Remember what is was like when "Nas Is Like" dropped?

[mobbinfms]

That's probably his best song ever, real talk.

CLASSIC production. Lyrics to match. Impact on the game.

@ Beanie Sigel tellin Funk Flex he can't rap over all those fruity flutes and shyt

Beanie Sigel never rapped over a beat as good as Nas is Like in his entire career
I'm still mad about how he shytted on that beat

 

[IllmaticDelta]

Song is TOO ill.

It got me mad though because this was around the time I had thoughts of being a rapper myself, I was writing down shyt and myself.

Then Nas dropped this and I was

 

[OfTheCross]

Beanie Sigel never rapped over a beat as good as Nas is Like in his entire career
I'm still mad about how he shytted on that beat

@ the thought of Grimey Beans rapping over a beat that had birds chirping on it.


I don't even think Beans would fukk with a beat like Big Pimpin, tbh. I know them UGK boys were extra skeptical of it

 

[Sensitive Blake Griffin]

The GOAT y'all

 

[mson]

As far as rap go, it's only natural I explain / My plateau, and also, what defines my name.

Already a legend in the game about to break down his greatness for you the only way he can. And Premo always had a way of making his production elevate the artist. That Pitchblack song made the group sound like they were 5 albums into their career.

It was pure unadulterated hip hop. Refined to its purest level.

 

[mobbinfms]

@ the thought of Grimey Beans rapping over a beat that had birds chirping on it.


I don't even think Beans would fukk with a beat like Big Pimpin, tbh. I know them UGK boys were extra skeptical of it

Nas is Like is harder than two day old shyt breh

 

[Knicksman20]

nikkas was straight

Other than "Phone Tap" Nas last few singles and videos had been on the commercial tip with If I Ruled the Ruled, Street Dreams, Street Dreams Remix, Firm Biz.... and then he dropped an all-time lead single with a classic Premo beat and no hook. The video premiering on Rap City in the QB stairway

This song & CNN's Invincible always remind me of the original And One street ball mixes. I'm not even a Nas fan like that but this song is crazy

 

[SirBiatch]

This song & CNN's Invincible always remind me of the original And One street ball mixes. I'm not even a Nas fan like that but this song is crazy

You should do an appreciation thread for that, breh

 

[Microfracture]

i was 14 and heavy into my underground-i-hate-mainstream phase. I used to listen to the wake up show radio program every friday night, with my finger on the record button at the ready.

Sway and Tech were hyping up the world premier of Nas Is Like all throughout the night before DJ revolution dropped it. They were saying sht like "Nas is back"...."no shiny suit is here, this that real stuff". Had us all salivating.

Finally DJ Revolution starts to spin it. First he just kept scratching that initial breakbeat and bells for what seemed like an hour....I know everyone listening was like 'cmon man!!'. DJ Rev finally gets over himself, and lets it go.

Initially I didnt know how to receive it, but once Nas spit that "...line em up with the stars/ tarot card you can see the pharaoh Nas" line, I was IN! Just an incredible song, and I feel blessed to have been a part of that moment. GOAT.

 

[ExodusNirvana]

This got heavy burn in the summer of 99...and it was the background music anytime someone was doing an interview on Hot 97

This is like 9th grade for me

Jesus Christ I feel old

 

[mobbinfms]

First he just kept scratching that initial breakbeat and bells for what seemed like an hour.

I think its a 16 bar intro. Could be 8. I remember sometime in the mid 2000s being in the Adidas store on Haight and there was an Asian DJ doing exactly that for a really long time.
I could understand how that could be super frustrating if you'd never heard the record before

 

[NormanConnors]

One of the first songs I heard on the computer for the first time.
One of my brehs growing up was a hardcore Nas stan. I'm talking about sitting on the basketball court with the it was written tape cover reading all the lyrics type of Nas stan.
When this joint dropped, I was in my freshman year of college. My breh came over to my dorm to use my roommate's computer for something. I wasn't even there. I get home, my roommate tells me that he was listening to Nas is Like on Real Audio over and over for three hours straight.

Same here on the bolded, triggered memories for me

 

[$cam-U-Well_Jack$on]

ive said it before n ill say it again

theres a level nas reaches on some of his songs that jay has never attained. and i say that strictly IMO

I agree.

 

[$cam-U-Well_Jack$on]

Man, I'm sorry but this nikka's illness just can't be denied.

 

[TheDarceKnight]

ive said it before n ill say it again

theres a level nas reaches on some of his songs that jay has never attained. and i say that strictly IMO

Gotta agree.

The crazy thing on Nas is Like too is that he didn't even curse on the song.