Nas

Street's Disciple

Makes Its Place In the Holy Book of Hip-Hop Albums

Review Score:

(10/10)
If a classic hip-hop album had its own book of the Bible, Run-DMC's first record would be Genesis. A Tribe Called Quest's first three consecutive albums would, appproipately, be John 1,2,and 3. Nas's Illmatic, Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt, Wu-Tang Clan's Enter the 36 Chambers, and Biggie's Ready to Die are the whole damn gospel, in order (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Outkast's Aquemini, characterized by surrrealness and sharp distinction amongst all other hip-hop classics, would definitely be Revelations.

Biggie's Life After Death, due to its sprwaling scope and being the best DOUBLE-DISC ever, is the Book of Psalms, the largest book in the Bible. What hip-hop album out there fits the second largest slot in the Hip-Hop Bible, Proverbs? That title definitely goes to Nas's Street's Disciple, easily the best album of the millenium, the best hip-hop album since Aquemini, and the second-best Nas CD ever.

To tell you the truth, I was REALLY scared. Talks of Murder INC., two dismal songs "The Pledge" and "Quick to Back Down", and a relationship with Kelis (it seems that unconventional singers have a grasp on their MC boyfriends; look at Andre 3000 and Common)had me scratching my head as to where Nas was going. Worst, his proposal of a double-disc album made me cringe (LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO JAY-Z!!). Therefore, I falsely had low expectations for this album. THAT was one of the biggest mistake I've ever made.

Nas is at his prime here, and creativity galores in every track on the album. Although most of the tracks seem very different from one another, there is a profound cohesiveness. Surprisingly, flaws are extremely limited. In fact the only real flaw is "The Makings of a Perfect B*%@!", because it recalls the days of Esco/Nastradamus (the period of his career that many of his big fans like I want to forget). But that's 1 glitch out of about 25 TRACKS!! Now that is phenomenal.

If you don't like this album, you are most likely to be a pure playa hater, refuse to be mentally engaged and challenged (i'm 16 so that says somethin' about the +20 listeners who don't like it), enjoy the same old topics over and over(see Cam'Ron and 50 Cent), and/or believe Nelly is a hot rapper. Other than that, everyone should embrace this album. "Street's Disciple" has more than lived up to my expectations and is truly a Holy Hip-Hop Classic. Go Get It.

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