The newest addition of what you've been missing. On we go with Part II.
10. "Life is Like a Dice Game" - Pre-Illmatic (Prod. by L.E.S.)
10. "Life is Like a Dice Game" - Pre-Illmatic (Prod. by L.E.S.)
Some might feel it unfair to use this song due to the fact it wasn't on a released album, but rest assured, I took into consideration all Hov unreleased tracks that were actually recorded with the producer (i.e. not a Jay verse just thrown on a beat years later). This song is the cream of early 90's NYC hip-hop. L.E.S. did some really terrific things with Nas.
9. "Halftime" - Illmatic (Prod. by Large Professor)
Large Professor as compared to Pete Rock, Premier, and Dilla is like Shaquille O'Neal to the Kareem, Wilt, and Russell. He's elite. Outside of the beat, Nas is so hungry here and it's evident. To much flavor, he's major.
8. "Nas is Like" - I Am... (Prod. by DJ Premier)
I felt wrong not having this song higher, I really did. The sample for this beat is one of my favorites. Even on one of Nas' weaker albums, this song along with NY State of Mind Part II (both Primo tracks) helped hold 'I Am...' up from drowning.
Another song that could have been higher, but at the same time couldn't have been higher. Primo and Nas together is the second best producer/emcee combination to only Pete and Nas. The mic control exhibited here is phenomenal.
6. "One Love" - Illmatic (Prod. by Q-Tip)
Just another amazing song. As much as I love (it truly is love) Tribe, I have always wanted to hear more Q-Tip beats laced with grimier lyricists - it just works (see Mobb Deep, "Drink Away the Pain" for another). Speaking of an underrated producer.
5. "If I Ruled the World" with Lauryn Hill - It Was Written (Prod. by Trackmasters)
Lauryn Hill is a goddess. It Was Written was such a terrific album and has aged like a fine wine. Nas was still the same grimy lyricist, but he used Trackmasters heavily in his second outing, resulting in a different, but still great sound. I have seen these two perform this once and looking forward to another performance in NYC in September.
4. "It Ain't Hard to Tell" - Illmatic (Prod. by Large Professor)
I'm not sure that this would slide in my top 10 overall (I will have to prove this out at a later date), but if it didn't it would be damn close. I love that this track does doesn't have and doesn't need a hook. Large Pro at it again.
3. "Life's a Bitch" feat. AZ - Illmatic (Prod. by L.E.S. & Nas)
There is a good chance this song lands in my top 10 overall hip-hop tracks, not just Nas. Nas was outdone on this one by AZ, but I don't think anyone who has graced Earth could combated Cruz on this one.
2. "The World is Yours" - Illmatic (Prod. by Pete Rock)
It really was tough to put this song second. My love for Pete Rock is widely known, this being one of the cream. Pete's smooth style on the chorus is a welcomed addition to any song and Nas' flow cannot be matched.
1. "Deja Vu" - Pre-Illmatic (Prod. by Chris Winston)
This song leaves me speechless. Although originally recorded for Nas' second album, It Was Written, the song never made it to studio format. To make matters worse, Chris Winston owns the only digital auto tape (DAT) despite the fact unmastered versions are widely available. Recognize the first verse?
The Rest:
11. "Represent" - Illmatic (Prod. by DJ Premier)
12. "Nas Will Prevail" - Pre-Illmatic (Prod. by Large Professor)
13. "NY State of Mind Part I" - Illmatic (Prod. by DJ Premier)
14. "The Genesis" - Illmatic (Prod. by Main Source)
15. "The Flyest" - Stillmatic (Prod. by L.E.S.)
16. "You're Da Man" - Stillmatic (Prod. by Large Professor)
17. "Queens Get The Money" - Untitled (Prod. by Jay Electronica)
18. "U Gotta Love It" - The Lost Tapes (Prod. by L.E.S.)
19. "Shootouts" - It Was Written (Prod. by Trackmasters)
20. "The Message" - It Was Written (Prod. by Trackmasters)
21. "2nd Childhood" - Stillmatic (Prod. by DJ Premier)
22. "Doo Rags" - The Lost Tapes (Prod. by Precision & Michelle Bell)
23. "NY State of Mind Part II" - I Am... (Prod. by DJ Premier)
24. "Nas is Coming" - It Was Written (Prod. by Dr. Dre)
25. "Street Dreams" - It Was Written (Prod. by Trackmasters)
26. "Ether" - Stillmatic (Prod. by Ron Browz)
27. "Revolutionary Warfare" - God's Son (Prod. by The Alchemist)
28. "Rewind" - Stillmatic (Prod. by Large Professor)
29. "My Way" - The Lost Tapes (Prod. by The Alchemist)
30. "Understanding" - Pre-Illmatic (Prod. by Buckwild)
Expect my thoughts and conclusion on Nas vs. Jay-Z albums this weekend.
Expect my thoughts and conclusion on Nas vs. Jay-Z albums this weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment