Kanye West was the first to intimate us of a Nas release and that raised a few eyebrows.It didn't make sense that Nas would sign for Kanye and for further intrigue,Ye was producing all songs on the album.Quite extraordinary circumstances.
The Nasir album was being released during what has been widely dubbed a GOOD music season and that is a bit belittling of arguably a top 2 great still rapping.Thats saying it very frankly.Then also the propriety of Kanye producing the entire album.Not a few think, Escobar would have been better off working with a wider range of producers to get the best possible results.Well,lets take a look.
The songs.
1. NOT FOR RADIO FEAT PUFF DADDY
He opens the album impressively with a moving socio-political take on the system.Nas has always had a reputation for knowledge and he conveys his strong message with in some really deft lines.Diddy re-enacts his 'talk' role on Hate Me Now and 070 Shake renders an incohesive chorus that doesn't quite blend with the song.
2. COPS SHOT THE KID FEAT KANYE WEST
Both Nas and Ye drop some very good verses but the Slick Rick sample,a pacy 'Cops shot the kid' mantra at the background kills off effect.The Kanye West thought process could get really dark and twisted sometimes and this is where having him produce the entire album seems more than ever a bad idea.
3. WHITE LABEL
This has to be the best song off Nasir.Escobar struts majestically over a thumpy bass with that slow,mean delivery-"...Chin grabber,neck choker,in her mouth spitter,ass gripper,blouse ripper,that dig you out nigga.I ain't gon hold you,old head gave me old news.I don't owe you,should have heard when i told you.You're an extension of what i worked hard to build.You believe in your own lies,can't be real".We always said Nas was ahead of his time.Well,he's still here.White Label is the work of a terrific wordsmith.
4. BONJOUR FEAT THE WORLD FAMOUS TONY
A soothing ambience with a subtle feel good vibe.Just how they made them in the 90's.Nas is talking personal lifestyle and triumphs in so elaborate a way it rubs off on the listener.A testament to how fabulously made Bonjour is.Credit must go to Tony for not only the hook but also a great last verse and outro.
5. EVERYTHING FEAT THE DREAM AND KANYE WEST
A breath-taking 7 minute message of strength and rising above negativity.The pre and post chorus contributions of The Dream and Kanye West were fantastic.Ye's mild and brassy tone for the chorus was inch perfect and we get some of Nas' legendary story-telling in the 3rd verse.Birthing a great idea just as immaculately well as it was conceived is the stuff of greats.Nas is a legend.
6. ADAM AND EVE FEAT THE DREAM
Nas' response to hate is success.Esco can't go wrong with the lines even if he tries-"What come first,peace or the paper.Before i got a piece of paper,peace was in my favour.Before i sat to eat on the table it had leeches and traitors.Cut the fat from the meat.Extract the weak,bon appetit.No bacon,brothers is swine".Awesome song.
7. SIMPLE THINGS
Nas talks musical content,his calibre of women and the 'bottom-up' ascent.Its the only song on the album on which he jumps on the chorus.Particularly noteworthy is how he addresses the issue of content-"Want me to sound like every song on the top 40?.I'm not for you,you not for me.You bore me.I drop lines prestigous schools read to their students.Look at my album plaques,somebody agrees with the music".And thats after saying "Never sold a record for the beats,its my verses they purchase".True class is standing out without doing too much.He drops the curtains in style.
Nas may not have tapped into this era while staying true to his in the manner Dre and Jay Z have done but to make an album this dope on a golden age template in 2018 is genius.Only someone like Nas would pull that off.
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