Nas

The Lost Tapes

real rap music

Review Score:

(10/10)
i'm usually not nearly as mean, or blunt, or offensive as the statement that i'm about to make is going to be, but i also think that sometimes in life, stands have to be made against ignorance, apathy, greed, and various other indigities to the human condition.

having said that, let me say this:

any one who dislikes nas, or prefers nas over jay-z, is either a poser who knows nothing of the true meaning of rap music (more than the bling bling, which i myself LOVE every now and then), or a very shallow, weak, and stupid ass person who only has concerns for him/herself, and what "feels good." they have no respect for others, no respect for themselves, no idea of what it means to think, to contemplate, to be introspective, to exercise intellectual muscles.

damn it feels good to be a pompous jackass sometimes.

given, jay-z is a great rapper. Reasonable Doubt should DEFINTELY rank as one of the top rap albums of all time. jay-z is clever, articulate, charming, he's got all the requisite talents of a great MC. however, just based on lyrical skill ALONE he's not better than Nas. when you add the fact that Nas, besides Tupac, and Public Enemy, to list a few, is one of the few rappers to be politcally and socially conscious and intellectually sound, WITHOUT losing street cred, he burns that wanna be deity's soul like Ether. for real. Jay-Hova is reminded that he is no more than a man after stillmatic: he's shown as underachieving when compared to efforts like the lost tapes..

Nas one of the most over criticized and underappreciated entertainers ever. sure, he's fallen victim to the commercial plague. Rap's crossed over, it makes billions, people. deal with it. but when someone's album of throw away cuts is this good (albeit subjectively...he won't sell millions, but he'll stimulate minds)...it makes you wonder and marvel at just how POWERFUL this artform of rap music is in American culture.

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