I never make the same mistakes,
Movin' with a change of pace, lighter load,
Movin' with a change of pace, lighter load,
See now the king is straight.
- (Stillmatic, 2001)
When you think of someone to look up to in regards to setting the standard
for something that you really want to do, you image the legends and those
who failed to live up to their potential for the lessons that you look to
build off. When people refer to Nas, they don't simply refer to him as a
legend, they often refer to him as being the best who ever did it. That's a
lot to take in when you're from a different era and you have just his albums
to go off and not the aura that he gave off during his time in the early
90's. While Jay Z undoubtedly had the sales to back up his claims as the
best ever to do it, more times than not you heard MC's come to Nas' side and
say that record sales isn't indicative of who's the best.
Simply put, anyone who loves Hip-Hop says Nas is the best, even your
favorite MC.
Hip-Hop is influenced regionally, meaning that different states hold
different artists in different regards. Like in the south Gucci Mane, Boosie
& Devin The Dude are all considered Legends while others in different
states disagree because they can't relate to the style of music. Same thing
can be said for the L.O.X., AZ and Rakim on the east coast and Snoop, Tech
N9ne & Eazy-E on the west coast. But one thing remains consistent across the
board, Nas is a legend and will make your top three nine times out of ten.
Legends transcend trends and regionally tuned ears to become what they are;
the best to ever do it and Nas did it with ease.
You can look up quotes from Pac, Biggie, Eminem, Outkast and more recently
J. Cole and Big K.R.I.T. on him being that good and setting the example of
being consistent with his content and always being true to his art form. For
me I would say when I first heard that Human Nature sample I was hype, but
when I heard him going in and putting down one of the most iconic rap songs
from arguably one of the best albums ever, I was sold. I will admit that I
went through a period where I deviated from listening to music that wasn't
southern and when I returned a more seasoned and responsible young adult, I
understood him more.
From I Can, One Mic, If I Ruled The World, to Daughters, Bye Baby and even
Ether; I started to see Nas for who he was and the message that he was
trying to get through to all of us. While there are plenty of conscious
rappers out there that can handle their own, Nas does it in such a way that
it resonates in your mind for a long time and you still talk about it years
later. He's done a great job picking the right beats and the right message
that he wanted to convey on those beats. When I want to get into the zone
and get stuff done nowadays, I put on my Nas playlist and I go to work.
He inspires me to be a better as a creative through studying and crafting
things in my own personal way.
Owner of multiple classic songs, albums and even arguably the best diss
record ever recorded, there isn't anything that Nas hasn't done in his
career. At times I wonder if he gets the just dues that he deserves but then
I look up and realize that he doesn't care about that at all. He simply just
wants to be known as the guy who came in, did his thing and eventually left
when he was ready to leave.
Until that day comes and after I will hold him in the highest of standards
and #1 on my favorite MC's list.
Discography
1994 |
Illmatic
1996 |
It Was Written
1997 |
The Firm: The Album (with
The Firm)
1999 |
I Am…
1999 |
Nastradamus
2000 |
Nas & Ill Will Records Presents QB's Finest (with
Ill Will Records)
2001 |
Stillmatic
2002 |
God's Son
2004 |
Street's Disciple
2006 |
Hip-Hop Is Dead
2008 |
Untitled
2008 |
The Nigger Tape
2010 |
Distant Relatives (with
Damian Marley)
2012 |
Life Is Good
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