As I'm listening to the latest album I've downloaded, with all of its eloquent political commentary, meaningful verses, and ridiculous beats, it dawned on me: This just may be the greatest album I've ever listened to.
Who, and what am I talking about? Queensbridge's finest, Nasir Jones, and his new Untitled LP.
Some of you may be thinking: "Dan, isn't it a little bit rash to say an album that came out today is the greatest ever?" Or "Hey, I've never heard any of the songs of this album yet! He can't be that good!" To answer the first question, I'll admit, I downloaded about half of the album off of various illegal downloading sites, although I fully expected to buy all of it when it came out. And for the second question, you probably shouldn't be reading this if you gague the ability of any artist, in any genre, by how successful they are, but that's another story. Let's get into the album itself.
With a simple, suddle piano melody, Nas (if you didn't figure out already who I ws talking about) begins Untitled with Queens Get The Money, a track preaching to all of his listeners in the struggle, at one point talking specifically to single mothers.
"Pregnant teens give birth to intelligent gangsters, they daddy's faceless.
Play this by your stomach, let my words massage it and rub it.
I be his daddy if no one is there to love it.
Tell him his name Nasir, tell him how he got here.
Mama was just having fun with someone above her years."
If that isn't lyrical prowess, I don't know what the **** is.
But Untitled isn't all about somber struggles. Its got plenty of tracks that could be commercial successes.
With the Keri Hilson assisted, Polow Da Don produced Hero, Nas questions what the real definiton of a Hero is. Is it what we have commonly referred to them as, or is it someone who does whatever he can, legally and illegally, for the good of his family, friends, and community? Polow id a great job with the beat. Hero is a synth-laden ballad that has a chance to really connect with the masses.
Another track that could be big with big audiences is Make The World Go 'Round, a track featuring The Game and Chris Brown. If for any other reason, this record could be successful because Chris Brown sings the hook, and based on how the girls at my school feel about him, it could end up being a mainstream hit.
Sly Fox has already become popular because of the widespread disdain for Fox and Fox News, which Nas completely destroys on this track. He makes a great point in stating
"They say I'm all about murder-murder and kill-kill
But what about Grindhouse and Kill Bill?
What about Cheney and Halliburton?
The backdoor deals
On oil fields
How's Nas the most violent person?"
Black President, a track that is basically an ode to Barack Obama, should get a lot more play as November nears. DJ Green Lantern did an awsome job making the beat, sampling 2pac and dishing out a heavy dose of snares and bass.
I like all of the tracks I listed above, but I saved my favorite for last. By far, N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master) is my favorite song on Untitled. This may sound ignorant, but since I am white and have lived a relatively good life, I sometimes find it hard to truly relate to songs that discuss the struggles of African Americans. But Queens Get the Money and more specifically N.I.G.G.E.R have really changed that for me. Nas describes the struggles of African Americans today in such vivid detail, with such excellent similes and metaphors, it's impossible not to feel his lyrics.
"We trust no black leaders
Use the stove to heat us
Powdered Eggs and Government Cheeses
Calendars with Martin, JFK, and Jesus
Yeah, I'm from the ghetto, where old black women talk about they sugar level"
I have listened to a lot of hip-hop, and there have been a lot of great albums I have listended to, but they honestly don't come anywhere near Untitled. If you want to listen to music that has an actual message while still being able to make you nod your head and bump it in your ear buds, please go out and buy this album LEGALLY.
-Danbash
Faces at the U.S. Open
Comments (17)
I am about to go and get my copy on my lunch break but NaS has definitely stepped his game up and brought the knowledge to the masses the last couple of years.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 07/15/08, 12:26 PM
Report Offensive CommentI'm actually not that crazy about the beat to Hero. I listen to the song because I like the lyrics but that beat doesn't do it for me.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 07/15/08, 12:31 PM
Report Offensive CommentI'll comment one more time:
If NaS helps you understand our struggle as African-Americans then I encourage all of the world to listen to this album. I have yet to hear all of it (i heard some songs) but I know that NaS is the teacher that the world needs to listen to.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 07/15/08, 12:36 PM
Report Offensive CommentI like it, but I understand how a ton of synth isn't appealing to everyone.
Danbash | 07/15/08, 12:36 PM
Report Offensive CommentIf NaS helps you understand our struggle as African-Americans then I encourage all of the world to listen to this album. I have yet to hear all of it (i heard some songs) but I know that NaS is the teacher that the world needs to listen to.
J. HOVA: ES MUY BIEN | 07/15/08, 12:36 PM
That is the objective. If someone who reads thism, listens to the slave and the master, and has a better understanding, then I've done my job.
Danbash | 07/15/08, 12:38 PM
Report Offensive CommentAfter hearing the songs, I said screw it, I'm BUYING it. I want Nas to have my money for this piece.
Esco | 07/15/08, 01:03 PM
Report Offensive CommentThat's what I did. I ususally just download it off some illegal site but this time it was money well spent.
Danbash | 07/15/08, 01:07 PM
Report Offensive CommentI usually download illegally too, which is why I have heard about 4 tracks off the album but I will buy the album. NaS deserves my money.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 07/15/08, 02:38 PM
Report Offensive CommentI but this today at 1:32 PM (along with 3 other albums) and I have to say, from what I've listened to of it thus far it is a great album.
Big Ben68 | 07/15/08, 06:28 PM
Report Offensive Comment*bought not but
Big Ben68 | 07/15/08, 06:28 PM
Report Offensive CommentWow Ben...you know the EXACT time you bought the CD? That is impressive
Dyhard -- Badgers vs Marshall | 07/15/08, 10:48 PM
Report Offensive CommentFavorite track so far: Fried Chicken. Damn, NaS and Busta had me feeling real bad towards the end of that.
I just had some Chicken Wings for lunch.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 07/16/08, 03:24 PM
Report Offensive Commentthis won't get too much airplay on the radio as it isn't like the mindless fast pace songs played on the radio like soulja boy...
ahung | 07/16/08, 04:48 PM
Report Offensive CommentFried Chicken and Black President. So far my 2 favorites.
Esco | 07/16/08, 05:26 PM
Report Offensive CommentLawd, Lawd, Lawd, What I Gon' Do?
He killed me with that opening to Fried Chicken. The only "single" on this album is Hero. That's it as far as radioplay is going to go.
The Slave and The Master is a great song, but for radio he would have to clean that up a little too much.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 07/17/08, 04:52 PM
Report Offensive CommentMaybe Black President, but that probably won't generate much interest until just before the General Election.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 07/17/08, 04:53 PM
Report Offensive CommentWow Ben...you know the EXACT time you bought the CD? That is impressive
dyhard: be back Sunday | 07/15/08, 10:48 PM
Yeah, I happened to chance a look at the receipt upon purchase of the albums.
Big Ben68 | 07/20/08, 01:07 AM
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