We're almost there, folks. Walk with me.
10. "Mo Money, Mo Murder" with A.Z. (Prod by DR Period) - Doe or Die (1995)
So many classic A.Z. and Nas songs to choose from. One of my favorites, 'Gimme Yours,' is outside of the top 10 due to the fact Nas did not have a verse on the track. I love the dialogue from the mob transcript just as much as this song.
9. "John Blaze" with Fat Joe, Big Pun, Jadakiss & Raekwon (Prod. by L.E.S.) - Don Cartagena (1998)
Nas, Big Pun, and Rae - three of my faves (Jadakiss and even an early Fat Joe are nothing to scoff at). Esco starts it off with a filthy 16 bars, followed by yet another classic verse from Pun. Joe might have picked the perfect beat for this conglomerate.
8. "It's Mine" with Mobb Deep (Prod. by Havoc) - Murda Muzik (1999)
This might not be the Mobb Deep & Nas collab you all expected to be in the top 10, but this speaks more to the strength of Nas' library than anything else. I liked Mobb Deep growing up, but my appreciation for the group's earlier years has grown exponentially in the past year. Nas works very well over the darker, more simplistic production-style that Havoc owns.
7. "We Major" with Kanye West & Really Doe (Prod. by Kanye West) - Late Registration (2005)
I'll be honest - I was disappointed in this album in a big way. With that said, this song was in heavy rotation for me for quite a while (thank goodness for MP3s). One of Kanye's best beats and Nas rips it to shreds.
6. "The Essence" with A.Z. (Prod. by Baby Paul) - Aziatic (2002)
Another banger from quite possibly the greatest lyrical duo of all-time. This song has always had a way of just making me smile, feel relaxed, and look at the bright side - what I consider the perfect 'start your day' song as I'm taking my shower in the morning. Timeless.
5. "Analyze This" with Jay-Z & Lord Tariq (Prod. by Pete Rock) - Unreleased
This track was #2 on the Jay-Z features list. A simple equation alluded to in my Nas Albums listing:
Nas + Pete Rock Combo = Best Lyricist + Best Producer Combo, bar effing none. Feel free to prove me wrong.
4. "Queens Day" with Run-DMC & Prodigy - Crown Royal (2001)
A gem on an otherwise average outing from Run DMC. The piano brings an incredible flavor to the track. Prodigy also drops another slower, highly controlled verse. One of the few dudes that really can pause plenty during a verse and still bring the heat.
3. "Live at the Barbeque" with Main Source, Akinyele & Joe Fatal (Prod. by Main Source) - Breaking Atoms (1991)
Arguably where it all began. Many (including myself) had no idea who this 18 year old kid was at the time, but they damn sure knew afterward. He's already calling himself Nasty Nas from the first track he graced. Breaking Atoms is a classic hip-hop album, and a personal favorite of mine due to this filthy debut. Welcome, Nasir.
2. "One Plus One" with Large Professor (Prod. by Large Professor) - The LP (1996)
See, tracks such as this are what, in the end, sets Nas apart from anyone else on the planet. We know he can go hard, but this is one of those four seasons, 24/7 songs that it really doesn't matter what the hell you are doing - it's tough not to enjoy it. Beautiful production by Large Professor, and he does his own on the mic (sounds like Nature!).
1. "Verbal Intercourse" with Raekwon & Ghostface (Prod. by RZA) - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995)
I'm not sure I need to say anything. An amazing verse (see 'Deja Vu' in Nas' initial studio list of where used previously) followed up two monsters in Raekwon and Ghostface, laced the RZA beat with lyrical thunder, this is a really tough track to beat. Also where I got the name of the blog!
The Rest:
11. "Back to the Grill" with MC Serch, Chubb Rock & Red Hot Lover Tone (Prod. by Wolf & Epic) - Return of the Product (1992)
12. "Self Conscience" with Prodigy (Prod. by The Infinite Arkatechz) - QB's Finest (2000)
13. "Eye For an Eye" with Mobb Deep & Raekwon (Prod. by Havoc) - Infamous (1995)
14. "Firm Fiasco" with A.Z. & Foxy Brown (Prod. by Dr. Dre & Chris Taylor) - The Firm (1997)
15. "How Ya Livin'" with A.Z. (Prod. by L.E.S.) - Pieces of a Man (1998)
16. "Blood Money Part 2" with Capone-N-Noreaga & Nature (Prod. by Trackmasters) - Ride Soundtrack (1998)
17. "Da Bridge 2001" with Capone, Cormega, Marley Marl, MC Shan, Millennium Thug, Mobb Deep, Nature & Tragedy Khadafi (Prod. by Marley Marl and L.E.S.) - QB's Finest (2000)
18. "Soundtrack to the Streets" (Prod. by Kid Capri) - Soundtrack to the Streets (1998)
19. "Stay Chisel" with Large Professor (Prod. by Large Professor) - 1st Class (2002)
20. "Calm Down" with Capone-N-Noreage - Single Only (1997)
21. "Rich and Black" with Raekwon (Prod. by Sean C & LV) - Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (2011)
22. "Executive Decisions" with A.Z., Foxy Brown & Nature (Prod. by Trackmasters & Curt Gowdy) - The Firm (1997)
23. "Fast Life" with Kool G Rap (Prod. by Buckwild) - 4,5,6 (1995)
24. "Escobar '97" (Prod. by Trackmasters) - Men in Black: The Album Soundtrack (1997)
25. "Gimme Yours" with A.Z. (Prod. by Pete Rock) - Doe or Die (1995)
26. "Why You Hate The Game" with The Game (Prod. by Just Blaze) - Doctor's Advocate (2006)
27. "Give It Up Fast" with Mobb Deep & Big Noyd (Prod. by Mobb Deep) - Hell on Earth (1996)
28. "Ghetto Dreams" with Common (Prod. by No I.D.) - The Dreamer, The Believer (2011)
29. "Firm Biz" with A.Z., Foxy Brown, Nature & Dawn Robinson (Prod. by L.E.S.) - The Firm (1997)
30. "Desperados" with Canibus, A.Z., Foxy Brown & Nature (Prod. by Trackmasters & Curt Gowdy) - The Firm (1997)
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