jr. The track really relaxes you and just blends with the verses to feel absolutely changed every time you listen. It has a nice jazzy feel to it, as the bass helps me vibe to the song. It has some mysterious aura to the whole sound, I can't quite break down the whole hum of it by instrument. Oh well, beautiful regardless. The beat keeps it fairly simple, nothing too complex or any transitions. Thank goodness, or I wouldn't be able to handle my thoughts transition as I heard the volley of words from Nas and AZ at the same time of a more elaborate beat, I suppose anyways. Then as if the song couldn't get better, I just get swept away by Olu Dara playing the cornet. Man the jazz feel just fits right in with the beat. Olu is actually Nas' father, which makes the track even more special. The cornet just carries me all the way to the end as I picture all these things in life. Then silently goes out...

             I imagine a lot of scenarios each time I hear the song. But if I look at it from the Queensbridge projects, a lot of stuff happens. As I mentioned before, Nas makes me fascinated in the project life. Yet, instead of the violence and grittiness of N.Y. State of Mind, Life's A Bitch holds a more peaceful feel to it. I imagine a beautiful sunny day in the streets of QB. Somehow it was a good day, and you are just standing on the roof looking at the sunset. I picture someone at ease, as if they have just succeeded, and have gotten a guarantee that life may just work out. Then as the cornet starts they just walk away, just like the song walks away, and perhaps everything I have ever experienced, I have just walked away from. I am moving on to something I just don't know what. It is really the prelude to We Major, it is the plan to reach that success. Oh it really paints a beautiful world in my head, not the projects, but just as if something beautiful is going to happen in life. Yet, maybe it already has, and you are just reflecting.

That is why Life's A Bitch is a legendary track, it takes you back, but moves you forward. That is why the track is so powerful, it moves you so quickly through a flash of your life, but makes you dream of what is ahead, and all that can happen. Giving the song the opportunity to shine anytime in your life(Which actually relates to Nas' quote up above, those small decisions can lead to something ultimate). That means during: success, times of peace and hope, or when you are depressed, and perhaps hopeful to one day reach your goals, whatever that may be.

No other way to say it, for now anyways.

Hope you enjoyed reading this, sorry if it doesn't all flow together very well, just wanted to spit some philosophy. 

N.Y. State of Mind - Nas

This song really takes me into the world of QB projects. 

While violent and dangerous, it is just cool how Nas takes 

you right into that world

           The first actual song on Illmatic. All about the whole experience living in the QB housing projects of New York. Of course it isn't the lightest song. A very gritty feel to the lyrics and story. Nas does an excellent job of painting a vivid image, really getting me to feel the song. And that is just one of the many great qualities of Nas. Kind of ironic to think he started the track saying, "man I don't know how to start this shit", right before spitting one of the greatest hip-hop songs ever.
           What makes the song so great? Nas of course. If you don't know, he has an incredible flow, clever lines, thought provoking lyrics, and an immense vocabulary which makes his rhymes so intelligent. Just listening to him when he describes shoot outs is pretty intense. He doesn't overdose you with too many words, so he can rap fast, and it gives everyone to imagine their own picture of the song. He also drops the famous line:

I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death

And my favorite rhyme: 

Life is parallel to hell but I must maintain

Very simple meaning. Yet I couldn't possibly list all the lines, as they are all clever and sound awesome.

          And of course don't forget the beat. Simple beat, like I described to you in the last post. Classic instrumental at this point. Starts with synths, simple beeping noise, and the piano and drums accompany you as Nas spits a legendary track. Produced by DJ Premier. And they really make a duo, with Nas holding the mic, and Premo producing, the song will always be classic. Just look at all the songs with Nas & Premier, all great. 

A great track, really gotta love it. I admit at first I didn't really feel for the beat when I first heard it, it has grown onto me and now I love the song. No surprise though, everything is Illmatic on this album, pun intended. 

Tomorrow we will here another classic, with arguably one of the best verses in Hip-Hop history.

The Genesis - Nas

           A great opener to Nas' great opener onto the hip-hop scene. It would become the intro to one of the best hip-hop albums the world has ever seen. With a classic beat from the one and only DJ Grand Wizard Theodore. Has that old school vibe of course. Hearing the sound of the subway trains roll by. Which is one of my favorite qualities in certain music. When they really put you in the world, it really helps someone that is fascinated by something they can't experience. This track does just that, makes you imagine and wonder what is was like. I imagine Nas, AZ, and Jungle to be sitting up in a recording studio in the projects, as the subway comes riding through the city.
          After the train goes by this is played, and Nas' verse from "Live at the BBQ" plays in the background:

Hector: And you are sitting home doing this shit? You should be earning a medal for this

stop fucking around and be a man, there ain't nothing out here for you

Zoro: oh yes there is... this!

This is piece of the film Wild Style, a conversation between Hector and Zoro. Right after that the Grand Wizard beat kicks in. Nas, AZ, and Jungle begin to talk as the beat plays. Right off the bat, Jungle says:

Yo Nas Yo what the fuck is this bullshit on the radio son?

That line is always interesting, just proving Illmatic was ahead of its time. Plus, the stuff we here on the radio is actually bullshit. The music endorsed with the most money, contains the least amount of talent. Just interesting to imagine what exactly was the "bullshit on the radio" 20 years ago. They go in to discuss to keep it real, without a record label. And what always sticks out to me is when AZ says:

Regardless of how I go down, we gonna keep it real

Crazy now, because as a matter of fact AZ has gone the indie route in terms of hip-hop. Yet, Nas and him have kept it real. It is so crazy to think about that, and look at them both now, keeping that promise. Considering so many artists have changed through wealth, thinking that because they are mainstream, they can sit back and make simple music.

         All this and "Subway Theme"; the beat playing by Grand Wizard; really put you into another world. The beat is very catchy. Crazy drums is all you needed back then. That is indeed one of my favorite qualities of old school Hip-Hop. The simple structure really helps you get laid back. I mean trust me I love complex beats, they really mesmerize me. A nice balance of simple and complex is always welcome in my library.

The rest of the story of Illmatic will be painted. While mine isn't as complex as Late Registration, it certainly puts me in a fascinating time period.

We Major - Kanye West

          We Major is a highlight of Late Registration. In fact around the internet it is without a doubt over looked and underrated when looking at Late Registration. The track deserves all the praise I will be giving it. What Jon Brion and Kanye West have done is create what I feel one of the best beats of all time. Now of course it is to our opinion that we truly decide what beats are great. However, We Major is so complex and gives such incredible feeling when listening to it has to be my favorite beat of all time.
         Often considered a victory-lap track; which it most certainly is; the idea of this track is well, "We [are] Major". There are tracks on Late Registration that do cover ambition, and this one is the track to celebrate . Giving the listener the idea that not only Kanye West is major and has reached achievement(reaching his dreams through music with The College Dropout), but that the listener has also done something incredible, unique, and it gives them a sense of accomplishment. This feeling comes from the outstanding production and incredible hook that Penafire sings, as well as the verses. And so a victory-lap it shall be for the verses.
         The first to speak is Really Doe. He raps the chorus with a lot of emphasis on words, dragging out a lot of the syllables. It works beautifully with the beat. The chorus; repeated 3 times; stands alone strong as its own verse. The rap itself is very strong. The lyrics are great, and go perfect with the theme. The first few lines really describe the feel of the song for me:

You motherfuckers better do your job and roll up

And watch how we roll up

I can't control it, can't hold it, it's so nuts

I take a sip of that n'gak, I wanna fuck

As the verse says the feel is indescribable but it feels great and you just gottta let yourself go, and give up all control. The rest of the verse contains lines that symbol perfection,"don't fuck up the rotation" and "High off the ground, our status skyscraper". This incredible verse gives way to Mr. Kanye West.

         Kanye West goes from present to past to present. First stating, "Feeling better than some head on a Sunday afternoon." From there he goes to tell of struggles whether real or not that. A good example of such is the lyric; "Get they first car and then IRS show up" ; that runs parallel with Heard Em' Say: "but they can't cop cars without seeing cop cars". At the end of the verse Ye jumps back to the present saying that:

I ain't in the Klan, but I brought my hood with me

I looked at this metaphorically. What I understood was that he hasn't reached such success before(joined the Klan), but god dammit he is ready to reach it and join the others, bringing his hood with him. 

        Next after the Really Doe goes in again, is perhaps the greatest rapper alive, Nas. Nas takes Kanye's idea to the next level. Having a longer career as a rapper he discusses his humble beginnings. Telling us that he is major and has reached legend status:

I survived the livest niggas around

Lasting longer than more than half of you clowns

Look, I used to cook before I had the game took

Either way my change came like Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke was a famous singer, since passed, one of his greatest songs is called, "A Change is Gonna Come". Nas really puts a lot of life into this track, not only because he feels that "companies being stealing the life", but because he loves to give, "my[his] blood sweat and tears to the mic. Simply a fantastic job, everyone on the track had killed it, and stuck to the same scenario, putting their own twist on it. However, I believe I forgot to mention a Mr. Tony Williams?

         The track that Tony Williams stands out, and is brought to attention. singing the beautiful chorus after Nas finishes. All attention he is given is simply great, when Kanye West asks in the end if you think if he sings beautifully. All I can think to say is yes. And that is true, his voice is so beautiful. His chorus is just amazing, having an incredible piece to add to the track. Just nailing the theme that everyone else stays with. Which is so great to be "Feeling better than I ever felt before today" when the beat rides with him to the end. 

         The production is something that just blows me away everytime. There is just so much going on and it all blends so beautifully to create the ultimate vibe. Thus I claim it to be my favorite beat of all time. 10 seconds in the first time I just knew the beat was going to be classic itself. We Major consists of glorious horns, trumpets, and a great arrangement of drums. And every once in a while a drum snare just hits you. The harps also add a sort of heavenly sound to it. Everything comes together to make something that even I can't explain. It is just some natural high you achieve. Again, making the listener feel accomplished and victorious. The song just keeps at it for a good 4 minutes. While I was unaware of the length of the track, the beat just stops at what you would feel to be the appropriate time. Then for a split second it just stops, and synthesizers step in as Mr. West says, "Can I talk my shit again?". On a track like this, yes you can Kanye, yes you can. He goes on to mention everyone on the track, as he puts an echo to his voice, mentioning Tony Williams, Jon Brion, and Warren Campbell. The synthesizers have replaced the trumpets, and have made the track pure magic, and have really made the track that much better. Knowing that Kanye could keep the beat the specific structure just changing the instruments. At this point in my headphones, I feel there is some kind of aura surrounding the beat, like a halo.
        With all this said. I can say that everyone can together to make this track pure gold, a classic right on its release. Crowning Kanye West as an incredible producer, alongside John Brion. In fact, the beat is entirely original. The sample, "Action" by Orange Krush has no major connection with We Major, I believe a drum was sampled. That is what truly surprised me. A legendary beat, without a base sample? Which is why We Major is something that will always live. A pure victory-lap in all forms. Pure celebration, and the reminiscing of rougher times, teaching us that we are major for getting through. Listening to all struggles in the album at this point, and coming to success, coming to a break, and what I feel the highlight of the track.

So do you now know why they call it Late Registration?
Cause we taking these mothafuckers back to school!