NAS: Who is the “Street’s Disciple”?

[STILLDRE IS THE GODFATHER]

NAS: Who is the “Street’s Disciple”?
Thursday - December 16, 2004
Albert McCluster III
Upon his 1st appearance on the stage Nasir Jones aka "Nasty Nas", "Nas Escobar", "Nastradamus", "God's Son" or his new moniker “Mississippi Jones” has rocked the Hip Hop world with his thought provoking lyricism.

Nasir was always headstrong and at 14 he dropped out of school for the streets of the rough and rugged Queensbridge projects of New York.

While working his hand on the streets, young Nasir began writing and rhyming…finding he could get his frustrations out better through spoken verse than the bang of a gun…soon he hooked up with the group Main Source in 1991 and flowed on "Live At The Barbeque" which caught the eye of MC Serch (3rd Bass) who wanted NAS to add a track to the Zebrahead movie soundtrack, a film starring then up & coming actor Micheal Rappaport about interracial love. NAS wrote "Halftime" which was the opening song for the soundtrack.

“When I heard ‘Live At The Barbeque’, I was like who is this kid!?!” Says Serch, who is now living in Detroit, Michigan and has his own morning radio program, “Serch In The AM” on WJLB FM 98, the city’s number one Hip Hop station. “I got with him and he was nasty in the studio…he ripped the mic and I HAD to open with ‘Halftime’ on the soundtrack.”

NAS soon after signed with Columbia records where he worked with Pete Rock, DJ Premier and Large Professor on the critically acclaimed "Illamatic", he soon followed up with 1996's "It Was Written", which featured the singles "Street Dreams" and "If I Ruled The World".

In '98 NAS branched out into acting, starring in the ground breaking Hype Williams' flick "Belly" which NAS co-wrote and starred opposite DMX.

After much fame, success AND drama NAS released "I Am" and "Nastradamas" in 1999. Soon, the debate began on who was the true King of New York rap...with the death of Biggie many sought the title...NAS and Jay-Z were the number one contenders. Soon, NAS' fame began to play against his street cred...as he gained MTV and TRL fans AND record sales….he lost those in the streets who felt he was selling out...

NAS came to a crossroad in his life in 2001...his mother was diagnosed with cancer, his relationship with his woman was shit and Jay-Z pulled his punk card on the track "Takeover" from the now classic "Blueprint" album. NAS fired back in December of 2001 with "Stillimatic"...which featured the song "Ether" that had a background chant of "Fuck Jay-Z" and "I will not lose".

"Ether" was followed by "Get Ur Self A..." Soon NAS was everywhere in 2002, Brandy 'What About Us?', 'I'm Gonna Be Alright' with J Lo and Jah Rule's 'The Pledge'.

Drama or no, NAS has been handlin' his business like a villian...with the release of remixes "Illmatic to Stillmatic", "The Lost Tapes" to 2003's "God's Son" and the late 2003 remix release by 9th Wonder, “God’s Stepson”.

Throughout his over decade long career, NAS has been controversial and an enigma. Jumping from conscience rapper to blunt-smoking playa-playa to still standing battle rap MC to urban revolutionary to conservative family man wannabe…but, are any of the guises the real Nasir Jones?

“To be honest, I wish that Hip Hop wasn’t that popular.” Says NAS “I mean the Golden Age of Hip Hop…the 80’s, yeah those were the less complicated times…before everyone got money madness and the music was really pure, you feel me? I mean…there’s really no substance to the music anymore…”

NAS' father is jazz musician,Olu Dara who is featured on the track "Bridging The Gap" on NAS' new Street's Disciple" album..."The track is a tribute to the old school." says NAS "That golden age rap of Slick Rick and with Doug E. Fresh handlin' the beatbox and my pops holding it down on the Muddy Waters tip turns the song into a real party beat."

The "meat" of the album consists of NAS' fellow virgos..."I'm not into astrology, but most of the people that I feature on this album are virgos." Continues NAS "We got Busta Rhymes on 'Suicide Bounce' and I'm lettin' it hang out on that track...exorcising my demons and I holla'd at Busta for that energy that only he could bring. Plus I'm rollin' with Scarlett, Keyon Bryce, Ludacris and Maxwell."

Substance may be a problem in Hip Hop for NAS, but not enough of a problem not to offer his own solution…raised on the likes of 70’s R&B, Blues and Miles Davis he makes a new offering with his 7th CD, “Street’s Disciple”…with the loss of his mother, in 2002, his hook up of Shyne and Murder Inc, a slight diss to P-Diddy on “God’s Son” and a reconciliation with the Blastmaster KRS-One…ould it be that NAS is once again preparing for a change.

The ying and the yang...the positive and negative seems to follow Mr. Jones…last year this time he was detained by police and forced to stand in a line-up due to an incident at girlfriend Kelis’ album release party, where NAS allegedly got into an argument and started throwing bottles and people were hurt. His case is due to go to trial early next year.

On his new album the track called ‘Nazareth Savage,’ NAS does battle with his ego. Considering NAS’ execution of concept tracks in the past, not to mention the concept itself, this is earmarked to become a classic joint.

Also bound to get some attention are some remarks concerning his dedication to his career…NAS always seems to be a bit touchy during his breaks between albums and performing. In regards to “The Lost Tapes” he said “’The Lost Tapes’ was put together by my A&R at the time. They put the songs on and I cared less, just give me my check and keep it movin’.”

Even Malcolm X was a hustler, thief and pimp before he found his path…perhaps NAS is in constant battle with the dualities of his nature. When deeply engaged in his art…perhaps he exorcises those demons within him through a hard ass, knuckles in your face and knee in your gut verse…and then flips the script with a socially conscious track with nothing but rhymes reminiscent of 2pac in his prime….

And like Pac NAS isn't just satified on the mike. "I just wrote and shot a movie for me...Maybe some time later I can do a lot more as far as acting." Replies the new York MC "I see later in the future me writing albums that translate into screenplays for film...but, that's later...right now I'm happy with what I got...life's too short."

He’s NAS…the fist pumping in the air…the bowed head pouring out a little liquor for his lost homey and mistreated sistas…the verbal conscience of a generation not afraid to spit what’s on his mind…he’s the hand smackin’ the video vixen’s ass and blowin’ a spliff…he’s that bling-bling wearing, Krystal drinking nigga who only needs one mic to blow up the spot…he’s Nasir Jones and he’s what Hip Hop is….

[Elevz]

After reading this, I'm just wondering... What's the point this article is trying to make? Nas is struggling with his ego? Didn't we all know that already? Looking at his discography, you can say he has personally evolved into a grown man etc, but we already knew that.

[DPG4Life]

nice story,
i feel him (most of his shit) like no other NY mc...

[Traumatized]

Hell yeah, NaS is one of my favourite MC's right now. Perhaps the best MC in the game today.

[ainsy]

yeh i agree, one of the best, if not the best on the map today, not many people that could touch him in the game right now, iv liked all his shit, but was disapointed when he teamed wit murder inc, i see him as on a diferent level to all of them.