Damn it’s been a long time coming but finally got a new project from one of the greatest MCs ever (and my personal top 3), and not only a new album but entirely produced by Kanye West (arguably the greatest producer ever). Out of all the announced albums in this GOOD music/Yeezy season, Nasir is the one that intrigued me the most. With the many social issues that have exploded since his last album and with hip-hop and R&B’s return to more consciousness and celebration of ‘blackness’ it’s been strange not to hear his musical voice on these topics. But he wastes no time in getting right to the issues as most of the album is about subjects he’s been addressing for years even before this newfound ‘wokeness’ – the black community, policing, (some questionable) history, passing down wisdom, and anything and everything between. The production, while done by Ye, still feels very true to Nas stylistically, not overly commercial but with a more substantial bounce and rhythm to make it more sonically pleasing. “Cops Shot The Kid” and “Adam and Eve” feel like perfect synergies between the two and are everything I wanted from the pairing. After 6 years it still would have been nice to get more than 7 tracks from Nas but even in those 7 songs he’s able to say a lot and leave a strong impression regardless.
Never sold a record for the beat, it’s my verses they purchase
Without production I’m worthless
But I’m more than the surface
Want me to sound like every song on the Top 40
I’m not for you, you not for me, you bore me
I drop lines prestigious schools read to their students
Look at my album plaques, somebody agrees with the music– “Simple Things”
Have you heard Nasir? What’d you think about it? Was it everything you wanted from a Kanye produced Nas album? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to leave your own ratings and reactions for the album.
