Classics Discussion: Nas

[phatphuck]

for the record, i did a ranking system based on points on sohh and illmatic won by a landslide

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

Both of them are two of the most beloved MC's in history by heads so while I get they dont have consistent sonically groundbreaking like The Chornic, Ready to Die or Kanye's stuff, I dont think they need to still have albums considered classic

I think you're agreeing with me, right?

 

[prophecypro]

I think you're agreeing with me, right?

Actually I was meaning to say I dont think they need to have albums that are sound sonically groundbreaking to be classics

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

Actually I was meaning to say I dont think they need to have albums that are sound sonically groundbreaking to be classics

oh right lol

nah they don't you're right. Was Cube's Death Certificate sonically ground-breaking? Far from, but classic album. But it needs to be somewhat respectable or maybe have purpose. I don't think Nas knows how to pick beats that fit the album, that give it a sort of focus or overarching vibe.

Also, just because Nas is rapping great nearly overtime doesn't guarantee the album will be classic. The album has to be relevant, it has to have some sort of direction, not just a collection of tracks etc. There are a few things that go into it. Nobody's questioning Nas' lyrical ability.

Why isn't Inspectah Deck's debut album a classic?

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

It Was Written >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anything Jay-Z ever put out


LOL @ unsure

funny we can directly compare RD and IWW because of thematic similarities, and RD shyts on it.

Way more focused, more consistent start to finish, more thematically appropriate production, and has more acclaim and respect than IWW and has held up the better of the two.

 

[blackslash]

It Was Written >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anything Jay-Z ever put out


LOL @ unsure

Be a delusional nas stan brehs

 

[prophecypro]

oh right lol

nah they don't you're right. Was Cube's Death Certificate sonically ground-breaking? Far from, but classic album. But it needs to be somewhat respectable or maybe have purpose. I don't think Nas knows how to pick beats that fit the album, that give it a sort of focus or overarching vibe.

Also, just because Nas is rapping great nearly overtime doesn't guarantee the album will be classic. The album has to be relevant, it has to have some sort of direction, not just a collection of tracks etc. There are a few things that go into it. Nobody's questioning Nas' lyrical ability.

Why isn't Inspectah Deck's debut album a classic?

To that point though, for the most part I dont his think beat picking abilities is that bad through the history of his career and I think it was more an issue in the mid 2000s than it was before that where although he wasn't picking those golden era producers of like Pete Rock, he was picking producers of the time to run with and people really didnt complain about that (The issue back then you recall was "Why is he being Escobar or crossing over"?) The beats he picked where kinda what NY rappers were doing (Swizz, Hitmen, Trackmasters, Timbaland but then Premier and LES etc).
He settled a bit post Stillmatic to lesser known producers but I think the combination of star producers in Hip Hop being more of a importance again (Thanks to Blueprint, Black Album) and the release of God's Stepson by 9th Wonder had people taking that narrative on him and it really became noticable on HHID and Untitled (Streets Disciple I didnt think had a beats issue as much as a 2 CD filler issue)
But since Life is Good and the combination of having No ID (Who is way more diverse than people give him credit for), Salaam (who was always the only guy giving him good beats post Stillmatic and sometimes baring the brunt of the other producers giving wack beats and people assuming that was him too) and Anthony Saleh as his manager giving a more contemporary focused opinon that reflects what his fans want, I kinda feel like he kinda resolved that a bit on this last album. Be interesting to see where if he stays that way on the next one.

But its funny you mention his bad beats being a cause of no direction, because weirdly enough I feel like his most schizophrenic beat albums actually have a direction and theme overall but its just people felt they could have been other guys they wanted to hear over the ones he choose.

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

To that point though, for the most part I dont his think beat picking abilities is that bad through the history of his career and I think it was more an issue in the mid 2000s than it was before that where although he wasn't picking those golden era producers of like Pete Rock, he was picking producers of the time to run with and people really didnt complain about that (The issue back then you recall was "Why is he being Escobar or crossing over"?) The beats he picked where kinda what NY rappers were doing (Swizz, Hitmen, Trackmasters, Timbaland but then Premier and LES etc).
He settled a bit post Stillmatic to lesser known producers but I think the combination of star producers in Hip Hop being more of a importance again (Thanks to Blueprint, Black Album) and the release of God's Stepson by 9th Wonder had people taking that narrative on him and it really became noticable on HHID and Untitled (Streets Disciple I didnt think had a beats issue as much as a 2 CD filler issue)
But since Life is Good and the combination of having No ID (Who is way more diverse than people give him credit for), Salaam (who was always the only guy giving him good beats post Stillmatic and sometimes baring the brunt of the other producers giving wack beats and people assuming that was him too) and Anthony Saleh as his manager giving a more contemporary focused opinon that reflects what his fans want, I kinda feel like he kinda resolved that a bit on this last album. Be interesting to see where if he stays that way on the next one.

But its funny you mention his bad beats being a cause of no direction, because weirdly enough I feel like his most schizophrenic beat albums actually have a direction and theme overall but its just people felt they could have been other guys they wanted to hear over the ones he choose.

great answer

 

[RandomDudeOnColi]

Nas only had one classic album which was Illmatic IMO.

 

[InstantKlassik]

I am had some heat.

NYSOM 2
Small World
Hate me now
Ghetto Prisoners
Life is what you make it
Nas is like
Money is my bytch
Undying love

Dudes sleep on I Want To Talk To You. shyt is flames

 

[Tunes]

Illmatic, IWW, Stillmatic, Lost Tapes. 5/5
I Am, LiG, Untitled, God's Son. 4.5/5
Streets Disciple, HHID. 4/5
Nastradamus 3/5

 

[mobbinfms]

WHOOOOOA cuzz - you are wildin' the fucc out here...Nas verse on "In Between Us" ain't
better than "Sellout" or "Keep Me Down" about the same topic...

That's why I said "probably" breh.
I don't recall those verses, so I'll have to listen again.

 

[mobbinfms]

It isn't, and neither is Stillmatic

I got no beef with that. I just don't understand how Fix can be a classic and Stillmatic not, when Stillmatic is a better album that is held in higher regard over the years. Actually i do understand. Scarface never made Illmatic.

 

[JCalli]

Illmatic
IWW
Stillmatic

All classic. Hell, I absolutely hate braveheart party, but not even that stops Stillmatic being a classic.

Gods son is just below classic status. My lil cousin and his peoples, the swear by that album. Its a great album, but i'm not sure if I can call it classic. I ain't mad wither way, but I voted no.

 

[smitty22]

Dudes sleep on I Want To Talk To You. shyt is flames

I forgot favor for a favor with Face too