West Coast Connection Forum
DUBCC - Tha Connection => Outbound Connection => Topic started by: TraceOneInfinite Flat Earther 96' on January 28, 2007, 08:09:12 AM
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Still the King of New York, no doubt.
Another solid album from him. Not as great as Illmatic, or Stillmatic. Not as introspective or touching as God's Son, but definitely better than his wack albums, I Am and Nastadamus.
Also, it has some bangin' guest appearances. The Game track is a 10!! And I've never liked Jay Z but Black Republicans is dope.
Many bangin tracks. This album is superior to all the other stuff out on the market today (but that isn't saying anything because... hip-hop is dead).
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The Game's verse is weak '' im in the record shop some choices to make, illmatic on top shelft the chronic on the left homie, blablablawhateverwhateverblabla i stole both splitted the twenty on the dub sack '' Black Republican is a 10 tho..
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In my opinion it is more consistent than god son and stillmatic. I actually rate this higher than either of them, of course it can not touch the lost tapes or illmatic but very few can ;D
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One of his least impressive efforts to date imo, and that still does make it a 7/10. Still the King of NY indeed, but it just wasn't all that impressive.
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Another solid album from him. Not as great as Illmatic, or Stillmatic. Not as introspective or touchin as God's Son, but definitely better than his wack albums, I Am and Stillmatic.
So your saying HHID is not as great as Stillmatic but definitely better then Stillmatic which was wack? ???
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was listening to stillmatic last night i thought it ws pretty good actualy and better
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I think its his 3rd best around even with Stillmatic
Illmatic 5/5
It Was Written 5/5
I Am 4/5
Nastradamus 3.5/5
Stillmatic 4.5/5
God's Son 4/5
Streets Disciple 4/5
HHID 4.5/5
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Pretty much what everyone said...Dope but not as good as his old shit, nothing dissapointing though
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the Nas album is amazing. My fav album right now.
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A good album... should have been better though, Nas weakness is still his inability to choose the right beat sometimes... lyrics wise ob this album, he's a little below his usual level imo
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its a must buy
thats it
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when did I am become wack. I am is a good album that still gets spins from me.
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^^^^ yep people diss this album way too much... only Nastradamus is wack imo
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when did I am become wack. I am is a good album that still gets spins from me.
yeah.. I fucking looooove "Nas Is Like"!! One of my favorite tracks ever!!
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top 5 of 06
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check my sig
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Best Hip Hop major release album of the year hands down. Nobody is putting out the types of singles he's putting out, and nobody has near the substance he does with his music with the position he's in. He's still creative, and innovative. He's not scared to be himself and do music that he wants, and not just pander to a particular audience like everyone else is doing.
I'll admit I was less than thrilled when I heard Will.I.Am and Scott Storch on the boards. But Nas was still Nas on those songs. He wasn't switching up his style.
So yeah, it's a great album and the most important Hip Hop album in 06 EASILY.
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^^^^ yep people diss this album way too much... only Nastradamus is wack imo
sure I am had a couple of wack tracks, but for the most part it was a dope album and has 3 of nas's dopest joints, ny state of mind pt 2, nas is like, and favor for a favor.
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overall it's ok
I tried to get into it but there are some shitty tracks on it
he also got some choppy flows here and there
and he seemed to get outshined by some guest spots
could have been better, wasn't feelin the concept of the hip hop is dead shit
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The Game's verse is weak '' im in the record shop some choices to make, illmatic on top shelft the chronic on the left homie, blablablawhateverwhateverblabla i stole both splitted the twenty on the dub sack '' Black Republican is a 10 tho..
U dead wrong, Game came sick on that : "For my niggaz/it was too complex when Nas rhymed/I was the only Compton nigga with a NY state of mind." And I don't even feel Game like that.
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Great album. I really didn't have a problem with any tracks. Nas came correct. He brought decent produciton. Good guest appearances. what more could you ask for?
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He's The Greatest Rapper Alive. - Still Consistent.
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He's The Greatest Rapper Alive. - Still Consistent.
your tha gayest guy alive
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5/5. Period.
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Great album. I really didn't have a problem with any tracks. Nas came correct. He brought decent produciton. Good guest appearances. what more could you ask for?
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I am is pretty dope. nastradamus only whack one that i've heard. all his other shit is stellar.
what do you mean disappointed with storch and will on the boards? they were some of the only tight beats on the record, which is the problem with the record: Nas rips it on beats that don't deserve him, peep: the first 3 tracks on the LP. Nas rips the shit out of all of them but I never bump them cause of that gay ass synth string shit on carry on tradition and shit like that. sounds corny as fuck(yeah that is storch, but the play on playa beat is as dope as the dre beat).
I think black republicans is a fucking cartoon it's so ridiculous but Nas rips it and wrote a song that put Jay z in the position of admitting his sell-outed ness, how's that for a post victory victory? nas doesn't call himself a republican once in that song, Jay does...cause it's the truth with his sell out ass.
but yeah, this record would have been classic with more dope beats. but nas brings it, concept albums by virgos are always the shit (roger waters and pink floyd for example). they're just analytical people (like myself, virgo)
-T
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I am is pretty dope. nastradamus only whack one that i've heard. all his other shit is stellar.
what do you mean disappointed with storch and will on the boards? they were some of the only tight beats on the record, which is the problem with the record: Nas rips it on beats that don't deserve him, peep: the first 3 tracks on the LP. Nas rips the shit out of all of them but I never bump them cause of that gay ass synth string shit on carry on tradition and shit like that. sounds corny as fuck(yeah that is storch, but the play on playa beat is as dope as the dre beat).
I think black republicans is a fucking cartoon it's so ridiculous but Nas rips it and wrote a song that put Jay z in the position of admitting his sell-outed ness, how's that for a post victory victory? nas doesn't call himself a republican once in that song, Jay does...cause it's the truth with his sell out ass.
but yeah, this record would have been classic with more dope beats. but nas brings it, concept albums by virgos are always the shit (roger waters and pink floyd for example). they're just analytical people (like myself, virgo)
-T
I meant I was disappointed initially when hearing they were gonna produce on Nas' record. Not they're not necessarily talented guys, (Will is a beast) but more because it's the same shit with every other hip hop album. It's like there's 12 producers that mainstream artists work with and release as singles. Nobody venturing out trying something creative, they'd rather play it as safe as possible and regurgitate a sound thats been used 1000 times because it's proven to be commercially successful.
Nas hadn't followed what everyone else in hip hop had been doing on that tip, and that's why I'm able to continue to support and bump his shit. He's true to himself. But after I heard he was signing to Def Jam, I knew there was gonna be huge pressure for him to go a much more streamlined / mainstream route than he had gone in the last several years.
So then I hear "Carry On Tradition". It's pretty much a generic Storch beat - exactly what I expected from him. But Nas wasn't gonna do some club shit with it, he's gonna do his own thing. He's gonna have a very worthwhile song and message just like he pretty much always has. I was able to get over the fact that Storch produced it because Nas kept it real. And it just proves that Nas isn't defined by the producers he uses which about 90% of the mainstream rappers could never claim in their career.
So, sonically, I think this was Nas' most mainstream sounding album since Nastradamus. But what separates this album from a Nastradamus is Nas is being himself. The production was more streamlined, but the lyrics were every bit as thought provoking as any Nas album ever.
Would I have rather had a Nas album with only Primo, L.E.S., Salaam Remi, Chucky Thompson? Of course. But if the reality is that Nas had to appease the heads at his label, at least he did it with integrity. He managed to go for a broader sound without abandoning his hardcore fanbase. That's pretty tought to do.
And it's funny that you mention Black Republican. Nas & L.E.S. is one of my favorite combos ever, and thats one of my least favorite songs. Jay-Z is so fucking horrible I can't even listen to it. I can't stand to hear him talking at the beginning of that track. I never thought Jay could suck as much as he does these days.
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only track that sux is who killed it.
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i woulda had Primo do the beat to blunt ashes(such a dope lyrical concept, such a sad sonic experience), had AZ rip a song with Nas instead of black republicans, Have Jay and Nas on some 22 two's or One Love type shit together and the record would have been classic.
also, who killed it is a dope concept track, it serves its purpose well. "Now that hip hop is dead(track 5)...who killed it?(track 6)" dope shit
-T
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I thought the production on the album was good Nas gets criticized cause he doesn't have the best ears for beats but I think all the beats on the album were dope, they served their purpose especially the Blunt Ashes beat Nas goes with it and its a dope song
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Another solid album from him. Not as great as Illmatic, or Stillmatic. Not as introspective or touchin as God's Son, but definitely better than his wack albums, I Am and Stillmatic.
So your saying HHID is not as great as Stillmatic but definitely better then Stillmatic which was wack? ???
Sorry, that was an mistake/typo.
I meant to say his wack albums were I Am and Nastradaumus.
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when did I am become wack. I am is a good album that still gets spins from me.
Alot of people giving I Am props on this thread, maybe I need to go give it another chance. "Nas Is Like" is the only dope track I can remember being on that album, but I'll have to peep it again.
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The Game's verse is weak '' im in the record shop some choices to make, illmatic on top shelft the chronic on the left homie, blablablawhateverwhateverblabla i stole both splitted the twenty on the dub sack '' Black Republican is a 10 tho..
U dead wrong, Game came sick on that : "For my niggaz/it was too complex when Nas rhymed/I was the only Compton nigga with a NY state of mind." And I don't even feel Game like that.
Word, I loved that whole series of bars where Game was talking about the Illmatic album.
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yeah I am has some sick shit, I used to hate on it till my good homey sat my ass down, packed a fat bowl and made me really give it a chance. the last track is insane, ny state of mind II, i think dr.knockboot's on that shit, nas is like...a few more are more than decent too...which is the song where he samples himself from it ain't hard 2 tell saying 'my poetry's deep..' I remember that shit was hard too.
-T
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I think its his 3rd best around even with Stillmatic
Illmatic 5/5
It Was Written 5/5
I Am 4/5
Nastradamus 3.5/5
Stillmatic 4.5/5
God's Son 4/5
Streets Disciple 4/5
HHID 4.5/5
Illmatic 5/5
It was written 5/5
I am 4.5/5
Nastradamus 2/5
Stillmatic 4.5/5
Lost Tapes 5/5
Gods Son 4.5/5
Streets Disciple 3/5
HHID 4.5/5
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what was I not getting about It was written? it felt like a 3.75 at best to me for some reason, lyrics were ill and I was ALLLLLLL into Illmatic...There's no Primo on it was written is there? musta been the production, I remember the feel of the album just no addicting me like illmatic despite the fact that the shit was quality.
-T
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when did I am become wack. I am is a good album that still gets spins from me.
Alot of people giving I Am props on this thread, maybe I need to go give it another chance. "Nas Is Like" is the only dope track I can remember being on that album, but I'll have to peep it again.
Word, I Am is dope. I liked it from the first time I heard it
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I'm suprised people are giving It Was Written such high marks. The only thing really special about that album is that it has Nas' most remarkable track and breakthrough single, "If I Ruled The World" which rocked the whole summer in 96'.
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Classic album, sraight up, there are 5 classic tracks on it, including Black Republicans, Can't Forget About You, Hustlers, Who Killed It, and Still Dreaming, this cd is always in my cd changer
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I gotta start off by saying Nas is my favorite rapper ever, and with that I know that his music, and/or albums aren't perfect. With that said, I feel like this album is his 4th best effort ever. Out of everything he's ever put out and this sounds like a mix of Illmatic & Streets Disciple.
The beats didn't have that grimey, traditional NY sounds on most of the tracks, but it still felt like a vintage hip-hop record with new school slower beats. I loved the direction he went on the album as far as the lyrics go, as if all off Hip Hop Is Dead actually had a theme. More cohesion. Guest apperances all worked, even though "Black Republican" still let me down a little.
Even then, every track on this album is bumpable, even "Who Killed It?", despite the dumb ass voice Nas used. I though it was an will be the best album released in 06/07. Hopefully, more rappers will start following the trend of trying to ressurect hip-hop, and bringin NY back to top.
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I'm suprised people are giving It Was Written such high marks. The only thing really special about that album is that it has Nas' most remarkable track and breakthrough single, "If I Ruled The World" which rocked the whole summer in 96'.
It was Written is probably my favorite Nas album, definite 5/5. Yeah that track with Lauryn Hill was his 1st bigtime crossover single but contains classic tracks like Street Dreams, I Gave You Power, Affirmitative Action, Nas Is Coming, whole album is dopeness.
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Gotta give it up to Nas for maintaining the streak of dope albums, all the while doing what he wants to do, even though he could probably make more commercial music and sell more records. This release was great, but not as good as Stillmatic or God's son for me. There's a couple tracks that i skip - You can't kill me (sounds outdated), Let there be light (The R&B hook annoys me like hell), and Hustlers (the beat is fucking boring and annoying at the same time). Other than those, every track was dope, but it seems like some people enjoyed those too, so i guess Nas pleased every fan with a little bit of everything. Has anyone seen him live? good?
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I was just pissed AZ wasnt featured
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I was just pissed AZ wasnt featured
me too, no primo either.
but for the record I still think who killed it and hustlers were dope.
-T
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only track that sux is who killed it.
Agreed, the album is awesome,
chill
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wow...wait a sec, I thought you Infinite are that Guerrillas In The Mist ... if you're not, who's the other one?
Anyway, yeah Nas proved it one more time !
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I think the album should've been short and sweet, like 13 songs max. I could have done without "You can't kill me" "Hold down the block" and "Hustlers". I think they should've been added to imports or singles as b-sides if anything. They don't take away from the album directly but they add nothing, so they just feel like filler. I would've definitely added "Where Y'all at" though, its crazy to me that that track was left off.
As far as “Hope” goes, I think it could've been done better too. It should’ve either been straight acapella verses or a song with a beat, not the full mixed vocal track on a song that clearly HAD a beat at one point, but was later removed to make it sound creative or something. The result was everyone being pissed there was no music to it.
Hip Hop is Dead earned an 7.5/10 for me (on a realistic scale) but it could have easily been a 9 with some exclusions/additions and small changes.
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to me filler was the first two songs, blunt ashes, let there be light- all due to production. Nas spit hard on them but the production fell short of what Nas deserves. the rest of the album is banging, nothing against you efrain but I often feel that it's trendy to be like 'oh the dre track is blah', that song is bangingly good to me, especially in context with can't forget about you and hope, it adds to the pristine transcendence he goes for at the end of the album. Hope to me didn't sound like he rapped it over a beat, it actually sounds like he did it accapella to me, that's crazy I didn't know it was done on a beat. It's easy as fuck to rap without a beat, I don't know that he needed that but if you're willing to back that claim, I'll certainly listen to whatever it is you have to say about it. I feel like there should be a remix where he raps over the chicks that sing 'stay hip hop stay' singing that shit with some drums under that shit, would be nice.
-T
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to me filler was the first two songs, blunt ashes, let there be light- all due to production. Nas spit hard on them but the production fell short of what Nas deserves. the rest of the album is banging, nothing against you efrain but I often feel that it's trendy to be like 'oh the dre track is blah', that song is bangingly good to me, especially in context with can't forget about you and hope, it adds to the pristine transcendence he goes for at the end of the album. Hope to me didn't sound like he rapped it over a beat, it actually sounds like he did it accapella to me, that's crazy I didn't know it was done on a beat. It's easy as fuck to rap without a beat, I don't know that he needed that but if you're willing to back that claim, I'll certainly listen to whatever it is you have to say about it. I feel like there should be a remix where he raps over the chicks that sing 'stay hip hop stay' singing that shit with some drums under that shit, would be nice.
-T
Well, L.E.S. and Nas are credited as the producers of "Hope" along with Alexander Mosely as a co-producer. Seems like a lot of production credits for a purely vocal track, no? If it was just rapped by Nas and then some chick sung on it all we'd see is written by _ and recorded by _. I find it hard to believe someone as smart as Nas needed a producer and co-producer to instruct him on how to rap a verse acapella into a microphone.
There are a number of remixes floating around on the net, people were having competitions around the time the album dropped, some of them are pretty good too. Here’s one I thought was cool
http://gnxmusic.com/remixes/Nas_Hope_Gnx_Remix.mp3 (http://gnxmusic.com/remixes/Nas_Hope_Gnx_Remix.mp3)
Now the Dre track, that’s cool you like it I just feel like Dre beats are on all big names albums just because artists feel like they should have a Dr. Dre track. I think if that beat was produced by Dr. Drew (fictitious) and not Dr. Dre, we would have never heard the record. Some Dre beats bang I’m not disputing that, some are really dope. But they’re certainly not all worthy of the praise they’re given and I felt like this was one that was on the album for namesake and not because it was phenomenally great.
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to me filler was the first two songs, blunt ashes, let there be light- all due to production. Nas spit hard on them but the production fell short of what Nas deserves. the rest of the album is banging, nothing against you efrain but I often feel that it's trendy to be like 'oh the dre track is blah', that song is bangingly good to me, especially in context with can't forget about you and hope, it adds to the pristine transcendence he goes for at the end of the album. Hope to me didn't sound like he rapped it over a beat, it actually sounds like he did it accapella to me, that's crazy I didn't know it was done on a beat. It's easy as fuck to rap without a beat, I don't know that he needed that but if you're willing to back that claim, I'll certainly listen to whatever it is you have to say about it. I feel like there should be a remix where he raps over the chicks that sing 'stay hip hop stay' singing that shit with some drums under that shit, would be nice.
-T
Well, L.E.S. and Nas are credited as the producers of "Hope" along with Alexander Mosely as a co-producer. Seems like a lot of production credits for a purely vocal track, no? If it was just rapped by Nas and then some chick sung on it all we'd see is written by _ and recorded by _. I find it hard to believe someone as smart as Nas needed a producer and co-producer to instruct him on how to rap a verse acapella into a microphone.
There are a number of remixes floating around on the net, people were having competitions around the time the album dropped, some of them are pretty good too. Here’s one I thought was cool
http://gnxmusic.com/remixes/Nas_Hope_Gnx_Remix.mp3 (http://gnxmusic.com/remixes/Nas_Hope_Gnx_Remix.mp3)
Now the Dre track, that’s cool you like it I just feel like Dre beats are on all big names albums just because artists feel like they should have a Dr. Dre track. I think if that beat was produced by Dr. Drew (fictitious) and not Dr. Dre, we would have never heard the record. Some Dre beats bang I’m not disputing that, some are really dope. But they’re certainly not all worthy of the praise they’re given and I felt like this was one that was on the album for namesake and not because it was phenomenally great.
I feel the beat did what it was supposed to for the verses, fit the grandiose climax of the album's feel even if perhaps it's not the dopest of dopest but I really felt dre did cool shit with the xxplosive drums over some experimental string synth and the bells melody to bring it together, it felt tightly composed and distinct. and i WISH every big name rapper had some dre beats, I don't see how it's not just dre's circle that's getting the beats.
-T