Comments on: Nas: Untitled http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/ We run deeper than the underground Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:57:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Charity http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41059 Charity Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:30:27 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41059 I know where the sample is from, I just think it's wielded as an obnoxiously loud and intrusive beat that almost completely drowns the lyrics. It's Nas and Jay-Z together on a track -- I don't need a deluge of muddied orchestration to tell me that that is momentous. Re: I Am..., I agree about Nas Is Like, Undying Love and Life is What You Make It, though I pick We Will Survive rather than Hate Me Now as the album's fourth enjoyable track. I know where the sample is from, I just think it’s wielded as an obnoxiously loud and intrusive beat that almost completely drowns the lyrics. It’s Nas and Jay-Z together on a track — I don’t need a deluge of muddied orchestration to tell me that that is momentous.

Re: I Am…, I agree about Nas Is Like, Undying Love and Life is What You Make It, though I pick We Will Survive rather than Hate Me Now as the album’s fourth enjoyable track.

]]> By: GeeTee http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41057 GeeTee Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:12:22 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41057 @ Charity I definitely agree about I Am... with u Charity, if I pop it in I only listen to 4 songs (Hate Me Now, Nas is Like, Undying Love, and Life is What You Make It). Black Republican overproduced? It's a sample from The Godfather 2 scene right before a young Vito Corleone (played by Robert DeNiro) kills the Don Fanucci, the producer hardly even changed it except for adding the drums. Also I like every beat in Untitled, I can see why somebody wouldn't like them, particularly the songs I mentioned. @ Charity
I definitely agree about I Am… with u Charity, if I pop it in I only listen to 4 songs (Hate Me Now, Nas is Like, Undying Love, and Life is What You Make It). Black Republican overproduced? It’s a sample from The Godfather 2 scene right before a young Vito Corleone (played by Robert DeNiro) kills the Don Fanucci, the producer hardly even changed it except for adding the drums. Also I like every beat in Untitled, I can see why somebody wouldn’t like them, particularly the songs I mentioned.

]]> By: Charity http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41055 Charity Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:57:42 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41055 What really gets me in listening to I Am... is how the tracks between We Will Survive and Nas Is Like feel like a wasteland. It's just not an album I can listen to from beginning to end without wanting to turn the radio on instead. What really gets me in listening to I Am… is how the tracks between We Will Survive and Nas Is Like feel like a wasteland. It’s just not an album I can listen to from beginning to end without wanting to turn the radio on instead.

]]> By: Charity http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41053 Charity Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:52:11 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41053 @GeeTee @Thomas To begin: I meant to rank [Untitled] as #4 and Stillmatic as #5 in my ranking rather than the other way around. My mistake. Now, just as I (and a lot of Nas fans) are intransigent in claiming Illmatic as Nas' #1, I'm just particularly uncompromising in regarding It Was Written as Nas' hands-down second-best album. The point is debatable, though, for sure. I really disagree with you on the production of [Untitled]. The beats for We Make The World Go Round, Hero, Sly Fox and Black President bug the hell out of me -- they detract from the quality and consistency of the rest of the album's production, and from the rest of the album period. (Funny enough @GeeTee I actually like the beats for Project Roach and We're Not Alone). And I hate, hate the chorus vocals/verses for America (dear god) and Black President. These things aren't a huge deal, I guess, but the album suffers for them nonetheless. But like both you and Thomas, I love [Untitled]. HHID's production is better (tho Black Republican is horrendously loud and over-produced), but it's just not as interesting lyrically or conceptually as [Untitled] is. Where I really disagree with Thomas is in his putting I Am... over HHID. I Am... has some tracks that really make we want to feel the same way about it, but overall HHID is just a solid album in a way that I Am... is not. @GeeTee @Thomas
To begin: I meant to rank [Untitled] as #4 and Stillmatic as #5 in my ranking rather than the other way around. My mistake.

Now, just as I (and a lot of Nas fans) are intransigent in claiming Illmatic as Nas’ #1, I’m just particularly uncompromising in regarding It Was Written as Nas’ hands-down second-best album. The point is debatable, though, for sure.

I really disagree with you on the production of [Untitled]. The beats for We Make The World Go Round, Hero, Sly Fox and Black President bug the hell out of me — they detract from the quality and consistency of the rest of the album’s production, and from the rest of the album period. (Funny enough @GeeTee I actually like the beats for Project Roach and We’re Not Alone). And I hate, hate the chorus vocals/verses for America (dear god) and Black President. These things aren’t a huge deal, I guess, but the album suffers for them nonetheless. But like both you and Thomas, I love [Untitled].

HHID’s production is better (tho Black Republican is horrendously loud and over-produced), but it’s just not as interesting lyrically or conceptually as [Untitled] is. Where I really disagree with Thomas is in his putting I Am… over HHID. I Am… has some tracks that really make we want to feel the same way about it, but overall HHID is just a solid album in a way that I Am… is not.

]]> By: GeeTee http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41044 GeeTee Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:10:13 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-41044 I get a WTH for ranking SD lower than u? lol It's a great album but in no way better than the albums I listed ahead of it. I am a hardcore Nas supporter and think he has the best catalogue in Hip Hop history so while SD is in the lower half of his albums, in no way am I saying it's wack. I don't even think Nastradamus is wack, it's just not better than the rest of his albums. However, SD ranked ahead of Stillmatic and Untitled baffles me. Undeniable classics in his catalogue are Illmatic, It Was Written, Untitled, and Stillmatic. Thomas I agree about Undying Love, great storytelling in that song, vivid imagery. If u guys (Thomas & Charity) love Nas, music that is, y'all should check out J. Cole if u haven't already, he's on his way to the top, dude is a beast. I get a WTH for ranking SD lower than u? lol It’s a great album but in no way better than the albums I listed ahead of it. I am a hardcore Nas supporter and think he has the best catalogue in Hip Hop history so while SD is in the lower half of his albums, in no way am I saying it’s wack. I don’t even think Nastradamus is wack, it’s just not better than the rest of his albums. However, SD ranked ahead of Stillmatic and Untitled baffles me. Undeniable classics in his catalogue are Illmatic, It Was Written, Untitled, and Stillmatic. Thomas I agree about Undying Love, great storytelling in that song, vivid imagery. If u guys (Thomas & Charity) love Nas, music that is, y’all should check out J. Cole if u haven’t already, he’s on his way to the top, dude is a beast.

]]> By: Sean Deez http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40768 Sean Deez Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:01:49 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40768 I'll give Nastradamus Project Windows, Shoot em Up, and Come Get Me That album isn't giving me much else I’ll give Nastradamus Project Windows, Shoot em Up, and Come Get Me

That album isn’t giving me much else

]]> By: Thomas http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40759 Thomas Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:41:40 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40759 Charity I can agree with that. I started out with hearing Nas on the Main Source joint and copping Illmatic when it dropped. However, I've done that with some of the newer rappers I knew nothing about.....for instance Black Milk. I think Kev hipped me to Popular Demand and I've been hooked ever since. Same with Murs, but I REALLY like the Murs/9th combo compared to some of his other work. Those three albums (Murs/9th) really stand out. I really can't remember how I got into LB. Might have read a review of the album and went searching for it. Charity I can agree with that. I started out with hearing Nas on the Main Source joint and copping Illmatic when it dropped. However, I’ve done that with some of the newer rappers I knew nothing about…..for instance Black Milk. I think Kev hipped me to Popular Demand and I’ve been hooked ever since. Same with Murs, but I REALLY like the Murs/9th combo compared to some of his other work. Those three albums (Murs/9th) really stand out.

I really can’t remember how I got into LB. Might have read a review of the album and went searching for it.

]]> By: Charity http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40758 Charity Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:36:08 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40758 Peeps in one of the Phonte threads were saying that The Minstrel Show probably serves as the ideal album to introduce LB to unfamiliar listeners, even if you think The Listening is a superior album. That's how I've always felt about It Was Written vis-a-vis Illmatic. It's like, Illmatic is a classic classic hip hop album, whereas It Was Written is, stylistically, a classic modern hip hop album (still old school mafioso, but more accessible I think). My sister first introduced me to It Was Written, and I dug backward from there. But I didn't even listen through I Am... or Nastradamus until right before Stillmatic dropped. Peeps in one of the Phonte threads were saying that The Minstrel Show probably serves as the ideal album to introduce LB to unfamiliar listeners, even if you think The Listening is a superior album. That’s how I’ve always felt about It Was Written vis-a-vis Illmatic. It’s like, Illmatic is a classic classic hip hop album, whereas It Was Written is, stylistically, a classic modern hip hop album (still old school mafioso, but more accessible I think). My sister first introduced me to It Was Written, and I dug backward from there. But I didn’t even listen through I Am… or Nastradamus until right before Stillmatic dropped.

]]> By: Thomas http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40756 Thomas Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:25:13 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40756 But Nastradamus also has Life We Chose and Project Windows. When I hear this song I can't get past it until 4 or 5 listens later. Again, story telling and vivid picture he paints. Deez watch out.....I'm building a strong Nas cult here. LOL.. But Nastradamus also has Life We Chose and Project Windows. When I hear this song I can’t get past it until 4 or 5 listens later. Again, story telling and vivid picture he paints.

Deez watch out…..I’m building a strong Nas cult here. LOL..

]]> By: Charity http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40755 Charity Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:20:43 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40755 Nastradamus is so ehhhhh and even that has Come Get Me. (Then again, it also has Shoot'em Up and You Owe Me.) Nastradamus is so ehhhhh and even that has Come Get Me. (Then again, it also has Shoot’em Up and You Owe Me.)

]]> By: Thomas http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40754 Thomas Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:16:12 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40754 I AM is one of those albums that has bangers....but I seem to not move it up my list. "Undying Love" has to be one of my favorite Nas songs. His story telling is almost Slick Rick'ish. I AM is one of those albums that has bangers….but I seem to not move it up my list. “Undying Love” has to be one of my favorite Nas songs. His story telling is almost Slick Rick’ish.

]]> By: Charity http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40752 Charity Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:10:36 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40752 It's all good, I just get defensive when it comes to Nas' repertoire. Nasir stan, no lie. I definitely agree re: Illmatic and It Was Written, and I love Untitled too (Y'all My, Fried Chicken, Project Roach, N.I.G.G.E.R., America, Hero, Sly Fox) -- I just can't knee-cap SD or Stillmatic like that. I just tune out to too much of God's Son, though as an album it is better put together than Hip Hop Is Dead. I hate having to put I Am... that low on the list considering that it gave me one of my favorite Nas tracks of all time (tho I can't stand Hate Me Now). It’s all good, I just get defensive when it comes to Nas’ repertoire. Nasir stan, no lie. I definitely agree re: Illmatic and It Was Written, and I love Untitled too (Y’all My, Fried Chicken, Project Roach, N.I.G.G.E.R., America, Hero, Sly Fox) — I just can’t knee-cap SD or Stillmatic like that. I just tune out to too much of God’s Son, though as an album it is better put together than Hip Hop Is Dead.

I hate having to put I Am… that low on the list considering that it gave me one of my favorite Nas tracks of all time (tho I can’t stand Hate Me Now).

]]> By: Thomas http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40750 Thomas Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:01:53 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40750 @ Charity So I get a "What the hell?" because I have SD in the bottom half of my list? lol! Nas and Jay's discography (along with Ghost) can change at any time for me except the top two. I'm not mad at SD being your #3 tho. Untitled is still great to me tho. @ Charity

So I get a “What the hell?” because I have SD in the bottom half of my list? lol! Nas and Jay’s discography (along with Ghost) can change at any time for me except the top two. I’m not mad at SD being your #3 tho.

Untitled is still great to me tho.

]]> By: Charity http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40746 Charity Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:12:18 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-40746 @Thomas @GeeTee What the hell? 1. Illmatic 2. It Was Written 3. SD 4. Stillmatic 5. [Untitled] 6. Lost Tapes 7. God's Son 8. HHID 9. I Am... 10. Nastradamus I still don't understand how people can like God's Son more than Street's Disciple. @Thomas @GeeTee What the hell?

1. Illmatic
2. It Was Written
3. SD
4. Stillmatic
5. [Untitled]
6. Lost Tapes
7. God’s Son
8. HHID
9. I Am…
10. Nastradamus

I still don’t understand how people can like God’s Son more than Street’s Disciple.

]]> By: Sean Deez http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-35804 Sean Deez Wed, 20 May 2009 04:17:38 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-35804 lol no its fine where it is. If i was to go back and review it I probably would hardly change the score.. maybe move it into the low 70's lol

no
its fine where it is. If i was to go back and review it I probably would hardly change the score.. maybe move it into the low 70’s

]]> By: Thomas http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-35803 Thomas Wed, 20 May 2009 04:15:48 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-35803 I still listen to this album at least once every couple of weeks. This should have been an 80+ I still listen to this album at least once every couple of weeks. This should have been an 80+

]]> By: GeeTee http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-30627 GeeTee Mon, 30 Mar 2009 01:41:03 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-30627 Ok fair enough (but I would like DOOM solely on production and maybe a track or two)...Nas/Preemo most definitely. I heard that Nas is pursuing hard on coming through with the promise of a Dre and Preemo album within a year, he supposedly said so during the listening session for his upcoming album with Damien Marley. (Fingers crossed on Nas/Preemo) Ok fair enough (but I would like DOOM solely on production and maybe a track or two)…Nas/Preemo most definitely. I heard that Nas is pursuing hard on coming through with the promise of a Dre and Preemo album within a year, he supposedly said so during the listening session for his upcoming album with Damien Marley. (Fingers crossed on Nas/Preemo)

]]> By: Thomas http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-30622 Thomas Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:59:03 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-30622 No Nas and Doom.....Nas/Scarface or the Nas/Preemo album.....but not Doom. Not really that big on Doom (he has skills......I'll have to admit it even though I don't want to). No Nas and Doom…..Nas/Scarface or the Nas/Preemo album…..but not Doom. Not really that big on Doom (he has skills……I’ll have to admit it even though I don’t want to).

]]> By: GeeTee http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-30613 GeeTee Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:09:20 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-30613 Shit, this is still in my 6 disc changer in the car since July 15, best of 2008 no doubt. Now if Nas and DOOM can make a collab album...What do u think Thomas? I think they'd push the envelope very far. Shit, this is still in my 6 disc changer in the car since July 15, best of 2008 no doubt. Now if Nas and DOOM can make a collab album…What do u think Thomas? I think they’d push the envelope very far.

]]> By: Thomas http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-30503 Thomas Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:41:29 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/23/nas-untitled/#comment-30503 This is still the best release of 2008! Still on my little iPod Nano and hasn't been taken off since its release. This is still the best release of 2008! Still on my little iPod Nano and hasn’t been taken off since its release.

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