| First Rapper To Bring a Platinum Plaque Back to the Projects: 15 Years of Charting “Illmatic | December 2, 2014 |
From the culturally bare streets of Leipzig, Germany, Eric Corson has had an unorthodox relationship with Nas' magnum opus.
| Queensbridge’s Best Kept Secret: DJ Hot Day | October 8, 2014 |
Harold Stallworth love to hear the stories, again and again. Circa 1986, Queensbridge park jam legend DJ Hot Day was tapped to remix New Edition’s “Once In a Lifetime Groove.” The original record was featured on the soundtrack for Running Scared, a ditzy buddy cop flick starring Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal. Dubbed the “Master […]
Paul Thompson hits blunts hard as Ray Mercer “Mama should have cuffed me to the radiator” – Nas, 1999 The critical revisionism on It Was Written is a good thing. In recent years, Nas’ sophomore effort has finally been recognized as the frantic, vital look at New York that it is—all affecting crime tales and […]
When Nas yells that it feels like the 90s in here, it’s because they look they’re having fun. The problem with most older rappers is that the music feels like a joyless exercise, a studied attempt to remember the adrenaline of their youth. Illmatic was nobody’s idea of a “fun” record and I’ve always thought […]
| Freedom or Jail: Nas Remixes “Let Nas Down” | June 24, 2013 |
“Back when I was young there was massive niggas, but I past them niggas just being nasty nigga.” If you read that line without context, it’s ostensibly unremarkable. If you remember when Nasir still had the “Nasty” in front of his name, it’s both a commentary on greatness and rap history. By the time Nas […]
| MobbDeen: Nas “featuring” Lauryn Hill – It Wasn’t You… | March 22, 2013 |
Deen is in a New Jersey state of mind. I’ve been trying to convince a good friend of mine that Nas is really God’s one and true son in the form of a rapper. In other words, he’s the GOAT and failing that, I hope to at least convince said friend that he’s worth listening […]
In which Deen plays God. Its been approximately six weeks since I heard and later bought Nas’, Life Is Good. In that time, I’ve probably given the album around 110 listens – top to bottom (makes me wonder how I managed to listen to anything else). It’s safe to say that like most observers, I […]
| On Longevity, Realness, Nas, and Rick Ross | August 10, 2012 |
Jonah Bromwich made Rick Ross take off his sunglasses for this picture. So Nas just made one of rap’s first great mature albums. It’s hard to describe the dull anticipation that “mature” conjures up in connection to rap. At best, mature albums are showcases for craftsmanship and deft rhyming that don’t stick in your mind […]
Deen wishes Usher would sing about his Cavaliers stake more often. “3 Kings” is underwhelming as all the fucks in the world. I’m sorry. It’s beginning to feel as if I’m intentionally being douchey in regards to all things Rick Rawse, but I swear that isn’t the case. He’s just not bringing it. I ain’t […]
| When Life Is Finally Good: The Rebirth of Nasty Nas | July 20, 2012 |
Doc Zeus rocks Roberto Cavalli/no shirt on/convertible Mazy I can’t get past that cover. Here is an accomplished man, impeccably tailored with the watch and liquor to match, sequestered in the back room of a lavish night club. He sits lonesome. A green wedding dress has been carefully laid across his lap while he stares […]
