NaS I AM 2Oth Anniversary

[semicko82]

I remember Dr Dre’s 2001 album was the only other 4 and a half mic album that year

 

[semicko82]

Very underrated album.

Better than It Was Written or Stillmatic.



I think it didn't get the love it deserved because:


1. The hype leading up to its release was INSANE ("word on the street is Nas is taking it back to Illmatic!")

2. The bootleg. I thought the retail version was great, but there is no denying that some of the bootleg songs were better than some of the retail version songs (although I think most people take it too far in their love for the bootleg over the retail version). This created a disappointing, unsatisfied perception of the retail version for many people.

The hype was unreal for this album, classmates were skipping school on release date

 

[mitter]

The hype was unreal for this album, classmates were skipping school on release date

Yup


The hype was really building up because:

1. Nas had been away for a while

2. I Am was supposed to be a double album

3. All of the talk was about how Nas was taking it back to his Nasty Nas style


... and then "Nas is Like" dropped. That made the hype THAT MUCH GREATER.

A Primo-produced, Illmatic-quality track? After hearing "Nas is Like", everyone felt like Nas was really going to release Illmatic Part 2. I remember thinking to myself "this album is really going to match the hype!"



I still remember hearing "Nas is Like" for the first time on a January night while listening to the 9-o-clock Bomb with Julio G (those of you from LA who listened to The Beat know what I'm talking about). I heard that sublime beat come on, and then Nas started flowing like only he can ...

 

[mitter]

I remember Dr Dre’s 2001 album was the only other 4 and a half mic album that year

I'm pretty sure Murda Muzik also got 4.5 mics

 

[semicko82]

It’s funny going back and listening to the subliminals towards Jigga and Cormega

 

[Soundbwoy]

Im really the only one that enjoys Big Things

 

[Oville]

N

Im really the only one that enjoys Big Things

Song was cool. Nas didnt got tongue tied a bit flowing on this but nothing too bad. The content of the song was dope especially the third verse

 

[T.H.E.GOD]

Im really the only one that enjoys Big Things

I hate that fukking song. I also hate dr. Knockboots.

 

[Asicz]

Nas, "The Biography" (Originally Published February 1999) - XXL

 

[Danie84]

Momma should've cuff me to the Radiator Why Not it might've Save Me Later from My Block

 

[Izanami]

Momma should've cuff me to the Radiator Why Not it might've Save Me Later from My Block

Effortless complicated rhyme scheme

 

[filial_piety]

nearly his worst album after HHID.

Bought it 20 years ago and It's been a coaster for about 19 years.

A 3.5 mic album with 3 memorable tracks (Nas Is Like, Small World NYSOM2)...nothing to celebrate.

wake me when Stillmatic hits its 20 year

 

[prophecypro]

I'm pretty sure Murda Muzik also got 4.5 mics

And Hot Boys and Made Men

This was when the mics started to come into question

 

[OHSNAP!]

And Hot Boys and Made Men

This was when the mics started to come into question

Guerilla Warfare deserved 4.5

 

[OHSNAP!]

NYSOM2 and Nas Is Like are some of Nas' best songs. Dr Knockboots and Money Is My bytch two of his worst (shoutout to I Want To Talk To and Big Thangs too)

This is like Jay's Vol 1. Highest of highs, lowest of lows