Nas

The Lost Tapes

Nas' collection of reject tracks still better than most

Review Score:

(10/10)
OK, so almost every hardcore Nas fan has heard these songs before; the album is only 12 tracks long; and it consists of what are essentially rejects from his previous albums I Am and Stillmatic. But guess what? This is still one of the dopest albums to be released so far this year. With the hardcore-yet-laid-back production value and street poetics that secured him a place in hip-hop history with Illmatic, The Lost Tapes is a true return to glory for Nas as it showcases the true talents the rapper let become overshadowed by commercial interests in his following albums.

From the opening bars of the Precision-produced "Doo Rags" it's evident that we're witnessing the Nasty Nas that established himself as their heir to Rakim's lyrical throne, as he flows beautifully over the track's tinkling pianos about everything from ghetto life to theological issues. The next track, "My Way", is laced with another piano-based beat by Alchemist, and Nas once again proves why he's still a force to be reckoned with after 10 years in the game:

"Yo, hoes in my fold can slow me,
roll with the brokest homies
Cold and we hopeless lonely
scolding my foes who phony
From blocks where coke can feed you
and cops are over evil
They know some people who tell on felons who sold some diesel"

Alchemist also handles production on "No Idea's Original" while L.E.S. holds it down on the underground classic "Blaze a 50" and the stellar "Nothing Lasts Forever." The album's true high point for me, however, is "Black Zombie", a stunning look at the Black condition in America that eloquently challenges his brothas and sistas to rise up and better themselves while also pointing a finger of blame at both Whites and Blacks for the terrible state of things. In this one track, Nas manages to portray a side of himself that is comparable only to 2Pac in its ability to see through the BS and brilliantly spit at you about society's ills and what is not being done to overcome them. The album wraps up with "Poppa Was a Player" - both a tribute to and critique of his father - and "Fetus" - a truly classic track that showcases Nas' storytelling abilities even when he's playing the role of unborn child.

All in all, this is a beautiful and incredibly insightful album from one of the best to ever hold a mic. If it has a flaw, it's that it lasts for only 12 tracks; this, however, is easily forgivable considering that there is none of the filler that is so common with rap releases nowadays. Sure, the songs aren't brand new, but a Nas throw-away cut is still 10 times better than anything today's mainstream rappers will throw at you, so don't let that keep you from picking this one up. Stillmatic was an ill release and a real step up for Nas, but The Lost Tapes is the true second classic that we've all been waiting for since Illmatic dropped.

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