Here is a new Nas song featuring John Legend. It's probably the one of the only songs that will probably be worth listening to off the new DJ Khaled album, Victory. While his past albums have had atleast had 4 or 5 bangers this one doesn't seem to be shaping up as well to me. Anyhow, Victory is slated for stores this March 2nd.
Here is a live concert performance at the Haiti benefit the other night. Nas and Damian Marley performed their new song "Strong Will Continue," off their upcoming album, Distant Travels. I really hope this comes out this year like its being planned too. Shoutouts to RapRadar for the video. Donate to Haiti if you haven't. Trust me it will make you feel good.
Here's a dope brief interview of Nas discssing "Hate Me Now," Illmatic, and his new album with Damien Marley, Distant Travels. I for one can't wait for Distant Travels. That "Only Strong Survive" single is hot.
This week's single is from Nas and Damien Marley. They have a new album coming out sometime this year called Distant Relatives. It's been pushed back many times and there was even rumors Def Jam was trying to stop it from coming out. After hearing this song Def Jam must be retarded. This album is sounding really good. At one time I didn't really have any expectations for the album but now they're pretty high.
Yesterday, NaS was ordered by a judge to pay $46,022 a month in child support. Not only does pussy kill, it will also leave him broke as well!!! So this weeks track is for NaS... "Pussy Killz" off the God Son album!
As you may or my not know, Nas and Damian Marley are working on an album called Distant Relatives. It's supposed to be a whole album about Africa. I seemed kind of doubtful at first because I'm not really a huge reggae fan, but this preview breathed a breath of fresh hope into me. This album could be epic.
Todays Music Video is from the first Bravehearts album. It features Nas and Lil Jon. This song was pretty big back and the day and I remember it getting constant play on MTV and BET. It's a shame the Bravehearts didn't have a strong followup single. I think one of the reasons this song was so successful is because Lil Jon was in it. He was was becoming huge at this time.
Bravehearts - Quick to Back Down (feat. Nas & Lil Jon)
Ok so I'm finally on my last review for the Top 5 of 2008. I apologize for how long it took, I've just been really busy with school and these reviews are almost like writing a paper. Early on Nas announced this album would be called the N word. I was very surprised. I thought it was a great Idea and would bring him a lot of publicity. Apparently it brought enough that Def Jam deemed the title too controversial so nas changed it to Untitled. The album still has the same content that he planned on having though. The whole album deals with racial issues. It's a great album and it proves Nas is still one of the best rappers ever, period.
1. Queens Get The Money
The album starts with this great opener. The only problem I have with it is the length. I woulda loved it to be a little longer. But whatever album openers usually aren't that long. This song basically gives us a summary of what the album is going to be about. "This is high science Now add 23 more For Queens to be more I’m over they heads Like a bulimic on a see-saw Now that’s 50 porch monkeys ate up at the same time Nasty NASDAQ Ya'll gonna bow holmes This is DOW Jones 80 cal. chrome Needed time alone To zone The Mack left his iPhone And his nine at home"
8/10
2. You Can't Stop Us Now (feat. Eban Thomas)
As soon as I heard this song I thought of the RZA song which used the same sample. This song is about black history and some of the racist things that went on.
"We act like we home Matter fact, we are home Bad attitude Octaroon skin tones Slave food turned to soul food Collards and neck bones Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag Bet she had a n!gga with her to help her old ass"
8.5/10
3. Breathe
This song is about growing up in the hood and making it out. Nothing really mind blowing here but its a good song nonetheless.
"Icewear gaudy, since '94 flossy The Lex was an excellent choice Now fast forward me The pestilence of the ghetto informed me As a shorty, to push nothin' less than a 740"
7.5/10 4. Make the World Go Round (feat. The Game & Chris Brown)
This song is your quintesseintial single (it ended up being his 2nd main single). I've never been a fan of Chris Brown but he's alright in this song. Originally Nas said that he recorded 2 Game songs for this album. Most likely it was this song and "Letter to the King" which ended up on Game's album, L.A.X. That song fits way better with the theme of this album. I don't know why they chose this song for the Untitled.
"You hate me Should thank me But lately I burned so much trees I keep environmentalists angry I'm a rare dude, I'm a wonder Your best success is my worst blunder"
7/10
5. Hero (feat. Keri Hilson)
This is one of my favorite Nas songs since Made You Look. It is hands down his best first single in a while. Polow Da Don gave nas a gem. I can't believe this video and song didn't blow up. It was even made the official single for Hulk and used in a lot of Heroes promos.. This song is basically what the title says, being a Hero. Nas is a Hero to rap because he doesn't sell out and continues to make music he believes in. My favorite part is where he speaks on them making him change the title.
"So untitled it is I never change nothin' But people remember this If Nas can't say it, think about these talented kids With new ideas being told what they can and can't spit"
10/10
6. America Here is another high point of the album. Nas drops a lot of knowledge once again. On the first verse he talks about growing up in the hood and getting out. Second verse he talks about Black's and their jobs. And the third verse he talks about Women's Black history.
"Assassinations Diplomatic relations Killed indigenous people Built a new nation Involuntary labor Took a knife split a woman naval Took her premature baby Let her man see you rape her"
9/10
7. Sly Fox
This is another one of my favorite songs from the album. Nas talks about all the bullshit going on in Television News, most notably, Fox News. They say their fair and balanced but their major audience is Repulicans.
"The Fear Factor got you all rattled up O' Reilly Oh really? No rally needed I'll tie you up Network for child predators, settin' 'em up Myspace pimps, hoes, and sluts Ya'll exploit rap culture, then ya'll flip on us And you own the post, and ya'll shit on us"
9.5/10
8. Testify
This song is Nas talking to his white fans. He's asking if we would Testify for him if he killed white supremists. It's a short song but it gets his point across.
"I just burnt my American flag And sent three cracker Nazi's to hell and I'm sad Uh, I'm loading tefs in my mag To send these red neck bigots some death in a bag Choke him out with his confederate flag; I know these devils are mad Little rap fans that live way out in safe suburbia Would you stand with me, a United States murderer? Huh?"
8/10
9. N.I.G.G.E.R (The Slave and the Master)
This song is about History not acknowledging people in the ghetto as well as rappers.
"When I rap about war, They got the tendency to scatter, They ain't my backup no more, So now my enemies are at my front door, Cause any time we mention Our condition, our history or existence, They calling it reverse racism, Still till today the street's torn, My brother Jungle always have a seat for 'em Not behind me beside me You'll always know where to find me"
8.5/10
10. Untitled
In this song Nas talks about him being a revolutionary and being shot down by the government. Really great concept and really great song.
"You won't remember why they came to clip me When time go by you'll soon forget me They say he was the king of bling, jewels, and Bentley's Then I use one of my lines just to prove I'm guilty Don't let' em kill me..."
8.5/10
11.Fried Chicken (feat. Busta Rhymes)
Here is another one of my favorite songs on the album. Nas and Busta talk about Fried Chicken like it were a female. Instead of talking down on the racial stereotype of blacks eating fried chicken they embrace it.
"Then you rub on with hot oil for half an hour You in your hot tub, I'm looking at you salivating Dry you off, I got your paper towel waiting Lay you down cause you're red hot Louisiana style you make my head rot Then I flock To the bed then, "Plop" When we done, I need rest Don't know a part of you that I love best Your legs or your breast"
9/10
12. Project Roach (feat. The Last Poets)
In this song Nas raps as if he were a Roach in the projects. It's another great concept song.
"Ugh yeah yo I'm creepy and crawling In your sink or your toilet I'll be drinking from your spit Anything cause I'm more less an insect with 4 legs People come and I fake dead Correction I got 8 legs Climbin on top your plate bed"
8/10
13. Y'all My N!ggas
In this song Nas talks about the word "nigga" and how it is viewed in todays society. I love how the title of the song tricks you. When you look at the title you think the song will be about something totally different.
"Tryin to erase me from y'all memory Too late I'm engraved in history (I'm here my niggas) Speak my name and breath life in me Make sure y'all never forget me (cuz y'all give me life) Cause y'all use my name so reckless Whether to be accepted or disrespected (and I love it) And I love it especially when y'all do it in public And I'm the subject Cause y'all my niggas"
8.5/10
14. We're Not Alone (feat. Mykel)
This song is talking about life on other planets. Its talking about the potential struggle we might have one day. Harsh Racism could potentially happen again if they were found.
"I'ma tell you what I seen with my three eyes Word to me, not a hoax, back in 9-9 A spacecraft in the skyline In L.A., in daytime, ask Horse if I'm lying"
9/10
15. Black President
This song is talking about a Black President. Tupac once said "And tho it seems heaven sent we aint ready to have a black president." Over a decade later we now have one.
"What's the black pres. thinkin' on election night Is it how can I protect my life? Protect my wife? Protect my rights? Every other president was nothin' less than white"
8.5/10
Final Score:
8.5/10
==Music Videos==
Be a N!gger Too*
* This song was originally going to be on the album. They couldn't get the sample cleared because it was used in an old Dr Pepper commercial.
Hero (feat. Keri Hilson)
Sly Fox
Make the World Go Round (feat. The Game & Chris Brown)
Y'all My N!ggas
==Bonus Tracks==
I made a Bonus CD of all the tracks that were meant for the album that leaked in NODJ that didn't make it.I also added Election Night, a song that came out the night Obama would be elected as president if he won. Middle Finger is a dope cut from David Banner's album that came out around the same time as Untitled.
[http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4X8WCQ70]
1.Like Me (UK Bonus Track) 2.N!gger Hatred 3.Be a N!gger Too 4.Association (feat. stic.man) 5.Esco Let's Go 6.Election Night 7.Fear of Mandingo 8.Middle Finger (feat. David Banner)