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Nas



Last Updated: 11/19/2009

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Status: Single
City: NEW YORK
State: New York
Country: US
Signup Date: 10/5/2007

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Monday, July 07, 2008 
Here's the dope review AllHipHop.com just wrote about UNTITLED:
9/10 STAR REVIEW…"Nasir Jones has crafted not only a career highlight in his catalogue, but the most thought-provoking and challenging mainstream Hip-Hop album in a long time."
http://allhiphop.com/stories/reviews/archive/2008/07/07/20264494.aspx

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The N****r movement has been a lonely crusade for Nasir Jones. As a younger artist, he was regularly blasted for allegedly selling out his musical integrity. Years later, a mature Nas now sees his attempts to bring relevant social issues to Hip-Hop cynically dismissed as a pseudo gimmick to gain exposure. But after all the comments and discussion, the final word will always be the quality of the music. And with the recently censored album name now christened Untitled (Def Jam), Nas seeks to validate himself after months of intense pressure from fans and media alike

The album begins with the haunting sparse piano chords of "Queens Get the Money." The lack of drums makes the track initially sound abrasive; as Nas weaves his rhymes on and off beat. But it is the dissonance of Jay Electronica's production that accentuates Nas' lyrics midway. The Queensbridge poet paraphrases elements from Rakim's classic fourth verse on "My Melody" to take some piercing jabs at former apprentice 50 Cent

Regular collaborator Salaam Remi delivers a bass heavy, jazz infused rendition of "Can't Stop Us Now." The now popular sample has seen recent renditions from MF Doom, Mos Def, and the RZA. However, Remi makes the piece unique by incorporating jazz trumpet chords, the soulful crooning of Eban Thomas of The Stylistics, and the authoritative spoken word of the Last Poets. Nas' rhymes remain on point as he takes aim at our accepted beliefs on early American patriotism ("Besty Ross sowed the first American flag / Bet she had a n****r with her to help her old ass")

Recent criticism against Nas' albums has been his use of somber, demure production, which the Queens MC has made strides in addressing. On the graceful "Breathe," the melodic rhythms blend effortlessly with his urges for us to "exhale" on the stresses of American life. The celebratory "Make The World Go Round," by far the most commercial and radio aimed track, works mainly due to the lyrical chemistry between The Game and Nas

However, the slick production starts to wane thin by the Stargate produced "America." The continued bombardment of synth originated cadences (especially after the sonorous but enjoyable lead single "Hero") starts to pull the listener out of the album. Still, Nas' verses remain potent, especially a standout third verse criticizing the sexism and imperialism of Western society.

The LP gets back on track with the rock-tinged "Sly Fox." Over PE reminiscent guitar riffs, Nas cleverly assaults the moral authority of Fox News on the basis of their manipulation of news and business dealings with Youtube and Myspace ("Only Fox that I love was the Redd one / Only black man the at Fox love is in jail or a dead one"). With "Testify," Nas creatively crafts the song in the conversation flow of "Book Of Rhymes," while questioning whether his fans are ready for social action beyond the music

First seen on the now classic "I Gave You Power," Nas' expertise at personification is once again on display with "Project Roach" and "Fried Chicken." On the former, the Last Poets appear again to ridicule the NAACP's "funeral" for the word n****r, while Nas personifies the insect as a metaphor for the derogatory term. With the latter track, Busta Rhymes joins in as both MC's skewer the stereotype of Black eating habits over Mark Ronson's southern blues styled production

The criticism is not just directed outward, as Nas questions his own materialism on the reflective and communal "Y'all My N****s." He continues that trend on the ethereal, "We're Not Alone," where Nas expresses regret at previously glorifying killers like Pappy Mason over figures such as historian Ivan Van Sertima

On Hip Hop Is Dead, Nas made the mistake of presenting that topic as a loose theme over the album and expecting listeners to pick up subliminal messages. With Untitled, he's able to not only cohesively explain his stance on the word n****r, but detail its use throughout history on social, political, and judicial levels. And despite the dense subject matter, Nas' varied lyrical presentations keep the opus from ever becoming preachy or condescending

Notwithstanding minor missteps in sequencing and production, Untitled has delivered on its potential as a cogent, intellectually honest piece of art. And like its predecessor The N****r Tape, Nasir Jones has crafted not only a career highlight in his catalogue, but the most thought-provoking and challenging mainstream Hip-Hop album in a long time.
COOL WORLD MUSIC GROUP

 
Nice!!! I understand what Nas is doing, but my only fear is a slippery slope. I love that third verse on Hero, You can tell Nas gets hyper as the song goes on and by time he reached that third verse he was ready to rock for real. His emotions came through on that one.
 
Posted by COOL WORLD MUSIC GROUP on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 9:53 PM
[Reply to this
Kim B.

 
The track "Black President" is hot as well as "Hero". Nas still proves to be one of the best Hip-Hop lyricist of all-time. It's no need for anybody to hate, but simply congratulate. This new album will be a success!
 
Posted by Kim B. on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 11:28 PM
[Reply to this
UNDERSTANDING

 
"They say I'm all about murder, murder and kill, kill.

But what about 'GRINDHOUSE' and 'KILL BILL'?

What about Cheney and Halliburton?

The back door deals 4 Oil Fields so how is NaS the most violent person?"

Extra double, triple wooooooooooord.
 
Posted by UNDERSTANDING on Tuesday, July 08, 2008 - 3:48 AM
[Reply to this
$$$$$$ CA$H INFAMOUS SOUTH $$$$$$$))

 
IT DOES NOT MATTER ESCO U STILL THE BEST RAPPER OF ALL TIME SINCE DAY ONE U HAVE ALWAYS PUT OUT QUALITY MUSIC PEOPLE ALWAYS ARE GOING TO HATE ON U BUT THAT COMES WITH BEING THE BEST..........CASH$$$$$$
 
Posted by $$$$$$ CA$H INFAMOUS SOUTH $$$$$$$)) on Tuesday, July 08, 2008 - 3:20 PM
[Reply to this
| Jeff |

 
Best Rapper Breathing or Dead. You're the reason why i fell in love with hip hop and the reason i support it today. You're keeping hip hop alive and breathing. Im buying 2 copies.

In God's Son We Trust.
 
Posted by | Jeff | on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 4:51 AM
[Reply to this
龄Makaveli The Don Killuminati龄

 
Nas' knowledge is heard and felt even in Texas.
 
Posted by 龄Makaveli The Don Killuminati龄 on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 11:50 PM
[Reply to this
ooo

 
we're living historical times to be proud of when artists put out music like this. first step in putting music back in the hands of the people, FOR THE PEOPLE.
 
Posted by ooo on Monday, July 14, 2008 - 6:03 PM
[Reply to this
Shawn

 
Man, u dunn know son, u the Last One Left, From Illmatic to Untitled u been shining the light. I can only speak for myself, I'm older than u by a couple of years but you've taught me a lot with your art. We Are Not Alone, America and Ya'll My Niggas are my favs on the Lp. All the leak did for me was let me know that this was a must buy, so tomorrow I'll be copping two, one for me nd the other for my cuz over in Iraq, than nigga a big fan too. One Love.
 
Posted by Shawn on Monday, July 14, 2008 - 10:51 PM
[Reply to this


 
What up doe Nas. I wouldnt care what your album was called Im buyin it regardless. If it were called garbage ass album Id still cop it. You always deliver. I have never been dissappointed not one time in any album, mixtape, nada. I cant say that for many if any other artists. I just caught wind about these lil leaches (fox news) tryin to condemn your lyrics? they obviously have selective hearing. You are my "favorite rapper" but to me its more than that, the way you put your words together blows me away. Anyways, from a lil snotty nose 13 year old kid to a fly ass 27 year old man I been bumpin that illmatic shit. Thanks for the memories and I truly appreciate your work. Peace
 
Posted by on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 12:29 AM
[Reply to this
Jonathan.
Jonathan Zambrano

 
if you actually read this i just got your new album..i heard it over 50 times already on the net and i loved it soooo much i had to cop not only one but two, i would've coped more but im poor sorry lol anyways where do i start...shit this album is any word that describes the word perfect and or classic.. i literally got chills from every song on this album and thats mad crazy cause i haven't heard an album that has had such a powerful impact on me in the illest minute yo word up.. by the way you can tell how much you have matured over the years as a man and a eMCee and i got mad respect for that..but mad heads are saying this is wack compared to illmatic but i don't think you can compare them cause they each have a completely different topic, one's speaking about life in Queens Bridge this that and the third and the other is more of a political type album you get what im saying?(to everybody reading this) illmatic gets 5 mics, classic cause its crazy ill in all forms in its own topic and to me the Nigger album deserves it cause the same reason you know what i mean?... but anyways i just want to thank you for this album and all the rest of them of course... you have been a major impact on my life as a hip hop head word up and just to say it one more time this album deserves a 5/5, 4/4, 10/10, A+, depending on the rating scheme.. all im saying is this album is classic and for the real hip hop heads who really love H.E.R. please support this album cause it deserves it, not just cause its Nas but because its real hip hop and theirs very little left, for now at least but thats all i have to say iight.. ONE LOVE
 
Posted by Jonathan. on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 6:43 AM
[Reply to this
Jonathan.
Jonathan Zambrano

 
if you actually read this i just got your new album..i heard it over 50 times already on the net and i loved it soooo much i had to cop not only one but two, i would've coped more but im poor sorry lol anyways where do i start...shit this album is any word that describes the word perfect and or classic.. i literally got chills from every song on this album and thats mad crazy cause i haven't heard an album that has had such a powerful impact on me in the illest minute yo word up.. by the way you can tell how much you have matured over the years as a man and a eMCee and i got mad respect for that..but mad heads are saying this is wack compared to illmatic but i don't think you can compare them cause they each have a completely different topic, one's speaking about life in Queens Bridge this that and the third and the other is more of a political type album you get what im saying?(to everybody reading this) illmatic gets 5 mics, classic cause its crazy ill in all forms in its own topic and to me the Nigger album deserves it cause the same reason you know what i mean?... but anyways i just want to thank you for this album and all the rest of them of course... you have been a major impact on my life as a hip hop head word up and just to say it one more time this album deserves a 5/5, 4/4, 10/10, A+, depending on the rating scheme.. all im saying is this album is classic and for the real hip hop heads who really love H.E.R. please support this album cause it deserves it, not just cause its Nas but because its real hip hop and theirs very little left, for now at least but thats all i have to say iight.. ONE LOVE
 
Posted by Jonathan. on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 6:44 AM
[Reply to this
Jonathan.
Jonathan Zambrano

 
if you actually read this i just got your new album..i heard it over 50 times already on the net and i loved it soooo much i had to cop not only one but two, i would've coped more but im poor sorry lol anyways where do i start...shit this album is any word that describes the word perfect and or classic.. i literally got chills from every song on this album and thats mad crazy cause i haven't heard an album that has had such a powerful impact on me in the illest minute yo word up.. by the way you can tell how much you have matured over the years as a man and a eMCee and i got mad respect for that..but mad heads are saying this is wack compared to illmatic but i don't think you can compare them cause they each have a completely different topic, one's speaking about life in Queens Bridge this that and the third and the other is more of a political type album you get what im saying?(to everybody reading this) illmatic gets 5 mics, classic cause its crazy ill in all forms in its own topic and to me the Nigger album deserves it cause the same reason you know what i mean?... but anyways i just want to thank you for this album and all the rest of them of course... you have been a major impact on my life as a hip hop head word up and just to say it one more time this album deserves a 5/5, 4/4, 10/10, A+, depending on the rating scheme.. all im saying is this album is classic and for the real hip hop heads who really love H.E.R. please support this album cause it deserves it, not just cause its Nas but because its real hip hop and theirs very little left, for now at least but thats all i have to say iight.. ONE LOVE
 
Posted by Jonathan. on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 6:44 AM
[Reply to this
Jonathan.
Jonathan Zambrano

 
The Albums Perfect From lyrics, wordplay, to beats..




5 mics
 
Posted by Jonathan. on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 6:48 AM
[Reply to this