Remember that one perfect game you had, where everything went right? That one game where you could do no wrong? That's what happened to Nasir Jones when he released the now classic "Illmatic" back in 1994.
Between his debut and lacing the Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque," Nas had fans everywhere swarming to any project he endeavored. Then "It Was Written" came out, which, while respectable in its own right, definitely wasn't "Illmatic" by any means.
Before the whole Jay-Z feud ignited last year, Nas had put out "I Am" and "Nastradamus" as well as taking part in "The Firm." While these were decent efforts, he still left a lot to be desired when one revisited "Illmatic" and could see where Nas had been, and how his newest tracks failed to improve since the days of classics like "One Love" and "Halftime."
Ironically, Jay-Z may have saved Nas' career. Before the tension arose, Nas was content to revel in mediocrity with tracks like "Owe Me Back," which were pure atrocities. Shawn Carter doesn't waste his time feuding with just any rapper, so when he chooses to take you on, you should look at it as an honor. Hova forced Nas to step his game up, and he responded with "Stillmatic," an impressive album that brought Nas back into the world of respectability.
"The Lost Tapes" was another bold work that Nas dispensed last year, except the majority of the tracks had already been circulated widely as bootlegs.
What everyone was waiting for was "God's Son:" both Nas' personal introspection after losing his mother to cancer and the vehement retaliation against Funkmaster Flex and rappers like Cam'ron and Noreaga who slandered him on NYC's Power 105 as part of the hip-hop communities budding feuds.
"God's Son" begins with "Get Down," the album's best lyrical track. Behind a throbbing instrumental and a James Brown sample, Nas weaves his way through the track so quickly that you have to sprint to keep up.
The first single, "Made You Look," is a similarly impressive track. Its foundation constructed on the LP's hottest beat, the song showcases Nas rhyming, "Let the music diffuse all the tension/Baller Convention, free admission." The remix, however, which features Jadakiss and Ludacris, is even more arresting.
While Ludacris may not be drinking Pepsi anymore, he still steps up to the mic and outshines both Nas and Jadakiss, something that's nearly impossible to do.
One of the deepest songs is "The Last Real N**** Alive," on which he chronicles the various verbal scuffles he's been in, from just starting off with Biggie through Jay-Z. It wouldn't be fair to reveal the ending, but remember it's a song worth experiencing.
Eminem produces "The Cross," a stark track owing credence to Dr. Dre that sounds as average as Nas' lyrics, making it respectable but hardly a song you can passionately feel.
The Alchemist-produced "Book of Rhymes," on which Nas finds his old rhyme book and looks through it, is one of the most creative concepts to surface lately.
The idea is great and the beat is nice, but the rhymes leave you thinking that Nas could have pulled the song off more convincingly.
Further increasing the album's controversy, the hook on "Hey Nas," could be taken as an indirect insult to Faith Evans (think back to 2Pac and "Hit 'Em Up"), Notorious B.I.G.'s wife. If so, it would be completely hypocritical of him after he "paid tribute" to Biggie and 'Pac on "Stillmatic'"s "Got Ur Self a Gun." Furthermore, the song exploits an overplayed theme and simply is a modified version of Jay-Z's "Bonnie and Clyde" for Nas fans.
Listening to the "Thugz Mansion Remix" is even more painful, primarily because of the acoustic guitar beat. While it's an original idea and the lyrics are great, the whole concept couldn't have come off worse if Michael Bolton tried rapping over "Made You Look."
Anyone complaining about hip-hop's negativity should listen to "I Can," where Nas educates youngsters on determination and even lays out an inspirational history lesson.
At first the track seems corny, but consideration must be given to how much negativity is out on the radio and that when this, his next single, hits the radio, it will be one of the only songs with an actual message.
The loss of Nas' mother was and still is very painful to him, as is evident on tracks such as "Warrior Song," a quality track featuring Alicia Keys, "Dance," and "Heaven." The song exemplifies how Nas is able to project his pain so well, a characteristic that other people feel is what separates him from other rappers. The depth of these songs can make you forget about the horrible "Zone Out," featuring the Bravehearts. Unfortunately Jungle and Lake make appearances on "God's Son," but that's why the fast-forward button was invented.
Nas bares his soul on "God's Son," and that's what makes this album such an imrovement. While it's not a perfect LP, we all need to move past the days of "Illmatic" and appreciate Nas for what he brings to the table today. Even though he's changed, he's still better than most cats in the game.
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