Nas - God's Son

Do we have to compare Nas to Jay-Z? Probably not, but skirmishes between New York’s premier MCs make it difficult for us to stop. Nas’s God’s Son may fall victim to Jay Z’s more polished Blueprint 2 on the battlefront, but as far as Nas releases go, this one's not that bad at all. In fact, there are some striking stand-out selections. "Made You Look" and "Last Real Nigga Alive" (Nas’s inevitable "why Jigga is wack" track) are white hot for the streets, and the Alchemist-produced "Book of Rhymes" showcases the type of witty yet introspective rhymes that Nas fans crave. Still, one can't escape the impression that the album suffers from a bloated track listing and quite a few unnecessary guest appearances, including yet another "collaboration" with the long-dead 2Pac. We also could have done without the tired misogyny of the limited-edition bonus track, "P***y Kills." Oh, and Salaam Remi’s beat on "Zone Out" deserves a doper rhyme than the one it supports. But for the most part, Nas’s flow is on point. --Rebecca Levine Amazon.com

NaS - God's Son

Man, Nas killed the game with this album. This is still one of my favorite rap albums of all time, right behind Illmatic. This album is so good, but the coolest thing about this album is that it shows that even the toughest guys have an softer side. Im not saying in any way shape or form that Nas is soft, or fake, im simply stating that this album is alot more emotional and spiritual than any of his other work. And its a good thing because he really opens up, and the result is some of the best storys ever told in the form of Nas's killer lyrics. NaS has always been know as a rapper that does not hold back his feeling for anyone. What he feels he says, plain and simple. And he shows alot of that on this album. Some of the many highlights on this stellar album include the very chill and laid back "Get Down", the dark and dimented Eminem produced "The Cross" where NaS pretty much says that he is keeping Hip Hop alive, which most would agree with. And then the big hit single which is definetly a NaS greatest hit, "Made You Look" is another great song. But if i had to choose just one song to be my favorite on this album, i would have to choose "Book Of Rhymes", because not only is NaS in tip top shape with his flows on this record, but the production is amazing on that song as well with its lasery sharp production and mid tempo boom boom clap beat. Nas really just went out and made a really personal record instead of trying to make a street banger, he just made an album thats true to him. This is definetly, at least in my opinion, NaS's second best album behind the obvious Illmatic. Which i dont think that anyone will ever come close to the level of that album. But the thing that really kinda dissapoints me about this album is that it got really overlooked. It still went Gold, but this album should honestly be a couple times platinum. Overall, Nas really brought rap back with this album. And its good that this album was as good as it was because after I Am, and Nastradamus, people started to think that NaS was falling off. Now Stillmatic, was good to, but not nearly as good as God's Son, thats why i say God's Son really brought him back.



Grade:
A- July 7, 2008

Nas carrying on his legacy.

I don't think there's a doubt in anyones mind that Nas is a legend in the rap industry and will eventually go down as on of the best rappers of all time. This CD(in my opinion)topped Stilmatic(his previous album). Although he was never album to release another albums such as iLLMATIC or It Was Written, he delivered 2 more classic albums after that being Stilmatic and Gods Son. September 27, 2007

Nas's best effort since It Was Written

Yes, Nas is an incredible rapper, one of the best still around. In '94, he released the groundbreaking, Illmaitc. Two years later, he released an album that raised the mainstream bar a little, but **** it, it was genius. All of it. I Am... was okay, some nice cuts but nothing as a whole album. The same goes with Stillmatic. I won't speak about "the album", let's not go there. In 2002, we received an incredible album and his true comeback. Now let's break the album down...

"Get Down". Great track and Nas shows off his story telling skills here. Using a James Brown sample, he tells various storys. 9/10
"The Cross". Another solid track, good beat by Em. The title says it all. Just saying he's here to bring New York back. 8.5/10
"Made You Look". This is one of the best party, non-poppy tracks I've heard in awhile. Thank you Nas. 9/10
"Last Real N**** Alive" is an outlash to the time of hip-hop. Just amazing skills displayed by Nas here. 10/10
"Zone Out" is by far the worst song, so far. Its barely listenable. The album was flowing so smoothly then this came on. But I admit, BH display some nice lyrics. 6.5/10
"Hey Nas" is just another attempt by Nas to be a love man. Its a decent song and singing doesn't ruin it. 8/10
"I Can". You probably heard this by now. Nice attempt Nas to give back to the community and the kids. 8.5/10
"Book of Rhymes" returns the album on flow as the first four songs. Good concept by making it seem like he's rhyming out of different pages of rhymes. 10/10
"Thugz Mansion (N.Y.)" is basically the same song from 2pac's Better Dayz album but he removed 'Pac's first verse and put in his own. I won't hate on this. Nice touch. 9/10
"Mastermind". Nas puts some more solid lyrics here. 9/10
"Warrior Song" is another nice song to repeat. I didn't know Alica Keys produced, new to me. But she sang the chorus and produced this. Decent. 8.5/10
"Revolutionary Warfare" is one of my favorites on this CD. Unknown to the public rapper, Lake, makes an apperance. I love trading rhyme verses and this has that. 10/10
"Dance". I'm crying right now, thank you Nas...10/10
"Heaven". Chorus is annoying but it has a message. Flow is very nicely done by Nas. Lyrics are great. 9/10

Closing Comments: By no means is this a classic, but its a damn good album, the note of It Was Written. If you wanna get into Nas, I suggest Illmatic first. After that, It Was Written or this are good choices. Its filled with very nice cuts. Only one bad track. But Nas gave us a nice album in 2002, so I thank you Mr. Jones.

-Peace



July 27, 2007

Classic Nas Album for 2003 Hip-hop

I think that NaS is as strong as a MC as he ever was and I think that lyrically and idealistically, this album would be a 5 star. The only problem(s) that brings NaS down is the beats. I have always thought that you didn't need good beats to make a classic album,that you just needed the rhymes and skills on the mic,but boy was I wrong. The beats on this CD are just OK for NaS. I HATE the beat for "Mastermind" I think its too early 90s RNB sounding and his flow didn't go top the beat. I wasn;t feeling it at all. Other beats that I didn't like was the ALicia Keys produced "Warrior Song". It was just a off beat piano that sped up and was only on beat for the drum breakdown.Beats aside, NaS comes through lyrically as expected. His story telling skills on "Get Down" shine through gorgeously, while his street anthem "Made You Look" is something that you could just chill out to and nod ya head at the same time. NaS covers ideas such as spirituality on "Heaven" and tells all in his name dropping auto bio "Last Real Nigga Alive". His inspirational track "I Can" is OK,I suppose and "Zone Out"(feat Bravehearts) is just average,too. Jungle and Wiz don't prove to be anything above average for a commercial MC,while NaS completely KILLS the track(it has a sick beat too).Overall This CD is pretty good and is worth a listen if you're into supporting real rap,or if you're a NaS fan in general.

Top 5 tracks
1.Get Down
2.Heaven
3.Made You Look
4.Last Real Nigga Alive
5.I Can or Zone Out May 3, 2007

"God's Son" - Best post-"Illmatic"/pre-"Hip-Hop Is Dead" Album

Alright people, I'm going to be blunt - "God's Son" is his best pre-"Hip-Hop Is Dead" album since his landmark debut album "Illmatic". Yes, the guest rappers (Jungle, Wiz, Lake and a posthumous appearance from Tupac) and singers (J. Phoenix, ex-City High songstress Claudette Ortiz, Alicia Keys and Nas' musically eclectic wife, Kelis) are more abundant than his previous releases, but this, along with the differentiating sounds the producers provide (Chucky Thompson, Salaam Reemi, Alchemist, etc.), is the reason "God's Son" is so great in the first place. Despite the abundance of guest artists, Nas' passionately ferocious delivery, skilful wordplay and thought-provoking lyrics continue to steal the show across the album's 14 tracks.

Another thing that makes "God's Son" better than most of its predecessors is its more meaningful sense of purpose - for those of you who don't know, this album was created in loving memory of his deceased mother. Thankfully, this album doesn't drown in pity and excessively sentimental depression - apart from the spiritual "Heaven" (feat. the soulful voice of songstress Jully Black on the hook) and the deeply heartfelt mother ode, "Dance", much of the remainder of "God's Son" sticks to the formula of previous albums - hard-hitting street anthems, politics, hustling and contemplative hood music, amongst other things.

Without a doubt, "Thugz Mansion (N.Y.)" would be the best track on the album. With Nas' & Tupac's compelling lyrics, J. Phoenix's smooth vocal hook and the song's laid-back acoustic guitar, it's the kind of s**t that forces you to relax and think at the same time. Songs like "I Can" & "Revolutionary Warfare" (feat. rapper Lake), with the help of minimalist production and youthful kiddie choir vocals, are mainly driven by Nas' honest delivery & insightful lyrics that aim to inspire and educate; the dark-toned "Last Real N***a Alive" documents Nas' rise to success & his legendary feud with Jay-Z; others songs like the dizzyingly wacky production of "Zone Out" (feat. rappers Jungle & Wiz), the sinisterly moody "Mastermind", the dreamy what-I-look-for-in-a-girl ladies cut "Hey Nas" (feat. Claudette Ortiz & Kelis) and the drum/piano-driven anthem "Warrior Song" (feat. Alicia Keys as producer and soulful hook crooner) provides the album with a slight variation in sounds without pushing the envelope too far; and album openers "Get Down" & "The Cross" deliver more of the same ol' same ol' without ever sounding tired out.

Is this album better than "Illmatic"? In my opinion, it is, but as a Hip-Hop album, "Illmatic" is better because, despite its jazz inflections, it's far more grounded into the streets and Hip-Hop's roots than "God's Son" is. Nonetheless, this is a very solid album and should be more than worthy of gracing your Hip-Hop collection. 5 stars!

5 Best Tracks (IMO) (In No Order):
"Thugz Mansion (N.Y.)" (feat. Tupac & J. Phoenix)"
"Dance"
"Heaven (feat. Jully Black)"
"Warrior Song" (feat. Alicia Keys)
"I Can"
December 21, 2006

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